Tachout's Project....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
I may need to do a TH400 conversion eventually and i am very concerned about fabbing and attaching the required crossmember. in my mind i just can't figure out a good way to do this.
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,794
Likes: 2,706
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I am thouruoghly enjoying watching you transform your vette. That has got to be a rush when you start drag racing with it. Very nice work.
Mike
Mike
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Sandy Ut
As some of you know, I bought a Rotissorie from Sam. Below are a couple of pictures of it. I will need to rebuild the heads on it so they will bolt up to my Corvette rather than the mounting points that Sam had on his Camaro. Below are pictures of it as I got it. I am going to design a new set of heads for it that fit mine, and while I am at it, I will also do the rest of the Rotissorie in CAD. Once I have it all drawn up, and I have my heads designed for it, I will be more than willing to share my drawings. Beyond that, once I am done with what I need to do, I will be more than happy to loan it out. I will even help design a set of heads that will work for your project, and help you build them if you need.
Very nice preliminary design Sam. I am guessing it will not take much to design this so it fits my Coupe. I will be putting wheels on it so once the car is up there, I will make it so it can be moved around. Goal is so the wheels can raise and lower, and that will not be too tough to design into it... I know how it is done. As for the heads, I just need to pull off the front bumper cover, and unbolt the front bumper, and will make a plate to bolt on each mounting point right where the bumper was originally mounted, and then in the rear, there is just a pair of open frame rails, and when I know where they locate, with the same style place, the it is a matter of knowing my centerline of the car, and knowing where the mounting points are in relation to the centerline. I do plan on making mine a little adjustable if needed but not much room to play. Have to be really close. Once I go to build it per my plans, I will make sure to actually build it as I mount to the car, and reverse engineer that end of the numbers to make sure everything is where it needs to be.
Very nice preliminary design Sam. I am guessing it will not take much to design this so it fits my Coupe. I will be putting wheels on it so once the car is up there, I will make it so it can be moved around. Goal is so the wheels can raise and lower, and that will not be too tough to design into it... I know how it is done. As for the heads, I just need to pull off the front bumper cover, and unbolt the front bumper, and will make a plate to bolt on each mounting point right where the bumper was originally mounted, and then in the rear, there is just a pair of open frame rails, and when I know where they locate, with the same style place, the it is a matter of knowing my centerline of the car, and knowing where the mounting points are in relation to the centerline. I do plan on making mine a little adjustable if needed but not much room to play. Have to be really close. Once I go to build it per my plans, I will make sure to actually build it as I mount to the car, and reverse engineer that end of the numbers to make sure everything is where it needs to be.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Sandy Ut
Today a new First for my Coupe! Today it wrinkled its first tire! OK so it was not because of power... it was just a fluke of tire pressure, and the rotation of the car but here it is.
Beyond that I had a little time today to look at the rotissarie and do some math, and start on a design. Here are the few things I want to design, or change.
1. I need to design a head that will hook to the car on each end.
2. I want to put it on wheels so I can roll it around once I get it up in the air
3. I decided that I want to put both ends on Hydralics. Idea being to be able to roll up to the car in the full down position. Bold the heads on, and then jack it to the correct height to be able to rotate the car fully. I want to be able to have some room when rotating, and I want to be able to possibly lift it a bit more, but be able to let it down some when working in any position... Idea lower center of gravity, the more stable.
4. Make a chain drive so I can rotate with a crank handle and lock in any position of rotation. (Have a great idea how to do this using a timing chain I have laying around.)
Plans are in the works, and when done, I will post up the plans, and will show the build... Once the car is up, and rotating, I want to get so I can get the rest of the body work done, and I want to be able to get in there and put in the rear tubs, and the rest of the interior tins, and allow for the fuel cell, rear electronics, battery location, and fuel pumps and all. Then plan on where the exhaust will run under the car. I want to clean up the trans mounting area, and do some work under the car with everything unbolted and out of the way. If I can do this by rotating the car, it will make all kinds of things easier to get to.
To do this I am going to want to do the rotissorie, and then I am going to want to do the following to the car.
