As you can see from these recent pictures, Dave Ward has added a more developed front clip, like the rear, it is removable in case of an accident, it can be replaced separately. The halo hoop roll cage above the driver has taken shape, as well as some other more subtle details. Sorry for the delay in posting the chassis update pictures. I know there are those of you, like myself, that have become addicted to seeing this project progress. My good friend Tim Burton who lives near Dave Ward's shop in San Bernadino, was taking pictures of the chassis on a regular basis and e-mailing them to me in San Diego for this website. However, Tim, his wife Shirl and son Cole recently moved to Colorado. Thanks Tim for all the pictures you took, Happy Holidays. So I have not driven up to San Bernadino in a while to take pictures, I have been driving south to Mendeola and Meziere to work on some of the custom parts we need. Thankfully Dave Ward got his digital camera going and e-mailed these pictures today. Dave told me on the phone yesterday that he will be mounting the radiator next, the fuel cell area is completed, it is just not pictured here.
Here is an update on the Mendeola and Meziere custom pieces.
Mike Mendeola now has the correct welding rod for adapting the Porsche 930 Turbo CV bearing assembly into the aluminum C4 Corvette upright, this will allow us to use CV's instead of half shafts, a very important piece to be able to set the chassis on the ground on it's 4 wheels and tires. Mike Mendeola will then make the custom bellhousing, so we know the exact distance between the AMC 390 V-8 engine and SDR 5 speed transaxle. The transaxle mounts are completed on the chassis, but there are no engine mounts until we have the bellhousing.
www.mendeolatransaxles.com
Clearance is very tight between the engine and the rear bulkhead so we will be running a WP127 plate on the front of the engine with two fittings and hoses to a 300 series remote pump off to the side, where there is more room. These electric water pumps flow 55 gpm, so we will have plenty of cooling. The Meziere family will be supplying our starter as well as the water pump.
www.meziere.com
Tom Dulaney
President
Sciabola Inc