tunnel plate do it yourself
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Williamstown WV
tunnel plate do it yourself
I went down to a local machine shop and got some scrap aluminum which all shops will be glad sell you. I got a piece big enough to make 2 for $10.
I took my stock plate and used as a template. Using a jigsaw I cut it out. Use some oil to cool the blade and it would help to have someone to oil as you cut but it can be done by one. Next I clamped the new one to the stocker and took it over to the drill press and bored the holes. You can clean up the edges and its ready to go back in. I decided to sandwich both pieces and it is very rigid. I would at least make sure you have a 1/4" piece. becareful torqueing your bolts they break easy. Very easy to do and cheap. Sorry no pictures, I forgot to as I had my head in my rear!
Hope it helps.
Jeff
I took my stock plate and used as a template. Using a jigsaw I cut it out. Use some oil to cool the blade and it would help to have someone to oil as you cut but it can be done by one. Next I clamped the new one to the stocker and took it over to the drill press and bored the holes. You can clean up the edges and its ready to go back in. I decided to sandwich both pieces and it is very rigid. I would at least make sure you have a 1/4" piece. becareful torqueing your bolts they break easy. Very easy to do and cheap. Sorry no pictures, I forgot to as I had my head in my rear!
Hope it helps.
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 972
Likes: 11
From: Dawsonville, GA
Just an FYI...
I've cut 1/4" aluminum motor plates using a circular saw already.
Keep the blade well oiled and make sure it's a carbide-tipped blade.
It will cut through that 1/4" thick aluminum like a hot knife through butter.
Be sure to wear earplugs though... as it will be LOUD.
I've cut 1/4" aluminum motor plates using a circular saw already.
Keep the blade well oiled and make sure it's a carbide-tipped blade.
It will cut through that 1/4" thick aluminum like a hot knife through butter.
Be sure to wear earplugs though... as it will be LOUD.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I bought one that was less than a 100 that was ceramic coated about 4 years ago. Not sure the juice is worth squeeze when you look at what it costs to coat it and your time.
Plus, I really suck at trying to cut straight lines with a saw......
Plus, I really suck at trying to cut straight lines with a saw......
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
