Transcona, the Dirty Old Cougar

[egoman]

Decided that today was the day that the car would get out for a ride. That ride would just be on a trailer but a ride nonetheless. Backing the trailer in and running the ramps under the car but trying to catch the edge of the jig was an adventure.https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76953&stc=1&d=1640659338

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76963&stc=1&d=1640659522

[WSSix]

Will you be able to get any progress done now that winter has set in?

[egoman]

Will you be able to get any progress done now that winter has set in?

I will be able to provide updates as the car is a lot further along than the posts show. That is by design to prevent dead periods in the forum.

[egoman]

We spent all that time building a car and now we are taking the body off. The trolley and the engine hoist are able to handle most of the chores required. The floor jack with the rigid pipe stands played a supporting role. (Get it, supporting role) I kill me, LOL.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76995&stc=1&d=1641261365

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77005&stc=1&d=1641261704

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77015&stc=1&d=1641261906

[egoman]

It was December 2nd and my friend Rod decided that we were going for a snowmobile ride. It was -26C and their was a 30km wind. That's only if you were standing still. We were travelling about 50-70 MPH most of the time.
Anyways this is where my trip that day ended. The Birchwood had a tremendous Burger and fries though!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77077&stc=1&d=1641865028
That's what frostbite looks like. My friends were sure that I could continue. One of them wrote his sled off by the end of the day and has been off work since with a sore back. Once again I made a phone call to my friend David Winning to gather up my truck and come get me. This is what we do for fun in the great white north! Strangely enough there was no feeling of getting cold or any pain since it happened.

[egoman]

Freedom was fleeting but we are all back up on the chassis jig and the body jig.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77155&stc=1&d=1642473928

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77165&stc=1&d=1642474158

[egoman]

Closing out some areas, fitting headers, adding brackets, changing a mistake or two. You know regular car building stuff.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77219&stc=1&d=1643158549

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77229&stc=1&d=1643159561

[egoman]

Trimming motor mounts, making trans mounts, SIGH.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77271&stc=1&d=1643679497

[egoman]

After waiting on a colleague to do some plasma cutting for me I finally found what I needed laying on my desk. Thanks to Paul Jonker for helping me out. These pieces will become my coil-over mounts. You have seen the drawings for these several posts ago. I also had an adventure to acquire myself some inner wheel tubs for the rear of the car. I phoned the trailer place and they said that they had a few hundred in stock. GOOD, I will be right there. ½ hour drive and at the desk! We don’t have any of those here? I just talked to you guys and you said you had hundreds. “Oh was that our OTHER store”? Two hour round trip to the “other” store and I had them in my possession.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77297&stc=1&d=1644286766

[jarhead]

Nice fab work :thumbsup:

[egoman]

Nice fab work :thumbsup:

Thank you sir. There's lots more to do!

[egoman]

Remember a few posts ago when I said I could get 16 gallons of fuel in the car? Well nothing works better than getting an actual item in your hands. A friend of mine (Jeff Pritchard) answered my Facebook question about a fuel cell and said he had one at the “friends and family” discount. Strangely enough this was one day after driving down that way to pick up the wheel tubs. Oh well it’s a nice drive with the classic rock station playing “Fat Bottomed Girls”. Turns out that I can get a more useable 22 gallon fuel cell in the car.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77479&stc=1&d=1645583529

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77489&stc=1&d=1645583786

[camcojb]

Progress, a wonderful thing... :thumbsup:

[egoman]

The unicorn truck needs to become a lot less of a truck and more of a Cougar. We will strip it down and retrieve what we need and sell as much off as we can. I recouped way more than I originally paid for the truck anyways. Despite all that was removed today it still drives around the yard.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77574&stc=1&d=1646620339

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77584&stc=1&d=1646620479

[egoman]

Even though I already MIG welded the car, I felt that for a better looking cage I would have my friend Brent Johnston over to TIG weld all the visible welds. We ended up grinding a lot out so they wouldn’t be all lumpy. Brent worked for a local chassis welder for several years and welded aerospace for 18 years. I hounded him to join the union and he now is one of our best stainless welders. He also is now the shortest welder in our hall, a title formerly held by my other friend Dwayne Rudkavitch.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77618&stc=1&d=1647305411

[egoman]

Just a start on doing the wheel tubs. I bought some weld through primer from the local auto body supply place. WHAT JUNK! That crap went everywhere. I looked like the tin man when I was using that ****. Don’t worry in a future episode I find a much better product. I have some pictures here but it’s not that detailed as I needed both hands many times when a good picture could have been taken.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77679&stc=1&d=1647816965

[egoman]

I ordered the Ride-tech R-joints along with my suspension links and the coil-overs and it finally got here. Well most of it got here. They didn’t ship the suspension links. SIGH!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77722&stc=1&d=1648518522

[egoman]

WOW everyone of the "New Posts" was a Camaro. But don't fret people, The dirty old Cougar has an update below.

