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Jul 14, 2022 18:26:40 GMT
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I now have a working E-brake. The cables were there, all it needed was a way to connect the front cable ( that goes to the E-brake handle) to the rear one ( that is attached to the rear axle) I used a lower pulley off a Small Block Chevy, and a driveshaft loop ( mandated for NHRA drag racers ), and some other stuff I had lying around, as a pivot between the two.  After that the bed could go back on. And I rolled it outside to stand back and take a look at it...   Paneling in the dash before I have the airconditioning unit mounted is not really practical. So I'll wait until I have that ( still on backorder... ) I did spend a little time measuring, and figuring out what the layout will be ( I think I have a plan..  ). There is a little thin spot on the lower corner of each door, so that is next. |
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thomfr
Part of things
Trying to assemble the Duett again..
Posts: 694
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Jul 14, 2022 20:17:14 GMT
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Are you sure it has too be that low? I would go an Inch or two higher.. (different tastes ;-) ).
Thom
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73' Alfa Giulia Super
64' Volvo Duett
65' Volvo Duett
67' Volvo Amazon 123GT
09' Ford Focus 1.8
20' VW ID4
71' Benelli Motorella
65' Cyrus Speciaal
The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys
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Jul 14, 2022 20:49:44 GMT
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Yep, that's where I want it... What looks just right to one guy, can look like its broken to somebody else And thats OK... It has 5.5" of clearance at the front of the rockers to the ground, and 6" at the rear of the rockers. Just from driving it in and out of the garage I could feel the front spring rate is way off, though. I already have big block springs in it, but it is not enough. Shouldn't be a problem, Gen 2 Camaro's & Nova's ( same front suspension ) have been used for all kinds of racing. I think I've found a stiffer set of springs already, + adjustable platforms so I can set the rideheight exactly where I want it... |
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Jul 16, 2022 22:24:14 GMT
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Doors are done.    So that stops work on the truck until the AC unit comes in. And it looses its spot inside the garage. Its monsoon here, right now, so the bare metal will rust. But that is OK. It will have to be blasted before it gets painted anyway. |
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Jul 16, 2022 22:29:35 GMT
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Parts arrived from a Fiat specialist in Europe.  And none of them are going on a Fiat. I'll loose the glovebox, because that space will be taken up by the AC unit. That is OK, I'll use a center console out of a '63 Falcon.  And I'll use the door pockets out of a '70s Fiat 500. They are almost a perfect fit. Who knew... I'll also use Fiat 500 toggle switches. They are meant to get the full current of the headlights, etc through them, so I don't have to mess with extra relays. I'm hoping I can match them to the wipers in the truck ( the automatic return to base )   |
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I guess the door pockets tuck in under the seat base when the door is shut.
Falcon unit looks a tidy fit.
Perfect.
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There is sort of a cove below the seat/floor level, probably to make it easier to get in ( these things were pretty tall, stock ) The Fiat door pocket fits really nice in that. See pic ( ignore the Ford Falcon dash below the original truck dash, that was just me trying to figure out what the options were...)  |
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Jul 22, 2022 20:13:00 GMT
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I don't like the front spring rate. Its way too soft. I put a 2nd Gen Camaro front clip in the truck. And I don't know if that donor was a small block or a 6 cylinder. When I first built the truck it was even worse, so I replaced the front springs for the big block ( Pontiac) versions. So its about as stiff as you can get it with OEM parts. Getting back in it after all these years, I'm not happy with it. I did some internet reading, and saw posted that the stock springrate is less than 300Lb/in, and a little over for a big block spring. And it was suggested a 650Lb/in spring was a good track/street car spring. ( of course my truck has more front axle weight than a Camaro, but I thought that could be a good guess) The stock springs are mounted with a massive amount of pre load. Which I don't like to work on. That is an enormous amount of stored energy, and people have been getting hurt ( I don't have a spring compressor ) So the way I got the springs out was to heat up a couple of coils to collapse the spring. At that point they were no longer dangerous, but I could no longer do any measuring on them to get a baseline. The springs I got were 9.5" long ( which I believe is about 1/2 of the OG ones ) With a set of adjustable spacers. For this result.  Way too low... ( about 2" of clearance). I still have adjustability on the spacers, and I can modify them if needed. So I can get the rideheight up. But what is more serious, I can still push the nose of the truck down like a 2CV ( OK almost... ) I guess the big block springs were stiffer than I thought... So now I ordered 1300Lb springs, at 11" length. The springs were not that expensive, So it was worth it to me to get a good baseline. But it does set me back at least 1.5 weeks... So I'll start on repairing and modifying the wiring ( different type of Alt., different switches, etc. )  |
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That’s a whole load of pain in that front end.
