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Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

Workspaces between 705 and 1200 squarefeet.
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fouckhest

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On your transmission mount bolt placement/accessibility I think the less you have to go from undercar to in cabin the better as going back and forth will get old quickly. YMMV!

Totally agree, Sterling. I was doing some searching at lunch today and found this, which I believe I am going explore making something and seeing how I can incorporate it into my concept.

000-Summit-Racing-adjustable-trans-mount.jpg
 
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fouckhest

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Made a little progress last night, got another temporary transmission mount in the chassis rails, so the car can now go up on the lift and start working on how to make some thing a little more permanent, I've got a few ideas, but still working them out.

Always a good sight
55166691127_02ecee1197_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Going to need to get the driver side collector moved up just a touch, I am pretty confident this can be accomplished by shortening the end of the runners, still kinda perplexed how I let that happen, but oh well, that doesn't impact the current objective. But in the long run, it is nice to see that the exhaust should fit nice and tight with maybe a minimum divot cut out of the cross member and filled in with some ~3" OD pipe.
55167975740_a9941ea41a_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
 
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fouckhest

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Hope everyone had a good weekend, things have been a bit crazy and busy in our world. Last Wednesday night we had a little dog fight incident, which resulted in a both dogs needing vet visits, one last week on Thursday and Friday, then the other yesterday. Added onto working out my two weeks notice at my current company, the days seem to have been a blur.

Weekend was action packed, helped a friend cut up some trees at their new property on Saturday, always fun to run a chainsaw for a solid 5-6hrs! Managed to sell the Colorado to my pseudo nephew (best friends son) for him to use in his "junk removal" business that he is starting, gotta love an easy transaction!

Kept chipping away at my car project last week and then got some decent time in Sunday as well as last night. I kept with the concept of that mount I posted earlier. The mount holes on the gearbox are far from any type of symmetrical, got creative and sharpened some double ended fasteners to help locate the mounting points for the bracket.

55177517310_6473a010c2_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Quick/rough sketch
55177122251_01e8c7071f_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

Had some 1/4" plate laying around, seemed like a nice solid base
55177517910_b93e89ff8f_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

Couple hours later...
55177369204_2550226321_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

Welded some tube to the bottom to hold the bushing
55177122291_64b375d4d1_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

In addition to the holes having no symmetry in the x&y-axes, they are also all different in the z-axis....so, some spacers were needed
55177117371_42f09d9b7d_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr


Yesterday afternoon the weather was great so fired up the paint can shaker and setup my paint booth
55178878985_a7abbe6be0_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Installed on the gearbox and ready to weld in the cross member
55178644473_4cabe2ddd7_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr
55178644533_9ea86cd736_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

Cross member tacked in and fully supporting the gearbox
55178477656_8cda765561_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr
55178878890_dda91bb8ac_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

I have to say I am pretty happy with this, I should be able to tweak my collector position a touch and possibly avoid any need to modify the cross member for the exhaust, even if I do need to, it will be minimal


Also - quick PSA. While I rave about and will continue to rave about my Evolution chop saw, got a nice reminder that tools don't say sorry. Was working on the cross member and trying to take a small cut off a piece of box tubing, material was held pretty well, but not well enough. Overall, I was being pretty smart, but obviously didn't think through all the possibilities, after a loud bang I was left with this metal taco...:oops:
55178877305_a61b454535_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Luckily the only victim was the left side fence, little scary and humbling to get reminded how much torque that saw can generate to cause this kind of damage.
55178731904_31639b514b_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
55178731909_9cdd4a257c_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

New fence on the way, should be back in business next week.
 
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fouckhest

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Nice job on the gearbox mounting plate Mike. There are commercially available transfer punches like you made, but I too have just made my own in the situations where needed as there are so many sizes available and I know the size I need will be the one not in the kit if I were to purchase one. :rolleyes:

Thanks, Mike! I agree, if I had a set, it wouldn't be what I needed, luckily with so many old bolts laying around they are easily made on the fly. I actually found a set in m10 that I had made for something else once I was done with these.

