Project SCUD, '69 Dart

[wellis77]

So I've been on lat-g for a while but haven't posted my build here because it's on another site. Lately I've seen a few builds on both so I figure what the heck, I'll throw it up.

The back story on my project is I've had the Dart for over 10 years, but it hasn't felt the road in around 7. When I finally began moving on it, the project started out innocent and simple enough. Plans were originally all of the Reilly Motorsports goodies, front and rear, some Mustang FR500's, 5.7 Hemi, A518, 8 3/4, Viper blue paint, buckets, etc, but nothing super crazy or out of the ordinary. THEN, I discovered lat-g and p-t and started dreaming, alot. Then I found the must have wheels for my project:

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/Dart%20Resources/18_19_Dodge_Viper_SRT-10_OEM_Chrome_Wheels_Rims.jpg

After I found a set of these with tires for a ridiculous price, I had to have them and the project spun out of control. It went from a relatively simple, mostly bolt-on, panel replacement, resto-mod, that would be finished in a reasonable amount of time, to a full chassis, full-on Viper theme, IRS, custom almost everything, praying it sees the light of day under it's own power in my lifetime project. Unfortunately for me, I didn't know crap about welding, suspension, almost nothing. So I started researching and reading, alot. Truthfully, this was the best thing that could have happened for me because I have learned so much. It has cost me a lot in parts, and learnings, but that is the fun of the process. I am now at a pivotal point in the build and plan to take it off the chassis table later this year, and let it rest on the ground on it's own tires for the first time in I don't know how long. I have parts coming in for this build almost weekly. I have researched the best quality parts I can afford and that's what I'm using on the build. I will only do a build to this extent once, and I'm making the best of it.

I've been working on the car for 3-4 weeks a year for the last two years; I live in Switzerland and build in Grand Rapids, MI when I'm visiting at Christmas. It sucks, but I get a lot done and I've been blessed with some incredible help to get me there, and teach me some stuff along the way. My next trip back to work on the car will be this Christmas, then I hope for a couple weeks at my semester break in February/March 2012. I have some great stuff that is on order and will be ordered shortly and I'll be sure to post updates as it comes along.

The next few posts will mostly be pictures as I bring this thread to the projects current state.

[wellis77]

One of the first things I did after buying wheels was have a rendering put together. I had one done by a guy on a Mopar forum, and eventually wanted to have it reworked. At the time of the rework I couldn't get in touch with the original artist so I connected with Shawn Mascoll via this site and this is what he put together.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/Tmp00001-1.jpg
So this is the blueprint. The car will be BMW Interlagos Blue Micah and Mercedes Benz Iridium Silver. Ride height is 5" to the chassis and will sit on a custom set of Ride Tech shockwaves.

Following are some pics from last Christmas, cutting the car to almost nothing and starting to mock-up the Viper suspension components and the 5.7 hemi/T-56 combo.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2673.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2754.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2751.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2761.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2759.jpg

note the size of the Viper UCA's and the fact that I can not fit the Hemi between them.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2756.jpg

test fit of the big jabroney (6'6") pilot.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2797.jpg

I ordered shorter UCA's and while waiting for those I began cutting up the rockers since I was planning to move the chassis perimeter into the rockers.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2798.jpg

New UCA's arrived and I started reworking the suspension. Little did I know, the suspension would go through 3 design revisions, only to be finalized last week!
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2802.jpg

[wellis77]

So that was Christmas 2010, and this is how I left the car.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2804.jpg

[wellis77]

My next trip to the states was between school semesters and I had 3 weeks of playtime. My wife was not with me on this trip and I made no plans to visit with anybody, accept the nieces and nephews of course. This trip was all business. My goal was to have the car sitting on it's own wheels by the time I left. This meant building a full chassis, installing it, suspension, engine/trans, etc, all while overcoming a bajillion obstacles that I had no idea were coming. To alleviate the suspense, I didn't make my goal. I could have but I chose not to rush it and left the car on the table for the next trip; smartest decision ever!

So coming back it was time to build the chassis. I had spent almost a year of a few hours here, couple minutes there, designing it in google sketch-up (not exactly a great CAD program but it's free and you get what you pay for). So from that I started cutting 2x4 steel...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/IMG_2799.jpg

and welding rails...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-2.jpg

and assembling a chassis...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-4.jpg

the first iteration of my front rails failed as I forgot some basic 7th grade geometry about splitting angles between two tubes, it takes two 12* cuts to get 24*, not two 24*. So this is the chassis with more to come, and being taken away.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-9.jpg

A sampling of some of the over-build parts for the suspension, spohn del-spere pivots joints and howe ball joints. 6 more Howe ball joints will be in route next month.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-6.jpg

The beginnings of the back brace.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-11.jpg

beginnings of the rear suspension drop-out.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-13.jpg

And here is where I could have stopped since technically it's a roller.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-26.jpg

[wellis77]

from there it was back to suspension mock-up (with the second iteration of front suspension geometry)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-29.jpg

brackets designed and laser cut by a buddy (all to be replaced this Christmas with the third and final, and amazing, iteration of the suspension geometry; with huge props going out to Bryce for a hand in making it right!)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-31.jpg

I then began working on incorporating bumper mounts (again, being reworked this Christmas)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-40.jpg

solidifying engine placement (Hemi soon to be replaced)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-46.jpg

rear suspension
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-55.jpg

rear crossmember/bumper mount replacement (slight rework coming, nothing too major though)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-52.jpg

beginning initial mock-up of replacement core support
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-57.jpg

decisions on what to do about headers (irrelevant at this point)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-58.jpg

and this is where I ended this past spring. I could have pulled it of the table with some shock mock-ups or even using the stock Viper shocks I have under the work bench, but I wisely chose not to.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-59.jpg

[wellis77]

