Good bye Locost 7 Hello GT40!!

[Dave Peterman]

Hi all:

It sure is good to make some progress. I made some mounting plates for the rear mounts of the transaxle. I used a piece of paper and rubbed the bolt pattern and transfered it to the steel using a paint marker and a centerpunch. A bit more grinding to straighten up the sides and I'll be done.

[frank beuker]

Hi dave
Do you have a bench lathe ?
If i have to make a mounting plate or a mould and cannot copy the holes i put a bolt in the lathe an turn the head of just a couple of mm into a point then put the bolts into the holes put a plate against it and give it a blow with a hammer (use the bolts as centerpoints)
Just an idear
Cheers
Frank

[frank beuker]

Dave here are the pics

[Dave Peterman]

Thanks Frank:

Well now I have to decide casting or write a cnc program to make some billet ones.

[frank beuker]

Dave,
I don't know how easy it is for you to have it cnc'd or casted

[Dave Peterman]

Have made a bit of progress lately. The dash bars are cut and tacked in place. I did have to cut my rear bulkhead uprights loose to reposition them farther back on the chassis

[Dave Peterman]

Anyone have good photos of door hinges and pin location through the door?

[Dave Peterman]

Made some cardboard templates for the aluminum cladding.

Suspension mock up is the next part of the project.
Hoping to buy a mig welder after Christmas and move the 40 home.

[frank beuker]

Dave looking good !!!
Why not buy a tig welder ?

[Dave Peterman]

Frank:

Some years ago I had a well meaning co worker that tried to give me a few lessons on a Tig machine. I don't know what I did wrong but after getting jolted by the the thing a few times my heart was not in it. I know it was not the teacher this guy could weld great with the tig.
I have used the mig so much that I am am just used to it.

[Dave Peterman]

The last week or two have not been to productive. The locating of the roof spider has been a little tough. I have learned some lessons.

Lesson one: buy your whole body at one time. Not a quality issue just a mounting issue. You need it for measurements

Lesson two: Consider body mounting when building a scratch chassis.
buy your body first. The side pod frames can be made too long.

Lesson three: Back up all roll center computer profiles you can lose that stuff and be back to square one

Lesson four: The tapered front of the chassis makes mounting the front suspension a lot more difficult.

Lesson five: Without friends on this forum a scratch build will be nearly impossible.

Lesson six: Watch GT-40 videos on you tube. Guys keep posting your you tube videos they are great inspiration.

[Bill Hara]

Hey Dave
Here's one for your inspiration I hope

[Dave Peterman]

Bill: Thanks for the inspiration. Awesome car!

[Dave Peterman]

It is good to have a wife that knows computers. She was able to get my roll center program working again and saved all my data.

Have made a bit of progress over the last few days. I had to go back a bit to go forward. The side pod frames were a little to long so I had to shorten them about 2 1/2 inches. I also moved the upper cross member behind the seats back 1 1/2 inches. Lots of suports were tack welded in place and I have been going back and welding them completely. Once all the major welds are done possibly tomorrow I will cut the chassis loose from the jig.

[Dave Peterman]

A few of photos of work I accomplished during the last few days.
I mainly work on the car during my lunch break which is about an hour.
Some days I run errands to run so it has not been an everyday ritual.

[Dave Peterman]

Yesterday was a great day got a lot done! All the welds on the upper side of the chassis are done Russ Noble and Kalun D had said the chassis would spring and possibly twist which I knew to be true. It was my hope that by tack welding and using clamps in key locations it would be a small amount. The moment of truth had arrived. I cut the tack weld and loosened the clamps. The chassis sprung about .150" over the whole length side to side and the chassis stayed flat to the jig no twist The next step is suspension after Christmas celebrations.

Fit the body parts without the chassis jig also welded the door latch supports in place to the bulkhead frame work. Also made end caps for some tube ends.

[Dave Peterman]

Hi Everyone:

It is that time of year when I make a 16 hour journey to Northern Michigan to see my family and have a bit of fun.
I hope you and yours all have a Very Merry Christmas

I am off.
Bouncing through a snow drift in a big blue cloud of smoke people laugh as I drive by I wonder whats the joke. I need new piston rings ,I need some new snow tires, my car is held together with a piece of chicken wire.

Rust and smoke the heater is broke, the radio it don't play oh what fun it is to drive my rusty Chevrolet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave Peterman]

Have a bit of progress to report. The floor pan is welded in place. I chose to use .045" steel instead of aluminum.

[John]

looking good Dave
John

[Molleur]

Great job Dave!