Patch panels

To save money I tried my hand at making a couple patch panels.  I am pretty happy with the way they turned out.  They are almost done the front one needs to be trimmed at the door and the rear needs few more tweaks to the bottom and it will be ready.

  

Starting to look whole again

Not much to say, continued my welding work and now have the inner door pillar in, and started the outer panel.

Trip 2 to Alexandria

So when I am all said and done with this project I should right a book about how to buy and build a car on craigs.list. So far I have bought about 90% of the parts for this car on craigs.list. Here is my newest addition.

a 902/1 5 speed porsche trans

The other box was designed for a mid engine car which required a new nose cone and shifting linkage, which they sell online for $250. I found a complete and working 1965/66 902/1 (ser: 231068) box which “bolts in” for $125…you do the math.

This boxes gear ratios are slightly different and might be better suited for the car

3.091 (a)
1.889 (f)
1.318 (m)
1.04 (s)
0.8571 (x)

Edit: Found a casting # on the case of 7/66, which I have been told is a week/year casting date. So translated late Feb 1966, and probably installed April/May.

Keep my 1 post a month going

Not to much to report.  Upgraded one of my toys

Bought a Hobart 140 welder and a cart so i don't have to lug it around the garage anymore.  Cut more metal off the door post and tried to trim the patch panel to fit, but it still has a little room for improvement. 

5 hours and one broken screw driver later

Changed directions and started cleaning up one of the trailing arms.

Made use of a few different tools I had to press out the old bushings.

now disassembled, just have to decide if I want to grind it smooth before I paint it.

First new piece added

I finally ran out of excuses and welded in my first piece, and man are the welds ugly.  At least they will be covered with seam sealer and under the rear seat.

The wife bought a set of clecos for me off ebay and they are your third hand.

Here are the pictures of said ugly welds

And my wife goofing off with my welding mask and fire extinguisher.

She kind looks like the Black Stig.

Cut, fit, repeat

Spent a couple hours trimming and fitting, trimming and fitting, trimming and fitting…see a trend?  I put the door back in, which is tough to do when you had to drill out three of the mount screws.  The heater channel was put back in and it is starting to look like a car again.  Nothing has been welding together yet just trial fitted for the time being.  Still debating on buying some clecos to help hold these panels together.  Getting close to taking the jump.