Since March, the suspension design has gone through it's final iteration and it's now an almost perfectly balanced (suspension wise anyway) design, front to rear. Again, a HUGE thanks to Bryce for taking my design, making it WAY better and getting it just right. Unfortunately this means I have to scrap the LCA's I built for some new ones, replace the UCA's with ones slightly longer, and build new brackets. I'm having Art Morrison bend up a new front cross member from 2x4 and am hoping to have them install the lugs for the LCA's and the steering rack, I should hear back on that in the next couple days. At the same time, I'm going to have them bend up new rear frame rails in a different design so I can have some extra room for a Rick's Tank under the trunk floor. Another reason for the new rails is I pumped WAY too much heat into these rear rails and warped the drivers rail so much that the rear tire has oodles of positive camber (painful lesson to learn). Rather than cutting, bending, rewelding, etc, I decide to replace it with a one piece rail, should work out awesome! I've been ordering a ton of parts throughout the year and have a lot more to go. These include:

Ride Tech Select Series Shockwaves, essentially a Viper kit but with a convoluted bag on the rear instead of rolling sleeve.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-75.jpg

fiberglass hood with a Viper hood skin grafted to it. this is not finished yet and the builder will be pulling a mold from it to resale once finished.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-66.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/100_1644.jpg

I ordered a fiberglass decklid which I will be building a custom spoiler into and incorporating a Gen 3 Viper brake light, picked up some new US Body fenders for 1/2 off from a guy that decided to use steel instead. I ordered a ton of hardware and miscellaneous items for the build and for the rotisserie I'm building. A very cool and modern rear defrost setup from frost fighter. Some items for chassisworks, more panels from AMD will be on there way soon too. I ordered a Woodward Steering rack yesterday. The new UCA's (front and rear) will be bearing mounts from Joes Racing. Some header parts from Stainless Headers to build a set for the new motor, a bunch of new tools to make building easier, a Ford GT-40 lemans filler cap that will be recessed into either the top of the quarter panel or the middle of the deck lid filler panel. A TIG welder, cuz I figure if I'm building stainless headers, I should TIG them (another new skill to learn), and a bunch of other fun stuff.
I'll be sure to post pics of my new toys as they arrive, cuz that's all I really have to keep me going the next three months.

Come January, I'll be ordering an ididit column and my Rick's Tank probably in February.

That pretty much brings us up to date, with the exception of the engine. When I first saw the 5.7 Hemi I wanted one for my build. I got a great deal on one and was good to go. As the build evolved into the Viper inspired project it is now, I continued to ponder the significance of a V10. I was finally harassed into doing the V10 and got a good deal on one pulled from a 2000 RT/10. It's a Gen 2 which is only 450 hp, 490 ft/lbs, but with a few simple mods I'll easily 550-600 at the wheels. Now I just need to figure out how to maintain some semblance of leg room.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-77.jpg

[camcojb]

that is a very cool project Will, thanks for posting.

[69z]

I really enjoyed reading and viewing your progress. You are doing a great job! That V-10 is going to need an exceptional exhaust system. Do you have any ideas yet?

[wellis77]

I really enjoyed reading and viewing your progress. You are doing a great job! That V-10 is going to need an exceptional exhaust system. Do you have any ideas yet?

Not sure on exhaust yet. My height (6'6") has dictated some decisions on how the chassis went together, in order to maximize headroom, which will make routing exhaust difficult. My tunnel is 8" wide and the exhaust will have to run through there. I was originally planning to bring the outlets through the rocker in front of the rear tire. I'm thinking that idea is going by the wayside for now. I've been researching mufflers and I'm not sure what I'm going to so yet. The V10 has a unique sound and I can't just get an off the shelf Viper muffler because most of them (GTS excluded) were side exit exhaust with the muffler in the side sill. I wish I could demo mufflers...

[wellis77]

that is a very cool project Will, thanks for posting.

Thanks Jody.

[69z]

The V10 has a unique sound and I can't just get an off the shelf Viper muffler because most of them (GTS excluded) were side exit exhaust with the muffler in the side sill. I wish I could demo mufflers...

Yes, I follow you. I suspect you will be going through many iterations of exhaust before the final. Most V10's either sound good or bad, nothing between. The good ones do sound sweet though.
Again, keep up the beautiful work!

[70rs]

Very cool project!

Can you use oval tubing to get the clearance you need for the exhaust?

[Ron in SoCal]

Really cool project Will. I've been following over at PT. Glad you decided to intro Scud over here! Keep going Sir...:thumbsup:

[tones2SS]

Very awesome Will. Great work. That Dart should be a killer build.

[wellis77]

Very cool project!

Can you use oval tubing to get the clearance you need for the exhaust?

I can but it's not so much ground clearance that I'm dealing with. It's just a very narrow cavity that I have to run it through. I really wanted side exit exhaust through the rocker similar to the Viper but it looks to be too complex at this point. However, I will however pick up some 3" PVC this year and play with some mockup to see if I can make it work. Will be way simpler to run it out the back, but that's also not the vision. We'll see.

[wellis77]

Really cool project Will. I've been following over at PT. Glad you decided to intro Scud over here! Keep going Sir...:thumbsup:

Very awesome Will. Great work. That Dart should be a killer build.

Thanks guys.

[intocarss]

What an incredible build

[xtreme]

Looking good man, what do you think about those spherical joints your using on control arms? Arey they only on the front suspension?

[Garage Dog 65]

Great work Will !!

I've had several 69 darts over the years and always wanted to do something simular to your build. The original suspenion, tire width and brake selections just won't fit the body for any real PT type car effort. One 69 I had was a 440 mag - but without mods to the wheel wells I could never get any traction and it handled even worse...

For exhaust routing - maybe check out Bob Johnsons cuda project ? It turns 90 degrees at the front of the rear tires and exits out the side of the car. You might have some space for muffler selection. Just an idea.

Great design and I can't wait for more progress !!

Jim

[boostin05blacks]

Love the car man. Going to be killer when you get it all done. Keep the work coming! :thumbsup:

[DRJDVM's '69]

Beautiful build...