[egoman]

Today we decided to put that money we spent “on the car”. In other words those coil-overs will look better on the car than sitting in the wheelbarrow in the sea can. Some of this will work out just fine and some will apparently not.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77787&stc=1&d=1649034131

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77797&stc=1&d=1649034262

[egoman]

Earlier in my build thread I stated that the guy I ordered my Vette parts from was a flake. Although none of the big stuff was missing a lot of the little bits didn’t make it here. Today I had to make something simple that was supposed to come with the deal. As long as the initial stuff took, I decided that it would be easier for me to just manufacture it.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77885&stc=1&d=1649907937

[egoman]

I needed to remove the U-bolts that were holding the rear end in place. They were interfering in the placement of the coil-overs. Because of this I had to make some fake radius rods and install the links for the watts linkage so it all stays in place.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77906&stc=1&d=1650504066

[egoman]

Today’s project was to do the driver’s side wheel tub. We can see if I learned anything from doing the first one.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77922&stc=1&d=1650836438

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77932&stc=1&d=1650837058

[egoman]

Anybody who has ever tubbed a car knows that the trunk hinges become a problem after tubs are added.
We figured a solution and put that idea to the test.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78001&stc=1&d=1651540622

[egoman]

Today’s project was to create an upper shock mount cross-member. The original brackets that you saw before were never going to work. I don’t feel bad about that as they were specifically designed for the front coil-overs. I had just assumed that they could work at the back also. HMMMM.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78069&stc=1&d=1652315642

[egoman]

We decided that the rear coil-overs finally needed to have their mounting points finalized. We started with a gusseted and double bolted bottom mount and then moved to the upper cross-member mounting. This is another place where using clamps, taking accurate measurements and double checking are the order of the day.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78209&stc=1&d=1652833406

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78219&stc=1&d=1652833599

[egoman]

Those fancy Ride-tech R-Joints are just sitting there and they needed to be put on the car. Besides this would make the car easier to roll around on its own springs. That would not happen till much later, but that was the thought on that particular day. Let’s get the suspension links in!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78268&stc=1&d=1653435543

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78278&stc=1&d=1653435649

[egoman]

This project was for the upper 3rd link mount that attaches to the chassis. It was freaking hot and I got as much done as I could but the day was short.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78286&stc=1&d=1653869119

[rixtrix1]

Just binge read thru your whole thread tonight. Just awesome! Found lots of ideas to use on my 66 Malibu rebuild, but my body won't be removable. I did the same trick to my trunk hinges when I tubbed it 25 years ago, but that was for drag racing. Redoing all the suspension for autocross and track days with a similar rear suspension. Not planning to remove the stock front frame clip at this time, but your build has me thinking pretty hard, LOL. Thanks for sharing!

[egoman]

Just binge read thru your whole thread tonight. Just awesome! Found lots of ideas to use on my 66 Malibu rebuild, but my body won't be removable. I did the same trick to my trunk hinges when I tubbed it 25 years ago, but that was for drag racing. Redoing all the suspension for autocross and track days with a similar rear suspension. Not planning to remove the stock front frame clip at this time, but your build has me thinking pretty hard, LOL. Thanks for sharing!

Nice to get a response to the work. I always hope someone can learn what I know now at a much younger age. LOL

[egoman]

The other day we were working on that 3rd link mount and had to stop because it was too hot. Surprise, it’s still too hot, and we are going to finish it if it kills us…….. One of these days that may come true.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78370&stc=1&d=1654563906

[egoman]

We are going to break something today. Sorry we are going to “brake” something today. The project for the day is to mount all the calipers on the car. The longer stuff lays around and doesn’t get bolted on the better chance you are going to lose something.
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[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78453&stc=1&d=1655081835

[egoman]

We are nothing if we are not creative. I needed a stiffer sway bar and when mine was interfering with the coil springs, I brained! Shorten the one you have and you gain stiffness. BRILLIANT! Necessity is the mother of invention and I didn’t want to have a custom bar made until I have time to setup the car.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78504&stc=1&d=1655603982

[egoman]

Dropped by the Union Hall, Local 254 Plumbers and Pipefitters. Talked Mark Olson into welding up the ends of the sway bar. Thank you brother!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78552&stc=1&d=1656379270

[egoman]

You may remember that I had taken a hydro-boost assembly from my nephew’s old Astro-van. You may also remember that I said I wasn’t going to use it. My mid-engine project from several years ago donated its braking pedal assembly. It was almost brand new and I figured with the amount of brakes this car was going to have it would stop just fine. And we are off to install that dual master assembly!
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[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78601&stc=1&d=1656978978

[egoman]

It’s time to strip the body down to where it could go to the sandblaster at any time. Doors, screws and all the leftover wiring. Getting rid of the sunroof was always part of the plan as its weight that is up high.
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[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78649&stc=1&d=1657585839

[egoman]

Because I was just lifting the car with the rear bumper structure, I needed to add a lift point with that removed. Attaching to the structures bolt on points, I came up with this idea. It is removable and more than adequate for strength.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78684&stc=1&d=1658108033

[egoman]

