Transcona, the Dirty Old Cougar

[egoman]

There is a neighborhood on the east side of Winnipeg called Transcona. Long renowned for where a young man could go to get experience at the hands of an older woman. A Cougar if you will.
This is the build thread for the 1997 cougar XR7.
This will be the best thread here for several reasons.
1. Its a lot farther along and I may actually finish it
2. I use a lot of pics.
3. It is not a first gen Camaro. (Sorry I am just burnt out on them right now)
4. Because I said so! (See my online name)
This was never supposed to be a Cougar. The plan all along was for this to be a super-coupe. BUT, I received a Cougar from the classified ads for the sum of $450. I HAVE money, I just don't like spending it. The car has been safetied and licensed.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73554&stc=1&d=1608921939

[egoman]

The car isnt in horrible shape and that dent passenger side is the only straightening required. The floor is quite bad but you will see in future posts that it doesnt matter.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73555&stc=1&d=1608922110

[egoman]

The engine ran like a top. I was tearing it apart with my students and asked on of them to drain the rad. There was no hose attached at the bottom, hmmm that saved some time! Actually ran it around for a lot of miles like that. Aint using a mod motor anyways.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73559&stc=1&d=1608922518
The Moon roof is a goner. Top end weight and weight in general.
This will be a full on build with an Optima "maybe" future.

[egoman]

I enjoy those who respond.
I enjoy those that provide constructive criticism.
But most of all I just enjoy those of you that interact.
I already at twice a week, have enough posts for a couple of years. I PLAN ON SHOWING YOU WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH A VERY SHODDY GARAGE AND SOME VERY GOOD TOOLS. Oops caps lock.
LOL. Anyways this build is over the top in everything but money.
Its been 10 years or so since my last build. I have it linked here, http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=7995
If you look at that you get an idea of what's in store for this car.
I kind of feel guilty as I watched some of you struggle with stuff I had already solved. Maybe you can forgive me as you read along?
So maybe another post Monday or Tuesday?
Trust me I will give you more info than you ever wanted.

[egoman]

I lied, the next stuff is easy to post up and I want to get you guys sucked in.
This is the stuff laying around the yard that may get repurposed, used for mockup or just give me some good ideas. I have 9inch floater to install and a Crown Vic front end. Does anyone have a source for performance info for these front ends? The truck guys love them but how good are they?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73567&stc=1&d=1608923763

[egoman]

SOOO like all the rest of us I want the biggest tires that are possible. So where do I acquire such things without spending too much money?
Lets see rich boy D-Bags drive Vetttes, Vipers, Porsches and Ferraris. And they have more money than brains so usually they get rid of the stock rims.
HMMMM Corvettes are the easiest to find and they show up on the classifieds around here. Hey a set just showed up.
First he wanted $600, then when we arrived they were $500. After we let him talk some more they dropped to $400. Finally he agreed to sell them for $300. Remember I haven't said a word to him about price yet!!!! My buddy Dave says we should have just stood there and said nothing until he gave them away?
I am just starting to acquire some parts here. I have a plan for how it should all turn out stored in my head though. It will be freaking amazing!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73575&stc=1&d=1608924054

[egoman]

Naturally I now have the bug and buying stuff is getting out of hand. I am also making other deals as all this goes around too. The seller of these tires wasn’t going to make any sweetheart deals like the other guy. He is building an SLC and the work he is doing is meticulous. Here is a link to his project, https://www.gt40s.com/threads/kens-slc-build-thread.38446/
Now we have some even bigger tires to put on a project. 850$ gone. Do I keep track of the money or just forget about dollars and be blissfully ignorant instead? You guys can guide me about this part. Its just Canadian dollars so eff it, we don't have a budget anymore!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73581&stc=1&d=1608924959

[camcojb]

This should be fun!

[214Chevy]

Interesting to see how this turns out.

[egoman]

Interesting to see how this turns out.

I feel bad because its a lot further along. You will be entertained. I hope?

[egoman]

This should be fun!

Because I strive for the communication when it comes to the cars, more comments can help the posts to come quicker. LOL
I am holding back! Of course with the cold winters I don't want you guys to wait 4-5 months between posts. I want it to look seamless, so when we get to paint jail or wiring you wont forget what's going down.

[WSSix]

What about the wood sticking out of the passenger side headlight?

This will be a fun build. These cars and their Thunderbird cousins were cooler than they got credit for when new.

[egoman]

What about the wood sticking out of the passenger side headlight?

This will be a fun build. These cars and their Thunderbird cousins were cooler than they got credit for when new.

That's an illusion. If you look the wood was just to hold open the hood enough so I could reattach the battery to roll windows up and down. The fenders on my trailer wont let the doors open enough for me to get in. But I can get an arm in to operate them.

[jarhead]

following along :military:

[214Chevy]

So...where's this Transcona again? Can one still meet freaky women there? Asking for a friend...:sarcasm_smiley:

[egoman]

So...where's this Transcona again? Can one still meet freaky women there? Asking for a friend...:sarcasm_smiley:

The bar to attend is affectionately known as the Spike. Anyone in the area can get you right there!
I also noticed that this is the only non-Camaro thread today. Refer back to my intro post for relevance.
Listen to this for an idea.................
https://soundcloud.com/nestamatthews/the-transcona-cougar-hits-the

[214Chevy]

The bar to attend is affectionately known as the Spike. Anyone in the area can get you right there!
I also noticed that this is the only non-Camaro thread today. Refer back to my intro post for relevance.
Listen to this for an idea.................
https://soundcloud.com/nestamatthews/the-transcona-cougar-hits-the

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[egoman]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Look that stuff up on the interweb. They used to play a new one everyday on the radio station.

[Dave Pratt]

Transcona...down by the rail yard! I'm following along.Hope the build is indoors gets kinda chilli this time of year out there...

[egoman]

Transcona...down by the rail yard! I'm following along.Hope the build is indoors gets kinda chilli this time of year out there...

I am a few years into this so I can stay warm in the winter and then still have content when we are wrapped up.

[egoman]

https://soundcloud.com/nestamatthews/the-transcona-cougar-heads-to

[egoman]

Qwio5bJ0xNY

[egoman]

The delivery angel
Remember that I said I was making other deals? This is the arrival of a very expensive deal. I am just getting started and I already hate shipping companies and vendors that are flakes. This fork lift operator is my favorite guy as he loaded my bounty in the trailer and helped get my shipment released. He just went and yelled at the shipper receiver and problem solved.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73594&stc=1&d=1609253386

[egoman]

This deal was about 6 grand worth of materials that would decide the course of this build. The shipper was new and the dock hand wasn't. I could see my crate sitting there and he just went over and told the shipper how it was going to be and VOILA I had all my new stuff. LOL

[egoman]

It finally arrived
I contacted a Corvette dismantler in Welland Ontario just after Christmas. Honest to god, the dealing nearly drove me nuts. It took me 3-1/2 months to get my stuff delivered. That’s right my 97 Cougar is getting a large amount of C-6 ZO6 parts. A lot of people will just say, why didn’t you just start with a Corvette then? Well, I don’t fit in a Corvette. I am a big man, like NFL defensive line big. This was $6600 dollars worth of goodies and this post will show you the wheels. I will list prices as I go but will let you add them up if you so choose. Remember the prices are in Canadian funds.
SOOOOO Stock C6 ZO6 wheels in an 18-19 combo. I made a decision years ago when this idea began to germinate about wheels and tires. My way of thinking was that these are very expensive items that have a good chance of getting destroyed. There are rich boys all over the place that want the latest and greatest wheels and tires. Ferrari fan boys, Porsche people, Corvette kooks, they all have one thing in common. They will sell the stock stuff off fairly inexpensively. Seeing as I was purchasing corvette suspension, may as well have the same wheels. It also allows me to update by buying for a corvette and just bolting them on my car. Luckily I got them all from the same place.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73600&stc=1&d=1609254210

[egoman]

By the way the 6600$ was not just for the wheels. There is a lot more to come in the Cougar Tales/Tails. See what I did there?

