TheSamba.com :: View topic - '70 Convertible

Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:37 pm

That was probably cheaper than the windshield I need to replace from trying to keep up with Mike after last years night run :shock:

Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:52 pm

I haven't posted here in a while... I have been busy redesigning the rear chassis/engine cage after noticing the engine cage had been bent upwards and partially collapsed one of my header tubes. I also had to repair the Driver's side CV cup seal as it let go on the last trip to the desert.

I needed to get the rear engine cage stiffer to prevent it from being bent upwards. So I added some tubes downward from the roof, and then extended some of the tubes from the package tray area to form a ladder beam design.

I still have more tube bending, grinding, and welding to do before the rear cage gets painted like the front. Busy busy!!

Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:14 pm

I started making the new engine cage. I am going with a new design under the motor. With only a 7" radius die for the low buck bender I had a problem getting the second bend to 90 degrees without hitting the jack in bender.

I am adding a few straight tubes for the engine mounts to come off of.

This will create the main plane under the engine. It surrounds the header just outside of it, so if it does get bent it won't hit the header again. I am going to re-use the upper part of my rear bumper and splice into the lower tubes to connect the engine cage. All of my tube splices are sleeved and rosette welded, with a 360 degree seam weld. I leave a gap between the ends of the outer tube for weld penetration.

Sun Mar 21, 2010 12:03 pm

I finished fitting the four attach point for the engine cage this morning. Here are the shots of it all tacked together. I have already fully welded all of the joints together. I still need to add two tubes under the engine (running front to rear) that the motor mounts will come off of, and the side tubes that angle back on the same angle as the roof bars. Those will join behind the exhaust system at the point of the sleeved joint. I wil add another horizontal tube across the rear bumper at that junction as well. These angled tubes will need an unboltable junction to able to remove the rear engine cage. Unfortunately this will have to come off to change the oil. I guess I could pull the drain plug and let it flow over one of the engine cage tubes. That way I would only have to pull the skid plate.

Speaking of skid plate. I may need to make another one to fit the new cage. It is wider than before.

Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:53 pm

I got the motor mount support tubes in today as well before I called it a day...

Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:07 pm

Lookin good Skiddy, not paint the damn thing and lets go to the desert.

Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:30 pm

is it blue yet.

Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:49 am

vdubduner wrote: is it blue yet.

And how close to being running is your car Darrin? I thought you were getting real close.

Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:39 am

Looks good. :D

Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:16 pm

its close,brake lines,limiting straps,and a tune up,carbs are clogged.

Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:30 pm

I thought I would give a little update on where I am at with this batch of "Rework"...

* Exhaust - dropping the header off for repair on Saturday morning
* fan mount and radiator frame going to powder coat next week
* New cam belt and alternator belt going on this weekend while the exhaust is out of the way
* welding is nearing an end - I need to put the engine mounts in, add the diagonal bars back behind the exhaust, and patch the holes in the rear firewall I cut to extend the cage.
* rust removal and paint prep to start immediately after welding is finished. Lots of grinding left as part of the paint prep...
* still haven't repacked the CV's and installed the axle on the driver's side, but the CV cup seal is done. (which started this whole mess!)
* have to make a new oil filler - new cage tube is in the way now. Design is under way, but will require cnc mill and lathe time at work. Billet bling, baby! Pics will happen...
* need to replace the passenger side fuel rail - auxiliary damage from cage work (oops!).
* reattach all fuel lines that were removed for welding near firewall
* reinstall ammo/tool boxes in package tray
* remount all lights and turn signals on rear bumper

It sounds like a lot to do, but in reality I think it should only take a few weeks depending on what gets in my way. The big thing that will consume much of my spare time over the next two weeks will be my son's Eagle Scout project. We are building a pergola outside the Villa Park High School band room. Kinda proud of the kid! I could have done so much worse in the teenager department!

Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:37 pm

Skid u need to hurry up and get that thing done!!
I was hoping to show u a REAL baja this weekend :twisted:
Lmao

Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:43 pm

tanner_122 wrote: Skid u need to hurry up and get that thing done!!
I was hoping to show u a REAL baja this weekend :twisted:
Lmao

No worries, he's ridding in My car :lol:

Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:00 pm

baja5 wrote: tanner_122 wrote: Skid u need to hurry up and get that thing done!!
I was hoping to show u a REAL baja this weekend :twisted:
Lmao

No worries, he's ridding in My car :lol:

Okayy haha baja 5 ur running VW power?

Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:21 pm

Yep, only cause the engine and trans were in the car when I bought it 6 years ago. Fuel injected 2110. My next car will be water cooled. My new car is a boxed A arm Thing. But it's still a few years out.

Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:16 pm

Busk and I would still leave you in the weeds, Tanner... That swing axle baja of yours needs some major changes to keep up.

Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:26 pm

Oh now your going 2 pull the swing axle card! Haha
At least me and busk has reliable VW power ( the headers don't bend) :lol:
Haha

Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:31 pm

Skidmark wrote: Busk and I would still leave you in the weeds, Tanner... That swing axle baja of yours needs some major changes to keep up.

hey skid dont underestamate the power of the swing axle :2gunfire:

Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:38 pm

QRP wrote: Skidmark wrote: Busk and I would still leave you in the weeds, Tanner... That swing axle baja of yours needs some major changes to keep up.

hey skid dont underestamate the power of the swing axle :2gunfire:
thank you QRP! haha

Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:14 pm

tanner_122 wrote: Oh now your going 2 pull the swing axle card! Haha
At least me and busk has reliable VW power ( the headers don't bend) :lol:
Haha

not for long