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81 custom widebody

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Old Jun 5, 2012 | 09:36 PM
  #126  
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the Mazda goes HMMMMM!
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If you need a hand getting your engine from Bessler's hit me up. I can't promise anything (the wife is pretty upset with all the time I've been spending lately working on the Miata) but I might be able to sneak away.
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Old Jun 6, 2012 | 04:54 AM
  #127  
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motor

Originally Posted by chiefmg
If you need a hand getting your engine from Bessler's hit me up. I can't promise anything (the wife is pretty upset with all the time I've been spending lately working on the Miata) but I might be able to sneak away.
Better be careful! I'll take you up on it

I'm going to go soon and see what they have. I also have to make sure my neighbor will let me borrow his truck.
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 09:29 PM
  #128  
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Still sanding

everything is mostly shaped. Still have hours and hours of bodywork.
Attached Thumbnails 81 custom widebody-1.jpg   81 custom widebody-2.jpg  
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 03:12 PM
  #129  
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Another detail done

Here is the modified bell housing I’m going to be using. It allows me to mount a later model WC T5 to an early straight up bell housing. It’s a 153 tooth 63 Corvette. Super light and a good price. I welded the bracket up from ¼ inch steel. I’ll have to mount the bell housing to the trans then put the whole thing on like an auto trans but it will work and fit behind a variety of motors.

I have been doing bodywork. Got a lot done over the last few weeks. It rained this weekend so I took a break from sanding and worked on the trans mount.

I’ve been thinking about my fuel setup and I’m not happy with the aluminum tank I have. I need to be able to modify it to get it to work and I can’t weld aluminum. I bought an early mustang 16 gallon with the sending unit. It’s flat on top so it will fit in the car and I can move the filler to the side and weld a sump on it.
Attached Thumbnails 81 custom widebody-1.jpg  
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Old Aug 4, 2012 | 05:02 PM
  #130  
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More stuff

I was able to work on a few more things lately. I dropped the rear lower control arm points on the axle 2 inches. Should improve my roll center greatly. Now I just have to wait and see how well RK970's rear 3 link works and maybe I'll do that down the road.

I also welded the support in for the new mustang fuel tank I bought. I still need to weld a sump on it and hook up the filler.

Still working on body work but I have a long way to.

I can't wait until it cools off a little.
Attached Thumbnails 81 custom widebody-1.jpg   81 custom widebody-2.jpg  
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Old Aug 6, 2012 | 09:18 AM
  #131  
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Looking good! The heat here has been unbearable too, can't wait for Fall
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Old Sep 7, 2012 | 11:45 AM
  #132  
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Any update on this beast?
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Old Sep 8, 2012 | 03:52 AM
  #133  
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good luck
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Old Sep 8, 2012 | 06:00 PM
  #134  
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updates

Not really. Been doing bodywork. Lots of bodywork.
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 04:12 AM
  #135  
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Now w/ 12A SP
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Impressive work can't wait for the next update.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 10:38 PM
  #136  
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Ha, I thought I recognized that car from NoRotors. Dang man! that body work is extreme
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Old Sep 18, 2012 | 10:19 AM
  #137  
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that is a beauty of a job, I can't wait to see the final project!
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Old Oct 28, 2012 | 04:46 PM
  #138  
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steering column

I spent all day fabbing up the mounts for the 80 Camaro tilt column only to find out that I had the hole through the firewall too high. The brake booster hits. I'll just trim the firewall, drop it down and weld a piece of sheetmetal in. Going to work great though and the tilt will be nice. It's just the right length.
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Old Oct 31, 2012 | 12:21 PM
  #139  
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Wow this is amazing and to see that your in cincy is even cooler because your not to far from me. It would be sick to see this car in person some time!
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Old Oct 31, 2012 | 05:36 PM
  #140  
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Cincy

Originally Posted by CJ8989
Wow this is amazing and to see that your in cincy is even cooler because your not to far from me. It would be sick to see this car in person some time!
I have to get it done first I work in Evendale so it will be pretty close.

I got the column in, booster fits now. Now I need to adapt the camaro column to the FC universal. I have a lot of little details left to do. It's looking like I won't drive it until spring.
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 04:13 AM
  #141  
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This is one hell of a build! Nice work! Also not far from me. I'm in the Reading area.
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Old Nov 20, 2012 | 04:57 PM
  #142  
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Steering!

Finally got the steering linkage hooked up. Camaro tilt column. Sits right where I want it.
Attached Thumbnails 81 custom widebody-s1.jpg   81 custom widebody-img_1215.jpg   81 custom widebody-img_1216.jpg   81 custom widebody-img_1218.jpg  
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 08:26 AM
  #143  
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Looks good. What did you do for the double u-joint linkage? Combo of FC and Camaro parts?
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 12:58 PM
  #144  
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Man, I wish I had the tools and garage space to fabricate. Nice work.
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 05:29 PM
  #145  
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tools

Originally Posted by craaaazzy
Man, I wish I had the tools and garage space to fabricate. Nice work.
I do all this with a 120 v welder, a 4 1/2 inch grinder with cutoff wheels and a cheap as hell Harbor freight drill press. I did buy a tubing bender to make the rollcage but I sold it when I was done to recoup some of the money. One of the nice things I bought was an Apollo HVLP spray setup. Super portable and you don't need a drier. I have a one car garage. The point I'm making is you don't have to have big dollar tools to make ****. Dive in and play.
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 06:03 PM
  #146  
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steering

Originally Posted by 82transam
Looks good. What did you do for the double u-joint linkage? Combo of FC and Camaro parts?
Yea, I took the FC steering linkage. I fabricated the coupling in the center. Finally have the steering working.
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 07:27 PM
  #147  
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Originally Posted by Frankenmazda

I do all this with a 120 v welder, a 4 1/2 inch grinder with cutoff wheels and a cheap as hell Harbor freight drill press. I did buy a tubing bender to make the rollcage but I sold it when I was done to recoup some of the money. One of the nice things I bought was an Apollo HVLP spray setup. Super portable and you don't need a drier. I have a one car garage. The point I'm making is you don't have to have big dollar tools to make ****. Dive in and play.
I've already got the cheap HF 4.5" grinder and it is definitely the most used power tool I have. I do want to learn how to weld but right now, i can't justify buying one. I drill press would be nice thought.
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Old Jan 1, 2013 | 07:47 AM
  #148  
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Dirty Work

Getting down to the fun stuff! Did some seam sealing under the car but of course I ran out before I got done. I have more on the way and should be able to finish up battening down the hatches cause I do intend on driving this thing quite a bit and don't want my work rusting. Happy New Year to all.
Attached Thumbnails 81 custom widebody-img_1222.jpg   81 custom widebody-img_1225.jpg  
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Old Apr 27, 2013 | 08:10 PM
  #149  
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Roll Cage

Been awhile since I've posted here. Been working on the car just haven't been taking many pictures. The roll cage is painted. I have the bottom of the car and the engine compartment painted. Next is the interior paint.
Attached Thumbnails 81 custom widebody-rc1.jpg   81 custom widebody-rc2.jpg   81 custom widebody-rc3.jpg  
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 08:39 AM
  #150  
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I was wondering how this was going. Glad you're making progress
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