530ZX - In progress
Andrew
Looping them is actually the incorrect thing to do. Obviously its not going to cause a melt down but the system is less efficient with the heater lines looped than plugged. It separates the high and low side of the system. Looping them lowers the overall flow rate.
When cold, the LS system actually has a large oriface that allows the high and low sides to mix to help the engine warm up more quickly. As the thermo opens it extends a block off plate into this opening to keep the high/low sides separate. Which is much more efficient flow/cooling wise.
This is also why if you remove the thermostat without blocking off the high/low side bleed orifice the car cools poorly. If you plug this oriface (i used a freeze plug in mine) and remove the thermostat you will improve overall flow and cooling. Which isn't optimal for a daily driver, but great for a race car with a tiny radiator like I run.
. It may resemble shop work due to both of our previous careers were in the professional automotive industry. But It's a 100% home built car. Thanks for the complement John. Matt(FlawleZ) & I were just talking about you the other day. Glad to see your still around & making good progress on your Z
.
Looping them is actually the incorrect thing to do. Obviously its not going to cause a melt down but the system is less efficient with the heater lines looped than plugged. It separates the high and low side of the system. Looping them lowers the overall flow rate.
When cold, the LS system actually has a large oriface that allows the high and low sides to mix to help the engine warm up more quickly. As the thermo opens it extends a block off plate into this opening to keep the high/low sides separate. Which is much more efficient flow/cooling wise.
This is also why if you remove the thermostat without blocking off the high/low side bleed orifice the car cools poorly. If you plug this oriface (i used a freeze plug in mine) and remove the thermostat you will improve overall flow and cooling. Which isn't optimal for a daily driver, but great for a race car with a tiny radiator like I run.
Agreed fantastic work
So anyway I finished up the cart for the most part. Still going to add some additional pieces for the grinders, clamps and supplies





I need a plasma, I wore this thing out cutting the diamond plate




Ensured the engine was level side to side

Prothane trans mount

Being new to metal fabrication, I figured I'd mock up the cross member in poplar to get the measurements and angles close

Cross member is made out of 1/4" flat with 3/16" gussets








30 yr old bolts that didn't allow for a box end or a ratchet equaled a sweet brown situation


Shes loaded down and ready for the move so it may be a few weeks before the next update
... your welds look pretty good and the cart looks great. I might suggest a bit more heat so they don't pile up on top of the joints so much. Then again, 1/4" is pretty thick on the trans crossmember.I'd have my 200 amp MIG machine turned to WOT with material that this. And probably my TIG to 250 amp - its WOT setting.
Everyone develops their own preferences. But for a small weld (less than 2" long with thick material) the setting chart on the machine might be too low.
Another option is chamfering the to-be-welded edges so you begin welding at the bottom of the joint.
Doug
... your welds look pretty good and the cart looks great. I might suggest a bit more heat so they don't pile up on top of the joints so much. Then again, 1/4" is pretty thick on the trans crossmember.I'd have my 200 amp MIG machine turned to WOT with material that this. And probably my TIG to 250 amp - its WOT setting.
Everyone develops their own preferences. But for a small weld (less than 2" long with thick material) the setting chart on the machine might be too low.
Another option is chamfering the to-be-welded edges so you begin welding at the bottom of the joint.
Doug
As for the heat, I had that 110 welder all the way up on that 1/4" so I'm certain it wasn't generating enough heat, but its all I had at the moment and I figured since it was on the edges and I could hit it from both sides, it'd be enough penetration
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
May 2016
Picked up a flare kit and deburr tool for the BMC line

Picked up a plasma cutter

New house with a two-car garage, DOUBLE THE SPACE!

June 2016
Back out. Should be for the last time hopefully


Here's where I let the scope of the project run a bit rampant. Decided I wanted to continue the "Learn All Things" ideology and spray the bay and cab.


Picked up another jack to get under the vette without having to use ramps. It’s from HF, but it’s actually pretty nice

Rebranded

Bought a press too since I’ve been wanting one for a while and I’ll need it for dimple dies
Then I had the idea that if I was going to through the trouble of spraying the interior, I may as well cage it now. So of course, instead of buying a cage, I had to stay true to the theme and build the cage myself. Over the course of the next several months, I researched a great deal, ordered parts, and built what I needed.
Settled on a JD2 Model 32

July 2016
JD2 Notchmaster

Bendtech Pro



JD2 1.75” Die came in

Learning the software



August 2016
Put together a close model with some actual measurements so I could get the tube ordered


Picked up tube


Getting the base plate locations cleaned up


Base plates for the main hoop





Picked up a needler and a mini sander to get into the tight areas

Started bending the main hoop










Hoop X-braces







Rear down tubes







Front down tubes





Driver’s side front down tube



Down tube support


Halo supports










Deadblow got a little away from me

Windshield removal. Tried a couple of tools but they didn’t work in the least, so I resorted to the brute force approach






Finally decided to do what I should’ve done a long time ago and remove the body harness and steering column


Cutting the floor to drop the cage
















