the "whatz-it" project
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July 13, 2012 03:11 PM - 992 Views
The "Whatz-It" is almost ready to put the body on for the final time.
I did about all I could wiring plumbing and such before putting on the fenders, rockers and running boards. I didn't want to reach over them if I could help it.
Hopefully I'll get the body down tomorrow...
Ron
- Newest Post: July 25, 2012 07:33 PM
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Could easily be the Munsters Koach. Barris would be proud.
MC Looking good!
HMMMM... I do like the ragtop..
Good one Rich... Clever...clever...
I-Guy.. never thought that way about the munsters but with the doors off I can see that now that you mention it.
It's an original car with some general modifications like filled top, tubbed rear wheel wells 2 " in so bigger tires fit.
Got the body on took a few times up and down to make some adjustments but hopefully it's down to stay now.
I need to get the rear fenders and rear pan caps fit into place.
I didn't cinch the body down yet because they tuck up under just a little bit.
I wanted a clean firewall.
The only hole in it is for the throttle cable
and... you'll have to look hard to find where that comes through.
I am tucking everything underneath and hiding all the engine wires and hoses where possible. I also enclosed wires in rubber tubes or braded home plumbing hose. Let's me run several wires through, cost is minimal and looks clean. Even the vacuum boot hose is double to avoid heat and abrasion issues.
I'm using a Kugel under dash right angle brake system. Takes some engineering and reinforcing, and pre work.. but fits fine. And leaves me free space under the floor.
Helps to have 2 cowl vents for access.
With the freed up floor space I can add the 2 stainless floor boxes I've built. 1 for under each seat. Battery will go in one and other for jack and necessities.
Also I'm running heater lines and all wiring up from the bottom and into the corners.
Takes a lot of pre planning as most can't be done with the body on.
Last night... I added the rear frame rail caps and got the tail lights fit into place.
I wanted the tail lights to look vintage but mount so they didn't detract or stick out.
So I built custom brackets and had them chrome plated
I tucked the tail lights into the corner formed by the body, fender, and rail cap.
Lot's of fitting to get it sitting in close and just right.
But.. Works out great there too because the wiring can go right into that corner and not be seen.
I have to finish sanding and re-paint the rear fenders a little later. The insides are done and buffed already so I just need to do the outsides with a couple coats.
I used House of Kolor Jet Black single stage with 50% clear in the top coat. Looks excellent and deep when finished but man it's a very hard paint. Staging the wet sanding just didn't work no matter how I did it or what compound I used. It was just to hard to get the scratches out that even the 1500 grit marks left. So I went right to 2500 grit and nothing heavier prior. Took more work/time but final finish looks flawless even in the reflection.
Here is my under dash brake set-up. Plus some plumbing...
having the dual cowl vents is nice. But they are functional too. So I needed to be sure of all clearances for the vent doors and handles etc.. Plus there are gages and heater... But it fits good and I do have enough room if I feel I want to add a booster. I have Wildwod up front and Vette in back so I should not need one.
I am going to use a small heater inside the car that tucks up in the right front corner.
Because the vintage little "radiator looking" heater sits right inside the car I didn't want hot water in it all the time. So I built a dual shutoff bypass to avoid that.
I can reach it from the engine compartment for when the weather turns cool.
Next to that is my fuel junction block with pressure sending unit for a gage. With the blower I wanted to be sure I have fuel pressure reading at a glance
And of course my brake lines come down there and are yet to be connected.
The other braded lines go to the trans cooler for the 400 Turbo
I found a gas tank that would fit where the original did. With some modification...
It's a 16 gallon and about as big as I could get tucked up in there. Just fits between the frame rails. I had to custom cut fit and weld with the filler tube, and some custom brackets. I tucked it up and in as far as possible. So by the time I was done it fit where the original did but even better.
The tank is stainless and I buffed it up some. For some cars it's ok... But I didn't want to detract from the car overall by seeing the shinny tank from the back, nor from the sides. So I carefully painted the ends, just around the edges and back portion of the oval tank.
Still looks nice when you look underneath with the contrasting black straps, and buffed stainless. But it disappears when looking at the car overall and your eyes won't be drawn to a gas tank Vs the whole car. Or... that's my hope anyway..
There is a spare tire mount that goes above the fuel tank valance panel. That is ready to go on but I'm holding off for now putting it on so I can detail the car easier when finished.
I like the look of the "pypes" mufflers and polished exhaust system peeking out in pic #2. Can't wait to see what the rest of the exhaust from the axle back looks like when you install it.
I went with Pypes Race Pro Mufflers... Have them all tucked up so they won't rumble under the body and are far enough away to not cause floor heat issues. They are nice finished stainless. The 2 1/2" tail pipes are just aluminized steel. But I buffed them with some metal polish and they came out looking great. The Sanderson block huggers are hot coated. So the exhaust is set and ready to go up to the differential.
I need to make a couple brackets for the tail sections and 3" x 32" stainless angle cut ends I have. But that will be after the rear bumper is on so I can see what looks and fits best.
"Thanks Ron, we'll be back with More Munster Garage after these messages". ( I just couldnt help myself.).