BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[Superhawk996]

As I said to the Dr.s who did my earlier surgeries: "Scars on my face simply add to my already ruggedly handsome good looks." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

So sorry to hear about the positive biopsy's Chris.

Old motorcycle racing saying. Paraphrased but it pertains here:
The pain fades, bones mend, chicks will always dig scars, but the glory is forever!

This build is awesome and will be a legend for a long time to come. Mohs on the face shoudln't put you out for too long. You'll find "clean" work to do while you're bandaged and waiting for the stitches to come out.

[sixnotfour]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Morph914]

Chris,
Prayers headed your way. Keep on keeping on with your amazing build! I know you will beat this like a red headed stepchild. We got your back!

[Cairo94507]

Hi Chris - Very sorry to hear about that. I am glad they caught it in the earliest of stages and I am sure they will be able to excise and treat it so you are as good as new. As we age these are the things we all have to deal with. Best wishes and I hope to see you soon.
Michael (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Andyrew]

You caught it early and that's the important thing!!




Also, can't wait to see that rear suspension done (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Dion]

Mend quickly my friend. Your on top of this. Nothing but the best wished your way. Sounds like your in capable hands.
Besides you need a little vaca :-) We all know you work hard.

[tygaboy]

Thanks for the kind thoughts, everyone.
As this is the 3rd time for facial skin cancer surgery for me, I'll say (thankfully!) it's not that big a deal. I've been on an 'every 6 months' full body check since my first melanoma and we've been watching this particular spot for just over a year.

It's very early and should be a quick fix.

Again, thank you. It's great to have your support!

Now, let's get back to the build!

[914forme]

Hope you cover up with good safety equipment. Lots of the stuff you like to do produces the side effects of UVs.

I myself battle a terrible UV burn on my left hand, it is my resting hand when Mig Welding, and after a bit, even with heavy gloves I have to stop, and after a long day, it is Silver Paste on the hand, and let it stay on all night.

Best of luck Chris, your thoughts are with us. Easy procedure, yes, but the healing can become an issue if the sight is not keep clean.

Use the time to draw up some cool CAD stuff for the plasma to cut, or research you next tool to make me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

[horizontally-opposed]

Thanks for the kind thoughts, everyone…

Now, let's get back to the build!

You mentioned this when we saw each other, and had such a great attitude about it—and so much else!—that I was really impressed, and uplifted, by it. And you. And the good news is indeed it was caught early and is a quick fix.

So you can back to your not so quick fixes on that 914 of yours.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) ....which also inspired me.

pete

[Maltese Falcon]

Chris...best of the Holidays, and most of all Best of health to you ! Looking forward to 2020 and seeing your machine hitting the streets (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)
Marty

[tygaboy]

Sharp eyed folks may have noticed that as I was trying to get the pick ups located correctly so the wheels are positioned in the center of the flares, I trimmed too far forward into the longs and ended up with this gap that needs filling.

So I cut a couple elliptical gusset plates and bent them to fit. Problem solved.

Yes, the gussets will be welded all the way around. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[tygaboy]

The first of the driver side sheet metal support plates are trimmed and (mostly) welded in.

There are a number of options for how these two pieces can be fit. I opted to slice a slot down the length so the plate would sit down around the long's pinch weld flange and fit flush against the long at that forward edge.

I then welded along the slot, fusing the plate to the pinch welded flange of the long.

[tygaboy]

And I have to say, I don't know how Jeff Hail was able to do his install without a rotisserie. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

It's been difficult even WITH the rotisserie!

[914forme]

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[tygaboy]

Let me back up and show some details as I work on the other side.

Here's the "end cap", as I've taken to calling it. It wraps around to close off a small-ish, vertical opening that's left in the long after the pick up is fit.

It's pretty simple in that it goes where it goes. I only sanded a couple spots to get it to fit. Here it is tacked in.

[tygaboy]

Then there's the "top cap" (even though it's the bottom part. Hey, the car is upside down and it's my build. Deal with it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) )

I haven't verified this w/ @ChrisFoley , but I suspect these pieces are used in both the 2" raise and the 3" raise kits. Since mine is the 2", you can see there's some trimming needed on that inside leg to get it to sit down where it needs to be.

[tygaboy]

Then, once that inside leg is trimmed, this piece collides with the long's spot welded flange. That's why I decided to cut that slot; to let the piece slide into place while retaining most of the flange.

Yes, I did grind away part of the flange. Essentially, the trimming of the flange goes from the level you can see in the slot to the same level as the edge of the "end cap". No reason to clearance more than needed. Just get the front end of the piece to sit flat against the long.

[tygaboy]

However - and I know this will come as a big surprise - the inner and outer pieces of the longs aren't in the same plane. At least not on my chassis.

So I have this nice gap on the outside.

[tygaboy]

To address this, I trimmed the pieces so I could tweak that outer part down until the front edge was in contact with the long.

Here's the two pieces all tacked, ready for final welding.

[fiacra]

Chris, amazing work!!! I spent some time today on a slow clinic day catching up on your progress and this just blows me away. Thank you for all the documentation and for sharing all of your work. It is inspiring to say the least. I'll PM you in a bit on a separate topic....