locostpage2

Locost Page 2

Thursday, March 15, 2007...... One of the neat things about these cars is that no 2 are exactly alike..... everybody seems to share information, but then goes in which ever direction their abilities and interest takes them. Long ago, somebody pointed to some parts that RD Enterprises was offering for Lotus suspensions. I liked the looks and design of them, so decided to go in that direction for my rear trailing arms. Could have gone with Heim joints like I did in the front, but discussions on the Yahoo Locost list were making me wonder about if I wanted to live with the ride a fully heim jointed suspension would give me.

This is what RD Enterprises offered, they wouldn't have been exactly what I needed for my car, but they "looked" simple enough to make... however.... in order to make something like this for using on a rear trailing arm, one needs right hand threads for one end, and left hand threads for the other end. Since everything else in my suspension is using 1/2 x 20, I decided to keep with the same size fastener..... I hit a long and thankfully only temporary 6 month roadblock though in trying to find 1/2 x 20 in left hand thread. Persistant Googling finally paid off though when I found this place.... Hayn Enterprises, specializing in Marine items.

These t-bolts they offered would be perfect for my design... AND they came in the correct threads, both right and left hand thread. They don't sell to regular humans though, so I contacted Hayn and they quickly replied about a place I could order from, Rigging Only, located in Fairhaven, MA. Rigging Only replied quickly as well, and I ordered 5 each of 12TRH (1/2" with right hand thread) and 5 of the 12TLH (1/2" with left hand thread). The package showed up at my door quite quickly, even though they did not stock the item at their location. They weren't exactly 'low-cost' at nearly $10 each, but since this is the way I wanted to go, I'm happy! Will be making up a little fixture and welding them up within the week.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007.... Local fellow Locost builder Don mentioned wanting to go to Yogi's, located in Calamus, Iowa, which is fairly close to our home town to get some bits for his build. Since I had never been there before, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to do some looking too. Don picked up some steering components, I picked up some headlights and a catalog.

I'd seen these mentioned on the Yahoo Locost North America list and liked them, so bought a set while I was at Yogi's. Not really ready for them yet, but I can look at them until the car is ready for them! You can check them out on Yogi's site here.

Saturday, March 24, 2007.... Got around to doing some MegaSquirt soldering today, built the Stimulator board. Even with the 2.75 magnifying reading glasses, and a lot of light, it was difficult..... Some pretty fine work, you need good eyes, a steady hand, and a very pointy soldering pencil. Rather than struggle and squint with my 2 year old bifocals, I ordered some 2.75 reading glasses online from these guys for $8.00 (locally they were nearly $20). They worked pretty good, made the whole soldering thing a bit easier....

A look at the component side of the board. The board itself is all laid out and silk screened.... the assembly is quite easy. Even the transistor and chip orientation is labeled on the board. You can't hardly go wrong on putting this particular board together. If you want more help or just some reassurances, you can go here for what you need for the 2.1 Stimulator.

Soldering however as mentioned above can difficult.... some mighty tiny soldering points.... especially the 3 on the transistor! To make sure I had not bridged any, I double checked them with my VOM, because there was no way I could tell with my eyes.... even with a magnifying glass! When I build that Heathkit color TV back in the early 70's, they had you separate the transistor leads into a triangle pattern which split them apart more. That was much easier to deal with.

Had to quit for the day after that... those reading glasses make my eyeballs hurt......

Sunday, March 25, 2007..... First order of 'business' was to make up a fixture to make up my rear trailing arm link adjusters. I know I'll never make tool and die maker, but from the looks of my first experimental piece, this crude contraption does seem like it will make up some parts that are very nearly equal to each other. I'll tack and weld all 10 of them up tomorrow. One step closer...

Monday, March 26, 2007...... The crude fixture seemed to work pretty good, still have to install the bushings, but here is my semi-finished product. I still have 2 more to weld up.... somehow, over the winter, one bushing and one metal tube went missing. That means I can do the trailing arms, but not the panhard bar.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007.... Oddly enough, I found the lost metal tube AND the bushing today... BEFORE I ordered replacements! The bushing was in my truck, and the pipe was in the garage. Had a lot of errands to do today, so didn't accomplish anything. Yesterday, I didn't get anything done on the car either due to a family dinner, but I got my 4 Harbor Freight vehicle dollies assembled. Very soon, the car will be a roller, and I'll be able to shift it around a bit easier.

