So, I won't try to repost all the build pictures from the old site. However, I will repost some of the more significant pics, as this car nears the finish line (pun intended).
Here is how I purchased the car:
Incredible 8)
Thanks! More to come.
More with the initial prep. Again, this car started it's life as a true 1966 K-code, and it was missing its entire drive train when I bought it. However, it was completely painted and it had an entire roll cage installed, plexiglass side windows and other odds and ends.
Started with a modern 6-speed tranny and a Dart aluminum small block with Dart aluminum heads.
This pic with the tranny shows the mock up block, hence the "non-aluminum" look. ;D
Given the need for wider rear tires, the car was mini-tubed. And, the interior frame rails had to be modified as well.
How much work had to be done on the trans tunnel to get the T56 in? Did you lower the engine too? Thanks
Here's a shot of the the rear rims and tires during test fit.
Also, here is the Strange rear end, and finally shots of the rear end installed with the rear wheels and tires.
Also, the ride setup will be all Total Control Suspension with coil overs all around.
Quote from: KR Convertible on March 24, 2018, 10:53:15 AM
How much work had to be done on the trans tunnel to get the T56 in? Did you lower the engine too? Thanks
There wasn't too much work that had to be done to the trans tunnel, but there was definitely some cutting. However, when the trans tunnel is finished, the tunnel will look different, as it will have more of a 1-piece look to make it present as more finished versus cut up.
And, yes - the engine had to be lowered. In fact, you'll see in later pictures that I ended up going with a custom hood that gives 33% more height clearance via the hood scoop; which was also needed given the height of the engine when finished.
Very cool build. It's a shame we lost the previous thread. I've enjoyed watching the progress. Good luck!
Quote from: KR Convertible on March 24, 2018, 11:45:42 AM
Very cool build. It's a shame we lost the previous thread. I've enjoyed watching the progress. Good luck!
Thanks! I really appreciate it.
It looks great indoors. I can't wait to see it out in the daylight.
Quote from: KR Convertible on March 24, 2018, 11:45:42 AM
Very cool build. It's a shame we lost the previous thread. I've enjoyed watching the progress. Good luck!
+1
I think there may still be some drool residue on my keyboard from watching the "old thread" ::)
Custom headers and custom exhaust...with side exits, of course. ;D
Test fit of the tranny; which will allows for the headers to be removed without removing the engine.
Also, here's a shot of the radiator. You can never have too much cooling! 8)
Here's a shot of the custom hood. As mentioned previously, the opening in the hood scoop is 33% larger than stock; which is vital, given the height of the engine when installed.
TMI seats to add bolstering, but not deviate too much from a period correct looking seat (aka; no high back buckets).
As Bob G. has validated - the original seats were nothing more than a plastic bucket covered in thin leather. They look super cool, but not so much with functionality. ;)
Quote from: mark p on March 24, 2018, 12:35:34 PM
Quote from: KR Convertible on March 24, 2018, 11:45:42 AM
Very cool build. It's a shame we lost the previous thread. I've enjoyed watching the progress. Good luck!
+1
I think there may still be some drool residue on my keyboard from watching the "old thread" ::)
Thanks! I'll do my best to get most of the old pics posted, and, of course, post the new ones as the build concludes.
Truly, my goal is to take this thing to SAAC 43 and run the hell out of it! Drag racing, track, etc. I can't wait!!! ;D
Shots of the engine in all her assembled glory! Personally, I think its a shame not to see the yellow stabilizers all the time due the valve covers. :D
Great Job...keep it coming !! ;D
Shots of the oil pan with connections for the dry sump.
Here's the dry sump tank.
Here's a shot of the assembled engine in all her glory! MAN, I can't wait to hear her run!!
Front and back Wilwood disk brakes.
Awesome suspension. I'm putting a similar TCP front coil over in my tribute later this year.
What did you use for the rear coil over conversion? I see the Strange axle, but wasn't aware of them doing a coil over conversion. Was there significant fab involved?
Quote from: T-Bone68 on March 31, 2018, 08:43:17 AM
Awesome suspension. I'm putting a similar TCP front coil over in my tribute later this year.
What did you use for the rear coil over conversion? I see the Strange axle, but wasn't aware of them doing a coil over conversion. Was there significant fab involved?
The rear coil overs are TCS as well. And, I don't believe that Strange makes any type of rear suspension, but I could be wrong.
There was some fab work, but not too much. The top pictures in reply #6 shows some of the mounting necessary for the rear coil overs.
Big 3 Performance out of Green Bay, WI are the ones doing all the work. I'm just documenting as they go. ;)
Testing...
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/4-110418165851.jpeg)
OK - so now I can post pictures that have first been uploaded to my library. However, they come in EXTREMELY large!