Looking good sir, I am starting to get my shop in order, so that I can do the head gasket and timing on my mk4 lol.

Thanks! That will be a fun project to break-in the new shop, nothing like fighting a VW timing belt tensioner to get the four letter words flowing :ROFLMAO:
 

Xti04

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I certainly dont miss those. The TT always seemed to be the worst to me. I have cursed those to pieces only to come back and it fall right into place. Its not the belt and such as much as the damn engine mount.
 
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fouckhest

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I certainly dont miss those. The TT always seemed to be the worst to me. I have cursed those to pieces only to come back and it fall right into place. Its not the belt and such as much as the damn engine mount.

It is such a b@stard!!! :ROFLMAO:
 

MrPink

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I certainly dont miss those. The TT always seemed to be the worst to me. I have cursed those to pieces only to come back and it fall right into place. Its not the belt and such as much as the damn engine mount.
lol yep
It is such a b@stard!!! :ROFLMAO:
When i did my 1st one i fought for a long time with it. I actually prefer to do timing on an ALH than a 1.8T lol
 
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fouckhest

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Got a little shop time in last night after some yard work. Installed the new/upgraded driveshaft support, nice piece, shame there is a good chance I'll need to cut it up and modify the mounting points. It was cool to get the drive shaft back installed, starts to give some perspective on space
55181457291_2538d7bbf9_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Ended the night looking at fuel cell placement, started the day back on that same topic. It looks like this is going to be my best option, not exactly as I intended, but still keeps the fuel lower and more central.
55181457261_00fb325381_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Hoping to get back out and start building more frame work for the cell tonight.
 
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fouckhest

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Hit a good rhythm in the garage last night, got the cage built around the fuel cell bladder box. Its just tacked up for now, but looking like some finish welding is in my future
55182555187_d7ce1d4cb0_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
55182555267_0b0d8ed3d5_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Quick test fit of the bladder before calling it a night, looks great and should have all the necessary space to expand when full of fuel
55183601328_d14e96f59f_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Got up early this morning to get my normal hour'ish of time in before work, after a hard fought battle getting the box out of the cage, it was time to do some test fitting of where the fuel cell will live. I don't really have much for options unfortunately, I didn't want to go smaller than a 12gal tank, so this is going to be its home (I think), I believe this is the best compromise of low, central and not in the rear of the car.

55183601298_cc7b00b881_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
55182555162_f762f5da2b_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
55183440656_049a9cb00b_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

This positioning currently gives me ~1.5" of clerarance from the bottom of the cage to the driveshaft, I am debating lowering it a touch just to keep pushing the weight ever so slightly further down. But depending on what other issues that may cause, it might be a diminishing returns situation.
 
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fouckhest

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Been a while since an update and well, there isn't much to update project wise, but its for good reason. Started a new job the first week of April, then did my annual Tail of Dragon trip, followed by two straight weeks back up to work from the office for the new company. That being said, this is my first full week home since end of March and I think I slept in a hotel/away from home as much as I did at home for the month of April.

Quick recap of last months craziness.

This was my pre-ToD drive crew, few locals, couple guys that were down from MN and we all drive some fun local back roads up to the Blueridge Parkway, then lunch in Ashville, NC before heading out to the Fontana.
55242463264_e2527db9aa_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Up on the parkway at Devils Courthouse, always a good stopping point
55242370298_c620155999_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Fast forward a week, talked the wifey into going to Cars & Coffee with me, got the Golf TDi out to stretch its legs
55242623345_5f9c250ee6_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

While I was away last week the tow bar I ordered for the dune buggy arrived, I figured it could come in handy and was told by an old head aircooled guy that they are a great solution and those cars have no car about being flat towed
55241320112_4e5c07c835_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Before messing with the tow bar I wanted to get the seats back in and give it a quick bath
55248312136_9f74af645f_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Well, as unfortunately as it would be didnt fit, guessing I should have ordered the narrowed beam unit
55248311756_91f05028fa_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