I cant believe how much you seem to get done in your little "bursts" of work when you get to work on the car.

[elitecustombody]

Beautiful build...

I cant believe how much you seem to get done in your little "bursts" of work when you get to work on the car.

I agree with Ned.

Will,do you even sleep in those couple of weeks :willy:

Have you thought about widening the tunnel to fit exhaust ?

[wellis77]

Looking good man, what do you think about those spherical joints your using on control arms? Arey they only on the front suspension?

I love the Del-Sphere's. I have a set that will be going on the rear LCA's as soon as I build them. Probably overkill for A-Arms but they are nice and ultra smooth.

[wellis77]

Great work Will !!

I've had several 69 darts over the years and always wanted to do something simular to your build. The original suspenion, tire width and brake selections just won't fit the body for any real PT type car effort. One 69 I had was a 440 mag - but without mods to the wheel wells I could never get any traction and it handled even worse...

For exhaust routing - maybe check out Bob Johnsons cuda project ? It turns 90 degrees at the front of the rear tires and exits out the side of the car. You might have some space for muffler selection. Just an idea.

Great design and I can't wait for more progress !!

Jim

Thanks Jim. I completely agree with you. I'll check out Bob's Cuda to see what idea's I can snake from it.

[wellis77]

I agree with Ned.

Will,do you even sleep in those couple of weeks :willy:

Have you thought about widening the tunnel to fit exhaust ?

I don't get much sleep that's for sure. Was just telling my wife tonight that it will probably be less this year than last too. Already looking for tickets for a couple weeks from the end of February to Mid-March. If I can get my Rick's Tank by February (dependent on me and cash flow, not Rick), I may even be able to get it running...

The only problem with widening the tunnel is I lose much needed interior room. But I will consider it. I'm going to mock up some headers out of PVC and mock up exhaust routing in PVC as well. That will give me a chance to play with things before I make a final decision on the direction.

I got your PM too Stefan. I'll connect with you next week.

[wellis77]

Beautiful build...

I cant believe how much you seem to get done in your little "bursts" of work when you get to work on the car.

Thanks Ned. Doesn't pale when compared to yours but thank you.

[Bryce]

Will,

Thanks for the props!

[wellis77]

Needs to be given where it's due Bryce. Ordered my Woodward rack a couple nights ago, can't wait to see that thing finished; 22.18" on the money it will be.

[56pickup]

What an awesome Project! Can not wait to see it when its done! Love the fact that your building the whole frame yourself! Keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

[wellis77]

More parts for me! It's killing me not to be able to do anything with these!

Woodward Steering Rack & Pinion...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-79.jpg

Joe's Racing Bearing Mount Upper Control Arms that will be used in both the front and rear...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-78.jpg

RideTech 3 Gallon Tank... (and uber fat guard cat)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-81.jpg

I've also designed a bracket that will clamp around the air tank that will hold both the compressor and the valve block. All of it will be mounted under the car between the frame rails. Will work out AWESOME, and save some space in the trunk.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/airtankmount.jpg

[R.A.D]

how cool is that!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TAC]

just read thru this... quite the undertaking.....looks good Will

[wellis77]

Thanks Gary. If I'm honest with myself, it's much more of an undertaking than someone with no skills "should" have considered getting into. It's been an awesome learning experience though.

[wellis77]

The hood for my project is coming along nicely! I can't wait to see this thing finished. The next step is to have a mold pulled from it so it can be recast into one seamless piece, rather than the many pieces it has taken to get here. Should be done just in time for my return to the States and my mega-thrash.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-84.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-83.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-85.jpg

[R.A.D]

comepletely out of the box

[wellis77]

Thanks a bunch.

[xtreme]

looking good man

[johns cuda shop]

That hood is a work of art!!! :)

[tones2SS]

That hood looks great!

[wellis77]

Recently pulled the trigger on some new uber coolness for my hot rod's electrical system, MiMod HP, a perfect complement for my ISIS. Includes twin 7" LCD displays for the dash that will be my gauges. We are designing those now and the initial images are pretty cool. Also includes a tablet PC that will be mounted in the center of the dash and will handle all the switching and electronics on the car. That means no buttons, knobs, switches, sliders, or anything else on the dash, just LCD gauges and a touch screen. In addition, the tablet will also handle air suspension operation, OBDII integration, WiFi, HD/AM/FM Radio, MP-3, CD/DVD, Back-up Camera, GPS, Vintage Air operation, eventually TPMS & Handsfree/Bluetooth phone capability, and almost anything else I desire at a later date. Oh so fun. I REALLY hope it works out to have someone do the bodywork for me while I'm gone next year so I can start on all this wiring coolness...

I'm back in about a week and a half and have oodles and oodles of boxes of parts to sift through. So much junk my photo-journalist can't keep up, then there is, of course, the super haus V10... First I have to get through a couple exams and a bunch of writing on my thesis so I don't have to think about IT while I'm working on the car, but it is real hard staying focused right now. Almost all the parts are in house or in route with a few more to order yet. Gonna be fun times in the shop.

10 days.............................................. ............

[Bakaruda]

That hood is very cool.

[wellis77]

You ever had that moment in your build where you feel you're in over your head? Yeah, me too...

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-94.jpg

[racin66coupe]

"some assembly required"

looks great though!

[rjsjea]

Someone will be spending long nights in the cold garage, :lol:

Get working! while your here in the states

[DRJDVM's '69]

I don't think those caster wheels are gonna clear your brakes :)

I get that feeling when I pull out all the wires for the Fast XFI stuff....

[tones2SS]

Good stuff. That should keep you busy for a while.

[wellis77]

I don't think those caster wheels are gonna clear your brakes :)

I get that feeling when I pull out all the wires for the Fast XFI stuff....

Yeah I need to figure that out, but they sure will look cool...

[wellis77]

So I had a first full day of working on junk. Disassemble, cut, grind, weld... Doesn't look like much got done but it really was quite a bit.

