Gas 1600

[Willy]

It's looking good

[garvice]

I wanted my next post to be a completed tunnel, but this job has just taken longer then I expected with life getting in the way.

This last month has reminded me how good my friends are. I ran out of mig gas one friday night (my boc agent is closed on saturdays), mentioned it in passing to a mate who promptly brought around his bottles for me to use as he wasn't going to be needing them. Following week I had a sunday lined up as a shed day and ran out of wire on the saturday night, went to grab my spare roll only to realise that I was already using my spare roll. Had only ever bought wire from a welding shop, so wasn't sure what the local hardware store would carry. Another mate dropped by a roll early sunday morning so I could keep on welding. Cars have brought me some great friends.

Wasn't happy with how the seat rails were going to get in the way of the widened tunnel, and they were far too flimsy anyway. So I got rid of them.
GAS1600_038_01 by Garvice, on Flickr

I really should have listened to my mate who told me to get rid of the whole floor/firewall and build a tube chassis (he reckons it is not too late). Car now has a new spine.

Front seat rail
GAS1600_038_02 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_038_03 by Garvice, on Flickr


Rear seat rail and center tunnel section
GAS1600_038_04 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_038_05 by Garvice, on Flickr


Then I built a support that I will use to hang the transmission from. This connects to both floor rails, then back to the center tunnel section.
GAS1600_038_06 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_038_07 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_038_08 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_038_09 by Garvice, on Flickr


So, just need to look at sheeting up the tunnel, then I can get back to mounting the engine/transmission.

[fly510]

There is no doubt the quality and body strength of this 510 will far exceed anything that rolled off the line way back when. I love what you've done with it.

[garvice]

Thanks fly510, appreciate it. Got to say though, Mig welding upside down sucks! Got to be quick to get the weld to penetrate both pieces without going too far and having it fall down.

[Shifty]

Looks far less ridiculous with the seats in.

Work is top quality.

[garvice]

Got to the shed a couple of nights this week.

Decided on a connection between tunnel and the rear seats.
GAS1600_039_01 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_039_02 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_039_03 by Garvice, on Flickr


Then decided to build the transmission crossmember.
GAS1600_039_04 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_039_05 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_039_07 by Garvice, on Flickr

GAS1600_039_06 by Garvice, on Flickr


Unfortunately my grand plan to have a nice big exhaust relief has not quite worked out due to the placement of the transmission mount (Couldn't think of a smaller one).
GAS1600_039_08 by Garvice, on Flickr


Then I modified the engine crossmember to clear the sump (I had already done the mounting points).
Before

GAS1600_029_01 by Garvice, on Flickr

After

GAS1600_039_09 by Garvice, on Flickr

[Terribleone]

Awesome work.

Carry on.

[Dogsballs]

jezus, top fab work!!

[chartreusehj]

just saw this thread and figured id have a read.

Outstanding work on something that "probably" shouldve been crushed, kudos to you Sir!

[garvice]

Cheers guys, I appreciate it.

Greenhj, yeah it probably was a bit far gone, though has been a great learning experience. Now I know what to expect when my son's bring home "just painted" cars.

[celica77]

awesome work

[garvice]

Thanks mate.

[Willy]

Yeah, it's looking awesome already.

[celica77]

makes me feel better about the rust repair we had to deal with, you have gone to town on this one.

[garvice]

Cheers, should have just built a tube frame.