I wasn't happy with the way the lower outer panel edge just ended and how it sorta forced the rivet line to stop. So I made a little extension that I silicone brazed on to the seatbelt recess panel.
I still have a bit of clean up to do but to me, this looks a lot more complete. Of course, this means I now have to do the same thing for the top area. It's always something...
tygaboy
Jun 6 2019, 02:28 PM
QUOTE(Krieger @ Jun 5 2019, 10:12 PM)
That's an awesome starter switch! It looks like a great fit! Was it a lot of work?
@Krieger - Not too bad. Let me point out that I used an early steering column. I didn't even know there was a difference. Here's a pic of the one that came in my '75. Completely different and if I'd only seen this version, I doubt I would even have thought to try.
tygaboy
Jun 6 2019, 02:31 PM
This is the early column.
The start button unit has locating ridges that run down it's length. Clearance had to be cut for these. A small Dremmel made pretty quick work of this.
tygaboy
Jun 6 2019, 02:33 PM
Then the locating ridges needed to be trimmed to length to allow the unit to fit in the column. But a gap needed to be cut at the upper area of the ridge that the column's removable switch plate/retainer cover would use to hold the start button unit in place.
tygaboy
Jun 6 2019, 02:34 PM
Here's how the retainer plate locates / locks in with the start button unit.
tygaboy
Jun 6 2019, 02:36 PM
Into the column it goes!
tygaboy
Jun 6 2019, 02:36 PM
On goes the retainer.
tygaboy
Jun 6 2019, 02:36 PM
And into the car!
tygaboy
Jun 6 2019, 05:26 PM
Let the console fabrication begin! That center trim panel is just a mock up to check dimensions.
I still have some designing to do but at this point, I think I'm going to make most all of this upper console section removable. Maybe do a frame under it to support the shifter and this just becomes a cover.
Decisions, decisions.
Cairo94507
Jun 6 2019, 09:23 PM
That looks really nice Chris.
tygaboy
Jun 7 2019, 10:07 PM
One for the tool whores: Looking to create nice, evenly spaced holes? Forget measuring and get a rivet fan. It makes this almost impossible to screw up.
I scribe a line the distance in from the edge that I want (no less than 3x the rivet diameter) then set the rivet fan to the desired spacing. Lay the fan's holes right on top of the scribe line and poke a Sharpie in the hole. Come back and mark the spots with a spring loaded center punch then drill the holes.
Don't use the fan as a drill guide!
tygaboy
Jun 7 2019, 10:08 PM
Driver side lower outer partially done.
tygaboy
Jun 10 2019, 06:26 PM
I made some pretty good progress on the console today. I've moved to a much simpler design. I think with all the stamping, a fairly plain console works better.
I fabbed the rear supports for the shifter and used them to locate the rear console panels. Then I worked up the front sections. Now it's a simple matter of playing "connect the dots".
Here, the rear panels are in final position - the shifter is bolted down to the rear mounts - and I've set set the other pieces in rough position, just to get a feel for how things fit and look. I like it. It looks much cleaner than the previous version. Easier to paint or cover with carpet, etc.
Note that all this console sheet metal will be removable so I can service the stuff that runs in this new tunnel.
And yes, those are mock up circles for the cup holders! (rootbeer, that is!)
tygaboy
Jun 10 2019, 06:32 PM
The final version will have a "cover panel" that runs front to back that sits down in the recessed area and is riveted in place.
Andyrew
Jun 11 2019, 08:32 AM
Thats starting to look really nice!!!
Krieger
Jun 11 2019, 02:03 PM
Awesome!
tygaboy
Jun 11 2019, 03:07 PM
I want to be able to run the car without the console cover so I needed a shifter support stand of some kind. Here's what I came up with. The console cover sit right on top of it. Still a little bit of trimming to finish it up.
tygaboy
Jun 17 2019, 05:32 PM
Nearly-major milestone: Almost ready for final install of the fire wall panels.
tygaboy
Jun 18 2019, 12:23 PM
Door bar trim panel, version 2. I added the upper lip / bend. I think it looks more finished than just the upper edge ending in line with the main fire wall panel.
tygaboy
Jun 18 2019, 06:08 PM
Passenger side lower / upper outer added. See post #1701 for a pic of what it looked like before. This looks far more integrated, IMO.
On to the driver side to do the same.
sixnotfour
Jun 18 2019, 07:54 PM
ovreng.......license plate
Andyrew
Jun 19 2019, 10:12 AM
QUOTE(tygaboy @ Jun 17 2019, 04:32 PM)
Nearly-major milestone: Almost ready for final install of the fire wall panels.
Remind me to buy stock in Cleco before your next project
tygaboy
Jul 3 2019, 01:11 PM
Version 1 of the console top plate, complete w/cup holders.
worn
Jul 3 2019, 06:20 PM
QUOTE(tygaboy @ Jul 3 2019, 11:11 AM)
Version 1 of the console top plate, complete w/cup holders.
Gotta have the cup holders. Yesterday riding home ahead of the thunderstorm it was the cup holder that made me choose the teener...for better or worse,
Cairo94507
Jul 3 2019, 09:13 PM
Chris- That looks great!
