Southern GT Number 36

[Dan Winkworth]

So i wasn't planning on writing a detailed build diary but thought I'd share my progress to date and some of the photos of my build.

I received chassis number 36 from Southern GT on the 9th June judt over 8 weeks ago.

I have a little advantage over most builders in that i work about 3 miles from where Southern GT are located.

I have to say the quality of the chassis and panel kit supplied by Southern GT is nothing but exceptional.

Obviously the panels have needed some tweaking here and there but are so close it makes for quick hassle free progress.


I've worked on number 36 affectionately known as" Gloria" pretty much every day for the last 8 weeks and progress has been pretty good.

Over the next few posts I'll put a few photos from each week, hopefully some of these photos will help future builders.

I know some people will not like how i'm planning to finish the car but this is my car and with all due respect It will look how i want it to look after all i'm the one paying for it.

I'm building in a single garage and you can see how little space i have to work with!

The build trolley sold by Mick at Southern GT is essential in this small space

 

[Dan Winkworth]

The first weekend saw quick progress, from the beginning I was planning to have all of my panels powder coated in black so everything had to be fitted with clecos and then removed powder coated and refitted.

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Congratulations Dan, looks like you are making great progress already!

What engine/transaxle are you going to put in?

Brett

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 End of Week one

The first week saw rapid progress and the majority of the panels were dropped off at the powdercoaters. With the remaining panels still on back order with Southern GT and my crankshaft back from balancing (Basset Down Balancing) I decided to build the engine.

I'm building / installing a Ford 351W with the following spec:

• 1992 351W Block
• OEM Crank
• Standard Rods
• Notched Pistons
• Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads (190cc / 2.02")
• Edelbrock Rolling Thunder CAM
• Roller Lifters
• Edelbrock Performer RPM air gap Intake
• Edelbrock Thunder series 850 CFM Carb
• Scorpion Rockers
• Davies Craig EWP150 pump and blanking plate

The colour may give you a clue re my colour scheme !

The air filter in the photos is way too big and will be swapped out for a smaller one of a similar shape later in the build.

 

[Paul]

Looking good, makes me want to start my build, then I remember that family demands would make your 8 weeks progress 8 months for me!

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 end of week two

During week two i started work on my own Wiring loom, my background is in electrical engineering so I put together a schematic of the car and started work on the loom.

Also towards the end of week two the first set of panels came back from powder coating.

Really glad i decided to with black powder coating at this point.

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Hi Brett,
Thanks, i'm going with a 351W and Renault UN1 combo

Dan

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 week 3

Week three continued with finishing off the loom and then attaching it to the chassis, i left all of the cables un terminated until i knew exactly where they needed to be and all of the panels had been drilled and fitted with grommets.

More panel fitting and i dry fitted the radiator and fans this week too. I'm planning to fit the EWP in the engine bay but was preparing to install it in the nose just in case! in the end it's going in the engine bay where i planned to install it.

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 Week 4

Progress over 4 weeks was amazing but she still looks a little like a boat or plane more than a car

This week I started work on the dash loom, gauges, switches and warning lights.

I've fitted everything in the fiber glass dash for now but i'm planning on making a aluminium insert that will allow me to mount everything a bit more accurately. The dash will be covered at a later date so you wont see the aluminium panel.

The layout will change a bit but it's roughly there.

My gauges are from Speedhut and i'm trying to use switches that will be IVA compliant from the beginning rather than changing it all around later.

I also fitted a main bus bar in the steering rack area and started to fit the aircon / heater unit.

Pedal box is in for spacing and the steering column for clearance on the bulkhead panel.

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Hi Dan, can't see, but do you have the radiator isolated so it isn't fixed to the chassis? Guidance I have understood previously is that it should be mounted to allow for movement.

Brett

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 week 5

all but half a dozen panels are now fitted, i was still waiting for the remaining ones but nothing that would stop work in other areas.

More work on the aircon unit this week getting all of the cables re terminated to match my waterproof connectors and the plumbing routed around the car.

Finally managed to source a suitable condenser too !

I realised I'd missed a few things from my loom but it was pretty easy to fix that.

I started installing things to go on the end of the loom.

MSD ignition went in, fuel pumps dry fitted in the sills. I'm trying to keep the engine area un cluttered and as tidy as possible so i've hidden both pumps and filters.

