59 Catalina

[idrivejunk]

That was like being dragged through a knothole in the fence by the tail, weren't it? Next item up on the price is high... trunk latch support area.

[idrivejunk]

I'll have Monday to work on the Pontiac but then am switching to assembly of the yellow 71 Chevelle.

[kb426]

We've been watching this other projects so long that I had forgot there was a yellow chevelle. Chalk that up to old and no memory.

[idrivejunk]

Yep, and everybody knows what a Chevelle looks like already so guys I hope you can find another build or two to support your pic watching habits. Think of this as the end of a season of a show on TV... look forward to next season because its reruns or nothing for a spell.  

Its a decent stopping point for me mentally, floors done and body mounted. But I figure I'll walk to the wrong spot by default when heading for my toolbox for quite awhile this time. Better find myself a new favorite ratchet to buy this weekend.

Secretly I am fiending to lay hands on the blue Model A. And I figure chassis man will have some time with the Cat. And all I gotta do is hang Chevelle stuff we do have and point out what is missing... its a job.

[idrivejunk]

Its easy to forget some gallons that pass under the bridge so here is a link for Chevelle flashbacks. What I did was a very small percentage of the work done. The customer opted for show paint once body work was complete, and of course then the job bucked against the painter somewhat in the booth. Its a harsh gear change from freehanding metal fab to show car assembly.

http://chevroldsmobuiac.blogspot.com/2018/02/

[idrivejunk]

Today we reached a point of having established rear wheel dimensions. Good stopping point for me, and it is wide open for chassis guy or epoxy guy to play with for a spell. I did not forget about the tight pan clearance at the toe board seam. I placed sleeved mount bushings at the trans hump brace positions and got them in at all four firewall body bolts too, and using shims I determined that there will be no trouble even if we want to shim at the firewall mounts for more clearance. I may end up suggesting pads at the tight spot on either side if it ends up too close for comfort.

Anyhoo- over the weekend I put window chrome back on the current edit-



First thing today, I lengthened the rear control arms by 3/4".

Heres the tool I made last year... for this day... its the 16 gauge clock hand looking thing on the hub. It has a bent over and padded foot. I put it at 12 o'clock, hung the tire over it and set the jack height so tire touches tool foot and floor. Then rotated it to 3 o'clock and it went but touched wheelwell. So I cut off the interference and proceeded to set depth by simply moving the tire inward with it hanging on the clock hand tool. Its semi-approximate but theres plenty of room to spare.



With me so far? Wood wheels and clock hand tool make sense yet? Gonna be a 14" wide tire on a 12" wide wheel with the wheel mounting surface centered, 6" back space and offset if I'm using terms correctly. I think. Tubs should be cake. Trunk hinge pockets even get to stay.



Looking like a ten inch wide wheel may work up front. Hold down the fort while I go hang one up.

[idrivejunk]

[kb426]

I'm proud that we all use CAD!

[idrivejunk]

You cut it... instead of the other way around.

Sneaking in another pair of body mounts for a grand total of 16. This is just ahead of the axle.



That inner wheelhouse bottom edge in the previous pic is going to end up covering half the height of the frame rail and following it's shape.

[kb426]

You did say 16? That's a surprise.

[idrivejunk]

Well, theres two at the core support. Firewall has doubles like stock. Then theres the two in the seat track indent on the tunnel. Two under the back seat bottom, then this new pair at the rear seat back. Then the pair at the inside corners of the back of the wheelwells, then the two at the tail. Math ain't my strong suit but thats where I got the number.

[idrivejunk]

I made one tub inner wall and got it screwed in. The flat spot on the outer is the only spot it may need clearance work. Ther regulator is right behind that bumpout though so I'll wait for tire on wheel to modify that make the rest of the wells. I'll probably make this for the other side after I fix a little fender bender job.

[kb426]

I want some of that magic cardboard that turns into metal.

[idrivejunk]

Psst... Its called prestidigitation paper. Ask for it at your local alchemy suppy outlet.

Bonus pics to check for awakes  









       :!:  

[kb426]

The coyote gets me the most excited but not because of aesthetics. It's an ugly fat object but it does produce satisfaction in other areas. I'm awake but not for long.