1. Remove Hood.
2. Remove Targa Top.
3. Remove Rear Glass.
4. Remove Engine and Trans.
5. Remove Seats and any loose stuff inside the car.
6. Remove front bumper cover.
7. Bolt on heads and lift car so front tires clear.
8. Remove front tires.
9. Remove bolts holding in rear suspension and rearend and rear tires.
10. Raise car a little more and then check stability.
11. Raise car up so it can rotate fully.
Beyond that I had a little time today to look at the rotissarie and do some math, and start on a design. Here are the few things I want to design, or change.
1. I need to design a head that will hook to the car on each end.
2. I want to put it on wheels so I can roll it around once I get it up in the air
3. I decided that I want to put both ends on Hydralics. Idea being to be able to roll up to the car in the full down position. Bold the heads on, and then jack it to the correct height to be able to rotate the car fully. I want to be able to have some room when rotating, and I want to be able to possibly lift it a bit more, but be able to let it down some when working in any position... Idea lower center of gravity, the more stable.
4. Make a chain drive so I can rotate with a crank handle and lock in any position of rotation. (Have a great idea how to do this using a timing chain I have laying around.)
Plans are in the works, and when done, I will post up the plans, and will show the build... Once the car is up, and rotating, I want to get so I can get the rest of the body work done, and I want to be able to get in there and put in the rear tubs, and the rest of the interior tins, and allow for the fuel cell, rear electronics, battery location, and fuel pumps and all. Then plan on where the exhaust will run under the car. I want to clean up the trans mounting area, and do some work under the car with everything unbolted and out of the way. If I can do this by rotating the car, it will make all kinds of things easier to get to.
To do this I am going to want to do the rotissorie, and then I am going to want to do the following to the car.
1. Remove Hood.
2. Remove Targa Top.
3. Remove Rear Glass.
4. Remove Engine and Trans.
5. Remove Seats and any loose stuff inside the car.
6. Remove front bumper cover.
7. Bolt on heads and lift car so front tires clear.
8. Remove front tires.
9. Remove bolts holding in rear suspension and rearend and rear tires.
10. Raise car a little more and then check stability.
11. Raise car up so it can rotate fully.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Sandy Ut
Today I worked on posting my build thread up on another forum, and it sure is depressing. I looked back at where I started, how long ago it was, and I sure have not made much progress. I have got a ton done, but when I was asked what I got done on it this year... I had to say I dusted it. WOW, I need to make some changes so I can start to work on it again. Sure has been a long time since I put money into the beast. Never know what will come up, but lets home some of what comes up are parts for this beast.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
Well that's a shame..
You are talented, and I knew it was a huge undertaking, but you seemed like a guy who could get it done.
My cars arent half of what you are building, and I've almost given up a few times. My wife was actually the one who encouraged me to finish them.
Think long and hard before you jump ship!
Anyway,
GLWS!
You are talented, and I knew it was a huge undertaking, but you seemed like a guy who could get it done.
My cars arent half of what you are building, and I've almost given up a few times. My wife was actually the one who encouraged me to finish them.
Think long and hard before you jump ship!
Anyway,
GLWS!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
Please tell me your kidding?You put soooooo much time & effort into this project,why stop now?Forget about the rottesorie & put your effort into the car.Don't start messing around with that(rottesorie).No turning back.Why the sudden change of heart?If anything,take a break from it,but getting rid of it when you invested so much time,energy,blood,sweat & tears would be a TOTAL waste.Put a cover over it,take the other vette out for a cruise & think this over.You even had your son helping.Show him that when dad takes on a hard task/project,that dad will finish it
Or if dead set on getting rid of it,at least put that engine in the other vette
Or if dead set on getting rid of it,at least put that engine in the other vette
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
What you need is someone to come and hang out with you to breathe new motivational life into your project. Don't sell it!!! You will regret it!!! Besides, it's winter...Things are always depressing in wintertime. Dig back into it in the spring 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Sandy Ut
I know it has been forever since I have done anything on this car.... Ended up deciding not to sell it. I have had some serious health issues, lost my job, and just have had a hard time getting back on my feet. Been reading all of everyone's post and build threads on here and other forums, and I just had to get out there this weekend and get something done. I put some small plans together on things I want to accomplish that I think I can do without having to spend some money. Budget is too tight for me to do it otherwise at the moment.
First thing I am going to do is support the back of the body with a pair of nurf bars, with supports. Lets see how far I got today.
