Tim Taylor's Haynes Roadster Build Log

[SamM]

Tim,
Very nice build! I'm watching closely as my build will use the same engine. The frame looks great. You are doing a good job with it. Can't wait for your updates.

SamM

[Tim Taylor]

Been awhile so I thought a little update was in order.

It's too hot down here to work in the summer. The window shaker just can't keep up so there was a bit of a hiatus.

Frame complete and fully welded (well, I found a couple I missed the other day and I'm sure I'll find more)




Need to work out the engine mounting, it's a bit high right now. Jack will be sending the nose and scuttle soon so that will help. I also need to get some engine and transmission mount.

I will need to relocate the crossover tube to the front of the engine. I need to figure something out for the intake, maybe a scoop on the side?.




It is some progress, not as much as I would like but progress none the less.

[blueribbonseven]

Great looking work Tim! If you would, please fill us in on those front uprights--can't say I've seen any of that persuasion.

Robin

[Tim Taylor]

Those are from a 1989 Merkur XR4Ti. The car matches very close to the Haynes book so I thought it would be an easy match. Of course the few differences that there are are posing to be a challenge.

[jl]

Ford turbo 2.3L?

Welcome to the club Check my build log. I'm mocking up the engine as well. The engine should fit as long as you don't pipe the intake over the top of the engine. I plan on cutting and rotating the intake and running the charge piping in front of the engine. I also have the engine ~1" from the fire wall. I am also contimpalting dropping the engine 1" below the frame rails to get additional hood clearance. My frame is a 442 so there will be some differences but I am not sure how different the Haynes is from the 442.

[john hennessy]

tell us about the rear uprights tim

[exST165]

Great build Tim!
I have a 1987 XR4Ti that I'm looking at using as a donor for a Haynes build but I keep waffling. I really don't know if I have the stamina to complete a Locost build, so I'm very interested to see how smoothly yours works out. It looks like you fabricated the book rear uprights, how hard were they?

TIA,
Thomas

[Tim Taylor]

It is still too hot down here to really enjoy working out in the shop. I mean it was 88 degrees on Halloween! I have put a bit of sweat in and here is a bit of an update.

The rear end is put together. Using the XR4Ti diff and halfshafts, along with the updated 20mm wider track, everything fit together just right. I was worried I would need to get the halfshafts machined a bit shorter but all appears well.


For now I am keeping the rear drums. There should be plenty of stopping power with the lighter car.


It rolls! I think I even like the basketweave wheels, at least until something else comes along.




After a bit of work the motor mounts are done and the engine is in.



From the drivers seat. I don't think the hood will clear good thing I have other plans in mind .


I have the steering rack at the machine shop being shortened. I am hoping to have the steering rack in in the next week or so.

I will be installing a hydraulic throw out bearing in lieu of the current cable assembly. This will allow me to narrow the transmission tunnel to provide more footspace which is currently VERY tight.

[chetcpo]

Nicely done Tim!

[Tim Taylor]

Finally getting down to some of the other bits and pieces for the car.

I am cursed with small yet wide feet. When I mocked up the floor mounted pedals I had a hard time making everything comfortable either the pedal was too tall or too close. I looked at top mounted pedals and found that their spacing was better and I could make them a height that was comfortable for me.

I didn't use the the high tech 'disembodied shoe' method that Mr. Hempy used for his pedals.


None the less, I was able to position the pedals and with some clamps and wood I was able to get everything in place.




Everything was measured and viola pedals are done! I think I need to trim the corner off a bit as the radius of the hood may hit.

[Tim Taylor]

I received the nose and scuttle from Jack. Amazing how much adding those two pieces make the build look further along. I cant tell you how many people said, "Wow, you got a lot done", when all I did was add the nose and scuttle.



I did find that when I placed the nose on the frame that it appeared about 3/4" narrow.



I called Jack and he called Curtis and due to the molding process the nose ended up a bit narrow. Curtis has corrected the issue and told me to place a piece of wood in there and apply some heat to stretch it out a bit. After a week in my Florida shop all was well.

One thing I did find is that the nose needed to be raised to clear the upper timing pulley (sorry, no picture). I placed the nose on a couple of pieces of 1" square tube and the nose cleared just fine but now the bottom rail was below the nose and made radiator mounts more difficult.

I felt the best choice was to make the nose bigger.

Marked the cut


1" in the front and 1.25" in the back


Some foil and some tape


More tape


Three layers later


Sans tape


Bondo


No pictures past here but suffice to say that there was sanding, filling, more sanding, priming, more sanding, well you get the idea.

[dodgedartgt]

Nice build. I'm in Sarasota Co., where are you? I don't think you can complain about the heat this week!
Mikey Bynum

[Tim Taylor]

I'm in Orlando and, I gotta say it is downright cold down here right now. 33 this morning, I know that for those of you up north that's nothing but for Florida it's cold (it's a wet cold ). supposed to be 24 tomorrow morning, brrr.

[carguy123]

It's supposed to be 50 tomorrow here in North Texas but it's supposed to feel like -3 by the morning. It'll really only be in the mid 20's but it hasn't been that cold here since 1989.

[sevenesqueron]

[quote="Tim Taylor"]supposed to be 24 tomorrow morning, brrr.

Yeah, us guys up North are really feeling bad for a guy who posts in Nov. that it's still too hot to work in his garage when we're already freezing in ours .

Build is looking really good. It looks like you're well on the way to a quality build.

Ron