Who can fab a diamond-plate suitcase for the Hoopty? That will be the ticket.
Lower the legs, strengthen the fasteners, and go w/ the wind. Also, give some consideration for a quick disconnect design, whereby you can take it off/on easily and not be explaining yourself all over the place on those long week end jaunts. Or maybe you like explaining yourself -- I've seen that happen often . . .
I've been meaning to get back to this thread.
Gordon, when I posted the link above, I was using my phone (which STILL cannot upload photos here). Rather than dick around with arcane software and workarounds, I decided to wait for better pictures.
The rack is a solid one, but it needed to be tweaked a bit to make the legs all aim at the same spots in the corners of the grille opening. I used a vise to hold the rack itself, a rubber mallet to bend the legs too far in for where they needed to be and then used a scissors jack as a sort of press to get them to flex out a known distance.
Once I did that, the threaded bits protruded through the grille uniformly, and I was able to capture the threads with Nylock nuts without interfering with the fiberglass edge that the grille screws go into.
I will doubtless have to reinforce the thin shell of the decklid, but as a proof-of-concept it does fine. I don't think I'd trust the four small machine screws holding the grille into the fiberglass (structurally) for much other than holding the grille and the empty rack in place.
As for what to put on the rack, I think I'd like to find an old, leather doctor's bag. The contour of the top of the bag would lay forward, with the rectangular bottom against the bottom edges of the rack -- and my rear-view wouldn't change all that much.
Gordon, when I posted the link above, I was using my phone (which STILL cannot upload photos here). Rather than dick around with arcane software and workarounds, I decided to wait for better pictures.
The rack is a solid one, but it needed to be tweaked a bit to make the legs all aim at the same spots in the corners of the grille opening. I used a vise to hold the rack itself, a rubber mallet to bend the legs too far in for where they needed to be and then used a scissors jack as a sort of press to get them to flex out a known distance.
Once I did that, the threaded bits protruded through the grille uniformly, and I was able to capture the threads with Nylock nuts without interfering with the fiberglass edge that the grille screws go into.
I will doubtless have to reinforce the thin shell of the decklid, but as a proof-of-concept it does fine. I don't think I'd trust the four small machine screws holding the grille into the fiberglass (structurally) for much other than holding the grille and the empty rack in place.
As for what to put on the rack, I think I'd like to find an old, leather doctor's bag. The contour of the top of the bag would lay forward, with the rectangular bottom against the bottom edges of the rack -- and my rear-view wouldn't change all that much.
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Looks good. You should get a backup grille for quick swap outs. Maybe sandwich some two metal straps for strength to secure and spread out any stress on the glass.
I was going to remove the rack after I installed it, but I think I'll have to get around to that sometime this weekend. It was so nice and in such perfect tune the other day that I had to cruise it ... all day, and then drove it in to work.
It happens, right?
I posted this in the SpeedsterOwners on Facebook, but the Thursday ... Well, the idle was perfect at 1,000 rpms. The draw was just over seven pounds in each throat (SOMEBODY has my snail -- I had to borrow one) and the temperature of my centrally located oil pickup never exceeded 180 degrees.
It was a perfect mash-up of timing, weather, mood and appreciation. For those of you still putting cars together, I have to say it's worth it when you're done. Absolutely, without question, worth it.
It happens, right?
I posted this in the SpeedsterOwners on Facebook, but the Thursday ... Well, the idle was perfect at 1,000 rpms. The draw was just over seven pounds in each throat (SOMEBODY has my snail -- I had to borrow one) and the temperature of my centrally located oil pickup never exceeded 180 degrees.
It was a perfect mash-up of timing, weather, mood and appreciation. For those of you still putting cars together, I have to say it's worth it when you're done. Absolutely, without question, worth it.
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Cory, the rack is only a medifor my friend... for you and your getting way to old like GERD and I.. It only speaks of comformalty and doesn't belong on hoopty... You said it yourself before you took your ride.. everything was in place the idle and temp? really.... is this the Cory I know that just blows and goes! damn the temp gauge my friend.. run that thing till it blows!
Am just saying... :-)
Am just saying... :-)
Cory, IMHO, your installation will be unsafe and a disappointment. The chrome legs MUST extend through the grille and the threaded portion portion must be bolted to the bottom of the deck under the grille. The attaching nuts and washers will be inside the engine compartment. Since it appears as though the the mounting surface I am referring to has been removed from your present engine cover. I would strongly recommend that you consider installing two steel straps across the grille opening (and under the grille) where the deck originally existed, drill two mounting holes in in each strap, and bolt the luggage carrier to those straps...but do not bolt the rack to the grille itself. The grille installation was not meant to support anything more than a few badges. You will also find it necessary to carefully grind those solid steel legs to fit through the grille vanes. I ended up "ovalizing" mine.
I'll be reinforcing the entire decklid. That thin shell wouldn't hold much anyway. I'm acutely aware that there's no real structure under there, but at the time I hacked it up there wasn't a choice. The Raby shroud stuck up just the tiniest bit too high, so I modified the decklid instead of the shroud.
I'll be using some clever engineering to get that sorted before I start doing prep work on the body this winter. I very much appreciate the heads-up, though. Thanks, John!
I'll be using some clever engineering to get that sorted before I start doing prep work on the body this winter. I very much appreciate the heads-up, though. Thanks, John!
... And this morning, a guy from the oncoming shift asked if I put that on the car so I could push it around the grocery store like a shopping cart.
What, firemen yanking each other's chains? Can it be?
You're right, Cap. Chance in a million. ;)
I still took it off the car as soon as I got home. Needs reinforcement, you know ...
I still took it off the car as soon as I got home. Needs reinforcement, you know ...
I wish they had made a fold up detachabe rack that would stoe in the trunk. in that nook behind the fueltank.. that would be slick.. Id want it in 100% stainless steel.
Yelp I got some figuring to do on that one.. But i might know a way.
Yelp I got some figuring to do on that one.. But i might know a way.