[214Chevy]

This is entertaining...I like it!! It's like an episode of your favorite tv show and you can't wait until the next episode airs.

[egoman]

This is entertaining...I like it!! It's like an episode of your favorite tv show and you can't wait until the next episode airs.

Thanks for your interest. There is a LOT more coming. I am trying to post twice a week. I am also trying to build a story along with a car.
I am a Red Seal Steamfitter, Plumber and Sprinkler-fitter. I have 42 years in these trades and now teach a Voc-Ed high school course in Plumbing and Pipe-trades. Any help from the Students is just them needing a break from classes to blow off some steam.

[egoman]

Brake stuff
I am just going to let you look at this stuff and enjoy it just like I did when it arrived. I describe these as mechanical sex. I will use that term often over the course of the build.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73631&stc=1&d=1609635870

[egoman]

Just some more brake photos. This came with the shipment from the corvette dismantler.https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73641&stc=1&d=1609635985

[egoman]

Suspension stuff
Along with the wheels I also got all the front suspension complete with cross-member and brakes, rear uprights and hubs. I am not sure if I got a good deal or not but I got all my stuff to get designing with.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73671&stc=1&d=1610158719

[egoman]

I have acquired a lot of C6 ZO6 components. There is a reason for this.

Remember the build actually started about 2-1/2 years ago. Who was the big winner for a long time in Optima? Danny Popp was.

What did he drive, HMMM. Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery I copied that end of his car for my own personal glory.

As we go forward you will see that I am not as enamored with the corvette rear suspension. I actually have a lot of experience building cars for dirt track racing and my favorite rear suspension will be adorning the rear of the car.

[egoman]

Cross-member and various parts.
Just some more parts that came in the crate
So I just told you that all this suspension was C6 ZO6 stuff. Well it mostly is.
I chose the aluminum crossmember because of the magnesium one being prone to cracking. A heavier car wouldn't make anything better right?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73676&stc=1&d=1610159661

[Tinker]

I feel bad because its a lot further along. You will be entertained. I hope?

OMG I started reading this post from the end, and kept backing up. Good thing its only 4 pages right now, because I had to reread everything from the start. Entertaining it is.

I wish the reason I haven't posted any updates on my project was because I was saving them too... sadly it's just because I have too many other projects and an attention span of a squirrel.

Time to go get the popcorn and wait for the next episode :popcorn2:

[egoman]

OMG I started reading this post from the end, and kept backing up. Good thing its only 4 pages right now, because I had to reread everything from the start. Entertaining it is.

I wish the reason I haven't posted any updates on my project was because I was saving them too... sadly it's just because I have too many other projects and an attention span of a squirrel.

Time to go get the popcorn and wait for the next episode :popcorn2:

Thank you. If you are going to do a nut and bolt build thread it will get boring quite quickly. Fortunately we have been granted a forum where we can tell a story. I tingle a little as I post stuff knowing that I am way further along than today and I know there are some wild surprises for the readers.
Once again thank you for following!

[egoman]

More yard inventory
Various engines and rear ends just lying around. I may design around the 351 in the one ton van. Nephew wants to do a Gt40 replica and needs the 5.0 engine for mock up. I can’t turn around without running into more crap. I often joke that when my parents divorced I had to buy the homestead because I could never move everything. It wasn’t really a joke.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73681&stc=1&d=1610328364

[egoman]

So this is where we start to take a change of direction/ I believe this will draw you in where before it may not have.
I am a journeyman steam-fitter and have built approximately 30 cars for competition on dirt tracks and drag strips around this area. I have prepared cars for the local road racing circuit as well as the ice racers. I have no intention of building a boring car where we just bolt stuff on. Unfortunately my best work was done in the time of film cameras and not much evidence of it exists. I do have a few dirt mods that I built that I can post here but some of my real cool stuff only exists in BS sessions amongst old friends and racing buddies.
We are done with the initial collecting of parts and are actually getting started on construction.
Little bit of a heads up. This is not a mild build! It may never compete at Optima but it is being built in that vein. We are talking a complete frame replacement, full roll cage that is built to the rules of several series including SCCA, NASA, Optima and CASC for the Canadian watchers.
As a racer it’s weird to build with a nod to creature comforts. Air, cruise, tilt, power windows, and door locks. Won’t have a ridiculous stereo cause that doesn’t interest me at all but would look to have a navigation system with a big screen.
Ultimately I would love to do Drag Week, Bonneville, Optima and cruise nights with the same car. I would also like to make the car available to any sponsors that would like to do displays with it.
While I am farther along than the stuff posted today I want your input and to dialogue with as many people as possible.

[egoman]

Floater Parts
Remember that floater that I showed you before? Yeah, I am not using that anymore. Remember that I said I would describe many things as sex? This box of machined parts was described without prompting by the ego-nephew as a box of sex. Great minds think alike. These were about 450$US dollars shipped to Pembina ND. Arrived in 2 days, so I guess some people know how to run their business better than Corvette suppliers. http://www.9inchfloater.com/
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73706&stc=1&d=1610919873

[frojoe]

This thing is going to be unique and wild, look forward to seeing how it turns out!!

[egoman]

This thing is going to be unique and wild, look forward to seeing how it turns out!!

Keep following and we will find out together! Well, I may know slightly before you LOL

[egoman]

Tires and wheels together for the first time
Going to the tire place to get everything together wouldn’t make for much of a story. Don’t worry, I can spice it up a little.
I have retired from pipeline construction and industrial pipefitting after almost 40 years. Now for me not doing anything won’t happen so I have started teaching high school vocational education in Plumbing and pipe trades.
The job has many advantages, such as summers off and a lot of free time when the students are on their work experience. One afternoon when I had some free time I ran up to the tire shop and got the job completed. While driving home the radio reported that there was a traffic hold up due to an accident. I knew the area but it wouldn’t be an issue because I wouldn’t have to go there. Not more than 2 minutes later I got a phone call from one of my work contacts to tell me there was some bad news. One of my students had gotten into an accident with the company truck. OOH that’s bad! Oh and he had gone over the sidewalk. OOH that’s bad! Oh and he hit a pedestrian. OOH that’s bad! Oh and he lied to us and he doesn’t have a driver license. AH CRAP, THAT’S REALLY BAD!
That devoured several days of my time and landed the student back at the school for 2 weeks when he should have been at his work experience.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73731&stc=1&d=1611517183

[egoman]

Rear end salvage
Remember that I said I wasn’t using the old floater rear end? Well I needed the center housing so out came the grinder and I salvaged the housing.

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73736&stc=1&d=1611797941

[egoman]

RON EFFIN SUTTON, there I said it.
While the man is a taboo subject on a lot of forums I used several ideas from him that were actually useful. While designing the rear suspension certain things like the width of the rear frame rails were taken directly from his drawings. Turns out 34 inches is perfect width for the speedway engineering rear sway bars. It also allows for a lot of rear tire clearance.
These are my drawings, because any project even though they mostly happen in our heads needs direction. You will see that later on some of the parts are not the same as the drawings. A piece in your hand quite often looks significantly different than the drawing.
I am far from perfect and you will see what looks like the same drawing but it will be a revision. After acquiring 3 red seal trades and attending several drafting courses I love to do drawings anyways.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73764&stc=1&d=1612118421

[egoman]

While most of the pics are self explanatory the tape measure ones may seem weird. I am the guy who hides his own Easter eggs. The 26 was the height of the rear tires and the 69-1/2 is the stock measurement of the rear tires outside of sidewall to outside of sidewall.
All questions are allowed and what you see isn't necessarily what you will eventually get. The revisions continue and her are some more suspension pics.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73774&stc=1&d=1612118792

[egoman]