Out with the old...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-97.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-98.jpg

Prepping the new. Will have this in today and hopefully have the front out as well.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-99.jpg

Prepping the front...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-100.jpg

My new big block, in house...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-101.jpg

['02ta]

I love everything about this car. Amazing

[waynieZ]

Awesome looking parts, nice project..

[tones2SS]

Moving right along. Great updates.

[wellis77]

Thanks guys. Nothing exciting to show today. Getting rear suspension reset and that took WAY TOO LONG! Finally started getting the rear rails fitted up and should have that finished tomorrow. Ran into some problems with upper ball joints and hoping I can get that worked out with Howe tomorrow. Unfortunately life still gets in the way here with family stuff and dinners and blah, blah, blah. Just want a week of car stuff ALL DAY. Either way, hope to be ready for suspension brackets this time tomorrow and moving on getting the front end assembled.

[wellis77]

More work finished yesterday, after an interruption by a planned doctor appointment. I sold the Hemi so I pulled it and began crating it up. Then it was on to finishing up the rear frame rails. What a long process that was; fit, grind, fit, grind, fit, grind, fit, grid, etc. Once I like the fit I braced the crap out of everything and welded the front of the rails solid. Then moved on to the rear, same process, cut, fit, grind, fit, grind, fit, grind... Still have a bit more grinding to do to get the fit so I'm 100% satisfied with it but that will be finished this morning after I finish crating the engine. Then weld them solid and move to the front. Here is a pic of the rear rails after I welded the front half and began fitting the rear half.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-103.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-102.jpg

more to come today...

[tones2SS]

Great update Will. What are you using for an engine now that the Hemi is all crated up?

[wellis77]

Great update Will. What are you using for an engine now that the Hemi is all crated up?

I like this question... I put it on the engine stand the other day and it is VERY front heavy. So much I put a jack stand under the pan to take some of the weight off.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-101.jpg

[wellis77]

Rear rails are finished; less some grinding on a few welds (I'm still not the best welder, but I'm getting better). REAL happy with how these came out too!
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-104.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-106.jpg

Got the front cut off and hope to have the new ones welded on today.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-105.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-100.jpg

Also got the Hemi crated up and on it's way to PA.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/Dart%20Resources/file-2.jpg

[wellis77]

Here's where I'm at as of the close of working time today, about 4:00 pm.

Front frame rails in and so stoked how they came out. Real glad I decided to redo them, costly, but glad I did it.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-110.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-112.jpg

Just a few bolts short of dropping this in so I can measure up the new back-brace and start bending tube. I will have it in tomorrow.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-113.jpg

The fun continues...

[cencalc6]

Awsome Build! :thumbsup:

[wellis77]

I have a custom oil pan in my near future. Will be moving the engine around 12 inches back from this position. Right now the oil pan is not clearing the front cross member. May even have to notch it but I can get about 3-3.5" with the pan alone. That should be enough to get where I need to be.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-114.jpg

Also started on the 1/2 trans loop, lighting sucks.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-115.jpg

[SuperB70]

Will, good job.

I have one question: can you move the front crossmember? You'll bolt the rack to it but cmember can be a front or back of rack, right?

I see that you will come to same gross road as I did.

If you do some homework, you'll know that these engine are notorius about oiling problems and right way to go is drysump.

Your genII engine is not so bad as my III.

On Viper competition coupe engines dry sump oilpan is just over 1" high.

If you are going to go with wetsump, please make sure it is done right. Yhese are way different than old V8 systems.

Anyway, work hard, post more pics and enjoy!!!

Do I see tig machine there on the floor?

[wellis77]

I'd rather not move the cross-member because I'm mounting my lower control arms to it. One way or another, I'll have some sort of cross-member under the engine.

I know the Viper oiling system is different than the traditional V8, I just haven't looked much into it yet. I thought about dry sump and know that would essentially solve my issues with pan clearance, I just don't know anything about dry sump. Any recommendations on sites where I can get educated on Viper dry sump vs. wet sump?

Yes there is a TIG machine on the cart. I haven't had a chance to start playing with it but it's on my list this week. Tons to do... Thanks.

[SuperB70]

Just that you crossmember is so huge in the middle. I think that doesnt need to be, you could make it lighter with tubular structure. Frames will be connected from the front end also, like radiator support?

Everything about the snakemotor is somehow classified. Some kind of secret society " need to pay to know only"

Nobody will tell you nothing. You have to pay them to do it and even then they have machined the part number off so you have to go back.

At least thats what I have come across. I have try to know what bearings they are putting in camjournals, I know they are from oldschool amc motor but not know witch.

I think that is because Vipers are still expensive and modification on them is more expensive so nobody want to spread to info.

Drysump engines has been used on competition coupe models only.

We have one CC here in Finland, maeby you can find owner/mechanic of one of those easier and ask.

I'm doing it cos then I can set the engine down, much more effective that setting it back cos it dont weight so much. About 60kg lighter that small block mopar.

Dry sump is no rocket sciense, can find universal kits from drag racing application, just need a good pump, good real tank w/paffles (you dont want airbubbles in you oil),many filters, pressure regulators and pan that has good pickups.

Sorry about the long post but I dont want held info.

Keep it up... :thumbsup:

[wellis77]

Thanks for all the info Juhani. I did some quick research yesterday morning and this "may" be an option for me, though I'll keep it as a final option. I'm going to get everything tacked in place up front, drop the pan, put the engine back in and see where I'm at.

The crossmember is large but I'm not going to cage the car and the core support/radiator mount will not be intended for structure. I'm building that out of aluminum to lighten the front as much as I can now that I have the V10. Tube would certainly be lighter but I wouldn't gain much for clearance. The cross-member is a 2x4 tube and I think the least I could probably go is 1.5 inch tube so I would only gain an inch vertically, granted I would gain a decent amount on depth but I have some other ideas for that if needed. I want to get it all mocked up and see where I am at first.

