The "Whatever" Project

[DanStokes]

That bumper design works for me.

[dave.g.in.gansevoort]

Pictures!

That's the shape of the rear bumper. I'm going to make 2 half curves to go from the frame up to the bumper at the supports. Didn't want to mess up the garage today, so I didn't get a round tuit...

And those 2 black circles are simulated taillights, 1 full size, 1 reduced. Not much different, and the full size repops are completely flat on the back of the housing, so that's what I ordered.

Instead I worked on 2 string trimmers, mine and the neighbor's. Mine runs, but only to half throttle. No adjustable high speed jet, so it's coming all apart for a good cleaning. Maybe get the jet drills out and open it up a tiny bit. It's a Troybilt 4 stroke engine and runs really good when it goes to full throttle. Oh well a new carburetor isn't very expensive.

The neighbor's is a Stihl 2 stroke that has a new carburetor that doesn't seem to pass gas. It pumps it, but I don't see a wet spark plug when chocking and using the pump bulb. However I also think the ignition is off, as I did manage to get a couple of loud pops out of the carburetor. So ignition first then if I have to carburetor.

I hate it when I get sidetracked... But I'm waiting for the new parts to show up this week.

[dave.g.in.gansevoort]

Cut one of the u bends in half, shortened them up a little bit, and just by chance, it looks like a good match to the curve of the turtle deck! So I made standoffs and little slugs that will weld to the frame. Removable this way. It lines up really nicely with the bottom of the turtle deck. I'll be able to incorporate rear mounts for the turtle deck into the mounts as well.

But I was getting hungry and the F1 race was getting close to the start, and I needed to get the trailer hooked up to the Blazer getting it ready to get it inspected tomorrow at 9. So not finished and no pictures...

And I just looked at Speedway's Pontiac taillights, both the full size repops and the reduced size. After the race, I'll cut out 2 each circles and see which size looks better. Both are available in LED and are flat on the back. Just 2 mounting holes and a wiring hole, which means if i drill the holes thru the turtle deck wrong, it's not a total disaster. Just drill more holes more carefully.

soon, it's coming all apart for some serious welding time. But first, I'm going to mimic Dan and make a rotisserie. There's a boatload of welding and it will definitely be easier to flip it over for the underside welds. I'm thinking that I can make a 2nd stand like my antique engine stand and that should be good.

That old stand was the first real serious welding project I ever did, way back when I was in high school. And we won't say what decade that was...

[dave.g.in.gansevoort]

The kit has a door, a new surround, and hinges and a latch kit. From what I've found out so far, it will require glassing in the surround and some wooden structural members for stiffening and to attach the hinges and the latch kit. My grandfather G (who was a carpenter/cabinet maker) will probably be spinning in his grave, but I'll get by, somehow! (Back of hand to forehead)

Regarding the bumper, it's not making it with me, either. My dies bend that radius, which just looks too big for the size of the turtle deck. I'm thinking that I should make a single bar, horizontal, and put a bend around the edges of the turtle deck, also horizontally, just in line with the bottom of the turtle deck. Then a set of 50 Pontiac taillights can be set into the rear panel of the turtle deck. Speedway sells a repop set that are reduced in diameter that I think will be the right size for that panel. I'm going to cut out a pair of circles and see tomorrow.

And to make the bends in the bar, lots of cuts to get it bent tight enough, followed by lots of welding, followed by lots of grinding. Or I'll just make it from 1 inch solid bar and heat the snot out of it...

At least I have a preliminary plan to keep moving forward

[Russell]

I like the lower bumper I like to see the radius of the turtle. Maybe make the space between the bars smaller? I don't know anything about fiberglass doors. What about building some retractable steps so it's easier to climb in!

[DanStokes]

They do, but they don't seem to have a video showing how to make it work! I'm going to get the kit soon, hopefully there's some sort of instructions included.

Surprised that nobody has made a YouTube on that installation. Yes, I hope they have directions. Pretty sure it'll have an outer frame that you 'glass into the body shell and an inner frame that you 'glass into the door along with hinges and a latch but I'm guessing.

[dave.g.in.gansevoort]

I thought Speedway offered those with a door option which means you could copy theirs. But I have a high probability of wrongness on this one.

They do, but they don't seem to have a video showing how to make it work! I'm going to get the kit soon, hopefully there's some sort of instructions included.

[DanStokes]

I thought Speedway offered those with a door option which means you could copy theirs. But I have a high probability of wrongness on this one.

[dave.g.in.gansevoort]

HELP MR WIZARD! I'm trying to find anything that shows how to install a door in a fiberglass t body. You know, a video or someone who has posted step by step of the process. I've spent way too long today searching and not going to the garage and working on the Whatever project, to no avail. So please lambast me for being a troglodytic luddite or vice versa, and help me out. I'm ready for the abuse...

[dave.g.in.gansevoort]

I think it needs to be slanted about 15* so it looks like a late model dirt car coming out of the corner

Well there is a touch of track roadster in the Whatever project. But they had so little grip compared to the dirt cars of today, that they cornered basically flat thru the corners. It'll probably end up crooked just because...

[cstmwgn]

I think it needs to be slanted about 15* so it looks like a late model dirt car coming out of the corner

[74NovaMan]

I like it lower.

[dave.g.in.gansevoort]

Higher for sure. In the lower position it looks like a piece of lawn equipment.

Good that you'll finally use that wheel! It NEEDS to be on Whatever.

I'm leaning that way. Had a suggestion for taillights. Stock model A lights. Hadn't thought about those. If I go that way, I'll make 2 more u-bends, slice and dice them, and make round ends for them to nestle in. All that can be integrated into the mounts so it will look clean and simple.

Anymore votes, up or down?

[DanStokes]

Higher for sure. In the lower position it looks like a piece of lawn equipment.

Good that you'll finally use that wheel! It NEEDS to be on Whatever.

[dave.g.in.gansevoort]

Pictures first
The first 2 pictures show the rear bumper in 2 positions. High or low, give me your opinions.

2nd 2 pictures, just to get an idea of if the steering wheel that I made years ago can actually fit in. If it's 4 inches higher, requiring that the column be lengthened by that much, clears my legs, and I can operate the pedals. So lengthen it I will.