|
The
next order of business was to modify the front axle in order to lower the front
of the car. This was done by cutting the torsion bar tabs off of the top of the
axle and fabricating new ones that I welded to the bottom of the axle. This
lowered the front the five inches that I wanted. This also created some
interference between the tie rod and the torsion arms, so I needed to modify
the spindle arms to provide for the necessary clearance.
The next thing to do was to get the
leg room that I need. I first cut out the firewall and then fabbed up an
aluminum pan that protruded under the hood fourteen inches. I’m six foot two
inches tall and weigh about 220 lbs., so it’s needless to say the more room the
merrier. I then mounted the pedal assembly and the new Bilstien master
cylinders to the new firewall.
With these pieces in place it’s now
time to mount the new steering box. The Datsun box worked out real well and
still left plenty of room for the battery and fuel tank that is still to come.
When these pieces were installed it was the perfect time to also reinforce the
frame rails, so an additional two 1 ½” round tube cross members were welded in
place to carry the battery box and support the steering box. The frame had cracked due to the way that the
Corvair box was mounted to the rail. This was repaired while doing the rest of
the work.
At this stage of car building you are
putting the car together and taking it apart again so many times that you can
do it in your sleep. You begin to think you are going to wear out the bolts,
but this is necessary and the bolts will be replaced when you assemble for the
last time.
I dug the wheels that I’ve been saving
for this project out of the shed and bolted them on the car. They are pretty
grungy but I know they will clean up all right. The 15” x 4” front wheels I
picked up at a swap meet in Vallejo about ten years ago and I bought a Manx
dune buggy to get the rear 15”x15” Ansen Sprints. Of course I wanted the Manx
too.
|