I just had a thought about all the Viper stuff and lack of information. Have you ever spoken with Chuck Tator? He is on the Viper forums as Viper Wizard and seems to be one of the know all's of the Viper. He was formerly the oldest Dodge dealer in the U.S. and dealt only in Vipers, Chrysler shut him down when they were down-sizing dealers. He still runs a garage focused on Vipers. I've connected with him a couple times and he has been very helpful. Also, the guys at Woodhouse garage have been very helpful. I have seen the guys that will only help "if" you buy and that is super frustrating because while I may not be buying now, I will be later and I'll remember their lack of help.

[wellis77]

Yesterday I got the steering rack in and the front uppers are located. Only tacked the mounts for the rack in place. Based on the height of the tie rod ends, I may be able to lower the rack a bit so I'll wait for the front lowers to be in before welding the brackets solid and putting in the bracing.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-118.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-119.jpg

[Bryce]

will,

It looks like you need some shorter bolts on that p-side UCA. I work part time at a hardware store let me know I can send some over for you.

http://www.marshallshardware.com/

[wellis77]

Thanks Bryce, those are just for mock-up. Hope to have the actual brackets installed tomorrow. I'll let you know if I need something though.

[wellis77]

A little bit more progress today. Seems like I'm doing more problem solving than building right now but it's coming along.

A custom oil pan from Charlie's is definitely in my future. I pulled the pan and dropped the engine again; all the room I need. Will be a real shallow pan at the cross member but I'll make up for it at the rear of the engine. The sump on this engine is unlike any V8 I've seen. I'll have to snap a picture of it.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-120.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-121.jpg

[65_LS1_T56]

Thats a pretty awesome project Will. Lotta motor, little car-great combo.
Looks like you could just attach the gas petal right to the bellhousing! Is it gonna be tight in the footwell area?

[wellis77]

Thanks Aaron! The footwell will be a bit tight but I think I'll be okay. Hoping I won't have to offset anything but we'll see.

[wellis77]

Thank you Stainless Headers! The collectors are smaller than I thought, building these might be easier than I expected. Bonus!
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-123.jpg

I've been waiting to buy this for a while, so excited for it. It's freaking awesome!!!
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-124.jpg

[TAC]

Been making some good progress there Will. Those rails look real good.
Are you setting up the front susp. mounts from a design?
My ford v10 has an actual sump(like an old v8) I've done some work with those viper v 10s and as others have said, be careful with your oiling.

[wellis77]

Thanks Gary. The sump is wicked on the Viper V10, oil gets sucked through a screen in the bottom of the pan, then routed through a cavity cast into the pan to the front of the block. I've never seen anything like it. Hoping to start in on my back brace tomorrow.

[wellis77]

Some of the work that was finished yesterday.

Started on the bumper mounts. Hope to have those finished before I head back Sunday so I can plan for the core support.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-131.jpg

Continued work on the rear suspension. Bending tube, notching tube by hand (way tough).
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-135.jpg
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-133.jpg
need to finish the other side of this x-brace behind the LCA mounts. Should have that done along with the rest of the mounts. Hopefully will get to the shockwave mounts as well.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-134.jpg

Having a stainless fuel tank built and will be running Vaporworx in it. More to come on that. Playing with the mock-up template.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-127.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-125.jpg

Two more days of work before a two month break. Hoping to get a lot done the next two days, but I'm moving pretty slow...

[wellis77]

Slow progress today with having to hand notch some tubes, fab brackets/tabs, etc. The rear is almost finished. I couldn't mount the shocks because the amount of anti-squat in the LCA causes the shock to hit the UCA, so I'll need to fab some rear LCA's. No problem though, I planned to anyway. Just have to do it sooner than expected. One more day to go...

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-144.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-143.jpg

[cencalc6]

looking realy good :thumbsup:

[wellis77]

Thanks Cencal.

Sadly, my time for this trip has come to a close and there won't be any more pics until the end of February. Yesterday was mostly spent cleaning and organizing the garage. Although, I did pull the engine out, move the steering rack down, and build new brackets for it. I began locating the rear diff but ran out of time with having to clean, pack, see the fam one last time, etc. That doesn't mean that progress won't be had over the next couple months though. I'm having a custom stainless fuel tank built by Eric Mueller and Mike Toupin of Mopar Engineering, I'll be incorporating Vaporworx into the tank as well. They will also be building my radiator once I get that sized up in February. Development of my MiMod system will also continue in hopes that it is finished once I return as well. So far it's looking real good and I can't wait to see everything when it's finished. Then, there is always my hood, which who knows when that will show up...

So, all is done for now. Took about 10 steps backward and almost 10 forward, but I am real happy with how everything is coming out. Still a lot of things to figure out and build, but all doable and I'm looking forward to my next visit in February. That will be when I can really put some hours in on the car. I can't wait!

Until next time, happy new year!

[214Chevy]

Hey, great build Will. I noticed something and have to ask a question. On your front, upper control arms, shouldn't they be tilted back instead of forwards for breaking when you stop so the front end of the car doesn't take such a big nose dive. That's what I've always been told and I've always seen the front, uppers tilted backwards for that purpose rather it's aftermarket frames or stock. I'm just asking, but hey, what do I know?

[wellis77]

The anti-dive is picked up in the lower control arms. I had some interference with the LCA & steering rack so had to reconfigure some things and didn't get the front put back together. My front lowers are angled up toward the driver. I'm using Viper spindles so the geometry is based off Viper geometry which has the geometry laid out this way for packaging. Good eye!

[Motorcitydak]

I was going to mention a dry sump for you when I was there. I saw that weird pan setup you were talking about. A dry sump really is not that hard tho. You can run one using your stock oil pump and 1 extra 2 or 3 stage pump. There are obviously a few problems to solve tho....