Decided on final routing for Air con pipes into the engine bay, just needed to source bulkhead beadlock fittings. these things are impossible to find in the UK !

Also decided to fit a USB charging socket on the left rear side of the passengers seat

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Hi Brett,
I didn't at that point but i do

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 week 5

Another lunch time trip to Southern GT and picked up my brake and clutch pipes along with the remaining panels.

First job was to get the remaining panels fitted so i could get them off to the powdercoaters. I normally get them back within 3 days and wanted to get them fitted the following weekend as final termination of the main BUS couldn't take place until the fuse box was mounted. and i needed the bus terminated to test the cabling.

As soon as the panels were dropped off, i started off fitting the brake and clutch pipes.

I also made up a cover panel with fresh air intake to go over the aircon unit as i'm planning to cut the spider down.

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 week 6

Week 6 was all about getting ready to get the engine in the following week.

To do this i had to get the cooling pipes installed in the tunnel and all of the engine electrics (not many) roughly in the right places.

I also picked up the gear shifter and linkage from southern GT and got that install and the covers powder coated along with a few brackets i'd made the previous week.

Final fitting of the panels that went to be coated the week before and starting to fit the wishbones and control arms.

Shock absorbers also turned up from AVO (aluminum double adjustable)

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 week 7

I've been dreaming of this bit for ages !

Getting the engine in seems like a big turning point, Paul Baverstock (SGT18) helped me get the engine in. After a bit of fiddling with the rear build trolley position we got it in quite quickly.

Thank you Morten (SGT 32?) for lending me your engine crane.

Finally starting to look a bit more like a car.

A problem with the manufacturing process means that the uprights might be a little delayed, plenty of other stuff to be getting on with !

IVA for early 2017 seems to be on target !

Gearbox adapter plate, flywheel and clutch assembly now fitted.

Beadlock bulkhead fittings turned up from the US too !

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Southern GT Number 36 Week 8

This week things started to get finished !

The last parts (for now) came back from the powder coaters and i managed to get the nose section pretty much finished.

Front end
I now have the radiator and condenser installed, all front pipe work complete, steering rack fitted, heater pipes fitted (to bulkhead) main BUS terminated, fuse box fitted, aircon pipes all fitted and ready to be crimped and EWP controller installed and tested.

Rear end
All engine electrics are now terminated and fitted, the fuel pumps are fitted and wired up. All fuel pipes are fitted (except to tanks). Oil cooler and remote filter are also fitted although i am waiting for a AN-10 180 and a come p clips to complete the oil plumbing and sensor wiring.

next week will be remaining cooling plumbing and dash wiring. I have an mobile air con engineer coming out Thursday to crimp the AC pipes and my gearbox arriving today although that will need to go off to reconditioned.

 

[Brett James-McCall]

What you did in 8 weeks took me about 8 years

Brett

 

[StewbieC]

Looks like a really neat job!
Thought you were a sparky, first time I've seen cable tray used in a build :thumbsup:
I'm hoping to be in a position to order my chassis early next year so will be watching this with interest.

 

[Tony Saunders]

Bloody hell!

You're not hanging about!

Great stuff, keep posting!

 

[Mike Pass]

Hi Dan,

I assume you will be putting the car through IVA and as you have a 1992 351 block and an Edelbrock carb you may have some issues with the level of emissions.
The current IVA requirement in relation to engine age is below.

IVA Emission Information

[Kit Cars]-New Cars being built by Individuals, not Companies.

Engine block Date- to 31-7-75 = no visible smoke

Engine block Date- 1-8-75 to 31-7-86 =
Visual & <= 4.5 CO & <= 1200 HC @ normal rpm, hot idle. HC can be
tested at 2000rpm if CO passes at idle.

Engine block Date- 1-8-86 to 31-7-95 =
Visual & <= 3.5 CO & <= 1200 HC @ normal hot idle. HC can be tested
at 2000rpm if CO passes at idle.

Engine block date- 1-8-95 on =
With oil temp at 60 degrees C,
Visual & @ fast idle [2500-3000rpm <= .3% CO & <= 200 HC, Lambda .97 to 1.03
At idle [450-1500rpm], CO should be <= .5%. Catalytic converter/s and fuel injection is mandatory.

Hope this info is useful.

Cheers
Mike