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Das Auto Gasser build . Slant Six VW bug
Dolmetsch:
I never thought I would get to this point but all major work in front of the doors is done. No welding left up here. Fenders are about 90% done . Now it is just fit together and finish to match. I found a hood tonight at cruise night. Sounds like I can trade what I don't need for a hood. Now it is just fill and sand till it is perfect. Beginning to get the hang of bodywork.
Don
ricardo1967:
--- Quote from: Dolmetsch on August 06, 2013, 06:01:37 PM ---"... Beginning to get the hang of bodywork."
--- End quote ---
Now... THAT'S humbleness!
GlennLever:
--- Quote from: ricardo1967 on August 06, 2013, 06:28:38 PM ---
--- Quote from: Dolmetsch on August 06, 2013, 06:01:37 PM ---"... Beginning to get the hang of bodywork."
--- End quote ---
Now... THAT'S humbleness!
--- End quote ---
For some reason you always get the hang off it at the end of a project?????????
Dolmetsch:
This was also a very good day. There is an old song that goes Some Days Are Diamonds, Some Days are Stones. Today it was Diamonds. It started after breakfast this morning when Mike S and I headed for our secret old wreckers.
Mike needed an NOS starter drive for his Willys starter (54 Chrysler) and I was looking for a set of those old helper springs that go around the shocks. When we got to the fellows shop (he is also a very good and duly licensed Mechanic) He said to me "We were just talking about you." He asked how the project was coming. I told him I needed to try a set of those helper springs and he said "There is an old set on the stack here along the wall." I found them quickly and pulled out my wallet to pay. "I think I will just give them to you" he said. Fine by me. I got home and tried compressing them they were really a bit too springy. I knew if I shortened them they would be stronger. I had calculated previously that something with a combined spring rate of 100lbs per inch would be right. (300lbs total) I needed 5 inches of at rest spring height to sit the car level. I had figured a free length of about 8 inches would work as a jump off point. So measured them . They were exactly 16 inches long. I found the middle and cut both in half. I used the end WITHOUT the progressive winding as I new it would be stronger. I jacked the car up and removed my fake springs (4X4 X 5 inch tall wooden blocks) and inserted the springs. I lowered the car and it sat perfect about a 1/2inch higher then before but I am not in it yet so that was fine. I was surprised my calculations had been right on. It was just an idea to find a basic starting point. Actual rear end weight is not that high as much of the rear end weight comes from the differential, rear wheels and slicks and is unsprung weight. I already knew what the frame weighed and had a pretty good idea the body was about the same at that end of the car. Other then me a bit of aluminum floor there is nothing else putting weight back there. Since I am in the center of the car relative to fore and aft only a portion of my weight will be there as well. Anyway I am in the ball park.
Then after an afternoon with friends at the local car show my wife and I headed off to town for supper. As we pulled up at a stoplight I spied a chrome 4 inch exhaust stack lying at the curb beside the car. "Grab that dear" I said. Despite her arthritis and age she had it in the car before the light changed green. We pulled around the corner and I put it in the back of her SUV while she cleaned the black soot from her hands with several wet wipes. I now have the pipe for the collectors for this engine.
A final finish to the day some old friends bought our dinner unknown to us for some reason. They were at a table nearby. Some days are diamonds. Really.
Don
Dolmetsch:
Upper spring locators welded in. Ladder bar brackets set after determining pinion angle and welded in place. Front legs installed on the old bus seat so it could be moved into position. Tested it which also tests my new springs. ALL is good!
Don
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