I am no longer a spring chicken. I don’t like bending over to cut tubing and my gut doesn’t allow me to breathe very well if I do. I had a plan in my head for years to make a stand for the chop saw so that wouldn’t be an issue.
With the turn of a set screw we can angle the saw or change the support for the tubing. Loosen a few more set screws and we can take it down to where it doesn’t take up any space. While I have a decent sized (Albeit very shoddy) garage, I run out of space just like the rest of you. Later on I will show you how bad the garage really is. I just never think about it because the garage doesn’t regulate the project. Mind you it was -46 with the wind-chill last week so I am obviously not working out there when that happens.
By the way no matter what the temps I like the noisy and dirty chop saw outside. With the stand all I have to bring in is the saw itself.
Managed to drag over a variety of tubing and you can see that I have a large selection of cuts laid on the scissor lift. These will become the basis for the rear suspension and rear frame section.
I told you this was not a “bolt a few parts on” type of build. BOYS this is about to get serious!!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73820&stc=1&d=1612490157

[egoman]

Woke up Saturday morning to a temp of -50F.
My water was frozen and the cars wouldn't start, well almost all the cars!
My dependable Pontiac Wave (A Dae-Woo In disguise) fired right up. It didn't like it but it ran. If you had to guess which one I got running next I don't think you would have come up with my diesel yard tractor. That's right, after less than 20 minutes of being plugged in it fired right up! Of course it has 3 full size batteries on the front of it for weight to balance the snow blower and they are all wired in. Then the wives car needed to be plugged in for 2 hours and get a new battery. The old battery was slightly larger than it was supposed to be at this point. Then after surveying the water problem at home I called a local plumber to fix it. That's correct the plumber called a plumber! Don't worry it gets funnier. My nephews wife called me with a plumbing emergency of her own, so off I went to help her. That's correct, I was doing a plumbing job for free while I paid for someone to do my work.
These are the reasons that a lot of Canadians wait to start posting their build threads because a lot of time is spent staring out the window at ice fog and snowstorms.
I knew that would be the case when I started posting and I have a library of posts to come yet. That's right I endure these winters just for you guys, LOL
Those of you in the great white north, stay warm! Those of you in the south, well the heck with you EH!

[WSSix]

Stay warm! lol :D

[egoman]

I told you this build was about to get serious. We are talking a full frame build and this is the first domino to fall. I am a modular style of builder and the rear section will be completed and a roller before we start on say, OH I don’t know, “The front section”?
There are 1x2, 2x2, 2x3, and 2x4 sections in this frame section. Because most of the rules call for a roll cage of 1-3/4 .120 wall I have chosen for the frame to be .125 wall as well. Obviously a chromoly cage would be lighter but many ruling bodies discourage, or don’t allow a lighter wall tubing for the 4130 cages. Extra expense with no weight advantage. NO THANKS!
With a layout table we build the first side. PEOPLE, that’s really easy! The hard part is when you have to make the second side match. Just use the first side as a pattern. That’s the easy way, LOL.
I know I mention this a lot but squares levels and tape measures are a staple of the pipe fitting trades and I am well versed in using them to keep it all straight. I kinda like using a piece of string once in a while also.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73847&stc=1&d=1613085417

[egoman]

Just a few more pics for the thread.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73857&stc=1&d=1613085554

[egoman]

While there isn’t much to see here, this is vital!
These pieces will hold the rear end exactly where it needs to be for the foreseeable future.
Nothing more than some 2x4 tubing with a 3 inch hole saw drilled through and then cut in ½ and cut to length. This locates the rear not only laterally but also at ride height. That’s why I have the tape measure picture of the tire and wheel diameter. By the way there was no trust in the cut at the bottom. All measurements were taken from the 3 inch DOM tubing set on top. Overthought for sure but if there are no variances to chase down later then we can concentrate on other stuff later?
This will not be the last time you see me do this to center pieces exactly where they will end up later.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73883&stc=1&d=1613184476

[egoman]

While you have heard me go on and on about the garage not being an excuse for the project, well!
My dad and I built this garage when I was 17. It was built from the lumber that we salvaged from a 100+ year old barn that was at my auntie’s place.
The fact that it was built almost 45 years ago from 100 year old lumber isn’t even the real issue. We also didn’t have a clue what we were doing. It is amazing it has been upright this long.
The south wall is bulged out about a foot at the top. The ends are rotted out and let in more daylight than the windows. They also let the wind and cold in and that stops a project when the overnight low in Rosser Manitoba was -50F. Frequently it is warmer outside if the sun is shining.
Americans already think we live in igloos and ride moose to work. An igloo would be significantly warmer. And a moose wouldn’t have a frozen battery!
The steel beams are probably the only reason the roof hasn’t dropped and combined with the chassis jig is probably why I feel the car is safe in there.
The insulated side has a hole that extends from the roof right through to the ceiling. It also is so rotted that the door spring isn’t attached to anything. The entire door is lifted only because I am quite strong. There is no mechanical advantage to take care of me.
There is also an Easter egg here for those that read the text and carefully look at the pics.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73893&stc=1&d=1613322936

[egoman]

Just a few more pics, LOL
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73903&stc=1&d=1613323151

[egoman]

SOOOO somewhere along the line it was suggested that you couldn’t use the Corvette parking brakes on a 9 inch floater. Well, maybe you can’t? Undeterred I forged forward with my Schreiner spindles and the brakes and stuff that I received from the Corvette supplier.
Naturally you missed me putting the spindle ends in the 3” .188 DOM tubing. HMMM I thought I had pics of that? This portion of the build had me running to my friend Doug’s place about 14 times a day to use his lathe and have him plasma stuff for me. I can actually be kind of a pain in the arse apparently.
The measurements are not for your use and I recommend that you don’t do what I do. That people, is a “DISCLAIMER”.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Doucette+Enterprises+Ltd/@49.8954364,-97.0866855,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x52ea70da42018ed3:0x3f722 c8b69d49fd0!8m2!3d49.8954364!4d-97.0844968
You got a big truck project or something that need to be straightened after a BOO BOO! This is the guy to do that for you. I actually worked for him for a few years and we went to school together.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73929&stc=1&d=1613615311

[egoman]

More pics more ideas more work...............
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73939&stc=1&d=1613615417

[Ketzer]

Enjoyed the shop tour! At least you got roof and walls! Gives me vivid memories of a cold rainy driveway and swapping dead starters 10 minutes before I was supposed to be at work....I forget how many "lifetime" starters I went through. But at least my bone stock 305 had headers!!

Jeff-

[egoman]

Enjoyed the shop tour! At least you got roof and walls! Gives me vivid memories of a cold rainy driveway and swapping dead starters 10 minutes before I was supposed to be at work....I forget how many "lifetime" starters I went through. But at least my bone stock 305 had headers!!

Jeff-

I built a greyhound bus into a motorhome using that shop. I like the guys that talk a bout a brisk 50F day in the south, LOL

[egoman]

Corvette independent rear end brakes fitting on a 9 inch floater rear with working parking brakes! I was told it couldn’t be done, but I get told that a lot. My plans and measurements say that THEY are wrong! More lathe work come Monday. There is a guy who charges about $4000 to do what I am going to (hopefully) accomplish for several hundred. It actually turns out to be just a few dollars more than the parts.
By the way soap and water doesn’t touch brake grime at all!
Also if you can’t figure out what I am doing with the old spindle, they are going to become spacers and the brackets for mounting the brakes on the rear end. Nifty, huh?

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73967&stc=1&d=1613925046

[egoman]

Just some more pics.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73977&stc=1&d=1613925627

[egoman]

These should be the last brackets that will allow me to use the Corvette C6 ZO6 brakes and E-Brakes on the 9 inch floater for the Cougar! Going to get them cut probably next week with all the other brackets for the rear suspension.
I cheated and made it so one drawing allows for the cutting of two different brackets. You can see what I did in the cutting instructions in the lower left corner. The double shaded drawing is the revision...... kind of. Both will need hand trimming.

So just minutes after posting that I had it all figured out I double checked the measurements.
Yesterday this stuff was so hot that it burnt my hands just to carry it in the building. (That was just from sitting in my truck not even in direct sunlight!)
Now that the calipers and the bracket have cooled down. My measurements didn’t remain the same. Double and triple checking still won’t prevent all mistakes but should help reduce the overall number a bit!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74030&stc=1&d=1614562689

[Kmelander]

Nice work and tuned in, but I want to know where that thing is right now. Dammit I’m not a patient man and something about knowing this car is further along than what you are showing is just eating at me! [emoji38]

Anyone from that area see this thing on the streets? Probably looks something like this:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210304/882a9ba10b1733454ff7e7ca6ca93147.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kmelander]

Deleted duplicate.