Geez...
Well, for those who have the patience to scroll, the enormous picture is of the car on a lift. I have two more pictures to post from being on the lift. These were taken while they were plumbing the drive line.
Progress is still happening! Here are some pics of the (almost) finished transmission tunnel. Note the hand shaped (not by me) metal with a military rivet look.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/4-240518223617.jpeg)
Pic 2
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/4-240518223535.jpeg)
Pic 3
...I tired to make the pictures as large as possible, but this was the best I could do... ::)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/4-240518223425.jpeg)
Here's an older shot of the exhaust / tranny
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/4-240518225733.jpeg)
Here's a sneak peak of the engine and hood scoop. The scoop is 33% larger; which is needed for correct engine fitment.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/4-240518225756.jpeg)
And the stance / side exhaust.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/4-240518225823.jpeg)
How many cubic inches in the engine?
Quote from: gt350hr on May 25, 2018, 01:38:07 PM
How many cubic inches in the engine?
The engine is an all aluminum Dart small block that is stroked to 438 (I call it a 427 ;D).
I can't wait to hear it run for the first time!
I forgot about this one ... Waaaay cool ride, keep us posted :)
Quote from: 427heaven on May 25, 2018, 09:15:54 PM
I forgot about this one ... Waaaay cool ride, keep us posted :)
Thanks! And, will do. ;)
Thanks . I stayed with the short deck ( 8.2) and 374ci.
Things are moving along! The new hood (with a 33.3% increase in the opening) is now prepped and primed. ;D
Yes, there was A LOT of mud put on that thing!
And, the gauges have arrived!
Again, not exact, given it's a restomod ;)
The hood is now painted! I can't can't wait to see it mounted.
8)
The package tray and accompanying interior panels are now roughed in. A LOT of work had to go into fitting everything, especially due to the minitubs and the full roll cage. Now, it needs to be semi dissasebled and painted.
Thanks Jesse B! You're a miricle worker. 👍🏻
The gauges are coming along well! Here, you can see the main gauge bezel, as well as two separate gauges that will be located in the glove box.
I have been remiss in posting the progress of this build. And, I believe its finally coming to fruition!
Here are some shots of the engine bay progression:
- The first picture shows the engine bay a few months back after initial mounting of the power steering reservoir
- The second picture shows the catch can installation, as well as the power steering hose routing; which goes through the shock tower - pretty cool!
- The third picture shows a view down the driver's side of the engine bay
Here are some interior shots:
- The first picture shows the cluster installed
- The second picture shows the two additional gauges installed in the glove box area, as well as the MSD unit
- The third picture shows the wiper motor installation. This was a bit of a nightmare, as the stock motor didn't clear the lower horizontal cage bar, so a low profile motor had to be installed with a redesigned mount. The wipers are needed to keep it street legal ;)
Here are some shots of the trunk:
- The first picture was taken a while back when the fuel cell was first mounted. As you will see, an original fuel tank was cut in half and mounted to the car. Then, the fuel cell was mounted to the lower fuel tank piece, so as to hide the fuel cell from view outside of the car.
- The second picture shows the rear battery mount, as well as the fully routed fuel cell, filter and fuel pump
One last shot for today:
- Here you can see the power steering hoses going through the driver's side shock tower from an outside view
More to come!
Looks like a cracker, Thanks for posting, Peter
Another monster to scare women, children and small communities. I like it!
So glad they left the shock towers in place.
I hate it when they remove them completely.
Thanks to all!
And, I have to agree with you, Michael - I, too, don't like when they take the shock towers out. As crazy as it sounds, I like seeing the shock towers when I look under the hood - it reminds me that it's a classic Mustang / Shelby. Without the shock towers, I feel a bit lost...like I'm looking under the hood of something other than a Mustang / Shelby.
And don't forget the enormous strength of a deeply stamped (hydroformed?) piece like the shock tower provides.
Yeah, Camaros don't have them, but they were engineered differently from the get go.
The pulleys and belts are now installed, as well as the dry sump tank. 👍🏻
I love the beefiness of the crank to dry sump pump pulley. 💪🏻
And, here is the steering wheel of choice once it's installed.
Its been a while, and there have been some great updates!
All the hoses and fittings for the dry sump are now in place. Attached are a top and under side view of the hoses.
...that one hose connected to the reservoir is huge!
Here's a shot of all the pulleys and belts from the top and front.
Here are shots of the underside of the front and back, as well as a closeup of the suspension setup in the rear.
I love the stock looking fuel tank from below / behind, even though the car has a fuel cell. ;)
I'm really enjoying this thread, Ruben!
