GrabberGT Ev. 5

I got a good deal on a Hobart Handler 140 welder. I've been told that its a nice machine for the price and I got a really good deal on it. Came with a cart for 375 and was barely used. I did have to purchase some solid wire and a gas bottle for it. After getting it up and running I found immediate improvement over the HD100 I had before. This thing is awesome. I just need to learn to weld now.

Here is my first attempt at doing anything with it.



All seams have a thick bead of weld on the inside and are cleaned up from the outside. The hardest part was cutting the 16ga material down to shape. I could really use a band saw and work table.

 

wow that's looking REALLY nice, great job

 

Hi Grabber GT
I'v been following the progress on your car and I'm impressed with the car and how you've worked passed the problems that have come up. It helps modivate me to work on my car which is a similar project. There is always thing that come up but its all going to be worth it. I'm sure your son will be asking for the keys as soon as he's old anough.

 

Looks good to me.

 

Thanks for the compliments guys. I really dont get on here enough anymore. Work has blocked the site for some reason. I can get to just about any other site, just not this one.

I dont have much to report on... I've painted the shock towers, installed a Wilwood Master cyclinder and done a little work on my custom shock tower braces. Im currently trying to get my motor and trans back in. I thought it would be easier this time with the shock towers cut and an engine leveler but the leveler actually has introduced its own set of problems.

I went to the Hot Rod Power tour last week and got a look at the Spectre Mav in person. Its really much cooler in person than in pictures. Im still not a fan of the rear spoiler though. This car has got a ton of cool mods. Everything from full frame, recessed firewall, to extending the dash and then some. While looking at it, I noticed they are running 295 tires in the front. How can they do that? 1.They are running A LOT of backspacing to keep the tire under the stock fender. 2.to extend the turning radius as much as possible they fab'd custom inner fender tubs. I was informed there is still some reduced turning but its the frame rail in the way now. This gave me renewed hope that I can run a 275. I should have minimal changes to make since I have cut my outer fenders and therefore dont have to run near as much backspacing. I'll just have to carefully measure my backspacing and possibly massage the inner fender walls (non-tubs). After all, a 275 is only a little over an inch wider than a 245 which I have now. I wish I had been able to take pictures. Its hard to explain. lol.

My To-do list...
install motor/trans
build new trans mount (needed for more direct flowing exhaust route)
finish shock tower braces
install new rear coilovers
fill fluids
start her back up.

later on maybe I'll get around to installing my EFI.

 

So last weekend, I finally decide to put the motor and trans back together and get it installed. It took me ALL day to assemble and work the trans and motor into place as a unit. I finally ended up just letting the motor rest where it was and to finish installing this weekend. (Fathers Day) So skip ahead to Fathers Day... I get out to the garage around 9am and decide to go get some new shifter bolts. On my way there I have a random thought about needing a flywheel inspection plate/cover and it hits me... I forgot to install the motor block plate when I had put everything together the weekend before. OUCH... OK its still early and I can do this. So I make a plan to take the motor back out and get started. This time, I decided to cut the rad support. I just cut the top bar. About 15" out of the middle. I cant believe how easy it was to pull that motor out now. Took maybe 5 minutes.

So I pull everything apart and reinstall my new-to-me aluminum flywheel. Bolt the pressure plate back on, torque the bolts and SNAP... one of them breaks. I've had it with this flywheel now. I've had it for 2 years and there has always been a reason to not install it. Now again, there is something else. I take it as a sign. Something is keeping me from using this flywheel and there must a be a good reason. So I'll just stick with my steel flywheel. Im now convinced that installing the AL one will result in the flywheel blowing apart at 6000 RPM's and taking my foot off in the process. Anybody want to buy a used flywheel. Newly resurfaced with 0 miles. :16suspect

So I go searching for a set of Pressure Plate bolts... Yeah right! Why dont autoparts stores stock Ford pressure plate bolts. Its not like Im looking for parts for a SAAB or something. This is a Ford. The Pressure Plate bolts have been the same for 20+ years. Time to call JEGS.

There you have it. Not only did I not get anything accomplished this weekend but I have effectively erased everything I worked so hard at LAST weekend.

 

ayyy, that's frustrating! but notching the radiator support was pretty smart . . . definitely will make the install easier when you ready to do it.

 

1 step forward, 2 steps back. Been their many times my friend.
Then before ya know it your driving it down the road.

 

keep practicing that welder will lay perfect beads once the user gets it "right" real easy to set up....I ran 3 or 4 and middle wire speed and went up and down on both as needed....I had one but it got stolen....I bought it from Dave a member here who rarely gets on any more....I paid 400 but the tank was almost full too!!!! I am looking a t a lincoln one and in the next few mths should have enough money to get one.....

 

I dropped .2 on my race times when I added a CF grabber hood.....Less weight better engine cooling...better weight transfer etc....Get teh hood you will love it!!!! Maybe we can take a cruise out tat way and get it together!!!

 

Been thinking about the CF hoods again. They sure are nice...

Anyway. Im getting a little done at a time...

Finally got the motor in. Turned out to be a greater hassle than expected. Radiator core support is patched up, (Frankenstyle) rad and condenser are reinstalled, and I've begun reconnecting electrical and such.

This weekend, I spent all of Sunday building a new transmission cross-member. I cant believe it took all day to do but I've got it made and welded up. Its times like this that I wish I had a band saw and a drill press. That would make working with metal soo much easier. Now I just have to clean it up and paint it. I'll post a pic or 2 when its done. Its kind of embarrassing looking right now.

 

Getting closer. I finished up the transmission crossmember this weekend. I think it turned out pretty good. It should do the job and provide some much needed exhaust clearance. Its made out of 1/8" steel.





After that I moved on to finish off my shock tower supports and start putting my front suspension back together. I think the supports came out pretty good. I did mistakenly trip my radiused tubes too short. I'll have to replace them before getting too serious with the driving. The shock tower and cowl plates are steel. Im talking with a machine shop about having them milled out of aluminum. The material will be a little thicker and much lighter.

 

If I were to have extra shock tower braces made, would anyone be interested in a set? What would you expect to pay? Cost to have them made is unknown at this time.

 

I would.... Id pay up to 200.

 

Will they clear a GT40 EFI intake...? :16suspect