[egoman]

Nice work and tuned in, but I want to know where that thing is right now. Dammit I’m not a patient man and something about knowing this car is further along than what you are showing is just eating at me! [emoji38]

Anyone from that area see this thing on the streets? Probably looks something like this:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210304/882a9ba10b1733454ff7e7ca6ca93147.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It has been a roller but its not quite that far along. Although that car and the Whistler one are motivation for sure.

[egoman]

The internet is a beautiful thing. I can find almost anything.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74046&stc=1&d=1615063380

[egoman]

While there is a lot to see here there isn’t much to explain. BUT I can get long winded anyways LOL.
You should be able to see how I am using the stock spindles cut down as a bracket and spacer to allow them to be used on the floater.
I love the look of the Corvette calipers and I will make no effort to hide that on my Mercury.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74052&stc=1&d=1615164701

[egoman]

I manage to score a piece of 2024 t351 billet for a damn good price. 1-1/2 x6 and 12 feet long for 50 dollars, Oh and I GOT 2! This stuff drills like steel though, it’s tough! Thank you Air Canada for deleting old stock.
If those cuts look crooked, it’s not your eyes. A dull blade in the band saw resulted in that. We are cutting the spindles down and making the rocker for the watts linkage. I just printed out my drawing and taped it to the block. Cut and sand, cut and sand.
The larger squares that I cut out will be explained later. Some may figure this out, and well ……… some may not? I mean they have lines on them how hard could it be?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74063&stc=1&d=1615264241

[egoman]

There are some more pics here.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74073&stc=1&d=1615264389

[egoman]

I told you a while ago that I was going to use my methods of using hole saws for creating holders and jigs. This stuff is for welding the axle tubes to the housing. There were about ten thousand measurements taken at this point and I hoped that was enough to get it close to right. The welds you see on the jig were placed there to get the jig to pull to straight. 1 super-hot weld and some water and the jig pulls back to straight. The 3 inch DOM is straight so let’s align the jig to that right?
While you don’t see it in these pics I actually screwed this up the first time. Being steel it’s easy to fix though! That drawing didn’t allow for enough room for the reclaimed center section. I also built the whole rear end as a long piece on the DOM first so I could get the outside of sidewall to outside of sidewall correctly positioned. Not a good place to guess and the reason that a few posts ago I had the 69-1/2 measurement on the tape measure posted.
Please notice that the brake brackets are not mounted yet.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74092&stc=1&d=1615425479

[egoman]

I seem to maybe add too many pictures but I just don't want to leave anything out. I promised a lot of pictures and I hope that everyone has a story behind it. There was a ton of agony related to cutting the rear end tubes so the width would be right on! It turned out within a few fractions of an inch. Tire sidewalls are a very loose measurement in the first place, LOL.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74102&stc=1&d=1615426006

[Kmelander]

That bench top vise is definitely getting a workout! Impressive. I like the controlled distortion method to get to where you need to be with alignment too!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[egoman]

That bench top vise is definitely getting a workout! Impressive. I like the controlled distortion method to get to where you need to be with alignment too!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey I am a pipefitter its what I do LOL!

[egoman]

Nothing like when you see some positive results.
The rear end with the tires and rims attached just plain looks cool.
We tacked it all together and then checked for straightness. Then we welded a quarter at a time and switched to opposite sides and checked for straightness. If it couldn’t roll cleanly in the jig we moved the welding around until it did. While I don’t do it here we did a roll test later and the tape measure never moved at all. VICTORY is mine, BOW BEFORE ME!
Ok I got a little out of hand……………………..
All welding to this point was done with a Lincoln SST machine at my Union hall. Nice to have the big power machine when welding this stuff. Thanks to my friend Brent Johnston for telling me the good settings for that machine. These are not your Harbor Freight welders, you actually have to know what you are doing to set them. That will seem funnier much later, believe me.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74116&stc=1&d=1615687249

[egoman]

Pics and more pics, LOL
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74126&stc=1&d=1615687359

[egoman]

More going on here that it appears. Now I could have borrowed my buddy David’s belt sander and effed it up royally or I could go on KIJIJI and see if anyone has one for sale. Yes a quick check found on for 60 bucks and it had a few belts with it. I learned years ago from watching a sprint car builder named Jerry Frantzen that sanding aluminum looks good and gets rid of weight. I actually raced one of his sprint cars for a few years when I was a hero in the division. Well at least as far as drinking beer and telling stories makes you a hero.
Those 4 drill bits and that tap was the best part of $200. If you look at my parts and my drawings you will also see what I said earlier about sometimes the part only uses the drawing as a suggestion. Also I went with a thicker piece for the watts rocker and switched to a double shear design to capture the ½ inch rod ends.
If anyone is wondering about the ¾ rod coupling bolted to the rocker, I may tell you later and I may not. I mean honestly I actually drew it out for you, sorta?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74137&stc=1&d=1616018080

[egoman]

I warned you guys that I ost lots of pics. Here are a lot of pics LOL.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74147&stc=1&d=1616018253

[egoman]

More!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74157&stc=1&d=1616018379

[egoman]

Here you can see how I am reducing the spindles to their simplest form to use as a bracket for the floater.
I also got into the CAD work for my watts link brackets for the rear end. (Cardboard aided design)
A lot of this stuff is my first real attempts at using a lathe accurately.
I also had my buddy Doug do some more plasma work for me. Then the boring job of sanding it all down had to be done.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74168&stc=1&d=1616344896

[egoman]

Another picture dump for details I may not have discussed
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74178&stc=1&d=1616345005

[214Chevy]

There's some bad a$$ work going on here...

[egoman]

There's some bad a$$ work going on here...

Thank you! Like I said I am a lot further along. It gets much better.

[egoman]

Those brackets from the other day are deburred and sanded smooth. Brainless but tedious work. The bars that have all the holes in them are just suspension stiffeners and are for, well suspension stiffening! Don’t exactly know why I had to say more there HMMM?
You can also see that I have machined the watts rocker so it works in double shear. I used that ¾ rod coupling that I mentioned before as a mandrel to chuck it all in the lathe. Oh by the way it’s actually a 7/8ths rod coupling and I trusted my memory again when I really shouldn’t have.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74196&stc=1&d=1616717958

[egoman]

Here you can start to see that the spacers and the spindle and the steel bracket are coming together to make a complete braking system. At this point I have made a huge miscalculation, but I don’t know it yet?
I also bolted the aluminum spacer to the original spindle to bore it out and then turned it again to face it smooth and parallel.
Certain things require small clearancing, like the E-brake adjuster and some other stuff.
I have also placed the suspension brackets on the rear end so I don’t forget them later. I actually don’t forget them later too. That’s kind of nice isn’t it?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74206&stc=1&d=1616718375

[egoman]

For the longest time I was having problems with how I was going to run the E-brake cables??
Then I looked at a picture of a C5 and I had that AH HA moment. The calipers are front mounted not rear DOH! That cleared that up now didn’t it?
With the calipers roughly placed in the right spot the rear end looks really good together.
You can also see the retaining plate that sandwiches all the brake components together. That is grade 5 all thread to help it all stay in one place. I just buzzed that together with the MIG and called it a day. Damn I am good aint I? Pride goeth before the fall……………
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74214&stc=1&d=1616719075

[egoman]

When I started this thread I wanted to have enough material so that I would finish the car with the people who follow along. I have also indicated that I have a lot of material for you to peruse.
Well seeing as I have become a school teacher and am now taking spring break it is nice to be getting some more work done. Honestly this is the first progress on the car for several very cold months.
But the storage vault can keep us going for a few years at least. I did state that we would have progress to show even when I am not busy.
And again I am welcome to field comments and suggestions from the people that follow us.
Of course as always have a nice day!