Krieger
Jul 3 2019, 11:20 PM
I like it! Very clean look!
tygaboy
Jul 8 2019, 11:38 AM
I'm on hold with the console until I source an A/C evap set up so I started back on the dash. First, I added 1.25" to the stock gauge panel mounting bracket. This moves the panel a bit down and closer. Then I designed up V1 of a new gauge panel. I moved the two outer gauges down and in. This all but eliminates anything being blocked from view by the steering wheel. This shows the view I now have. Better!
tygaboy
Jul 8 2019, 11:40 AM
Moving things down and forward required a bit of trimming to clear the column.
tygaboy
Jul 8 2019, 11:42 AM
V1 of this design includes trying out a new shape for the gauge panel. I'll reshape the mounting bracket to fit then make a removable cover/pod that hides things and provides some sun shading for the gauges.
bbrock
Jul 8 2019, 12:19 PM
I think I'll wait for V7 before commenting
tygaboy
Jul 8 2019, 03:16 PM
QUOTE(bbrock @ Jul 8 2019, 11:19 AM)
I think I'll wait for V7 before commenting
Well, Mr. Funny Guy, the joke's on you! I got (what I think is) the final version after only three tries!
What can I say, as always, I need to get the piece fitted, see what I think, tweak the details and fit, etc. On this latest one, I was able to get measurements from the first version, update the CAD file and plasma cut the clearance profile for around the column, vs doing it manually, like I did on that first one. It's much tidier. I also moved the outer gauges in and down a bit more and changed the overall panel shape. This shape should make it a bit easier to fab the pod cover. We shall see.
tygaboy
Jul 8 2019, 05:18 PM
I bent up some 18 ga, then a little shrinking, fitting and TIGing. 1/2 way done on the frame support reshape.
tygaboy
Jul 8 2019, 05:19 PM
It's turning out pretty well. Again, it'll all be covered up...
tygaboy
Jul 9 2019, 01:08 PM
OK @bbrock , you got me. I went back and did a 4th version... this time in aluminum. I also tweaked the radii around the column cut out to tighten things up a bit. Then I wrapped up reshaping the other side of the frame. On to the pod topper.
tygaboy
Jul 9 2019, 01:10 PM
Exciting news of the day: Huffaker Engineering called and they expect to have my engine on the dyno in the next couple days! They'll provide video, if I can't make it over there to take one myself.
bbrock
Jul 9 2019, 09:05 PM
QUOTE(tygaboy @ Jul 9 2019, 01:08 PM)
OK @bbrock , you got me. I went back and did a 4th version... this time in aluminum. I also tweaked the radii around the column cut out to tighten things up a bit. Then I wrapped up reshaping the other side of the frame. On to the pod topper.
Just 3 more versions to go and I'll tell you what I think. Actually, you "fixed" the two things I would have changed from v1. Looks cool!
tygaboy
Jul 9 2019, 09:19 PM
I replaced the sheet metal screws/clips with nutserts and @Andyrew approved fasteners.
Cairo94507
Jul 9 2019, 09:22 PM
Andyrew
Jul 10 2019, 09:27 AM
QUOTE(tygaboy @ Jul 9 2019, 08:19 PM)
I replaced the sheet metal screws/clips with nutserts and @Andyrew approved fasteners.
Good choice
burton73
Jul 12 2019, 03:51 PM
QUOTE(Cairo94507 @ Jul 9 2019, 08:22 PM)
Mad Skills.
Bob B
tygaboy
Jul 12 2019, 04:57 PM
I decided to upgrade the steering wheel to something that allowed even better gauge visibility. This is a 350mm Momo Mod 78. The "straight across the top then drop", three spoke set up is a big improvement over the previous wheel - without moving my head at all, there's virtually no part of any of the gauges I can't see. The Momo hub is on the way so pardon my manual positioning in that last pic...
And in keeping with the "RaceRod" theme, I decided to eliminate the stock, column-based turn signal and wiper switches in favor of "remote" steering wheel buttons. The Infinity Box electrics allow for programming such that I can have momentary switches that trigger the signals and the brain will cancel them after X seconds or not at all, if the brake lights are on. Same deal with headlights: I can have a high beam switch on the wheel that can either flash-to-pass the brights or turn them on/off.
Beyond signals and hi beam, I'm not sure if I'll have other functions accessible from the wheel, so I made a couple button plates. It's simple enough to add or remove space for more or less buttons.
FourBlades
Jul 13 2019, 08:04 AM
Gauge cluster and wheel works together like a factory set up!
88 more pages until the first test drive!
tygaboy
Jul 16 2019, 09:14 PM
Major milestone completed today. The engine ran again for the first time since I got it from Tony @Cracker .
Presenting the dyno results for one LS3 with ITBs.
. holy shit, your exhaust is glowing! Congratulations!
dan10101
Jul 17 2019, 01:23 AM
Awesome! You're gonna like that!!
Andyrew
Jul 17 2019, 05:45 AM
Daamn!!!
That's gonna be nice!!!
Cairo94507
Jul 17 2019, 06:48 AM
I absolutely can not wait to see that engine in your car. Of course hearing it would be the icing on the cake.
bbrock
Jul 17 2019, 07:19 AM
That ought to be enough to get you into low earth orbit
tygaboy
Jul 18 2019, 10:55 AM
Yep, I'm really happy with the dyno results! Seeing it run certainly jacks up the motivation to get it on the road.
But I couldn't help myself on another redo: Over time, I started to notice (and dislike) the way the shape of upper/outer fire wall panels just died when they ran into the dog house. (in the 2nd pic)
So I sliced the cap off the dog house and started on a piece that carries that line all the way across the fire wall.
Form over function triumphs again...
tygaboy
Jul 18 2019, 05:56 PM
And I need to select the needed switches so I ordered a few different kinds to determine what I like. Initial plan is looking like this pic: stealth black for the turn signals with something different for the high beam. The final switches will likely be sourced from the same manufacturer but I do think I'll mix up the look.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.