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1965 GMC build

BMW Rider

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The fabrication work looks good on the firewall, but just thinking ahead to future service and repairs, how is that valve cover going to be to remove? Is that enough clearance?
 
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iajonesy

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Great video, Robert. I have followed your builds and really enjoy them and your photos and video. Thanks for the reply on the tire size too.

Mike
 
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Robert Haas

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The fabrication work looks good on the firewall, but just thinking ahead to future service and repairs, how is that valve cover going to be to remove? Is that enough clearance?

No it clears. We can't use studs on the valve cover. have to "bolt" them down. But yep we can get them on and off without hurting or unbolting anything else.

Now pulling a head would **** but if I have to do that I will yank the motor anyway. :(
 
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Robert Haas

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Getting back to work.

the front tires and the original inner fenders want to occupy the same space now that the truck is sporting it's new frame and suspension. We expected this and came up with a clever Idea on how to address it. We have two sets of OEM original 1965 rear inner fender tubs sitting on a shelf in the shop. In stock configuration they are only 11 inches wide so much too narrow to even consider. However if we split them and weld them together we can build some nice 17 inch wide tubs. So that is what we did. :thumbup:


This is just mocked up for now as I have to design quite a bit of structure to allow the front clip to still unbolt and be removable.


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iajonesy

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I liked the tour too. It showed me that one does not have to have an entire complex of buildings to build some beautiful trucks and put out high quality work. Thanks, Bob.

Mike
 

kbs2244

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I don't think I have ever seen custom inner fenders before.
Super nice touch.
 
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Robert Haas

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Worked on closing the front areas in front of the new wheel wells and the frame.

Dang complicated parts to fab from scratch. Once I figured out what I wanted I struggled through and ended up with exactly what I wanted. :thumbup:


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Since the engine compartment gets the most attention on my builds I really try to make them as uncluttered and thought out as possible. This build is my Sistine Chapel. (That means I am laying on my back a lot):lol_hitti
 
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Robert Haas

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still at it.


Most folks have no idea the amount of time this can take.

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Robert Haas

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Building the sheet metal for the engine compartment is challenging. The plan is to make it look like it was a factory creation. Lots of intricate multi compound curves and planes all forming what the factory could have done with a large stamping press. Lay out is time consuming.


I use a construction laser to project the finish point of one parts plane onto the curved part it will be married to.



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Project the line and draw it on to the part, cut it and continue until it lays exactly where I need it. :thumbup:

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Robert Haas

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A little video to update where we are as of this morning. We got kind of held up over the holiday.

 
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Robert Haas

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If anyone is interested I thought I could show how we built some of the inner panels in the engine compartment.


We designed and laid out the inner panels that mount above the wheel tubs and I took pictures of us doing the work,

First thing is make a cardboard pattern complete with notches and the bead roller pattern,
check;

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Now do that twice and after 200 test fits and trims, transfer that to some 16 gauge steel.

Check;

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Now cut it out

Check'

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Now chase it around the bead roller, then brake it on the brake

check;

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now fit them and tack weld them in.

checkmate;

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It does not look like much but it is a full days worth of work to pull those two panels off.
 
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wasfast

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San Diego CA
Your work is outstanding and I enjoy looking at what you've done. I know you commented earlier that you wondered if anyone was reading your thread. Plenty do but there's really no comments to make except kudos so don't read into the lack of responses that we're not interested. We definitely are!
 
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Robert Haas

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Thanks for the info, very helpful. Nice work too.

Thank you very much
Your work is outstanding and I enjoy looking at what you've done. I know you commented earlier that you wondered if anyone was reading your thread. Plenty do but there's really no comments to make except kudos so don't read into the lack of responses that we're not interested. We definitely are!

I respect the folks here, and it is humbling to be asked to explain or show a technique we are using or even better for somebody see me struggling and point out a simpler or better way to achieve the task at hand. I'm an old man and learning new skills as we move forward on this build is so wonderful to me.

Thanks for following.
 
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Robert Haas

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Big day core support built today, will skin it tomorrow. Hood mocked up with the Billet Aluminum hinges from Eddie Motorsprts.

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Robert Haas

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New core support frame, taller and wider then the OEM. Now allows a massive crossflow radiator from Be Cool to nestle right in.

We built a wooden mock up of the radiator to allow me to build around it without damaging the ultra spendy aluminum piece.
:thumbup:

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