But nothing a cut off wheel, flap disk, some scrap metal and a welder cant fix!
55248461313_6a9dedf0aa_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Guess I forgot to take any more progress photos, but welded two sections of 1x2 rectangle tube in and mounted the U-brakets to those, hit it with some chassis & rollbar paint and we were back in business
55248461313_6a9dedf0aa_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Hooked up, supervisor laying down on the job
55248461378_20100dac28_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Got it hooked up, and ready to take to my step-daughters house to live for a couple months before the air cooled shop can get it in to give it a once over. As many may wonder, why am I not going to get it running myself, honestly, I just don't have time, I already have one car in a pieces in the garage, and the biggest reason, I want a clean baseline to start with and not be chasing one thing after another
55248461413_0ff5d98295_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


All tucked into to its new home until early August
55248315976_352ae0ed0f_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Size comparison with the mk4 GTi, crazy how small it is! LOL
55248716625_08da6ff2dc_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Gave the trusty mower its annual cleaning yesterday after cutting grass and was planning to do its 50hr service, but I've put the box with the "service kit" in such a great spot that I cannot find it...womp womp!
55248311846_36711ab16c_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Hope everyone has a great week!
 

madison069

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My experience with towing the bug is make sure it's in neutral, parking brakes off, and forget about keeping it clean while being towed. We hauled our buggy down dirt roads and as teenagers we honestly didn't think about the dirt that was going to get all over the buggy due to the truck kicking up the dust. :rolleyes:
 
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fouckhest

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For sure, I am not sure how much I will ever really need to flat tow it, this was an easy stop gap for getting it to/from storage before it goes to the shop. When I take it to the shop, I'll borrow a trailer b/c its ~1.5hrs away and I don't want to be pulling it up the interstate at 70mph, at least not yet.
 
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fouckhest

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Great news, found my oil change kit! LOL I do have to admit the self contained oil/filter combo is pretty cool, just twist, remove, replace and off to the races! Oil change, air & fuel filters and plugs changed in maybe 30min tops and thats only b/c I didn't remove a little panel to get better access to the fuel filter
55250411946_d5f5c93f7d_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Trying to get back into my routine of getting up in the morning and putting in a little time in the shop, so got out there this morning. During my travels I contacted the company I bought the Audi S4 specific unit from and asked if they had something "more like" a BMW unit i found but had the same bearing size, they were super helpful and even offered to do a full refund/exchange! So, I got that installed this morning, HIGHLY recommend JXB Performance (https://www.jxbperformance.com/) if you have any need to replace a support bearing in an all-wheel drive car, great product and equally great customer service!

55249515727_81a369f664_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

That was a quick job, so moved onto assembling the tangent cutting tool that I bought a while back. I know the header project is inching closer, followed by some exhaust work, so figured now was a good time to get that box up off the floor. Its a pretty nice piece and was affordable, I would have loved to get on of the Furick mark out tools, but not for the $1500ish, just cant justify that.

Here is the medium hold down, currently setup for the 1.75" OD pipe that I am using for the header primaries
55250818605_6701a29b93_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

These are the small and large hold downs
55250656864_f43488e62e_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
 
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fouckhest

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Hopefully, I won't need a support bearing anytime soon, but they do list one for my F54 All4 Mini....$300 o_O

They seem pricey until you look up how much a new OEM driveshaft is, which, unless buying another used unit is the only reasonable option. I know for the VW R32 and the Audi platforms are usually $1500-$2k
 
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fouckhest

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I was thinking that, but was too lazy to check.... :ROFLMAO:
I am sure it is different car to car, but certainly a tough pill to swallow, which is likely why these guys have such a wide offering at this point.

Did I miss the post when you showed us this or are you holding out?! Pretty cool tool, how does it work?