[egoman]

So the last progress post mentioned pride going before the fall. Good work doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be usable.
So we need to mount the pan-hard rocker mount on the rear housing. Naturally everything will go well and there will be no problems right?
SOOOO the drain plug is of course in the way and we will get that moved. ANNND the studs that welded into the brake retaining plate snapped of. Guess we are going to switch to a milder steel for those going forward. They were not cooled quickly or anything like that. Just a little brittle when welded with the mig.
We also got the brake plates mounted to the rear end. This was a simple matter of just holding the calipers in place and centering the plates for hub clearance.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74241&stc=1&d=1616976165

[egoman]

And the rest of the pics.https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74251&stc=1&d=1616976258

[egoman]

Here you can start to see that the spacers and the spindle and the steel bracket are coming together to make a complete braking system. At this point I have made a huge miscalculation, but I don’t know it yet?
I also bolted the aluminum spacer to the original spindle to bore it out and then turned it again to face it smooth and parallel.
Certain things require small clearancing, like the E-brake adjuster and some other stuff.
I have also placed the suspension brackets on the rear end so I don’t forget them later. I actually don’t forget them later too. That’s kind of nice isn’t it?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74264&stc=1&d=1617236697

[egoman]

33 This time the rear end is mostly complete except for the trailing link brackets.
We have fixed the emergency brake cables and the mounts for those cables. They only required a small amount of heat and a creative bend to make them OK! We also fixed the clamping plates by going to a lower grade of steel all thread rod and TIG welding them into place. It is kind of funny that you will need both metric and standard tools to work on much of this stuff.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74272&stc=1&d=1617237572

[egoman]

33 more pics.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74282&stc=1&d=1617237681

[egoman]

34 So with the rear finished for now what are we going to do next? I would guess the geniuses in the crowd would think the front end is next. They would of course be right, you know, because they are geniuses!
Good old GM for some reason couldn’t make the bolt holes the same distance apart. I measured that crap so often before I realized that the stock mounts varied by fractions of an inch on purpose. I WASN’T MEASURING IT WRONG!
A member on another forum lent me some very good C5 C6 suspension details that I have also shared with others. His only requirement was to never post it online. He was alright with me privately sharing that info though. Very James Bond right there eh?
So I got to practice some old school drafting again based on those measurements and that is included here.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74292&stc=1&d=1617329708

[egoman]

34 And the last couple.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74302&stc=1&d=1617329815

[egoman]

35 I am a huge fan of captured nuts so assembly is easier and faster. I use this technique frequently on this car.
Once again with GMs jerk face designers designing all this with 2 different centerlines, it makes you question everything you are working on. Oh well tape measures levels and strings can fix all that right?
This one has a lot more pictures that words.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74325&stc=1&d=1617409829

[egoman]

I did say a lot more pictures.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74335&stc=1&d=1617410063

[egoman]

Because I can only get 10 pics per post you have to keep scrolling.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74345&stc=1&d=1617410185

[egoman]

And the last one for today. remember that all these posts are 1 day of work.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74355&stc=1&d=1617410268

[egoman]

The drawing here is the one that I take over to my friend Doug so he can plasma it all out. Even with a drawing we still talk each bracket out to make sure we don’t screw it up. That of course still happens though.
And yes that crappy old drafting table is all that I need to make me happy. I love welding and cutting steel but drawing is a close second favorite for me.
I have done something different here. I have added text boxes as I felt there were too many pics without an explanation. Tell me what you think in the comments?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74356&stc=1&d=1617456415

[ScotI]

Thanks for sharing!

[Kmelander]

Love the welded nut technique! I did the exact same thing for my subframe connectors, firewall cage connections and my fuel cell hold down bars. Will be doing it again very soon for my license plate to taillight valance fasteners.

Also used it extensively on my rotisserie build.

I have entertained purchasing a nutsert tool but have not to date.

Nice work on the Cougar! I appreciate the detailed updates.

[egoman]

A few posts ago I mentioned the pieces with the holes in them for supports and stiffeners. Here you start to see what I was getting at. I used that for boxing in those brackets.
I am also at this time locking the rear end in the car at ride height and proper centerline.
DAMN that looks good with those big tires there doesn’t it?
I also added the watts linkage frame brackets at this time. I have found over the years that a stack of washers and other junk will be very accurate to space everything just right.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74365&stc=1&d=1617762533

[egoman]

More pics and more captions.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74375&stc=1&d=1617762779

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74385&stc=1&d=1617762995

[egoman]

38 It’s time for this assembly to head home. I teach at my union hall for the 7Oaks SD., and when I am off the clock I will use the shop occasionally. A big thank you to Local 254 Plumbers and Pipefitters hall. Remember Unions built our middle class and that’s why they try to destroy them. Buy union and support those workers.
I described this piece as a big clumsy wheelbarrow.
The sharp eyed amongst you will notice the dirt bikes at the front of the trailer. Another passion of mine. I call it the methadone that tempers my desire to race sprint cars.
You can also see that I have tacked the front lower link brackets to the rear cross member. That cross member of course is at random length to be cut down later. The future holds more mods to this assembly for stuff that I never anticipated. Let’s see if you catch that in the future, LOL.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74412&stc=1&d=1618007181

[egoman]

More pics.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74422&stc=1&d=1618007289

[egoman]

40 While there is not a lot to see here it is quite important. The car was inspected and safetied. I also got it licensed so it is officially mine now. This car was actually a good candidate for an old man to drive it into retirement. Well seeing as I am also nearing 60 that seems appropriate doesn’t it?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74426&stc=1&d=1618009766

[egoman]

Sometimes I just need a break.
The World of Outlaw sprint cars make their way up to North Dakota and it gives me a thrill to see them. While I have raced with them in the past I never made any sort of mark with them. Heck I didn’t make any sort of mark locally either!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74436&stc=1&d=1618272487

[egoman]

This is a series of cars that I have raced in the past few decades. I raced sprints in the 80s and dirt mods in the 90s. I have built cars for myself and others for almost all classes of racing. I also race dirt bikes to cover some urges. At 300 plus (That’s being very generous) I don’t fit the mold of a standard MXer. Even when I raced sprinters in my early 20s I was still 6-4 and 225lbs. I tend to be quite self-deprecating about my racing results. With the internet there is no sense lying about how great I may have been anyways.
I wish that all the photos that I had 20-30-40 years ago were still around but that stuff isn’t forever like the digital stuff from now days.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74446&stc=1&d=1618277136

[egoman]

After a little racing break we needed to get back at the front end. That measurement of 71-1/2 is 2 inches wider than the stock rear-end width. I had planned for the front to be slightly wider than the rear so I could mildly IMSA the front fenders for heat release. Of course I maybe can’t leave that alone and maybe I will see if I can run 325s on the front also?
The plates for the upper control arms are clamped in place and needed a small trim to fit.
I actually left some really nice welds behind on this frame section.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74455&stc=1&d=1618622591

[egoman]

Just a few more of course!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74465&stc=1&d=1618622738

[egoman]

That little bubble on the level is everything to me. The frame kick ups are very precise fitting and I agonized about them for hours. The drawing doesn’t do them justice for the amount of time put into them.
And you know, I didn’t finish them because I wasn’t comfortable with what I had done. Don’t rush a project just so you can do it over. That’s the best advice I can give a builder right there.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74475&stc=1&d=1618786859

[egoman]

The system here only allows 10 pics so here are the rest to go with the subject.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74485&stc=1&d=1618786985

[214Chevy]

I enjoying every minute of this build. Lots of bad a$$ery going on here...

