Since their doesn't seem to be any interest in a "how to" on a roll cage I thought I would continue with the time lapse video of the engine install. I'm working on it in iMovie right now and here is a teaser frame of what it will look like.

 

Hmmm...how'd I miss the roll cage deal, I'd like to see a "How To" if you're still inclined.

 

Ok, today I began on the roll cage. ....well, getting ready to build it. I haven't used my JD2 bender in over 10 years and I ended up spending an entire day setting it up. I knew I had all the correct parts but I just couldn't remember the correct way to assemble it. It goes together only 1 way. It's a real puzzle.

Anyway, I got the first test 90 degree bend complete. The next step is to make a special angle finder and start making a full scale cardboard template of the shapes. I'll get back to it in a few days.

Here is a shot of the bend.

 

Anchored to the concrete, nice. Permanent patio furniture now?

 

I'm glad that I'm not the only guy with a tubing bender that has left it sit long enough to require a period of head scratching and "umm..how's this thing work again?".

You've gotta anchor those suckers to the concrete Xtreme, thought I was "smart" back in the '90's when I anchored my old heavy duty tubing bender to a steel workbench with the thought of "that ain't going nowhere".

Halfway through bend #1, I moved the whole 4' x 10' bench loaded with tools, and a Powerglide transmission.

Back to O.T.

What wall thickness tubing are you using laseter, NHRA spec, or more for "just in case it gets away from me" spec?

 

I'm using 1 3/4 x .118 mild steel. I'm not really concerned so much about NHRA spec, as I am trying to strengthen the chassis. I just don't want this sucker to torque twist too much when I stand on it. I will feel pretty stupid if I find out the hard way that I under - engineered this car. With the amount of metal I have cut out of this chassis and the amount of horsepower I'm putting in, I don't think I can make it too strong.

 

I don't always chime in lasater, but read all your entries with great anticipation. For myself, anything beyond a simple tuneup or oil change, I am at my limits. I am amazed time after time with what you can and have accomplished.

 

Thanks for the compliments but it boils down to 2 things; 1. Surround yourself with people in the know. ......this works for almost everything in life. 2. Sometimes I'm just too stupid to know that something can't be done. ......so I go ahead and do it. Now I'm not bragging about this because I've done a few things in my life that couldn't be done. ......and they shouldn't have been done.


P.S. I'm almost done with the video editing of the engine install . It's 3 1/2 minutes of 3 old guys running around like chickens with their heads cut off. It ain't pretty. But if you have extremely low standards, you may get a laugh out of it. I'll let you know when it's on YouTube.

 

Once the beast is finally rolling please let me know when you are taking it to local car shows. I would like to see it in person after following this thread for a while.

 

The car is currently at my friends shop in Redlands, CA. You will are welcome to cruise on over and check it out in its current condition. Allen S. [a member here on the forum ] is on vacation from Surrey B.C. and he came by last week to check it out. It was fun meeting him.