I see some of the same equipment that I'm installing in my Restomod, for instance the TCP steering & front suspension, dash, trans, etc. but your build much more ambitious than mine.
Keep it coming!
Quote from: Jim Herrud on December 19, 2019, 11:32:48 PM
I'm really enjoying this thread, Ruben!
I see some of the same equipment that I'm installing in my Restomod, for instance the TCP steering & front suspension, dash, trans, etc. but your build much more ambitious than mine.
Keep it coming!
Thanks! You should post more pictures of your Restomod - I'd love to see them. And, trust me - the ambition comes from the builders. Big 3 Performance does an awesome job!
BTW - for those with a discerning eye, you'll notice the electrical cord hanging down in front of the passenger's side front tire. Question: anyone know what it is for? :D
I had to ask, and, of course, since the car is being built in Green Bay, WI, I asked if it was for a block heater...LOL.
Electrical cord in the right-front engine bay, hub? Electric fan controller?
By the way, did you enlarge the radiator opening to get the dual-fan system installed?
I'm hoping to get restarted on my project over this holiday break, so I might have some progress to post next month. Had some 'circle of life' drama to deal with recently. I also got a 2019 GT350 and started doing some track days. That's been a huge, but fun distraction!
Nice! You've picked a good distraction. 👍🏻
I found out that the electrical cord is for prewarming the engine oil. Given my skill set, I may never need it, and it was a cool surprise. 8)
Looking great Ruben!
They just painted the rear axle assembly. Nice!
It's been a while since I posted an update on the car. And, another post today jarred my memory to get some more pictures up.
It's alive! The car is now up and running! I wish I could post a video, but now sure how to do that. :-[
Either way, here are some recent pics of the interior and the engine bay. The push button located where the climate controls would be is for solenoid operated parking brakes - very cool. The shock towers will be reinforced soon, as well as some general sorting / paint / cleanup work.
Thanks!
it sounds like you 'll have a lot of fun driving this monster ! Nice work done on it ! keep on going posting !
She's sooooo close to being done! 65 side stripes and a few finishing details. I can't wait!!
The eagle has finally landed!!!
My 1965 R Model Restomod is now safe at home in Texas! I'll post more pictures as I get time.
...this thing is a BEAST!!
Congratulations - use the right pedal wisely ;-)
fun is begining !!!! ;)
I was able to take the R to its first Cars and Coffee today. It was the first Cara and Coffee since March of last year. What a great turnout!
I made some additions to the exterior (13 is my favorite number 😉). And, I saw the best license plate today.
Cheers!
Beautiful car Rubin!...any happy and safe miles to you :)
Sorry I missed it, but labor out at Mom's took president this weekend. See you at next weeks rally I hope.
I was able to see the beast a few times as it was being assembled at Aaron's. It looks amazing. The only thing I missed was it fired up! How about you post a video clip of that baby spitting some exhaust out the back!! 8)
Looks great, Ruben! Hope you have a blast!
Like terlingua11 said, I'd also like to hear it run!
Fantastic looking car! I like this idea a lot.
The car I purchased came with many R model items and maybe this is what should be done with them
I've been building a tribute (of sorts) for a few years now...hoping to be done in April..
It is a Shelby 5.2 FPC engine tho...
Quote from: Shelby_r_b on December 19, 2019, 10:57:55 PM
...that one hose connected to the reservoir is huge!
Mine uses a combination of 3/4" pressure and 1" scavenge.
Hey Rubin....Cool car you built! Where in Texas are you?
Thanks! I'm in the San Antonio area. Are you in Texas as well?
Click on his name and you can see.
Roy
Quote from: TA Coupe on July 26, 2022, 03:18:17 PM
Click on his name and you can see.
Roy
Thanks, Roy!
That color looks darker than "Guardsman Blue" but looks lighter than "Nightmist Blue". It looks amazing but what color is it? Were you trying to duplicate an original color?
Quote from: mlplunkett on March 19, 2023, 09:29:37 PM
That color looks darker than "Guardsman Blue" but looks lighter than "Nightmist Blue". It looks amazing but what color is it? Were you trying to duplicate an original color?
It's Guardsman Blue. The lighting in the pictures (I'm not sure which one you're referencing) might be playing tricks.
Thanks!
Looks a lot like Ford Vista Blue with the purple tint to me.
Don
gt350bp
Quote from: 69bosssvt on January 25, 2022, 04:10:15 PM
I've been building a tribute (of sorts) for a few years now...hoping to be done in April..
It is a Shelby 5.2 FPC engine tho...
Looks great - A Donahue tribute - https://legendarymotorcar.com/inventory/1965-shelby-gt350-1922.aspx
He cheated with bigger tires though.