Author Topic: HM-2037 Build Thread  (Read 38724 times)

Redstang69

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HM-2037 Build Thread
« on: February 05, 2022, 08:42:59 PM »
I feel that I've made it to a point where I can start my build thread.
After researching and debating for months I finally made my order with Alec on July 23rd. I'll give a quick background leading up to the Hurricane decision in case others find themselves in the same shoes as me.
I originally got lured in by the attractive price of the Factory Five base kit. I thought I could probably save some money and do a budget build using donor parts. After reading a lot of build threads and watching some YouTube I quickly realized most donor parts I would want to just replace/upgrade with new parts. I then found a couple of partially completed kits for sale on marketplace and actually had a deal made but the owner backed out. Just as I was about to pull the trigger on a FFR base kit I searched marketplace again and found a Shell Valley kit. I researched the Shell Valley kits and this led me down the rabbit hole of going back and looking at many of the kit manufacturers and that's how I landed here with a Hurricane.
After reading on here and other forums I learned about how the Hurricane kits had some features that would make them look more accurate to the originals (pedals on the bottom of the footbox, visible roll bar behind the seat, correct body, etc.). I also felt the fiberglass tub had advantages over the riveted on panels and trying to seal them. Finally after plugging in the numbers, the Hurricane kit optioned how I wanted it was cheaper than the FFR base kit with parts that I would end up upgrading, plus I got 3 link and the Ford 9".
Roughly two weeks ago Todd with Stewart called me to set up my delivery. After there being a truck malfunction which set things back a week, the car was scheduling to be picked up Feb. 2nd. Another truck breakdown delayed pickup a day, but Eric (Stewart driver) was headed east with my kit, right on the tails of the winter mess of snow and ice. Eric called and we planned for an afternoon delivery on the 4th, however due to the horrible weather Eric would get within 15 min. of my house before having to park for the night due to maxing out the amount of hours he could legally drive. Good things come to those who wait and at 8AM sharp Eric came rolling down the road and we unloading everything in about a half hour without issue.
Besides finding the build manual and looking at the boxes piled around that's as far as I got on it today. It still doesn't quite seem real, I've looked at so many build threads seeing pictures of everyone's cars and I can't believe there's actually one sitting in my garage now.
This is long enough for now, enjoy the couple pics.

Redstang69

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2022, 08:50:17 PM »
Thought I would add the build plan and options:
427 Roadster S/C
Chromed drivers roll bar and quick jacks
Silver coated side pipes
Wind wings
Visors
Heater/Defroster
Wilwood GM Metric Front brakes
351W that might get built to a 427
T5
Frame powder coated grey

Greg K

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2022, 09:22:22 PM »
Congrats...just had to be patient. Call me anytime and look forward to your build.

FFR428

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2022, 11:29:40 PM »
Congrats!! That was a pretty good order time frame. Good to see! Years ago I had a FFR as you can guess LOL. I looked around and decided HM was going to be my choice some time ago! Enjoy the build. Glenn.
HM2027. Street model. 427 FE. Toploader 4 sp.

Redstang69

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2022, 08:39:23 PM »
I haven't posted in a few days, however I've been making some headway. The first few days I played with trying to get the cockpit tub and body properly aligned to cut the windshield holes and drill the mounts.
It was a slow process, most because I was worrying too much
 After talking with Greg and Alec, it sounds like I have it as good as it can be. Thanks for the help guys.
My worry was that you can see the frame just behind the front of the rear wheel wells, but the hurricane coyote car is the same way. Also you can see the bottom of the drivers foot box, but that's normal as well and will be covered by the side pipes.
I had time by myself in the garage last night so I did my inventory. Surprisingly it went really well and there are only a few items backordered but I won't need them for a while. Felt good to organize things to go with the steps in the book. Greg's suggestion to me to bag the bolts needed for each step was a good one.
Tonight I got the third member installed. I'd like to point out how impressive it is that Alec took the time to pull the axle housing and have it powder coated to match the frame. Maybe that's standard but I assumed they come to him black and since I got my frame grey, he had my axle housing done.
Not sure what color I'll paint the third member.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2022, 08:42:09 PM by Redstang69 »

Redstang69

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2022, 08:44:32 PM »
Couple more pictures. Sorry it's broken up, I think I need to change a setting on my phone to take lower res pictures. The size limit on here really hinders me from putting more than one or two pics in a post.

Redstang69

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2022, 08:50:55 PM »
One more. I just looked at Bruce's thread and it looks like his flat bar might be slightly in front of the door jam like mine.

Bruce N

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2022, 11:04:29 PM »
One more. I just looked at Bruce's thread and it looks like his flat bar might be slightly in front of the door jam like mine.
After setting the body on and positioning trunk and hood, the flat bar was almost dead even with the lip on the door jam. I Think that was the hardest part for me was realizing that the body position on the frame dictates all other alignment. Have fun!

Greg K

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2022, 06:27:10 AM »

Are you posting from phone or from a computer?
I re-size all pics I take with  phone ony computer to about 25% to reduce file size. Your pic file size is the issue in uploading pics to the forum.

Couple more pictures. Sorry it's broken up, I think I need to change a setting on my phone to take lower res pictures. The size limit on here really hinders me from putting more than one or two pics in a post.

Redstang69

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2022, 09:59:28 PM »
Was able to finish sorting things into smaller and tall specific boxes tonight.
Attempted to put the axle seals in. Anyone else run into the axle housing being just a bit small for the seals. I mic'd things and have about .040 interference. Seal being .040 bigger than the hole it should go in.

Redstang69

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2022, 10:03:54 PM »
Been into different odds and ends. Finally sucked it up and cut holes in the body for the windshield. Not a great feeling to cut holes in the body when there's really nothing to square things off of. I ended up notching the cockpit tub slots on the passenger side so I could get the body solid forward on that side. Measuring from a dash brace back to the rear of the door jam the passenger side was nearly an inch further to the rear than the drivers side was, after notching I'm within a quarter inch now.
Windshield fit really well after Greg reassured me to cut the slots big enough so the windshield mounting arms don't contact the body at all. The windshield slid down nicely so it sealed all the way across the body.
Marked all my mounting holes and got them drilled except for the uppers on the frame. Packed it all away and ready to pull the body off now.
Finally was somewhat warm today so I painted the third member. Also opened up the backing plates and painted those.

Redstang69

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2022, 10:12:06 PM »
I ran into some issues with the axle seals. They seemed pretty tight, so I mic'd things and I came up with a bore of 2.473". The seal OD spec is 2.504, so that's a good bit of interference. I talked to John's industries and theirs mic's at 2.499", which seems more correct.
Hopefully the next new build someone will check theirs and see how it is. Alec said he thought the last couple he did were pretty tight going in also but he didn't have an inside mic to check it.

FFR428

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2022, 12:17:05 PM »
Will check mine over the weekend and post results.
HM2027. Street model. 427 FE. Toploader 4 sp.

FFR428

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2022, 09:08:25 AM »
OD on the axle seal is 3.150" on mine. ID on housing is 3.130" My rear is the std 9" with what I guess are the larger seals? But 0.020" difference between the 2. Hopefully someone else will chime in too. Not much help sorry!
HM2027. Street model. 427 FE. Toploader 4 sp.

Greg K

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Re: HM-2037 Build Thread
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2022, 11:06:56 AM »
I think you measured the bearing pocket. Bearing O.D. is 3.15" The O.D. of seal is 2.506"

OD on the axle seal is 3.150" on mine. ID on housing is 3.130" My rear is the std 9" with what I guess are the larger seals? But 0.020" difference between the 2. Hopefully someone else will chime in too. Not much help sorry!