 These are some of the parts I hoped to get installed today. I got
through most of them. The first thing I focused on was the gauge
cluster and switch panels, as I knew we needed those in before we could
get the f'er running.
I started with a 1'x1' square of 22gauge "weldable" steel. I'm sure
with the proper equipment it is weldable, but with my el cheapo
flux-core welder, wasn't happening pretty. Still love my el cheapo
welder.
Did a rough trace of the tach and hacked into it with my cutoff wheel.
"Cleaned" it up with my die grinder the best I could, I wasn't too
concerned with making it perfectly round as I knew the bezel on the tach
was going to cover most of it up.
...like so!
I used a 2" hole saw to carve out a couple of spots for my oil pressure and water temp gauges...
...fit great!
To allow for disassemble, the only permanent part of the gauge cluster
is this 1x1 mount with some strapping welded to it. I drilled and
tapped the bolt holes to further simplify the design.
Couple coats of metal primer and a test fit for alignment...
Looks good.
I chose flat black (BBQ paint) in the hopes it'll cut down on glare. And I had it on hand.
Very pleased!
Almost looks like I know what I'm doing.
Our Kirkey seat sitting in place with the gauge cluster. I have a
momo adapter coming for a momo wheel Rich Vijeh is donating to the
cause. He also has a quick disconnected, which I think we'll end up
using as this seat is a real bear to get out of.
The original seat bracket was made for a much shorter (in average) team
then ours, and also did not have to comply with the next additions to
roll cage design. We are going to have to chop out this bracket. I'm
going to make a new bracket out of 1x1 and drop it onto the floor.
It'll give us about 4" of headroom, but will require the addition of a
shoulder harness bar.
The nearly complete cockpit. I'm looking forward to washing it out and
respraying a few sections now that the messy parts are nearly over.
Kupper created more flashing firewall blockoff plates, this time on the
rear firewall, which needs to be less holy as we now have our fuel cell
back there.
Speaking of which, here is the fuel line coming through the wheel well, with newly installed grommet.
The fuel pump is also installed.
That's it for now. We are going to spend some time after work this week
doing the harness and finishing up the fuel system, as well as
refitting the seat and figuring out the throttle linkage. First start
should be this coming weekend!
Steve R.
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