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Alright, have the drivers seating area just about wrapped up. Tested out my new carbon arc torch for brazing the foot brace. Will finish the passenger side, then begin the uprights. Yes, the plan is to have the seating area finished before the rest of the car begins.

i have some experience with a carbon arc, be very carefull not to over heat the metal, the arc is quite large, and not as focused as an oxy acetaline torch so cracking may occure on cooling especially on dom tube

A bit of an odd update. This past weekend, I had someone begging for my Subaru motor, as their Subarus motor died. In exchange, they offered me a 110hp CB600 motor, half of the weight, included a transmission, the carbs, ready to roll.

So, now it appears the Son of Frankenstang is now a BEC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzXWkz1IBLQ


JDK

Are you implying I get distracted... SQUIRREL!

Picked up the motor, it is far more complete than said. I have a full system, exhaust, carbs, fuel control, only thing missing being the radiator, oil intercooler and oil reservoir. I even started up the motor to test it (do not recommend that if you do not have the oil hose blocked off, as I found out the hard way).

Frame is shaping up nicely, and now have less to worry about for engine width.

Rear suspension is together, the solid axle off of my old Mustang. Not normal for a Locost, but a very solid axle that has served me well for years. I'm done mapping out the suspension, so beginning the putting of tubes together.

Front is still a bit of a mess, I need to fabricate the upper arms and secure a set of rotors.

I've had a rough few months, when my SUV died. After all free funds being spent, it's still not running. Fuel pump is not getting any power for some reason, and if I bypass it, the security system goes haywire.

Been talking it over with my wife and she's given her blessing to letting me strip out the parts I'm missing from my build from the Mercury before we have it towed. I am now debating on if I keep the I4 bike engine I was planning on, or using the 5.0 V8. Problem with the V8 is that it won't start, obviously, so would need to either replace with EFI system or convert it to a carb.

Gah, decisions.

I think those Fords in general have an inertia switch for the fuel pump? There used to be a reset switch in the trunk of my Mustang GT. That's probably obvious, but wanted to make sure you knew this...

Otherwise good luck.

Yup, bypassed the inertia switch. First thing I thought of. (Owned a few Mustangs, and had them go before)

Well, had a bad weekend when someone broke in and stole the frame I had been working on along with the other tubes, sheet metal, etc. Also stole the battery out of the truck.

Oy vey.

Sorry to hear that...Getting robbed is one of the worst feelings. Too bad you can't legally rig the place with booby traps either, for fear of the criminals being able to sue you if they are injured while trying to rob you.

This actually is could be considered good news. Now you get to start over and correct all those little things you said you'd do better the next time.

I've gotten ahold of some friends who will let me store the new frame/parts at their place and use their welding equipment. (my little buzz-box worked, but was slooooooow) But now, with a DOA truck on my hands, have a lot of incentive to light a fire under my butt to get this done.

So, the current plan:

Solid rear axle off of the truck. 3-point linkage (well, properly 4, but two are in the center, and form a V to keep it centered, like on the Mustang).

CB600 motor/transmission, motorcycle. Zippy little bike, should be good. The 5.0 in the truck it turns out is about ready to fall apart due to internal rust, and the auto transmission, well... it's an AOD.

Front suspension from the truck, but with a coilover shock to replace the existing one, eliminating the need for the torsion bar. Should ride a lot smoother. Will look different than the usual Locost front suspension bits.

For reverse I have a starter off of my old Subaru motor I'll be using. It's got some good torque to it. Linking it right to a gear on the driveshaft is my plan.

Radiator and oil cooler off of the truck

I'm debating on bumpers still. State law really wants them. Not sure how to do them without ruining the look.

Rear lights off of a BMW. Don't want the "Jeep" look in the back.

Pondering the steering column off of the truck. Would need to replace a lot of the electronic do-dads.

After assessing the damage, it is clear I cannot weld a new frame up in any reasonable schedule. Too many tools were stolen along with the half-finished frame. This has gotten me to thinking, would it be possible to fabricate a locost chassis out of hardwood such as ash or oak? I know the Morgans are built this way, although with aluminum on top of it. My thought was to use timber and them fiberglass the whole thing for added strength.

It's an odd thought, but it stems from the fact the majority of tools left to me right now are woodworking (which I'd kept elsewhere).