rj@hydroflotech.com

Hi All,

I thought I would try posting a project update here and see if you
would like me to continue doing so.....

I spent yesterday struggling with the hood hinge issue. The new hinges
we ordered would have solved our problems if they fit, but they were so
large that I would have had to cut down into the lower cowl (into the
passenger compartment) to get them to fit. Well, that was not going to
happen, so I drew up some ideas on how we could modify the 03 cobra
hinges and ran them past Wayne. After resolving a few issues with the
design, I asked Wayne if I could do all the fab work. He said "There
are plenty of other things I need to do, so go for it".

Here are the photos. I had to section the hinge, add 1 1/2" of 10 gage
and shape the section into a gooseneck to clear the cowl when the hood
opens. I think they came out great.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2087

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2088

Today, I can fab the brackets for mounting the hood and re-align the
front end so that we can complete fabrication on the chassis this
weekend.

WoHoo!!!

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

rj@hydroflotech.com

Hi All,

We came close, but did not completely finish the front aprons this past
weekend. We were having trouble with the front end dimensions and
gaps. We finally got them as close as physically possible (nice
consistent gaps, dim's within 1/4"). But to achieve that we had to
assemble and disassemble the front end about 7 times. Each time we
would resolve one issue and have another rear its ugly head.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2103

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2104

We still have to position and weld the cowl in place, but that is
something that we can accomplish in an afternoon.

Also, we contacted the media blaster and he cannot fit us into the
schedule until early next week. That being the case, we will continue
with finer and finer detail work. For example, we are working on the
brackets for mounting the trunk latch. You will notice that we have
reversed the typical trunk config and mounted the latch on the car and
the striker will mount on the lid.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2105

We will continue to work on brackets, and fitting up different pieces
until the blaster is ready for us.

Time to get back to work.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

rj@hydroflotech.com

Hi All,

Lately, there has been a lot of debate over graphics or no graphics for
the final car. I am undecided at this point. Maybe we should just use
the badges from the SVT Cobra as we originally planned. Maybe we
should use the reverse "C" graphics with the SN65 designation. Maybe
we should cave and use the GT stripe with the SN65 designation.

AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!!

To help resolve this issue, we have decided to hold a graphic design
contest. No rules. No regulations. no requirements whatsoever. We
don't care if you work up a 3D virtual reality, rotating computer
illustration, or scrawl your picture on a napkin at the local dive with
a few of your closest friends. Maybe you have no artistic ability at
all and just convey your ideas in words alone. We have enough vision
to be able to picture what it is you describe.

What is in it for you? Well.... Not much I am afraid. I wish I could
offer the winner a scholarship, or free vacation, etc... but, like the
rest of you, this wacky hobby has sucked every last loose piece of
change out of my pants. With that said. The winner will receive a
personalized plaque featuring a signed photo of the finished car, and
an unused part off one of the donor cars. Also, you will be given a
ride in the finished car, whenever we meet up at an event. Who knows,
if you convince us you are a responsible individual, we may even let
you drive. Also, the car will be painted with your design and we will
give you credit for the design on the display we build for the car.

Just e-mail your entry to SN65contest@hydroflotech.com

I will respond to every entry so that you will know we received it.
Also, all designs must be received no later than March 31st, 2005.

Good luck

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

Brent P

In article <1110295708.230890.312200@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>, rj@hydroflotech.com wrote:

> brackets for mounting the trunk latch. You will notice that we have
> reversed the typical trunk config and mounted the latch on the car and
> the striker will mount on the lid.
>
> http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2105

Looks like the way it's done on mavericks. If you run into problems
maverick parts might help.

rj@hydroflotech.com

Hi All,

Today, Wayne fabed up the side gas filler door. He had to trial fit the
gas tank and the filler neck to get an accurate location. He marked the
location of the plastic inner housing on the quarter. He removed the
filler neck and the gas tank. He located the center point of the gas
door, and drilled the center hole from the inside.