The extra pump is usually spun with a gilmer (toothed) belt that is spun from the crank at about half engine speed. It would require a custom machined adapter to fit on the front of your crank pulley. Either that or you would need a serp pulley to be larger than the diameter of the crank pulley. Then of course it has to be mounted low on the engine so that oil will drain to it.

The tank itself is easy. You can pick those up from lots of places, just pick how much oil you want it to hold. The stock oil pump will feed from the fitting at the bottom of the tank, the external pump will send oil back to the tank at the top and is usually built so that oil spins against the side of the tank then down thru a couple screens to get the air bubbles out of it.

Another thing to figure out is how to get a fitting to connect to the oil pickup of the stock oil pump. Since you have a TIG, (can you TIG cast aluminum?) you may be able to modify that one. Just somehow get an AN fitting onto the pick up and build the bottom with 2-3 more fittings (depending on how many stages your external pump has) to feed the other pump. They should sit lowest in the pan on the drivers side with the bottom of the pan slanted to the drivers side. Put a screen above the drain fitting to stop any pieces of metal and maybe a magnet before each one too to try to save the pump in case of catastrophic engine failure

[wellis77]

Thanks for the info on the wet sump Steve. I looked into a kit but at $5500 it was out of the question. However, building my own is far more reasonable and a better option. The biggest issue here is how to mount the external pump. The cast pan can be Tigged so putting an AN fitting on the pickup is no problem. I'll have to look at some external pumps to see what kind of options I have to mount it. The other problem is where to put the tank. I want to make sure I can get AC in the car, may already be difficult with the engine setback, so I may have to get creative but this seems like a viable alternative I need to research more. Great idea! Thanks.

[Motorcitydak]

I wouldn't bother with that kit either.

You can mount the tank pretty much anywhere within reason. Usually they go behind the passenger side wheel well. You would just have to get creative on the mount for the oil pump, not sure what else to say. Some custom brackets would be in order id guess. Also the pulley for the belt. After thinking about it a little more, Im not sure that an external pump would be able to stand up to the tension of a serp belt. The belt is usually quite loose so Id bet the bearings/bushings mite fail under the strain

Im thinking about using a dry sump as well because I want space to run 180 degree headers. Id also make a crank scraper while I was doing the pan.

[wellis77]

This is getting closer to becoming a real possibility. The only issue is figuring out how to mount the pump. Definitely custom brackets. I need to get back and look at my engine again to see where I can bolt up to. For the "kits" that are out there for the V10, most replace the A/C with the oil pump so a plate mounts to those 3 or 4 bolts, done and done. I want to keep the A/C so I need to find a way to mount it on the passenger side. The only bolt holes available on that side of the block are the motor mounts, cross bolts for the mains, then the bolts for the timing cover. Maybe something that goes up to the motor mount then wraps around to pick up a couple from the timing cover. The $5,500 kit is awesome because it locates the oil pump exactly where I want it but does it with a billet oil pan and mounts machined into the oil pan. Actually, thinking through that, I could weld mounts to the cast pan... Just got easier I think.

Oil pumps are not cheap either! Everything else is reasonable.

[SuperB70]

But you dont need more that 3 stage pump, you can get one as used nascarstuff selling firm.

In Competition Coupe Vipers pumps where mounted front center under oil pan. There is a made slot for it. Tensioner takes care the belt. Street use should use a belt shield for rock and stuff. Also oil pressure cutoff sensor.

Will, you should make/order new oil pan , you dont need original tall sump pan, just 1.5-2" enough. Then you can put pump under it. Pump is frontplate or side mounted and you can weld tads to side of your oil pan.

Off topick: I got two new big 4.2L twin screws in my shop... :):willy:

[wellis77]

Looking forward those twin screws Juhani. Will be a sweet setup!

I've seen some used NASCAR stuff but have only seen one 3-stage pump. Most I've seen are 5 or 6. I'll keep my eye out. There is one on ebay right now that I'm watching. If that can be bought cheap, I could put this together for less than the cost of having a custom pan built. I found a company in the UK that previously built a kit for the Gen 2 Viper using the stock pan, but heavily modified. Using there design as a base for modifying my pan, should be pretty simple. Since you definitely know your way around this motor, where are guys connecting the pressure line to the engine? I'm not sure the location of the pressure supply on the Gen 3, but the pan is different than mine so I presume it is located differently. You may already be familiar with it, but in this pic I'm pointing at the supply to the engine from the stock pan. One option would be to cut the pan down and weld a fitting to inlet to connect an AN line. What have you seen or what are you doing? Thanks Juhani!

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-139.jpg

[SuperB70]

What you are showing is oil exit hole in oil pan going to timing cover, where oil pump is located.

In our engine oil pump is an axial oil pump inside timing cover on the front end of the crank. My engine has an oil pick up tube that is connected to timing cover and from the pump pressurized oil travels in a hose to oil cooler/heat transfer and from there w/hose from there to actual engine block on the driver side front corner below cam line. There is no straight outlet from timing cover to the block.

You got an different oil pan and you dont have old style oil pick up, oil travels in a canal in oil pan and go to oil pump in timing cover. Take a look at your oil pump and your timing cover. I guess your oil entry to the block is on passanger side just where is your oil pressure sensor just over your oil filter and cooler fittings. You could weld or tap a fitting there.

In dry sump should eliminate the use of original oil pump/ pick up an so we dont need to go in oil pan/timing cover. From oil pan to inline filter, then pump scavenge side, there to cooler then tank, from there to pump pressure side, then pressure regulator and another inline filter and in the block we go again.

Simple diagram

http://image.stockcarracing.com/f/9299527+w750+st0/scrp_0710_02_z+dry_sump_oil_system+oil_system_sche matic.jpg

I would add an secont filter before pump to secure it and pressure regulator an pressure cutoff switch for safety.

Go check the hole article HERE (http://www.stockcarracing.com/techarticles/scrp_0710_dry_sump_oil_system/index.html)

About my twin screws.. Only one is mine..

