Just Saying Hi...

Longfella (sorry, I know you've told us your first name, but I've forgotten)- All that sealant everywhere just means that whoever built it is too lazy to clean all the mating surfaces properly; that fact in itself doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't built correctly, but if he cuts corners there, you never know what will be inside...

As has been mentioned, talk to Kirk. To determine what ring & pinion is actually in the trans, with the rear wheels (or brake drums) off the ground, put it in 2nd gear. Mark 1 tire (or drum) at the top. Turn the input shaft by hand with a clutch disc, noting the # of clutch revolutions needed to get 1 complete revolution of the tire/drum. 9 revolutions gives you a 4.375 r&p, 8 1/2 turns= 4.125, and 8 turns= 3.88

Once you know what the r&p is you'll have to resort to Mitch's methodology (and math) to figure out what 4th is. Take the time to figure it all out so you make sure you're getting what you paid for. Al

I guess I know what I will be doing next, hence the "being upset" part...

Now I have to take everything apart, test it all to make sure it is actually a 3.88 trans, and figure out how I'm going to get this fixed by Kirk.

Won't be able to do it today since it is my wife's first Mothers Day

My ask of Kirk will be to have a new trans sent my way. I'll drain the trains fluid out, remove my disc brakes and brackets, and ask for his "team" or whoever to drive a replacement down and they can pick up the old one. I don't think that is a lot of ask. It's hard enough to find time to work on it, let alone have to drive back and forth to Kirk's shop.

Question: I would like to use a late 50's style turn signal switch (the version with a metal rod with an every knob at the end)... is there a preferred one people are using? I have a 60's steering column. Can I modify an earlier 50's or should I go with a VW bus version?

Ninja edit: So I did some searching and it looks like the mid-50's style will work or a bus one... just need to find a place that has some in stock...

Remember that time thing and having babies discussed in the beginning?

Congrats on the "First Mothers Day" of many to come!

On the up side, I've found Kirk to be very accommodating and he seems to have done right by others in your shoes...Just remember that it really is nothing to get overly upset with in the scheme of life. Stay cool and consider it all part of the "Madness"

You've done WAY more then I thought you would at this point. 

I know a guy how's been building his for over 20 years and you've got him beat by a long shot!

crhemi (Bill) posted:

Remember that time thing and having babies discussed in the beginning?

On the up side, I've found Kirk to be very accommodating and he seems to have done right by others in your shoes...Just remember that it really is nothing to get overly upset with in the scheme of life. Stay cool and consider it all part of the "Madness"

You've done WAY more then I thought you would at this point. 

I know a guy how's been building his for over 20 years and you've got him beat by a long shot!

20 years?!?! The inner "achiever" in me would be going nuts... LOL!

I know it's not really a big deal and Kirk will do good

As I mentioned Kirk took card of mine after it was out of warranty. Since I am 500 miles away he payed a local shop to do the swap. The only issue was their lack of experience dropping engines and it took twice as long as what Kirk provided as compensation. So I had to make up the difference. Under my circumstances I thought that was a fair compromise. 

Longfella,

I am using a '57 bus turn signal switch. Whether you use that or a mid-50's switch depends on whether you want the headlight dimmer that bus switch provides.

Be aware that the bus has a smaller diameter steering column. I used a drum sander to open up the switch side of the housing and used a mid-50's housing for the right side.

Michael McKelvey posted:

Longfella,

I am using a '57 bus turn signal switch. Whether you use that or a mid-50's switch depends on whether you want the headlight dimmer that bus switch provides.

Be aware that the bus has a smaller diameter steering column. I used a drum sander to open up the switch side of the housing and used a mid-50's housing for the right side.

Out of curiosity, why only open one side of the turn signal switch and not both?

Quick update...

Kirk did reply to my email early this morning. He wants me to bring the trans up to him to swap it out for another one. I'll make sure to test it to ensure the r&p is correct. I also confirmed he uses Trans West...

Longfella, I didn't have to open up the right side because I used a piece from a 50's beetle on the right side. The beetle piece already fit the larger steering column.

Stopped by Vintage Motorcars/Spyders last week and took some photos. They did a really nice job with re-sizing the speedo holes to the proper size. The primer is curing and I guessing it should go to paint at the end of this week. They still need to work on the bumpers and the custom hood and rear deck lid hinges need to be polished too...