[egoman]

With a new day I forged ahead with the welding when I felt it was perfect. I also heated and pulled the frame back to straight with a little water and a lot of straight edges and levels. Welding those upper brackets caused a lot of pulling.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74502&stc=1&d=1619307718

[egoman]

The rest

[egoman]

This post is my first that I am writing where I didn’t already have a description made up. We are bridging the UCA mounts and developing a LCA coilover mount that is a temporary substitute. I will from now on write less here and insert more text into the pictures.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74522&stc=1&d=1619394909

[egoman]

I have a ton of pictures for this segment. I am going to spread them out over a few posts. Normally when I put the photos together that is just one day of work. The previous post along with this one and maybe one or two more are that ONE day of work.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74532&stc=1&d=1619395502

[egoman]

Remember the last 3 posts equate to a single day of work. Plus this one!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74542&stc=1&d=1619395923

[egoman]

Here we have the finishing touches on the front end. I made a coilover substitute from a farm implement turnbuckle. The nice thing is that when I am checking clearances later it allows easy setting of different heights.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74550&stc=1&d=1619557413

[egoman]

The rest of the pics for this post.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74560&stc=1&d=1619557720

[egoman]

We have both frame sections back at home and we are about to set up the frame jig and have a little fun with what we have. This is the classic vroom, vroom stage!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74568&stc=1&d=1619558349

[egoman]

Always more pics..........................
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74578&stc=1&d=1619558842

[egoman]

Setup of the jig is actually quite easy as the level of the floor is unimportant. Just have to find the high spot first.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74604&stc=1&d=1619645304

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74614&stc=1&d=1619645731

[egoman]

We have the jig locked to the floor and if it sat there too long with nothing on it junk could pile up. Nature abhors a vacuum I guess? Let’s toss a few sub-frames and some tubing up there and see what goes down!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74624&stc=1&d=1620000417

[egoman]

pics pics pics
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74632&stc=1&d=1620000634

[egoman]

My buddy Brent who you will get to know better later dropped by and while he was here we decided to experiment with the tires. I got it in my head that I had left clearance for a really big tire up front. Well we had the rear tire so let’s try that? Damn, it fits really nicely! Doesn’t hit the frame anywhere.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74640&stc=1&d=1620175999

[egoman]

Naturally I started a project in a garage that needs to be taken down and replaced. I managed to talk the wife into a shipping container for the current garages contents while we rebuild. It also gives me room to store the Cougars extra parts for a few years.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74647&stc=1&d=1620176552

[egoman]

Well the cars last few days as a complete car are coming to an end. We are stripping this thing down and we are gonna save and tag everything! SURE WE ARE……………
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74676&stc=1&d=1620425754

[egoman]

Never afraid to admit I don’t know stuff, but it doesn’t seem to make me stop working.
You will see as I go along that I pull off some ridiculous feats through sheer stubbornness.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74686&stc=1&d=1620427471

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74696&stc=1&d=1620427584

[egoman]

The chassis jig is a tremendous tool but like our car projects it is dynamic and always changing.
The thing I knew from the start was that it would have to be capable of more than just being a level surface.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74700&stc=1&d=1620503663

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74710&stc=1&d=1620504155

[egoman]

I swore to myself that this would be a rolling chassis before the snow flew. Luckily I am fat and can work when it is too cold for most.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74715&stc=1&d=1620505219

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74725&stc=1&d=1620505593

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74735&stc=1&d=1620505695

[egoman]

Before we put the chassis away for winter I wanted to put diagonals in to prevent any shifting as it’s removed from and reattached to the jig. Don’t need to diamond the frame by running into it with my tractor, do I?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74736&stc=1&d=1620506707

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74746&stc=1&d=1620506978

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74756&stc=1&d=1620507297

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74766&stc=1&d=1620507451

[egoman]

I am quite lucky. As a school teacher I occasionally have the opportunity to let the kids help on my projects. Teaching a vocational program the opportunities to use tools and smarts at the same time is a gift. When we have some spare time we just start to tear into something and have a little fun. Occasionally plumbing code requires us to take a break.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74783&stc=1&d=1620772006

[egoman]

Remember when I said plumbing code could get a little boring? Well that happened on this day and the kids were more than happy to take out some frustration.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74788&stc=1&d=1620772625

[egoman]

Now I can answer and show you why the steel I beam was in the previous posts.
I promised that the jig was an evolving unit and it appears this is just another period in that development.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74798&stc=1&d=1620773327

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74808&stc=1&d=1620773641

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74818&stc=1&d=1620773887

[egoman]

Of course with a trolley beam on the jig I needed a few trollies to roll back and forth on them.
I ordered them through Amazon to get a good deal. After a lot of time being pissed off at them the order was cancelled and good old Princess Auto came through.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74826&stc=1&d=1621128789

[egoman]

As the car gets loaded on the jig the new trolley system gives us the freedom to move in ways that are helpful in construction and convenience.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74835&stc=1&d=1621129561

[egoman]

As the car gets loaded on the jig the new trolley system gives us the freedom to move in ways that are helpful in construction and convenience.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74845&stc=1&d=1621130496

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74855&stc=1&d=1621130554

[egoman]

With the car set on the jig we need to get rid of a lot of “Cougar”. It saves weight for moving it around and it also helps my scrap metal pile grow. Can’t look like a true hillbilly without a large scrap pile can you?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74856&stc=1&d=1621131512

[egoman]

The project for today is to be able to support the car and be able to move it around. Another project that takes a ton of time and doesn’t look like you did anything.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74863&stc=1&d=1621132403

[egoman]

First I pull the engine and I didn’t even miss that annoying ground that goes from the firewall to the engine. Naturally when I have some success I can’t just leave it alone can I? Good thing that the rear end came out with no hassle?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74869&stc=1&d=1621133184

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74879&stc=1&d=1621133458

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74889&stc=1&d=1621133591

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74899&stc=1&d=1621133656

[egoman]

If you have not checked out this thread in a few days you need to go way back and get caught up. I have realized that as far ahead as I currently am that I could be dead before all the posts are completed.
While the project is still a ways off from being finished, I have extensively documented the build.
If you remember from the start I promised a lot of pictures, an intense build and that it wasn't another F-Body.
I believe that I have held up my end and hope that you continue watching.
Comments are always appreciated as I make mistakes frequently and maybe you can catch something that I have not down the road.
Please don't be intimidated by anything that I have done here. I started off just like anyone else with more guts than brains. Unfortunately as I get older I wish I still had some of that young mans drive again.
Thanks to all of you for following along and good luck on your own projects!

[egoman]

Time to get some working room. I knew from the start that a stock floor-pan would never work. This is a zip cut and sawzall deal for the most part.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74964&stc=1&d=1621712314

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74974&stc=1&d=1621712995

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74984&stc=1&d=1621713100

[egoman]

I was quite tentative when I first started cutting. Don’t worry I got over my hesitancy quite quickly.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74990&stc=1&d=1621713667

[egoman]

We are getting a little braver with our cutting. The body is hanging from its 2 lifting fixtures. When I am underneath I also add the rigid pipe stands for extra safety.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74997&stc=1&d=1621714239

[egoman]

As you follow my build you will notice that I buy stuff just for mockup. These shocks may have had aspirations of fame on Transcona but they are just the stunt doubles.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75007&stc=1&d=1621714737

[egoman]

I removed the dash. Then the dash removed some of my skin. I loosened and shook and pried on the dash assembly and it wouldn’t move. When I was at my absolute limit of POed, it just fell down, WTF!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75011&stc=1&d=1621715065

[egoman]

This is one of the greatest days that took place on this project. It was Good Friday and there was a wedding taking place. A wedding of the body to the frame for the very first time. While the pictures are not in order you get the idea of what was going on. Tears were shed and not because I hacked up my fingers this time! Lots of pictures here.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75020&stc=1&d=1621715691

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75030&stc=1&d=1621715833

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75040&stc=1&d=1621716091

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75050&stc=1&d=1621716393

[egoman]

Just like my apple trees, the car needed to be trimmed for a better fit.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75054&stc=1&d=1621717769

[egoman]

You Americans have Harbor Freight but we have Princess Auto! Ours was first and serves as the model for yours.
Every so often they have a tool come up for sale and I must have it. Let’s get something straight, I am quite stubborn and admitting I was wrong doesn’t go well. Hence my online name.
A tubing bender came up for sale and it looked OK but it was 700$. The floor model had a few scratches on it and didn’t have the box (BIG DEAL). I offered 450 so the salesman would go away. He accepted it! Like I said I don’t back down and had to load that into my little car. Funny thing is I have a Hossfeld at home. Naturally I wanted to make this better than that so off we go on this mission.
You will see a pattern of this going forward if you haven’t already noticed it!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75059&stc=1&d=1621718164

