Nicks Forte Scratch Build - to Stunning Mk1 GTD

NickD

Supporter
Brett,

Email details sent.

I managed to get another 2 hours on the chassis last night. Excepting some final parts for the front suspension mounting and the passenger cage, I'll shortly be moving on to the heavier gauge structure at the back. Looking to complete the chassis proper by about the 23rd Feb.

If all goes to plan I would have saved myself in the order of £3k against a pre-built from an alternate supplier to arrive at the same point. Money I hope to spend on other things later.
 

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NickD

Supporter
I took a weeks break and got back to work Today,. another 4 hours spent. Just a few more triangulation parts to fit to the floor level and she will be ready to accept a single sheet 16 gauge floorpan.

Many Thanks to Paul Walton and Brett James-McCall over the last week for advice and the loan of an engine stand. 302 will arrive in 2 weeks.

Currently fitted to a 1984 Lincoln Towncar which has spent the last 20 years sedately driving brides to be to church and the odd party night.

Pics of her running and the engine coming out of the car to follow next week.
 

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NickD

Supporter
Ladder Chassis, I take my hat off to that one. I've sat for 10 mins and that pic and I won't beat that one. ;-)
 

NickD

Supporter
As mentioned previously, I have taken the view not to powder-coat the chassis core. This based on the fact that mileage will be limited to about 1500 a year and I can't see me driving in the wet unless accidentally caught out in it which should be rare.

Hence, I am preping the chassis for a coating in a modern satin black specialist all weather metal paint, hard as nails and very resiliant. This has the benefit of allowing me to ensure all those little nooks and crannies are suitable well done as I'm doing it myself.

Having flattened all the welds on the floor section, a light primer gives a good opportunity to identify any bumps or dips at the mating points.
 

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Hi Nick

Looking really good. And so speedy too!

Should there be another piece across the bottom of the horseshoe, like this...?
 

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NickD

Supporter
James,

Yep Thanks. I'm fitting it tonight as I busted my cutting blade Yesterday. (Just couldn't wait to get some coating on to have a look ;-).
 
Nick:
Nice job on the chassis for sure. I can tell you that I had a bit of interference on my chassis at the location you are showing on your photo. Mostly because of a change I made in motor/gearbox position, but I needed to notch that member to get clearance, and the bottom web on the gearbox was fowling the cross tube only slightly so I clearanced it.
Otherwise I cant wait to see the suspension hung on that project..should be nice.
Cheers
Phil
 

NickD

Supporter
Lucky for me the previous house owner had the garage carpeted !, its looking a bit worse for ware now I've been welding and grinding for over 3 weeks on it ;-(
 

Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
Lucky for me the previous house owner had the garage carpeted !, its looking a bit worse for ware now I've been welding and grinding for over 3 weeks on it ;-(


:stunned: Carpet? In a garage? A garage in which you weld? :stunned:

Is the fire dept on 'speed dial'??? :D

(I can just imagine what any carpet in my DD garage would look like after a winter of rain, snow, and mud!)

'Gotta be real easy on the feet/knees/back working in there though, huh!
 

NickD

Supporter
A Friday evening spent putting in place some of the last small parts to be welded in (excepting the roll hoop of course).

Ground most of the welds that will sit beneath aluminium panels down nice and flush and applied some base primer to protect and provide a good footing for the specialist metal paint.

Purchased Rod ends and tubing earlier Today so can get stuck into the rear trailing arms and top links when I get bored of the paneling from time to time.

A day off Tomorrow and back on it Sunday.
 

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NickD

Supporter
Cheers Paul,

I've bought the sheet Aluminium for the panelling (£95) all in excluding the VAT, but, I'll have to cut and bend myself so that will slow me down big time.

Also taking a crack at the rear suspension myself so have ordered the steel tube and rod ends.

Pick up the engine next Saturday. I should have a video of it running in the old Lincoln and a few shots of then taking it out.

The summer will be a slow one car progress wise I think.
 

NickD

Supporter
Couple of Pics of the 1986 Lincoln Towncar which is providing the basis of the engine. Should be out and on a pallet by Saturday Morning ready for collection prior to a full strip down.
 

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Not sure what you have planned for an ignition system, but those also make great doners for the Duraspark EI distributor and ignition module. Some of those 80's 302 cars even had the EI wiring running separately with a self contained harness from the Distr-to-ign module. I installed this setup into one of my first '67 mustangs. It was super easy and ran great for many years.
 

Jim Rosenthal

Supporter
Interesting- in the first photo you can see the words "State Trooper" on a piece of sheet metal. They don't have states or troopers in the UK, so this must have come from over here....
 

NickD

Supporter
The Red Oxide primers all on now (2 coats mostly and more on the welds) so tried a little of my satin metal paint here and there and awaited the look the next day. To be honest, after all the hard work and the black paint look it just stood there like another chassis bought from someone else, so I'm going Off-Piste on the colour.

I've order 2.5 litres of a white semi matt / silk metal paint and yes I know it will take 2 - 3 coats but even though most of the chassis is always covered, I wanted a more personal touch !. At least I'll be able to see the oil and dirt marks ;-)
 
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