Took a few steps backwards in the build, but at least I know I can pull a trans out in under an hour now! LOL! This will be heading back to Kirk and replaced with a new one that hopefully doesn't link trans fluid everywhere...

I also got to wrench on this 1970 beauty. My friend needed some help tuning the engine up a bit. Love the sound of the 440!

If you only have a few steps backwards  you are doing extremely well on your build~

Hello Brian,

I was looking at your photos above. The body looks fantastic. Amazing. While looking at the dashboard I noticed something which I wish I had fixed on my car.  On the left side of the dash we have one hole for the headlight switch. The original speedster has two switches on that side. If you wanted to add the second switch / hole to the left hand side the existing hole isn't in the optimal position for two switches in that area. You can make it work by mounting the second switch over to the right a bit more. I found that the second switch is usually a smaller diameter switch bezel. 

I guess what I'm saying is that if you ever think you're going to want to put two switches on that side you should make sure you plan for it now, and not later. 

I figured I'd bring this up just to be safe, not sorry.

Ted

... Another thing I wish I would have done differently  would have been to move the wall air vent to the more stock position by the seat..... It currently sits where the map pocket would be....   And as a coffee junckie, a cup holder would have been car nervana, as I commute w/ my car... (weather permitting in Seattle).

I like how IM puts the map pocket in the stock location with a twist, building In a little extra... A cup holder... ;-)

i purchased a set for my car thinking I could retrofit it into my VS.... Still working on it... As my vent gets in the way.

Stock 356--- air vent can be seen fwd of the seat rails... 

... Living vicariously though you ;-).  

Cheers

Lfepardo, you could get the billet aluminum hidden cup holders... they work.

Phil, it would have been nice to buy a crate engine like you have though.  By the way love that hard top.. Ray

My IM is just recently built so you would think I got it perfect ...well ...yes & no...

No matter what you do it seems until you live with it for a while you won't know for sure and no amount of advice will guarantee that also. 

Once you make your choices your committed to the path.. commitment... I said yes to that "once" nearly 35 years ago.

So it goes with any custom built car... love them as you do some things you just get to live with for a while anyway.

Phil, I was thinking of you the other day ... I needed a few pictures for an olecranon multiple fracture ...  I got it confirmed that I had lost A few screws so they added six to it to rebuild the right elbow.  No fun... fortunately a friend was the attending anesthesiologist and made sure I had a good cocktail on the Carlisle Saturday to keep the agony under control for 3 hours   On the mend now no shifting for a while.... Ray

TRP posted:

Hello Brian,

I was looking at your photos above. The body looks fantastic. Amazing. While looking at the dashboard I noticed something which I wish I had fixed on my car.  On the left side of the dash we have one hole for the headlight switch. The original speedster has two switches on that side. If you wanted to add the second switch / hole to the left hand side the existing hole isn't in the optimal position for two switches in that area. You can make it work by mounting the second switch over to the right a bit more. I found that the second switch is usually a smaller diameter switch bezel. 

I guess what I'm saying is that if you ever think you're going to want to put two switches on that side you should make sure you plan for it now, and not later. 

I figured I'd bring this up just to be safe, not sorry.

Ted

What is the second switch for? I could have them drill an additional hole...

Fog lights. 

Gordon Nichols posted:

Fog lights. 

Thanks!

Technically? Wipers. What we commonly use for our wipers is actually a manual throttle position pull - Used to increase the idle speed when warming up the car. 

The second switch on the left could be used for anything that needs a two position switch. Fogging lights being the most.common. others have used it for field pump.

If you don't see yourself running fogs or driving lights, you can omit 

TRP posted:

Technically? Wipers. What we commonly use for our wipers is actually a manual throttle position pull - Used to increase the idle speed when warming up the car. 

The second switch on the left could be used for anything that needs a two position switch. Fogging lights being the most.common. others have used it for field pump.

If you don't see yourself running fogs or driving lights, you can omit 

I just sent an email to Alex and Team to see if they can add an additional hole. In looking at some photos of the 57' I'm trying to mirror, it has the additional switch too. I'm hoping he gets back to me today... I believe they are going to paint next week so we still have time to add a hole before paint.

Ok, so I've asked Alex and Greg to add the additional hole on the left side of the dash. I'll figure out eventually what I will put there.