Of course you will get it done.
It will be an interesting mix of form and function you need to create.
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Yeah, but I enjoy playing with the suspensions. And with this setup, once I have the spring rate right, I'll have adjustability for the ride height. |
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Jul 24, 2022 10:43:29 GMT
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I want to use Fiat 500 toggle switches in this truck. So I started with the windshield wiper switch, because I figured wiring up the 2 speed windshield wiper motor in a '60 truck to a '70s single speed Fiat switch would be the biggest hurdle. But I got it to work. On high speed only ( slow speed was useless anyway ), but it does go to slow speed on its return to base. Started on the dash. Just Cleco'd in at this point, because I want access when I put the AC unit in ( which is still on backorder).      I'll weld the panel in later, with mods for the AC vents. |
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,951
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Everyday is a school day. I never knew that the Afco adjustable spring pads existed until today. A pair are now on order! Your truck is going to look awesome by the way, love the custom touches. P.  |
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Thanks paul Y. Yeah, they are a great option when you are playing with springrates & rideheights. I used a ( modified ) set on my '58 Fiat 500 as well. The 1300Lb springs are in, and the rideheight back where I want it. A big difference compared to the 650Lb springs.  That should take care of the wallowy ride... I'll try them for a while. If it turns out I overshot with the 1300Lb springs, I can always switch them for something in the middle.... |
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,951
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Jul 29, 2022 10:27:19 GMT
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I am using 1 ton springs in the front of my C10 and have lopped off 1 1/2 coils with another 1/2 to go I would imagine once I have all the sheet metal hung so the adjustable pads are going to make getting the ride height a much easier proposition than doing the Hokey Kokey and grinding to fit... Don't think that 'wallowy ride' is going to be a consideration with those monsters! P. |
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Sept 11, 2022 9:08:03 GMT
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After a very long wait my AC unit came in. I'm not complaining, you have to expect some delays & backorders right now. Problem was, it didn't fit where I hoped it would fit. When I first built the truck I was a little too generous with clearance between the bellhouse and the tranny tunnel, and also, the firewall had all kinds of bulges and shapes to it as well as strengthening ribs and braces ( the battery tray was bolted to it, when the truck was new ) So I cut the tranny tunnel away in the bellhouse area, and more than 1/2 of the firewall.   This gave me just enough space between the firewall ( or where the firewall was going to be... ) and the lower edge of the dash, and also enough vertical space ( I cant go up with the AC unit, because of the windshield wiper mechanism ) Firewall paneled back in with flat sheet metal.  And a new, much slimmer, bellhouse tunnel.  View from the engine bay side. I'll do the last little bit of welding from this side after the engine comes out, as well as all the grinding.  |
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Sept 11, 2022 9:24:32 GMT
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I cut 4 rings out of 1/8" steel strip, and 4 pieces of 3" dia. exhaust tubing. ( on my lathe, so they'd be exactly the same )  These will house the AC vents.  I also punched some holes to mount this nice little piece of trim that I got off some '30s dash, long time ago. ( I thought it was cool, but never found a good spot to mount them, but now I do... )  |
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Sept 11, 2022 9:30:05 GMT
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Laying out where I wanted the vents.  Marking them.  Modifying the dash to make them fit.  And tacking them to the vertical panel ( which is still removable at this point )  |
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Sept 11, 2022 9:39:42 GMT
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Measuring from the centerline of the dash, I could find the exact spot where the passenger side vents had to be. Mirrored from the ones on the driver side.      Making sure they are all in line, at the same height on the dash, stick out by the same amount, and lean back from true vertical by the same amount. And I tack welded them in. |
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Sept 11, 2022 9:40:08 GMT
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Good morning mate.
Custom is what you make it.
And you certainly are building a custom.
Back in the UK, stuff on my mind, but America delivered as always.
Liking the custom vents.
Bell housing modification made me grin, nice to be able to make things work just right.
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).