How it looked when I started:
Time to break out the Harbor Freight Special Tube Bender:
Bent the first bar, and put it up on the frame rail with a C-Clamp to see if I like it.
Bend the second bar to make it match the first bar where it counts:
After a bunch of cutting, and grinding to get it to fit, and then welding it in place:
Cut the second one, but have not ground it or welded it in:
This is what it will look like when welded in place:
First thing tomorrow I am going to get the bar ground, and then weld it in place. After that I am going to get the bar welded between them. From there I am going to create a rear sheet metal pan. Then get the rear mounts in place to bolt in the rear sheet metal pan on. Once I get that completed, I can then cut fit the tubs, and the interior sheet metal in, and get it buttoned up inside. Once I get that completed, I will pretty much be out of money to work on it for a while. I will either need to get a better job, or get a raise at the job I am at before I can put any more money into it. Just have to work harder I guess.
First thing I am going to do is support the back of the body with a pair of nurf bars, with supports. Lets see how far I got today.
How it looked when I started:
Time to break out the Harbor Freight Special Tube Bender:
Bent the first bar, and put it up on the frame rail with a C-Clamp to see if I like it.
Bend the second bar to make it match the first bar where it counts:
After a bunch of cutting, and grinding to get it to fit, and then welding it in place:
Cut the second one, but have not ground it or welded it in:
This is what it will look like when welded in place:
First thing tomorrow I am going to get the bar ground, and then weld it in place. After that I am going to get the bar welded between them. From there I am going to create a rear sheet metal pan. Then get the rear mounts in place to bolt in the rear sheet metal pan on. Once I get that completed, I can then cut fit the tubs, and the interior sheet metal in, and get it buttoned up inside. Once I get that completed, I will pretty much be out of money to work on it for a while. I will either need to get a better job, or get a raise at the job I am at before I can put any more money into it. Just have to work harder I guess.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
I hope you are feeling better and good luck to you.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: petersburg il
Well today I have done some grinding to get rid of some old welds.... I have also got the rear bars from the hoop to the back half cut and sized. I put the door parts in, but will need to cut them once I size the front of the cage. I need to start on the halo, and front bars next, and that will be in just a little bit. It is hot and I decided tot take a drink break, shoot some pictures and post them. I plan on sizing the front bars, and the Halo tonight, and then want to do a little more in the next few days leading up to the weekend. This weekend I hope to weld in most of the cage, other than the front two bars that connect the cage with the front frame under the hood that go through the firewall. First I need to address the firewall, and then once the engine and trans are in, I will put these two bars in around the turbo's. Maybe if all goes well, by the end of next weekend around all that is going on I will be able to cut the actual Vette frame out of my way, and start patching the scars in the body with some sheet metal before I start rolling the tubs, and sizing them and all. Either way here are some pics so far today.
I still have some fitting and sizing, and I want to grind a bit off of the bottom of the main hoop so that I can put plates between the roll cage, and the frame. I am fairly happy with the fit, and I think it will be a fair match between body and cage. For anyone who has ever put a cage in, getting a good fit to the body makes a world of difference and I am glad I am taking the time to grind it tight. So many cages you see in C4's the main hoop is straight, and not bent to contour the body, and after that the seats fit bad, and you can see the cage just does not look right. Mind you it takes a lot more work to get it right, but I think it is worth it. Putting in the other door bars, the front bars, dash bar and halo should complete a very tight cage.
I still have some fitting and sizing, and I want to grind a bit off of the bottom of the main hoop so that I can put plates between the roll cage, and the frame. I am fairly happy with the fit, and I think it will be a fair match between body and cage. For anyone who has ever put a cage in, getting a good fit to the body makes a world of difference and I am glad I am taking the time to grind it tight. So many cages you see in C4's the main hoop is straight, and not bent to contour the body, and after that the seats fit bad, and you can see the cage just does not look right. Mind you it takes a lot more work to get it right, but I think it is worth it. Putting in the other door bars, the front bars, dash bar and halo should complete a very tight cage.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Sandy Ut
Sorry I have not updated in forever. Life has just gotten in the way. Plan on getting back out there this winter. Do have the Supercharged 377 and a built TH400 completed. I need to relocate my rack so I can get the front pulley and belt on the motor. I will post some updated pics when I can.