Anybody know where I can get the measurements of where the hole location actually is on an original 57' Speedster? I've search the inter-webs and can't find anything...

*LongFella posted:

Ok, so I've asked Alex and Greg to add the additional hole on the left side of the dash. I'll figure out eventually what I will put there.

Anybody know where I can get the measurements of where the hole location actually is on an original 57' Speedster? I've search the inter-webs and can't find anything...

See if this has what you need:

https://www.speedsterowners.com...7-356a-cab-dashboard

Longfella,

These are the dimensions that I used on my car.  I scaled them from pictures I have of original 356 dashes. 

James

Robert M posted:

*LongFella posted:

Ok, so I've asked Alex and Greg to add the additional hole on the left side of the dash. I'll figure out eventually what I will put there.

Anybody know where I can get the measurements of where the hole location actually is on an original 57' Speedster? I've search the inter-webs and can't find anything...

See if this has what you need:

https://www.speedsterowners.com...7-356a-cab-dashboard

That's what I am looking for, but I need it for a 1957 :-/

James posted:

Longfella,

These are the dimensions that I used on my car.  I scaled them from pictures I have of original 356 dashes. 

James

 

BEAUTIFUL! THANK YOU!

Took my day off today to swap the transmission. Kirk had one waiting for me this morning. Always nice talking to his shop guys.

Kirk had four speedster out front and several in the back his Team were working on. He is one busy bee...

I also stopped by and caught Greg and Alex before they left. I'm hoping the body goes to paint next week so it can be mounted and brought home

I get to spend this weekend putting everything back on. I'm hoping it relaxes me... I had my wisdom teeth pulled yesterday afternoon and it feels like Rocky landed SEVERAL left crosses across the right side of my face :/

*LongFella posted:

Took my day off today to swap the transmission. Kirk had one waiting for me this morning. Always nice talking to his shop guys.

Kirk had four speedster out front and several in the back his Team were working on. He is one busy bee...

I also stopped by and caught Greg and Alex before they left. I'm hoping the body goes to paint next week so it can be mounted and brought home

I get to spend this weekend putting everything back on. I'm hoping it relaxes me... I had my wisdom teeth pulled yesterday afternoon and it feels like Rocky landed SEVERAL left crosses across the right side of my face :/

Yo Adrian!!!!

I guess you ll be asking a lot more wuestions now

IaM-Ray posted:

I guess you ll be asking a lot more wuestions now

Maybe. Maybe not

I did order several more parts. Can't beat the sales going on right now!

Got the replacement transmission iNatalie's. Took the drum brake backing plate off and put the rear disc brake bracket on with all new seals, etc. This replacement trans better be leak free!!!

looking good

Nothing major done over the Holiday weekend, but I did order several parts to get ready for the body to be finished (sway bar, camber comp, old bus turn signal switch, steering wheel, etc). I did finish my steering column refurb to match the ivory color I'm doing for the interior knobs/switches. Turned out pretty nice considering I am no paint expert. I'm going to reach out to Alex and Greg and see if we can get things moving! I can't wait to see the finished body mounted to the chassis I've been building!

I love coming home when parts are delivered! Thank you CB Performance! Very fast shipping and quality packaging

See guys... I listen I recall several of you fellow SOC folks recommending the CB Performance camber compensator. I wasn't planning to add it, but I know how I drive now and I like the peace of mind it will add. Front sway bar is on it's way too.

I also spoke to Alex at Vintage Motorcars via email to confirm everything timing-wise. As long as he and the Team pull through, I should have the body finished and  mounted the week of June 13th. Woohoo!

Possibly the wisest 65 bucks you will ever spend.  Whoever else doesn't have one should get one.

Tom Williams posted:

Possibly the wisest 65 bucks you will ever spend.  Whoever else doesn't have one should get one.

So I have been told

I haven't looked yet, but should I install it with the chassis lifted or on the ground?

Kinda hard to install with the car on the ground and the design is such that the outer ends "float" on the swing axles.  The easiest way would be on a 4-post lift, but having the axles hang is doable.

I installed mine in my garage.  I jacked the car up as high as I could and crawled under to install it.  It was very easy. Took less than 30 minutes.  I removed the four studs from the transmission housing and installed the longer studs then bolted it on.