Hey Ken - totally awesome work on you jag project

[rficalora]

Went through your project journals - wow.  Can't wait to see it done.

[TR6-6SPD]

Rob,
Thanks for your interest. I wouldn't want it "done" too soon. That would end all the construction fun.
Some people, usually non-car people, look at the project and all they can say is, oh, that's a lot of work. No no, work is what I do to pay for this. This is my hobby.
Part #1: http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,36697
Part #2: http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,37548

[rficalora]

I get that totally.   I have a blast driving my car but am already itching to do another.  Have to get the idea past my wife but told her we have to do another - need one for each son when I'm gone... just wouldn't be fair to leave one son left out in my will now would it?

Your tig welding was one of the things I noticed.  I really want to learn to TIG.

[TR6-6SPD]

Rob,
Actually, I think we all use the "like the construction phase", as an excuse for it all taking so long  .LOL

Calvin Granis recomended the Miller Diversion 165. I'm using the same and it seems to be the ticket at this time.

For Tig welding instuction, I got the down and dirty from this website:
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/tig-welding-tips.html
He's actually quite funny. Lot's of videos.
Ken

[Jim Stabe]

Ken
I agree, your build is very professional indeed. How much time do you have to work on it each day?

Rob
You can pick up a complete Corvette chassis on Ebay starting at about $6k. This particular one is an 07 LS2 powered 6 speed for $9400. I know a guy that can show you how to widen an MGB body and it doesn't take much to shorten a Corvette torque tube. Just thinkin'

[TR6-6SPD]

Jim,
Time each day? As a matter of fact, I'm keeping a very accurate account of all my time in the garage, down to the 1/2 hour. I had a stretch last summer when I didn't touch it for nearly 4 months. But since Sept., I'm averaging a little over 100 hours a month. Even in the depths of our frigid Canadian winter.

My friend the Furnace:

It's 175,000 BTU, natural gas fired, forced air. More than I need which is just right, (sound familiar?).
Something foreign I think, to those who live in places like Texas and California.

By the way, that Corvette package looks to be plug and play, off and running.

[roverman]

Ken and clan, "Welding Tips and Tricks" is very usefull. It seems like using mig wire to tig, should be very economical. What if...you could wire the "spool feeder" to run without arc current ? It seems like any cheapie mig could serve as an autofeeder ? Onward, roverrman.

[Jim Stabe]

100 hours a month, that's dedication. No wonder you are making such rapid progress. Nice work.

[cgill]

Another wow from me. I wish I had your fabrication skills!!!!

[DC Townsend]

Had to chuckle when I read your last post about using angle iron as your metal brake. Same here. I used it so much I finally broke down and added a pair of hinges and a handle to make it more convenient to use. Still have. Mounts to my WorkMate and will take up to 36".

[TR6-6SPD]

Thanks for everyone's interest.
Here's an interesting link on "Making a Low Cost but effective sheet metal brake from steelyard rems."
http://www.majorleagueduning.com/tech/Brake/Brake.htm
I must do it myself some day.

[DC Townsend]

Any updates on this? Haven't seen any new postings in the project area for a couple of months. I'm beginning to have fabrication withdrawal...

[TR6-6SPD]

Hi Dave,

You and me both. My garage time always slows dramatically in the Canadian summer. It's just the way it is.

We just got back from The National Street Rod Association Nationals in Louisville Ky. Viewed lots of beautiful cars and got some good ideas for the Jaguar project. Mainly engine dress-up, interior, and color combinations.

Took the bikes down and dicovered some fantastic twisty windy roads in Ky., Ohio and W. Va.

This was taken in The Daniel Boone National Forest:


Hopefully I can add to my project journal soon.

P.S. I like your front brake air ducts by the way.

[rficalora]

Looks like a blast Ken.  I either need to retire or find a job where i can take time off outside of the major holidays!  Now, get back to work, we're waiting for updated progress pics of the Jag.

[Jim Stabe]

Take it from me Rob, retirement is the way to go - except for that money thing...

[danmas]

Take it from me Rob, retirement is the way to go - except for that money thing...

Agreed!  I've been retired now for 19 years - don't miss "gainful employment" one bit (I do hate getting old, though).

[DC Townsend]

Ken, re: brake ducts. "Necessity is the mother of invention" Tried a set of spindle mounted ducts from All Star Performance and, while nicely made, interfered with the sway bar. Looked at a number of other off-the-shelf ducts and realized I'd have the same problem with all of them. Then remembered the original backing plates and put those together with the ducts I had seen on a 1935 (or so) race car I had seen (and taken a picture of) at the Lie Rock Historic Races. While my se isn't nearly as elegant as the originals I saw (they were all aluminum and formed into the backer), they'll do the trick.

[BWA]

Ken check out Jay Leno's  Garage.  The latest video is about a modified 1964 E Type.  After looking at this video it may give you some more ideas for your project.
Now get back on that project !

Cheers
Byron

[Jim Stabe]

Ken

Good to see you posting your progress again. You do really nice sheetmetal work

[TR6-6SPD]

Thanks Jim.

Byron, I searched and found the video clip of Jason Len's 1964 E-type. The modification I found particularly interesting was the fact that he lowered the floors by 1 1/2"s. I'm lowering my floors by 1" and the seats by an additional 1". This gives me the same head room that I have in my TR6 when the roof, (hood) is up.
Here's the clip, nice car:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZzUTWppkjFw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Jim Stabe]

I dropped the floors in the MG about 1 1/4" and the C4 Corvette seats I'm using also sit real close to the floor. I'm 6'4" and this should get me down below the windshield nicely. I'll have it on the ground in a couple weeks so I can see how low I sit in the car, I'll let you know how it comes out..

[roverman]

Jim, Will you make it to "Del Mar", in time ?  Meet ?  Cheers, Art G.

[Jim Stabe]

Art. Are you talking about Good Guys? I might make the one in the Spring.