Author Topic: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion  (Read 75982 times)

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Offline RoddyMac

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #240 on: Monday,November 27, 2017, 10:46:01 AM »
A small update, but no pics, I managed to make smoke on Sunday.  I chased a faulty (or might have been incorrect) crank position sensor for a few hours on Saturday.  It was an odd feeling sitting the garage with a laptop trying to get a spark from the sparking plugs.  Anyways, with the new CPS installed and wired correctly (first go 'round had the wires backwards), I managed to get a spark.  I still don't have the fuel pump connected, so with a shot of quick start down each carb, the motor fired for a brief moment.  Next weekend will see the fuel system somewhat finished and another go at making smoke for a longer period of time.  I'm sure there will be leaks, but it finally looks like the end is getting close in terms of the mechanical side of things.

Joe, in regards to miss alignment spacers, I designed the chassis pick-up points and clevises with spacers in mind.   I did look at the clevis orientation on the rear uprights and the rod ends do bind if they're rotated vertical.  There is no bind if they're horizontal (that is unless the shocks are disconnected). 

Rod

Offline Rosco5000

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #241 on: Tuesday,November 28, 2017, 03:39:13 PM »
Hey that's really exciting!  Making smoke is always fun. :pirate:
1974 Europa Special
1969 Europa S2
1970 Lotus Elan +2
1978 Austin Mini - 1275, big brakes
1991 Ford Explorer - Lifted on 33s, custom lift and radius arms
2005 Chrysler 300C - chipped, lowered 22s
2011 Cadillac Escalade - Stage 3 cam, Headers, CAI, 2,600 stall converter

Offline RoddyMac

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #242 on: Sunday,December 03, 2017, 07:03:52 PM »
Well, after swapping out a water pump, and putting new o-rings in the carb fuel tees, it actually runs.

https://youtu.be/x6p24hyJAyw

It still requires a bunch of tuning, but for the time being I'm done with the motor.  Next up is getting the rest of the mechanical bits sorted and painted.

Online BDA

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #243 on: Sunday,December 03, 2017, 07:19:46 PM »
Great news, Roddy!  :beerchug:  It sounds great!

Online jbcollier

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #244 on: Sunday,December 03, 2017, 07:38:42 PM »
Sweet !

Offline RoddyMac

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #245 on: Monday,January 08, 2018, 07:29:09 AM »
This past weekend the chassis was officially declared "done", and was sent back to where the body is.  The goal for this month is to have the car sent off to a paint shop to re-spray it.  I've given up on painting it myself as a) I can't seem to find a paint booth to rent, and b) I'm growing tired of painting.  Anyways, here are a few pics of the completed chassis on the driveway (waiting for the flat deck):





I still need to source another Miata rear caliper, and some 5/16 rod ends to have the chassis totally finished, but those items can be added once the body is on.

Rod

Online BDA

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #246 on: Monday,January 08, 2018, 07:37:38 AM »
Looking good Roddy! I can't wait to see it with the body on!  :beerchug:

Offline Bainford

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #247 on: Monday,January 08, 2018, 08:38:31 AM »
The chassis shows some seriously good work. Very tidy and looking the biz. I am impressed.
The Twin Cam plays the symphony whilst my right foot conducts the orchestra. At 3800 rpm the Mad Pipe Organ joins in.

Trevor

Offline Rosco5000

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #248 on: Tuesday,January 09, 2018, 11:42:39 AM »
I got all my rod ends from Summit Racing in the states for my lifted truck.  I believe they have QA1 brand rod ends and were very reasonably priced at the time.  Looks great Rod!  I hope to see it at the ABFM and in a couple of years mine there too.
Ross
1974 Europa Special
1969 Europa S2
1970 Lotus Elan +2
1978 Austin Mini - 1275, big brakes
1991 Ford Explorer - Lifted on 33s, custom lift and radius arms
2005 Chrysler 300C - chipped, lowered 22s
2011 Cadillac Escalade - Stage 3 cam, Headers, CAI, 2,600 stall converter

Online BDA

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #249 on: Tuesday,January 09, 2018, 12:06:12 PM »
For another idea... back when I was racing, I was impressed by NMB rod ends and bearings. Baker Precision sells them (http://www.bakerprecision.com/rodend.htm).

Offline RoddyMac

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #250 on: Monday,January 15, 2018, 07:27:33 AM »
Well, the body is back on and the wet sanding is now complete (at least for me).  I'm hoping the car will be off to the paint shop later this week or on the weekend.





I have no finger prints left from all the sanding, and I'm certain I didn't get everything done, but I'll instruct the paint guys to go over the car one last time before spraying, just to get it right.  I did have to pull the body back off to trim the foam I had used on the tunnel.  It was slightly too thick and pulled back on itself which stopped the body from dropping down onto the frame.  I used 1/4" closed cell foam, which I thought would be too thin, but turned out to be "just" right. 

Next up is building seats, I still have to finish weld the frames and sort out the seat slides (ex-Elan +2 that will be getting the cut-off wheel and TIG treatment).  Thanks to Dakazman for the foam dimensions and assembly photo's I think I should be able to get them finished while the car is away.  Skippopotamus kindly sent me a set of old seat covers to make patterns which made sewing the covers a breeze.  I'll post photo's when I start shaping foam and covering.

Rod
« Last Edit: Monday,January 15, 2018, 07:29:21 AM by RoddyMac »

Offline dakazman

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #251 on: Monday,January 15, 2018, 07:40:35 PM »
 Roddy ,your build looks great.

Please check my dimensions of my trays and compare with yours. I only caution this , before cutting foam because it has been brought up ther are some differences on other threads.
Dave

Offline Rosco5000

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #252 on: Wednesday,January 17, 2018, 02:54:27 PM »
Hey Rod,
I have an extra set of old side foam pieces if you want them for a template, might help you get in the right ball park quicker.
Ross
1974 Europa Special
1969 Europa S2
1970 Lotus Elan +2
1978 Austin Mini - 1275, big brakes
1991 Ford Explorer - Lifted on 33s, custom lift and radius arms
2005 Chrysler 300C - chipped, lowered 22s
2011 Cadillac Escalade - Stage 3 cam, Headers, CAI, 2,600 stall converter

Offline RoddyMac

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #253 on: Wednesday,January 17, 2018, 03:28:58 PM »
Ross,
That would great, it would definitely help.  The only downside is I don't know when I'd be heading out your way other than tonight (picking up a caliper from a guy in Langley).

Rod

Offline dakazman

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Re: My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion
« Reply #254 on: Thursday,January 18, 2018, 05:26:30 AM »
The chassis shows some seriously good work. Very tidy and looking the biz. I am impressed.

   Exactly my thoughts , and very nice video.  The body looks good also.
dakazman