Phil's AK40 build log

[murf]

phil for the inner studs for the fuel tank mounts,same issue stud fouls on the fitting,i dremelled down and bought 3/8 half nuts worked a treat !

 

[Jerry Irwin]

It has been a few months, but I am making steady progress. More panel fitting and a few new parts.

I now have two low pressure fuel pumps - Facet Red Top "Competition" or "Works" kits, which include an extra filter, vibration dampeners and hosetails. I will probably swap the push fit fittings for AN6 fittings.
https://www.burtonpower.com/facet-electric-fuel-pump-kit-red-top-works-6-7-25psi-fac480532k.html

I got my dashboard from AK at their Open Day this past weekend, and the seatbelt fitting bar.

I also collected four CV joints - J&R CV Joints, part number JR454. I know AK have to make a profit and external parts will have a mark up, but do yourself a favour...
https://www.jandrcvjoints.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=jr454

I have been slowly continuing fitting panels to the chassis - roughly one per week(end), so here is 5 weeks work!
View attachment 153269

Another milestone piece - upper rear bulkhead panel. I decided to fit the upper panel over the top of the lower panel so there was a softer edge for when I fit carpet across the whole piece.

I started by lining up the lower edge of the bottom panel with the bottom edge of the lower rail and drilling the bottom row of holes. Then I lined up the upper panel and drilled the vertical holes. Finally put the two together and drilled through both panels and into the chassis for the middle row.
View attachment 153270

Also drilled the brackets for both fuel tanks, and ordered some 3/8" UNF Nyloc nuts (once I worked out the thread size). The breather pipe is very close to the inner bolt so will have to make some decisions when it all needs tightening up.
View attachment 153271

Was I naïve to think these would line up? It appears the measurements from the left and right hand edge have been swapped - either for the panel or the fuel tank. I will probably make a larger opening with cover plate anyway. How often will I need to pull the fuel tank float through this hole?
View attachment 153272

Everyone's favourite panel! There is just enough flex to be able to fit this panel without splitting or elongating any cutouts.
View attachment 153274

Lastly, working back at the front on these inner panels. Because of the angle inwards as the panel moves rearwards, I have added a fold 1" from the leading edge so the front edge of the panel lies flush with the vertical rail and the rivets can sit flat.
View attachment 153275

progress looks good Phil,
My tank hole for the gauge was the same as yours.. and it happened to me ...yes you will be taking the float system in and out a few times !
I had already elongated the opening and made up new covers.
its not easy getting the float to rise and fall without rubbing on side of tank and sticking.
took me 3 attempts on both sides !!!!
As a suggestion..... make an access panel to allow access to engine crank bolt. I found this was very usefull when setting up engine rocker tappets.
only other way of swinging engine is to put in gear and rock car ...not a very precise way ....
Jerry

 

[Phil E]

Chris, the panel numbering is different because my set was one of the last sets purchased by AK direct from Southern GT. Once AK did an audit of the panels and where they fitted, including size changes, they re-numbered them. "Smithy" is a loyal AK customer and he did the first fitment of SGT panels to an AK chassis, and I think this is where the manuals images come from and his notes.

I also have the "manual" and noticed the offsets, but I don't understand why the panels would hang below the chassis. I guess this follows my first point, that measurement might be for resizing the panel, and not it's fitting location. I guess once I get the sill in a few years time, then it will all make sense, or not.

As I was trying to fit the cleco's into the panel in front of the rear wheel, I also saw this mistake . I did try fitting 62 to 55 first, then together onto the chassis, and think that will work. However, I notice Jerry is putting his dry sump tank here which is something I am considering, so this might still change. Just mirror this panel - and it's mistake - on the drivers side.

 

[Brian Kissel]

Phil, I dosed your plans for your engine, but early on a 347. Do you think these pumps will supply enough fuel ? I see it says they will support up to 240bhp.
Just wondering out loud.

Regards Brian

 

[Ian Anderson]

Phil, I dosed your plans for your engine, but early on a 347. Do you think these pumps will supply enough fuel ? I see it says they will support up to 240bhp.
Just wondering out loud.

Regards Brian View attachment 153281

I second that thaught as the flow per the specifications is in an unrestricted scenario. Add a filter and a pressure regulator and the flow rate will drop
I had 256hp and had a facit feeding s swirl and and it only just managed to keep up (tank pump filter and open return to tank) the clicking would change to a hammering when it was catching up!

 

[Phil E]

Phil, I dosed your plans for your engine, but early on a 347. Do you think these pumps will supply enough fuel ? I see it says they will support up to 240bhp.
Just wondering out loud.

Regards Brian

Sorry Brian, I should have expanded on why I bought these pumps.

Since buying the engine, I believe I can add EFI to make it more efficient - and I am happier playing with computers than carb floats and injectors.

So these two pumps are effectively lift pumps for each fuel tank, which then feed a collector (swirl pot) and then to a high pressure pump for fuel injection. The legendary Bosch 044 pump has retired and there are plenty of imitations still around. I will probably use Bosch's replacement, the FP200.

 

[Jean-Marc]

Just a complementary information on Facet pumps ; There is 3 levels, Grey (standard), Red and Blue, the Blue is the larger in flow 45usgal for the Blue et 40 for the Red.
On my Galaxie with a 482ci FE bloc that give about 500bhp, I use 2 Blue Top in parallel with a large filter and a pressure regulator plus a return loop. On race track I never face a lack of gas.