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75069&stc=1&d=1621718561

[egoman]

Might be a little late in the game for this but……. Decided that the windows should all be removed going forward and wanted someone who actually knew what they were doing. I have never had any luck welding up broken glass anyways!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75074&stc=1&d=1621719266

[egoman]

As you should be aware I bought the Princess Auto bender. It is not ready to bend tubing when it comes out of the crate. I showed you the conversion to hydraulics. There is more of course, A LOT MORE. LOL
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75081&stc=1&d=1621719867

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75091&stc=1&d=1621720670

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75101&stc=1&d=1621720925

[egoman]

A man’s work is never done!
Before the pandemic set in I went to Grand Forks every Friday for sprint car racing. It also gave me an opportunity to order stuff to our local parcel pickup location in Pembina ND. Speedway Motors sent along a care package for me to start my next bender experiment.
I am not kidding my Hossfeld worked perfectly but was all hand powered. Why didn’t I just convert it to hydraulics? Remember that I said I was stubborn.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75121&stc=1&d=1621985903

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75131&stc=1&d=1621986305

[egoman]

One of the reasons that I always liked racing the sprint cars and the modifieds was the ease of working on a tube chassied car. That goes out the window for a street car.
The trimming and cutting sort of never ends if you don’t want to re-add stuff later.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75139&stc=1&d=1622068086

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75149&stc=1&d=1622068492

[egoman]

Another trip to the River Cities speedway for the WOO late models this time.
We had an alternator quit at the border. Then I phoned another friend to get ready to save us. 20 miles from Grand forks the car quit. 2 Walmart batteries and some booster cables and we had a plan.
Enjoyed the races and my friend Lisa charged all 3 batteries to max and we were on our way. 85 MPH and no lights as we made our way back to the border. I had called my friend Chris to meet us with the truck and car trailer. Naturally I had picked up a load of stuff at the parcel pickup and needed to do the duty stuff. By the time I was done the car was loaded and tied down.
Those friends that you can call at midnight are the best.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75154&stc=1&d=1622158714

[egoman]

Picked up a bunch of parts from Alabama. Not sure if they will even get used but the price was good and I will use them for mock up if nothing else. Some very high end Ford racing parts.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75157&stc=1&d=1622240966

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75167&stc=1&d=1622241908

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75177&stc=1&d=1622242036

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75187&stc=1&d=1622242110

[egoman]

A few posts ago you seen I was trimming to make room for the roll-cage and associated bars. Today we start that process in earnest. The local sports car club indicated that they would check the top roll cage welds with a mirror. I said that I would take picture for them. I DON’T leave that much room that they could ever get a mirror in there.
Cages are my favorite part of a build. Usually when I build for someone else as soon as the cage work is done I tell them to get out of my yard. It’s so much simpler for other people.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75195&stc=1&d=1622413987

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75205&stc=1&d=1622414206

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75215&stc=1&d=1622414408

[WSSix]

Coming along nicely!

[egoman]

Tacking a roll-cage in makes it look like you actually have a lot done. Oh but there is still tons of work to do. Doing this by yourself while not impossible, is slightly harder than having an extra set of hands. As usual there are some good ideas that get changed or abandoned here.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75224&stc=1&d=1622497384

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75234&stc=1&d=1622497862

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75244&stc=1&d=1622497936

[egoman]

Sometimes you are the windshield and sometimes you are the bug.
The forward A-pillar bars of the cage were an exercise in frustration and allowed me to greatly increase my scrap pile. Let’s just say that it got done and leave it at that.
The pictures tell the story.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75250&stc=1&d=1622676333

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75260&stc=1&d=1622676579

[egoman]

I called this the “Starship Enterprise”. Look carefully and you will see it too.
This is the jig that allows the body to be modified off the car and still fit the chassis. The jig is true to all the critical frame measurements and allows me some freedom in the shop with the body wheeled out.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75276&stc=1&d=1622906464

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75286&stc=1&d=1622906674

[egoman]

Good lord I hate doing door bars. Lots of picky fitting and tight confines. But it has to be done and it has to be done right.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75305&stc=1&d=1623285115

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75315&stc=1&d=1623285758

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75325&stc=1&d=1623286525

[egoman]

I love doing roll cages as I have stated before. I also stated that I prefer tube chassied cars as they are easier to work on. This is kind of a hybrid so we will have to see?
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75364&stc=1&d=1623703176

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75374&stc=1&d=1623703500

[egoman]

Just a couple of diagonals stretching from the cage down to the side intrusion bars. We also ran the diagonal from the driver’s side cage node to the passenger side rear rail.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75376&stc=1&d=1623966412

[egoman]

There are welders and there are welders. 30 years is a long time for a welder to sit in a damp garage with no heat and 100 percent humidity in the spring. I said once that the welder would have been better off under a tarp in my driveway. Borrowing the welder from the union hall for the weekend made me appreciate how good new equipment is.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75390&stc=1&d=1624229471

[raustinss]

those 256 are nice machines , car seems to be coming along quite well

[egoman]

I honestly wasn’t even supposed to work on the car today. This was all accomplished because the wife wasn’t ready to go when she said we were going. I can honestly rock and roll when working and the progress sometimes even surprises me. By the way we still made it into town to do whatever she wanted to do. Time passed made me forget what the mission was, but I am sure we accomplished it.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75422&stc=1&d=1624418690

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75432&stc=1&d=1624418845

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75442&stc=1&d=1624418950

[egoman]

This post has a lot in it. I bought a truck for the powertrain and to use as a dummy. I also finally pulled the trigger on a Harbor Freight welder just to see if you could build a car with one.
I got a roller motor 351 with an OD transmission and assorted parts to use for mockup. I have the thank my buddy Sheldon Finkel for this find and the sprint car races for getting me close to the Harbor Freight.
Lots of pictures of the first welding project, which for everyone is the cart for the machine. It’s been a good machine so far. As much as I think they are hacks, the guys from B is for Build are who sold me on this machine.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75473&stc=1&d=1624925808

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75483&stc=1&d=1624926043

[egoman]

Just doing the front bars shouldn’t be that hard but I am kind of picky about straight so it always takes longer than it should. I am also trimming the fender wells, and because of what I am doing going forward that has to be done quite accurately.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75497&stc=1&d=1625416134

[egoman]

In a previous post I talked about how precisely that the inner fenders had to be cut. The reason for that should be obvious right now. They are remaining and will be tied to the inner panel being built. This would have been a great time for a laser to guide me along.
Oh and I did some, body surgery while I was in there today. If it looks painful you can rest assured it bloody well was! OUCH. Remember kids keep both hands on the grinder.
Used that as a lesson for the kids the Monday after I did it. They thought it looked painful too!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75509&stc=1&d=1625532561

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75519&stc=1&d=1625532704

[egoman]

If you have been following along you may have caught on that this build is behind the calendar.
We are about 1-1/2 years back as of right now. My idea is that there is always material even as the winter months basically shut me down. I would work in the cold no problem but my garage has more holes in it than Harrys barn.
Just to give you an idea of what to expect I have only posted material for you in the spring summer and fall months when I have actually added to the "bank" of stories. What that means is every post you see now has another coming down the road.
Another thing is these posts are 1 days work. That is why sometimes you will see a project that looks like it should go with the prior one but I didn't finish it in one day.
The extended winters here in Canada allow me to play catchup for those following.
I hope to be able to turn the key with you guys watching in real time!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75542&stc=1&d=1625697121

[egoman]

Some days you just need to help a friend out. It also helps to work on something other than the car.
My riding buddy and good friend Chris Ryan needed some help and that’s what I do.
Just a mounting system for a wet kit tank for his truck. No splainin for these pics!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75574&stc=1&d=1625930278

[egoman]

I don’t like doing body work ever! The idea of stitching panels together is why I always raced cars with a sheet metal body where I could just flop on a new panel. But the inner panels have to attach to the fender-wells so here we go.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75584&stc=1&d=1625954701

[egoman]