Dragged the car off to the car wash for a fall bath before hibernation. Naturally nothing ever goes easy!
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[egoman]

I have been busy building a garage and subsequently I haven't been working on the car too much. Don't worry though because I anticipated this and have a lot of material going forward.
I also have neglected to take and post many pictures of said garage because I was building it without a permit. Well I got caught and construction ground to a halt. Permits and fines are now taken care of and that project is currently going forward. As things have been slow I decided to do something new! I went to a local car show and cruise at the "Pony Corral" in Winnipeg. While I was going anyways I loaded the car as it currently is on the trailer and took it with me. I honestly didn't know what to expect????
The response was amazing and I had to be very observant while looking at the other cars. I couldn't get very far without a large group wanting answers about what was being built and what the hell it was?
I indicated to them that if you squint just right you can clearly see that it is a 1997 Cougar XR7. Yea they were not buying that! Fortunately I have the pictures on the phone to show them the chassis with the body on it. I also had to explain that what they were looking at didn't have a single Cougar part on it at this time, LOL
Funny story from the permit office. The manager asked me what I would do differently in the future? I said that I would be way sneakier. I also indicated that 20-30 years ago a bribe could have solved this way quicker. They apparently have no sense of humor?
Oh well life goes on and the guys are siding it over the next several days.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78741&stc=1&d=1659402464

[egoman]

In order to make sure I don’t have any problems going forward I need to remove the immobilizer from this truck. I will add further security measures when the transplant is complete.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78759&stc=1&d=1660180060

[egoman]

Just like a stray dog having puppies these trucks are dropping out of the sky. $400 and we have one that drove on and off the trailer. Eddie Bauer edition 4x4. Stinks of French fries though, LOL.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78821&stc=1&d=1661217712

[egoman]

Just some artsy shots that reminds me of why I don’t work too much on the car when its winter.
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[egoman]

I have been busy waiting for almost 2 building seasons while planning commissions and AFR decide to do their jobs. The garage may get done this year but my cylinder heads are already 16 months behind schedule. Time to go to my bank of posts and update the build thread anyways. Justifiably I have been a little frugal with the posts! So here we go again!
We need to get the dummy motor out and replace it with a runner to use for the initial wiring and plumbing. It will move under its own power with the Unicorns engine.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=79191&stc=1&d=1666548335

[egoman]

Because your life doesn’t come with instructions, and swaps like this one don’t either, we need to detail stuff. Tagging as many wires and lines as I could, will hopefully allow me to reinstall this engine and associated harnesses and have it run again.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=79497&stc=1&d=1670189096

[camcojb]

You and Marty keep the tape companies in business lol.

[egoman]

Not many pics but a lot of marking and thinking.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80828&stc=1&d=1701547316

[WSSix]

Glad to see you're still making progress!

[egoman]

Glad to see you're still making progress!

Spent the last 2-1/2 years rebuilding the garage. Should have some more stuff to post weekly now.

[egoman]

post 146: Have you ever had one of those days when you go to the shop and know that you won’t get anything done? I had one of those this day. BUT I got a **** ton done and surprised myself. I guess that’s better than wheeling in with a ton of optimism and failing miserably?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80844&stc=1&d=1702187507

[egoman]

147 I have mentioned that I needed to rewire the harness to eliminate the immobilizer. Today that was the purpose. After a few phone calls to my friends Chis McQuarrie (Automotive VOC-ED teacher) and Marion Franczyk (Auto shops teacher) I kept plugging away at this. After several hours of frustration that was mostly directed at the original installer we had it done, maybe?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80859&stc=1&d=1702755728

[egoman]

148 I need some spares before I even finish the car. The good deals on FB marketplace don’t work on my schedule though, so we buy when the deals arrive.
A quick phone call and we were off for a set of tires for the car.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80891&stc=1&d=1703517212

[egoman]

149 Picked up a gasket from a local racer Lee McRae. Naturally a simple pickup becomes a long BS session and so it goes right? Well we get the rear gears in and measure the axle lengths for the floater. Sheer fluke they both ended up the same length reducing the amount of spares I will need.
That chunk was so heavy that it reinforces my decision to go to an aluminum center section.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80917&stc=1&d=1703624781

[egoman]

150 Work that I am not sure I want to leave like it is???
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80936&stc=1&d=1703976465

[egoman]

151 Scraping seam sealer and paint as well as removing trim to make way for a few closeout pieces.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81000&stc=1&d=1705277904

[egoman]

152 I built this bender a long time ago for making race car bodies. It’s been used, stored, and lost for 5 -10 years at a time. But it does a decent job and allows me to make some closeout panels for the trunk area.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81050&stc=1&d=1707010173

[egoman]

Just some more pictures.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81065&stc=1&d=1707010338

[egoman]

153 The reinforcing pieces for the sills are going in permanently today. There will be pain and there will be blood. The rockers need to go away for the exhaust system to run the way I want it. Well they need to go away because the only place I have for an exhaust is side-pipes. My decision of ride height and flat bottomed car dictated this from the start. I just didn’t realize it from the start!
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