Sterling - I may have held out LOL, and/or, ordered it b/c I knew I would need it down the road (also, needed it two years ago when I did the headers LOL), but figured when it was time to use I'd bring it up, its been in the for almost a year :sneaky:

Here is the company / part link: https://www.centurialinc.com/exhaust-tech/band-saw-jig
DSC01476.jpg

Its a pretty simple tool that help ensure you are cutting on the tangent of tubing, I did pretty good with the trusty zip-tie method, but when this popped up for ~$150 and its Made in USA, I figured it was worth adding to the arsenal and always like supporting US companies!

More to come when I dive back into the headers!
 
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fouckhest

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Hope everyone had a good weekend, enjoyed some family time and pampered the moms/wives!

Been steady chipping away at the project car where I can find time. Set out last week to finish the fuel cell container and cage, started by welding up the container. I wanted to get the TIG back out and try and get back in the swing of things, went okay, had some great moments and some not so great, some of that was me, some is encountering contaminated material, which is just tough to do much about.

Started by stitching the corners and a few spots in the middle
55252810744_70dd2ded97_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Then slowly making my way down the edges, a lot of it is just seamed, but did add filler here/there
55252571081_b387e8ed9b_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
55262863016_909748a472_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Then onto welding out the cage, no photos of that, well b/c it wasn't exciting, just a lot of the time with the MIG. Chose not to TIG this, but in retrospec, it might have been a better plan
55262862976_c80483838b_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Little trimming, some grinding to get the container to fit, then shot it with weldable primer
55261971027_92fb55d0e9_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

One final check with the fuel cell bladder, sits really nicely, unfortunately the container doesn't sit all the way down like I intended, well b/c metal does metal things when you get it hot, womp womp....but it actually will make for a much better fit and require less, "spacing" under the bladder to get it to sit flush with the top
55261960117_36ac702d4f_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

finally got the container welded to the cage and it is one solid, heavy unit, but seeing that its going to be a bomb in my back seat area, I feel pretty good about it!
55263261220_8569bd9bfa_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Got it back in the car yesterday and called it a day to spend the afternoon with the misses relaxing. Next steps I think will be to start thinking about the tunnel and how to mount the cell to the chassis rails. Kinda cool to see it to start taking a little shape
55262279942_9493e01600_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
55262280517_e66d6ba5bd_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Not sure how much progress will get made this week, gotta wrap up some house chores before we head down to Helen, GA for our annual VW car show, but still want to try and make a little progress. Hope everyone has a good week!
 
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fouckhest

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No car work last night, had to take care of lawn duty, then cleaned up the shop to get ready to clean my car before heading out of town for the car show.

Been super dry this year, then I was out of town almost all of April and my sprinklers were not working, so grass is off to a slow start this year. Hopefully they keep doing their jobs and run as scheduled 3x week for 45min each

55267953435_0dab3a762f_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
 
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fouckhest

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Had a fun weekend away at our annual VAG car show down in Georgia, got away for a couple short little spirited mountain drives, got a couple photos with a buddy while we were up at one of the overlooks.
55278381102_121b152d89_c.jpgDSCF1249 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Sundays after the show, weather permitted are spent at our friends pool hanging out with some out of town friends before they make their longer trip home, while we all prepare for reality....speaking of, got back on yard work, grass is looking a little better, this was after Monday cut and a little drink later
55282588138_02c2bd3ee0_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Tuesday morning, back to my new favorite schedule of up early for shop time before work. After some thinking time Monday night it was apparent that I am at a point where I need to bite the bullet and get started on the headers :eek2:

So out came the engine, the over head crane and cart make this almost easy at this point
55280775025_dd6911064a_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

First item was to tack up runners that I wasn't planning to rework in any area I could reach. Once that was complete, I wanted to start working on rebuilding two runners on the drivers side.