Other one is first going on old 426 Hemi.

Or I have to make it happen..

I tryed to add pic but my picture account webside does not open..

[wellis77]

Thanks Juhani! I've been doing some research on these systems and I think I have a pretty good handle on what it is and how it works. Now I need to get more detailed on specifics related to the Viper engine, namely eliminating the stock oil pump and where I can supply the pressure to the block from the oil pump. I think you are correct, I believe there are two fittings on top of the oil filter in order to put an oil cooler in the system. I can probably use that for the supply. I need to pick up a service manual for my engine...

[wellis77]

Even though I'm not actually the one doing it, progress is progress... A few weeks ago I received what might be the first set of Digi-Tails for the '69 Dart. Pretty pumped about these and am looking forward to getting back and playing with them a bit.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-145.jpg

Also got the first pic today of my custom stainless steel fuel tank. Big thanks to Tincup and edakota (PT.com) for the work on this. Tin took my initial drawings and dimensions and between he and edakota, made it into a useable design. I ordered a fuel module from Vaporworx to run in it, has a built in sump, regulator and fuel level sender. Should work out perfect in my build. Can't wait to see this thing done. After it's finished, it will find it's way for coating in Tennessee before heading up to Grand Rapids. Something else I'm real excited to get playing with. Tin and edakota have been awesome to work with!
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-146.jpg

If you're in the market, I highly recommend these guys.

[wellis77]

Couple updated pics from Eric on my tank. Still needs the mounting brackets before being sent to Leanna for a paint job... Big thanks to Mike and Eric for this. I'm looking forward to getting back and hanging this.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/tank-2.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/fueltank.jpg

[wellis77]

And the tank is finished, more or less. Still need to add a fitting for the vent tube, but that is on it's way from The GMR. Then off to powder coat. So close to done...

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-147.jpg

[zleehw]

completely out of the box

The whole build is amazing, but that hood is out of this world....I am stoked to see this car built.....very nice work.

[wellis77]

Thanks. I'm pretty pumped about it myself. I come back a week from Sunday for another thrash. Can't wait!

[wellis77]

So I got in Sunday night and have been going on the car since Tuesday. Progress is pretty good, though I wish I was a bit further but I'm still doing well. Here are a few photos, more to come later.

Final engine location... (unless I NEED more cabin space)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-155.jpg

For perspective, the vertical line is the axle centerline, in-line with number one; meaning that the engine is set back quite a ways

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-152.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-154.jpg

Engine mounts
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-156.jpg

On to the rear of the car. Pumpkin mounted
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-151.jpg

Almost finished with the rear, need to build the upper shock mounts and the tie rod adjuster mounts
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-150.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-149.jpg

Bis später!

[wellis77]

The rear end is pretty close to finished. Just need to add mounts for the inner tie rods and I'm good to go. Also notice the air tank for the suspension hung behind the pumpkin. I wanted to hang the compressor and valve block there too but I don't have enough room.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-163.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-164.jpg

rear suspension from the front
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-165.jpg

Front LCA's are built, still need to add a cross brace and the shock mounts (tomorrow)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-160.jpg

Close to having the front suspension finished, just need to add shock mounts and move the rack up 1.5".
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-167.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-168.jpg

Bis bald...

[waynieZ]

You do nice work!

[wellis77]

Thanks Wayne.

[Bryce]

Bada$$

[xtreme]

making moves!

[tones2SS]

Looking good Will. You're on a roll now.

[RicerwannaB]

It's looking better by the year Will!! :cheers:

[wellis77]

Been pretty quiet in here...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-184.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-183.jpg

More when I'm awake enough to post. Back to Zurich tomorrow, had tons of exhausting fun. Big thanks to my friends Dave, Jeff, and Greg for everything, big or small!

[wellis77]

So where did I leave off? Yes, front's done, rear's done, back-brace is done, still need to do the front down bars and finish the core support in order to hang the fenders and stuff. Then it's off to body-work. Yes it does ride a bit low, 5" from the ground to the frame; but I've seen others at this height and they seem to be all good. The quarters are not welded in yet and the pinch rail flange has not been cut off so that makes the rear look a bit lower. A lot more to do before it's ready for the body shop, but should be able to get all that done, and then some, the next two weeks I have at Christmas. All in all, I'm real happy with where I'm at on the project. I couldn't have done it without the help of some great guys, Dave, Jeff (droptop73), and Greg (ChopSmitty). All their assistance, big or little, has helped me get this far. Still a few issues to resolve but nothing that will be too ridiculous.I'm already looking forward to the next trip, 9 months from now...

Not the best pics of the back-brace, but you get the idea.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-175.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-176.jpg

The hood, man this thing is freaking AWESOME!!! (fenders and hood to resting in place, more or less) BMW Interlagos Blue, sustained some shipping damage but just small stuff.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-181.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-172.jpg

The gang, Dave, Myself, and Jeff (not the best lighting, but it was getting dark Saturday evening)
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-186.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-177.jpg

[wellis77]

And a few fun money shots, just for fun

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-173.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-174.jpg

After rolling it back in the garage with the new doors ('74 doors w/ no wing window, hate those things), 'glass fenders & trunk lid
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-180.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-179.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-182.jpg

[Garage Dog 65]

That is fantastic Will ! Love the stance down low like that with the wide tires. I pity the car that comes up against yours !!

:thumbsup:

Jim

[Ron in SoCal]

Not the best pics of the back-brace, but you get the idea.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file-177.jpg

That's one tired, happy guy. Congrats Will! Looks off the hook :thumbsup:

[onelapduster]

Wish you didnt have to go off to work every few months. But you wouldnt be able to be building this wicked car! Congrats on getting it thus far, I catn wait till Christmas for you.

[tones2SS]

Looks killer Will. Love the stance and that hood is awesome.
Keep up the great work.