When he walked around to the outside of the car, he noticed that the
hole he drilled was within 1/8" of the "X" I drew on the car marking
the door location. I told him to trust me next time and he wouldn't
have to go through so much work. :-)

Anyway, this is going to be so cool. Wayne ground smooth and flanged
the rough cut opening so that the 03 door mounting ring (the part we
cut off the Cobra) sits flush with the 65 quarter panel.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2112

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2113

Catch you later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

rj@hydroflotech.com

Hi All,

Damn!!!!

I hate it when "real work" interferes with this project.

All we had to do this weekend was finish welding in the cowl and the
trim pieces around the passenger and driver side windows. That's
all. Maybe about 10 man-hours....

Well... The two bodymen (and my brother) who were supposed to help
this weekend couldn't because they had to work on customer cars. I
hate it when actual paying customers get top priority. Also, I did not
get much accomplished because I had to help another paying customer
with his 66 coup restoration.

I spent all day yesterday fitting and welding the cowl. That along
with reviewing the corporate tax returns of 2 companies took up my
entire day.

I did not finish all I needed to before media blasting. The blaster
called yesterday to schedule the pick up (they were scheduled to blast
the car today) and I had to reschedule because I was not ready.
!@$_(*&!!!! Now they will not be able to get to it before the end of
the week if I am lucky. Most likely they will be by next Monday to
pick it up for blasting on Tuesday.

I am so depressed. :-(

Anyway... Here is a photo of the finished cowl area. Note the open
areas around the hood hinge brackets. These areas will be covered by a
small plate.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2114

Now I have to get to work. HydroFlo is having project review meetings
today and I need to attend. Another day shot to hell due to real work
interfering with this project. When will the madness end?

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

rj@hydroflotech.com

Hi All,

Well, I have a few days to kill before the media blaster can fit me
into his schedule. They are currently blasting and coating Garbage
trucks, cement mixing trucks and construction trucks as well as misc.
heavy metal fabrications.

The coating systems they use are a bit different than those used on a
typical production vehicle. They use a number of different self
priming high build epoxy. All surfaces are blasted to an SSPC-SP10
near white metal blast and then coated with 12 to 16 mills of self
priming epoxy. The coating is VERY durable and has high chemical
resistance. If the surface is prepped properly and the coating applied
properly, the system is suitable for indefinite submersion in
wastewater with a pH of 2.5 to 13 (normal is 7).

Anyway...

Until I get the car back from media blasting we are going to be working
on brackets, misc. detail work, etc.... That is when the real fun
begins. :-)

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

rj@hydroflotech.com

Hi All,

Entries for the graphics contest are rolling in. You only have 14 days
left. A lot of good ideas are coming in.

I am looking forward to seeing yours.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

rj@hydroflotech.com

rj@hydroflotech.com wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Entries for the graphics contest are rolling in. You only have 14
days
> left. A lot of good ideas are coming in.
>
> I am looking forward to seeing yours.
>
> SN65
> Come see this WIP at
> Julian's Collision Center
> http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

Hi All,

Just talked to the media blaster and we can pick the car up Monday.

Woo Hoo!!!

We will blow the media out, and mount the beast on the rotisserie. We
should have the car in primer in time for the Saturday open house /
get-2-gether. If we are lucky, we may have the chassis and the interior
painted ready for assembly to begin.

I am excited about the open house / get-2-gether. We are looking
forward to finally meeting a lot of the people we have made friends
with over the past 6 months.

Hope to see you there.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

Brent P

In article <1111856671.899235.243490@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>, rj@hydroflotech.com wrote:

> I am excited about the open house / get-2-gether. We are looking
> forward to finally meeting a lot of the people we have made friends
> with over the past 6 months.

What time is the g-2-g? I think I remember reading one of your posts in
one of the forums that it was 8am, sat apr 2. Now I can only find posts
saying apr 2nd but not the time of day.