Specifically, top left and bottom left coming out of the collector in this photo. The top one just annoys me how it looks, and the bottom, well pretty much the same, too many unnecessary bends
55280514598_90ca59b5da_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Started with the top runner, plan was to move it up closer to the one above it, so cut it up closer to the head with the plan to remake starting at the collector and work forward. Here is a quick photo of the tangent cutting jig, I know Sterling (@SilverJimmy) was interested in this thing. I will say for the cost, worth every penny!
55280514578_8df5aa5808_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Had to do a little more trimming, but this goes to show how well this thing helps hold for small amounts of material removal
55282646304_e0e096ce45_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Quick mockup, looking much better IMO, the forward bend is getting replace, but overall the general concept I'm going for
55282649314_be183559ee_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Then things snowballed a bit and decided I didn't like how the runner coming out of the head looked, didnt match its passenger side mate, so broke it off, removed the passenger side runner and started mirroring the runner(s)
55282826125_1e765cc10e_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

This is where I left off before logging into work this morning
55282452056_1b8d3a5f43_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
 
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fouckhest

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Looking good! What are you planning on doing with that build when you are done? Track it?

Thanks! Maybe some track time, I'd really like to get into the SCCA Appalachian Hillclimb events, those look super fun and more suited to my go up to the mountains and drive. But, it will likely be more of a mountain drive car than anything given the amount of free time/weekends I seem to have.
 

Cdubu52

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Thanks! Maybe some track time, I'd really like to get into the SCCA Appalachian Hillclimb events, those look super fun and more suited to my go up to the mountains and drive. But, it will likely be more of a mountain drive car than anything given the amount of free time/weekends I seem to have.
Sounds awesome. I was just curious. I figured it was geared towards SCCA. I didnt know if it was autocross or SCCA or even VIR or stuff like that. Its a cool build.
 
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fouckhest

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Sounds awesome. I was just curious. I figured it was geared towards SCCA. I didnt know if it was autocross or SCCA or even VIR or stuff like that. Its a cool build.

I'd like to do some trackdays with it, but it would be more time attack style stuff. I don't want to get sucked into the racing side, plus the car is SO FAR from what would be a normal class based, it would certainly be fighting above its weight or power:weight is likely a better way to look at it.

The real intent of the build was just to get out and create something in my garage and pay for as little as possible, unless absolutely necessary.
 
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fouckhest

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Kept working on the headers last night, anyone/everyone keep me honest, but I PROMISE the rest of my life, I will never complain about how much a set of quality headers cost!!! LOL

Since I had the primary back in a good spot and mirroring the other side, then from the collector up looked good, I decided to start working to meet in the middle and got here
55284808435_9dd76178a6_c.jpgUntitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Few attempts later, I got the perfect pie cut! Always satisfying when the piece stays in place on its own!
55283404697_4eaf31023c_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

Managed to get a couple little tacks on there, also, tacking runners, sitting on the ground and controlling the pedal with your knee/shin, yeah, FUN!
55284725625_b926caec1a_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr


With that runner now complete and tacked up, its time to move onto that lower one that now looks REALLY bad
55284465788_c525da0d56_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr
55284318611_dbb7bb732c_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

Broke the ugly runner down this morning, got the bends cut up and cleaned up so I can start rebuilding that one next
55284465768_fb04b0dfce_c.jpg by fouckhest, on Flickr

No work tonight, wife leaves for Alaska with her mom for a week long girls trip, so short term loss for long term gains! 7 days of seemingly unlimited shop time ahead for me! :cool:
 
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fouckhest

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No doubt to be fueled by beer :beer2:and no sleep....gotta make hay while you can....:ROFLMAO:
Absoletely, I need to find that balance! Just need to see if I trade in my early AM work time for extended PM hours, or stay on the current schedule :unsure:

On the header clearances - how much engine roll are you expecting?

Expecting, I really don't know, but there is a lot of room around everything with the exception of the steering shaft, which is one of the reasons for reworking those two runners on the drivers side.

Is there something specific that caught your eye?
 
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