[wellis77]

Thanks guys. I was completely whipped by the end of the trip. In a way, I'm glad it's over. I had a great time though and I can't wait to get back on it. It's tough being away for so long and I often wonder how much I could get done if I were around all the time, but this is what I have to deal with for now, so I'm running with it.

[RicerwannaB]

Your vision is really starting to come together! Looking great Will!

[wellis77]

Thanks Charlie. Any progress on your ride?

[xtreme]

Will great progress man! Thats awesome!

[wellis77]

Thanks Gant.

[bonecrrusher]

Looking badass - can't wait to see this car done.

[HWY Nova]

Will,

Do you have any updates for us?



--Eric

[wellis77]

Hey Eric,
Nothing new on this front unfortunately. I won't be back to work on it until December but am hoping to wrap the chassis up the next time so I can move on to bodywork. A bunch of fab to do. Have been able to pick up a few parts, flywheel, ECU, late model GTO back seat, speedway sway bars, some other tools, and stuff. Had to design a solution for my steering rack issue (engine wants to occupy the same space) and have a something pretty good for that. Just need to get some parts machined and purchase some stupid expensive sleeve bearings. I'm looking forward to getting back to work in a few months. A lot to do... Thanks for checking in.

[onelapduster]

Lookin forward to December. One of my favorite builds here.

[onelapduster]

How did December work out for this build?

[wellis77]

Sadly December did not work out at all for the project. I stayed in Switzerland through Christmas. Happily, I moved back to the U.S. a week ago and am about to begin thrashing on the car (Tuesday) while looking for work. Will be getting some updates posted this week, real stoked to get working on it again.

[onelapduster]

Good to hear about the progress, but bad news i guess about work. Hope the job hunt works out well.

[wellis77]

I've been back Stateside, permanently, for almost 3 weeks now. I haven't gotten a ton done despite the amount of work I've put in, but I have been productive...

I previously had a problem with steering rack location, it required the same space needed by the engine. In conjunction with multiple persons, I designed up a solution, got a bunch of parts machined, replaced the rack shaft in my rack, and voila, Lord willing it'll work... In conjunction with the rack/steering fix, I used the front sway bar tube as part of my mounting system for the rack. I designed and cut some mounts for the sway bar housing to make mounting einfacher, and it was. Two birds, one(ish) stone.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zps6100b92a.jpg

Just in front of the rack is the 2" sway bar housing with the custom brackets on each end. The sway bar is a custom piece from Speedway using roller bearings from Port City Racing rather than solid bushings.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zps34a06ed5.jpg

After that I moved on to getting the new core support built. I bent it up from two pieces of 1-1/4" x .120 wall to almost identically mirror the stock core support. At the same time, I jigged up the fenders so I could locate the mounting holes for those.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zpsa004d113.jpg

Then made some brackets to capture the front fender mounts as well as brackets to bolt it up to the frame rail.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zpsa93bc3aa.jpg

And there you have it.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zps3925e459.jpg

Next up are forward tubes from the firewall to the core support, the final bar for the fender mounting holes plus custom brackets running from the forward tubes to the fender mounting bar stock. Then done and done up front, hope to have that stuff finished up next week, and moving on to the cockpit.

[Bryce]

looks sweet, love the rack.

[wellis77]

looks sweet, love the rack.

Thanks Bryce. I appreciate your input on the design as well.

[FathomGreen69]

Man, this Dart looks fantastic so far, and you are truly an inspiration to us regular joe's.

[wellis77]

Thanks FG69. Truth is, I think I'm more regular Joe than anybody and get my inspiration (and ideas) from all over this site.

[wellis77]

After over a month off because of illness, travel, and other fun stuff, I'm finally working on the car again. My firewall/core support bars have been completed and I raised the engine/trans 1-1/4" to gain additional clearance for my steering system. Today I added my version of a monte carlo bar...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zps6aba70be.jpg

Still need to finish the fender mounts but the engine compartment is coming together. Mocked up my radiator...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zps16611568.jpg

Somewhere amidst this mess is an oil cooler. I'll hopefully be installing the Canton oil cooler thermostat and my remote oil filter mount...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zpsf484439f.jpg

Built my seat mounts and installed my seats...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zps6c47ce71.jpg

Mocked up a wooden steering column and will hopefully receive the real deal tomorrow, courtesy of MCB and Ididit...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab324/wellis77/file_zpsd272b303.jpg

More to come over the next week or so, hopefully...

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Looks good will. Glad see you are feeling better.

[wellis77]

Thanks Vince.

[cencalc6]

Nice Job!

[Ron in SoCal]

Always look forward to your updates Will. Glad your health is on the upswing :thumbsup:

[onelapduster]

Any updates for this beast?:poke:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Dude don't do that ... For a split second there I thought it was Thanksgiving.

[wellis77]

Sadly nothing major. I've been on the road so much I haven't seen the project in a couple months. Should be back mid-September and hoping to get some time on it to finish up the welding on the chassis. Then I can start working on the body and tin.

[WSSix]

Still glad to know it's out there though. Really cool build.

[TAC]

Hey Will, how are you making out on the build?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

tis the season for the SCUD

[wellis77]

Sadly no progress Gary, and Vince. Hoping to start getting some work done soon though. I've been doing some planning and working out next steps. Couple things I need to figure out what I want to do before I go too much further but should start seeing some progress soon. How's your build coming Gary? I haven't checked in on anything in a while.

[TAC]

Hi Will, my project has been put in slow motion. I have managed to fab a few parts, but I have had to prioritize things over the last year. Things are falling into place for me now though. Will soon have my own shop and should be able to get my car back into my garage.

[Kcrain]

Any updates you can post?

[pro66tour]

Man, this Dart looks fantastic so far, and you are truly an inspiration to us regular joe's.

Literally... :relax: This build is inspiration on a whole other level - Wow!

[hersheys69z]

Ya pretty amazing to just tackle building your own pro touring chassis.
I have seen lots of guys do rat rods but they don't have perform all that great haha