Just some more welding on the fender inners and fender wells. Apparently Optima looks for inner fenders.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75596&stc=1&d=1626131582

[egoman]

Today was a cleanup everything day. That never means that you are done, but something that needed to get done got done.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75611&stc=1&d=1626276156

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75621&stc=1&d=1626276390

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75631&stc=1&d=1626276441

[egoman]

Just love when I can sit at the drafting table and whip off some drawings for the man who operates the CNC plasma. These are for the coilover brackets and they are designed to be able to move an inch at a time. If that seems like too large a move; notice that there are 2 different offsets so we have ½ inch adjustability. Technically we should never be more than a ¼ inch away from placing the shock where we want it.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75637&stc=1&d=1626628702

[egoman]

I almost pooped myself when Facebook marketplace showed me this. Let’s see it’s a 351 roller Windsor with an OD auto trans. It’s 2 wheel drive and is fully optioned. This people is a freakin unicorn!
I will use this powertrain and wiring harness to initially get the car running and moving and after selling all the parts off it that I don’t need I should break even.
The previous owner babied this truck to no end. After we signed the papers I told him what its fate was going to be. He nearly cried, but I showed him what I was working on and he wasn’t as sad. BUT he was still sad!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75655&stc=1&d=1627090832

[egoman]

Facebook Marketplace just seems to know what I need on any given day!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75664&stc=1&d=1627322754

[egoman]

This is another case of “I just had to have it”
Dummy Styrofoam 351w block for doing mounts and other stuff.
I actually never used it, not even once…………………………..
Anybody need one?????
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75668&stc=1&d=1627323073

[WSSix]

You've made a lot of progress since I last stopped by. Keep going!

[egoman]

You've made a lot of progress since I last stopped by. Keep going!

The progress comes and goes. I am lucky enough to have quite a few posts in the bank. I am basically posting them as I complete another one. I am about 60 posts behind.

[egoman]

Last March we had all schools shut down for Covid and were doing remote learning. I was up at 6am setting out the assignments for the students and checked my E-mails every 2 hours. The rest of the time I was basically bored. When I get bored stuff is going to happen, and quickly!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75694&stc=1&d=1627689099

[egoman]

This is the self-isolation of 2020. I need to not go bananas so I end up working even harder than normal. The drivetrain in that service truck will be coming out in the next few days.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75716&stc=1&d=1627949733

[egoman]

Getting the motor ready to leave the chassis is a big deal. There are so many wires that I actually have to worry about not screwing up. Any mechanics that are on here are aware of “special” bolts that the manufacturers use just to piss you off. There are a few of them here and I will make note of them. Some engineers need a punch in their ugly faces!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75731&stc=1&d=1628258568

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75741&stc=1&d=1628258893

[egoman]

We hit a milestone with that last post. That would be my 100th post. Now if you actually counted them it may not work out exactly as some posts are actually broke down into two or three because of posting limits for pictures.
What this means is that I worked 100 days on the car. Some were 10-12 hours, and some were only a few hours, but those were the days that I put in. This just gives you a guideline as to the amount of work you need to put in to build a car from scratch.
There are a lot of days that you are building something that is just to help you work on the car, most of those I documented. There are also lots of days where you are just running around picking stuff up and I kept no record of those days. Intellectual time also resulted in no record, but many days of pondering.
Let’s just for arguments sake say that those were 8 hour days. We are at 800 hours of labor. Even with a 50$ an hour shop rate we are at $40,000 in labor charges. We probably have at least that much more to go.
When you see a car that’s been shop built and done with an open check-book most of us would faint at the cost the owner paid to have that car done. OH and try and find a $50 shop rate. I am terrified of the costs of paint and body when we get there!
I post this not as a discouragement, but for the readers and the dreamers to realize that this stuff isn’t for the faint of heart. I also do it so all these cars are appreciated. Sometimes I need to learn that myself as I am a bit of a snob.
This is a labor of love and while I work on this car my mind wanders to what I am going to work on next? No sense in just getting a restful night’s sleep, when you can have the grey matter running all night.
HMMM, a plane made from carbon fiber would be ultra-cool……………………………

[egoman]

Started the day with no intentions of removing this motor. Things just started rolling and here we are!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75960&stc=1&d=1628531363

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75970&stc=1&d=1628531460

[egoman]

Borrowed my neighbor’s trailer and hauled the core off to the car wash. It’s easier to lose skin that doesn’t get infected. Clean prevents gangrene, REMEMBER that kids!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75990&stc=1&d=1628735089

[egoman]

The motor had to be able to go in from the top. It goes in pretty easy with all belts and attachments. Ultimately though we may have to remove the upper intake in the future for clearance.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76031&stc=1&d=1629163845

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76041&stc=1&d=1629164106

[egoman]

Late spring/winter storm that threatens to drop the roof of my garage on the car. Never mind that all that snow melt will make it rain inside for several days. A few hours of shoveling will give me a few days of working in the garage.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76056&stc=1&d=1629401870

[egoman]

Just spinning up a whole bunch of slugs for seat belt mounts suspension bolt-throughs and whatever else may come up. I have an old lathe that I acquired from a work buddy who was retiring and downsizing. My dad went to pick it up and was offered a whole bunch more stuff for another $100. He took it no questions asked and it was worth way more than that. GOOD JOB Dad!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76087&stc=1&d=1629587856

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76097&stc=1&d=1629587998

[egoman]

When the seat is mounted we can make race car noises!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76127&stc=1&d=1629919192

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76137&stc=1&d=1629919374

[egoman]

Today’s project is the manufacturing of a steering column support bracket. Brackets are the bane of all builders and we ultimately try to always accomplish at least 2 things for each one we make.
We will also endeavor to reduce their size and weight as we get all the measurements dialed in. Shorten, drill, grind, and ounces will add up to pounds.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76196&stc=1&d=1630373539

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76205&stc=1&d=1630373709

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76215&stc=1&d=1630373778

[egoman]

Just trying to get the controls out of the way. Steering column and shifter were on the agenda for today.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76251&stc=1&d=1631068397

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76261&stc=1&d=1631068594

[egoman]

Motor mounts for a SBF are quite easy as they are a flat plate. I would have preferred to have some flexible motor mounts but with limited clearance under the cowl I have chosen solids for the engine.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76271&stc=1&d=1631069574

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76281&stc=1&d=1631069737

[egoman]

I haven’t forgot about the threads that I post. I have been busy with a rather large project at home that has been consuming my time and limiting my access to the car, or at least where I am building the car. (Guesses are welcome)
The project is currently outside and waiting to be restarted, but I still have many posts to get us through the winter. My modus operandi has been to post an update as I develop new ones. That allows me to make sure our -40 winters up here still have something that makes life worth living.
While I do plan on having more time to work on the car before the real cold sets in, that may not happen. Ultimately, we will start our winter postings when the snow starts to fall and looks like it is here to stay for a while.

[egoman]

OK its been about 2 months since my last post but I have a good reason. Its just when I say it out loud it doesn't sound as good?
I have been rolling quite hard on building a new shop to work out of and even with a lot of stuff for you to see in the bank I always had an excuse.
Well the local inspector has shut me down until I get better at acquiring proper permits. BUT, I did actually do some work on the car today and I like to trade a post now for one that you will see in the future.
This is just words but I am posting pics and text right away!
I hope there are still some out there that want to see them.

[egoman]

Needed the wires gone so I could continue with more work on the car. I didn’t lose any blood and I don’t have any deep lacerations so we can call that a good day then!
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76876&stc=1&d=1639285298

[572Camaro]

Egoman,
Love the project and your ingenuity
I even like the way you label pics
Pretty cool
Please keep us posted!

[egoman]

We are doing the last of the body positioning details so we can remove the body from the frame. This will make running all the lines and new wiring harnesses much easier. It isn’t just a matter of removing the body because we could do that at any time. The important part is to make sure it can go back in the same position.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76898&stc=1&d=1639705492

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76908&stc=1&d=1639705810

[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=76920&stc=1&d=1639967029

[egoman]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76930&stc=1&d=1639967264