HM-2030 Build Log - The Storm Ahead

[Greg K]

When I started on the trunk lid, I wasn't sure this thing was going to work out and be a nightmare fit wise and would require a ton of bodywork. I was wrong after I figured out what it wanted adjustment wise at the bracket and hinge. Both hinge arms had to be mounted towards the drivers side of the bracket and the passenger side needed 3 washers behind the bracket. Passenger side bracket adjusted as high as it could go, the drivers side a little less, but still just a tad low that I can make good later. This got the trunk lid looking good fit wise. Working on the trunk lid is not the most comfortable, glad the car was also elevated some.

After I called the trunk lid done for now, decided to get to the roll bar. Used my PVC pipes to transfer the center of the roll bar stubs to the underside of the body. After drilling a 1/4" hole from below, the rest was done with a 1.5" hole saw from above in reverse. Opened them up just a tad more with a flap sander for final fit. Will be using trim rings as pictured. I'll get to the down tube next weekend.

[Kamal]

Everything is looking awesome!   Totally jealous of your progress, as well as the fantastic powder coating.  Wish I had researched that before ordering my kit.

[Greg K]

Thanks Kamal...little by little it's getting there.

[FFR428]

And ya didn't have to lock the wife in the trunk? 

[Greg K]

Not yet...have a u-bolt on order for the latch, then we'll see. 

[Greg K]

Finished up the roll bar downtube and worked on fitting the hood. Did not realize I was going to have an issue with my overflow tank interfering with the hood. Easy thing was to notch the underside of the hood and move on. Hood is in the hole, but it looks like my hood hinge mounting pads are not letting the hood down at the front. I think the radiator cover may be interfering there. Will get a look at it later as to why the front will not sit down.

[Greg K]

Managed to get the hood bolted to the hinges this afternoon. Will update tomorrow with more detail as to what it took to get it set in place.

[dawger]

Looking good there Greg, it's always a rush when one figures out a remedy for the issue at hand and move on to the next issue. Stack'em up and knock them down like dominoes. Before you know it you'll be on the road.

Michael

[Greg K]

As promised...what I had to do to get the hood to work for me. My upper frame came with 4 holes drilled up front for the hinge brackets, I initially used the inside for starters. This did not work and had the hood over to the drivers side a little over an inch. Removed all of the spacers from the bracket so it could move freely side to side. Moved it as far as it would to the passenger side, still not enough. Ended up relocating the passenger side bracket to the outer hole in the upper frame. This made a big difference in getting it to sit right side to side.
Now the hinge arms were pushing the hood rear rearward a little too. I ended up bending the drivers side 3/8 of an inch shorter and the passenger side an 1/8"shorter, measured from the center of hinge barrel to the bolt flange. Long side of hinge arm was held in vise in aluminum blocks I use for fuel hose fittings and the short side is what is pulled back to the bolt flange. This ended up squaring up the hood, and after that I had to raise the brackets some on each side to get the hood height up front set.
Got to say this hood looks pretty good. In the process I had cut on the radiator cover because it was not allowing the bolt flanges to be low enough for the hood and the slots for the hinge arms really didn't work out either, so I'll be making another cover later.

[Greg K]

More work related to the hood today, latches primarily and the hunt for lost bumpers...
Installed the hood latch handles, paddles and pads for the hood. During the day I lost a bumper, found it...lost it again, not to be found hours later under the 2x4 I was using to prop the hood on the back side of the engine block. It was ridiculous the time I spent looking for that thing. Anyhow, I decided to secure them finally later in the day. I also opened the underside hole in the hood to 7/8 for the paddles which are 3/4 to keep them close to the underside and so I could also shorten the square rod on the handles. Found a 7/8 x 3/4 reducing bushing with shoulder to insert later in the hole to make it cleaner looking. Also showing gaskets for the handles after paint. Also on the underside of the handles next to the screw holes are locators that I removed with rotary cutoff wheel.
Hood scoop is a little rough...couple air bubbles in the gel coat, ton of overspray from Hurricane, not sure why. Scoop still needs trimming and shaping , had to re-drill some holes to match and to accommodate the #8 screws.

[Greg K]

Knocked out a couple of things yesterday...Hood Prop rod, mounted it on the drivers side due to other things in the way on the passenger side. I took a die and threaded the end of the prop rod and put it thru the 1x1 upper frame with a 1.25" chrome spacer I had and 5/16 nut on backside. Added 1/2" stainless washer to hood where I drilled hole in hood for the other end. Rubber piece is on order to hold rod to the inner fender panel.
Finished the trunk latch using a stainless u-bolt. One leg goes all the way thru the 2x2 under the trunk tub and other leg is thru fiberglass only.

[Greg K]

Not much has happened in the last couple of weeks. The radiator cover panel was an issue with the hood hinges...not enough clearance for mounting pad to the hood. I initially had cut the offending material out of the cover, but it really didn't look good with triangle cut outs. It all originates from the radiator not coming with any channels originally and had to add my own to make it work. Well one change leads to others it seems.
Anyhow, I made a new shroud/panel that lowered it and how it attaches. This cured the interference with the hood hinge mounts with the hood.
Also pics of the hood prop rod holder.

[Greg K]

Was able to spend a couple hours on the car today and mounted some gas struts on the trunk lid temporarily. Bracket on lid is just held with rivets, will change to riv-nuts, but need to get some for thicker material. They are 15" long extended at 20 lbs each, they help raising it some and enough to hold the lid up.

[Kamal]

I love seeing all of this finishing work, I know I'll reference it soon(ish) when I get there!

[Greg K]

No major accomplishments recently to really speak of...picked up some leather door checks from the other side of the pond. They come tan but will get the vinegar black treatment soon. They come with the black brackets, but will only use one on each and mount it to the inside of the upper frame upright. Will use a 3" long 5/16 shoulder bolt that will work perfectly on the hinge arms to attach the other end, socket cap screw used just for visual.
Also found time to get back to the hood scoop for some trimming and sanding, stilll have a few minor high spots to take care of around the perimeter, but looks and fits much better than before. Opening also trimmed to open it up more than it was too.