Thursday, March 28, 2007.... I welded up the last 2 adjusters, since I had luckily found the missing bits yesterday. Ran a wheel cylinder hone through them all to smooth out the bores. Hopefully, the rubber bushings will insert a little easier. Maybe I welded up heavy farm machinery too long, but am considering adding some gusset/band-aid to the adjusters on Friday to spread out the load. Guess it's better to be over engineered and safe than to have them pull apart during a quick take off!

I also got my wheel adapters from "Fearless" Fred Goeske this afternoon. Fred is a real nice guy with a great product. Heck, they look so nice, I almost hate to put them on the car. I went to him due to the MANY recommendations I had read on the Yahoo Lotus turboesprit list. I filled out the form for immediate quote... no sooner than I hit the send button, my phone rang and it was Fred himself! Had an enjoyable chat, he is quite the character.... You can find his website here.

Since my car has a Toyota rear axle and Mazda uprights/spindles up front, I decided to try and keep the same bolt pattern front and back. I had read how people said that book front a-arms actually made the front track too narrow, so figured the thing to do was spacer out the front wheels. I've been warned that this may change the scrub radius and possibly make the steering feel odd, but decided to go this direction anyway and find out if I can live with it.

Guess I wouldn't be the first Locost builder to go through a redesign after the car hits the road.... only time will tell... Once I get the rear trailing arms completed, the front suspension will all go back on and the car will officially be a 'roller'. Until then, check out these pictures of the adapters.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007.... Haven't done anything in a while, it's been chilly again and I had other commitments. Today, I spent some time out in the chilly garage playing with steering wheel/column placement. It's not completely braced yet, and it's only tacked in place right now, but I think this is where I am going to want it. Feels pretty good sitting in the driver's seat anyway. A lot of head scratching and steering wheel/column moving about went on before I decided to tack it where I did. Since I had a 91 Miata steering column, I based the positioning mostly on where Keith placed his, plus what felt comfortable to me.

Sunday, April 22, 2007..... Although I haven't written anything for a while, I have been getting some things done.... nothing much of importance though. Cleaned up the heater George gave me, narrowed the back of the passenger seat (but still need to make up the seatback bracket)..... I've also put the front suspension on the car as well as 4 tires. Not quite a roller yet though as the threaded radius arm links went on back order. Once they come and I get them installed, it will be time to make up the panhard bar.

Thursday, May 3, 2007.... Again, haven't reported on my progress for a while, but have been getting more things done. Painted both seat bases, got the passenger seat bolted in. Even put the cover on it. The nose cone is at least temporarily hanging on the car, although it's not held on by dzus fasteners yet, have to order some. Plus, I'm just not sure if this is where I want or need it to be yet. Just sort of tacked a lower support plate in place. The threaded radius arm links arrived yesterday, so I installed them today. They look cool and seem to work really nice. Ordered rebuilt rear calipers, brake pads, and new rotors for the rear today from Advance Auto Parts. They should arrive by Saturday. As nasty as the calipers on the axle looked, I didn't want to mess with trying to get them apart, or cleaned up for rebuilding them myself. Besides... no matter how good a car may handle, it won't do you much good if you can't get it to stop when you need it to. Once the rear calipers come and get installed, I should have some pictures to add. Prepare to be amazed... I've been concentrating on doing things that make the car seem more complete, hoping that it will inspire me to work harder.

Monday, May 14, 2007.... I had hoped to have some new pictures by now, but haven't got around to it. Today, I pulled the axle out and painted it with the first coat of Rust Bullet. It's really odd stuff.... with a consistency like silver water. Just brush it on, it doesn't seem to run, it sticks and covers amazingly. Doesn't take too long and it dries/hardens right up. Tomorrow morning, I'll go out there around 9am and throw on the second coat of silver. Wednesday morning (5/16), I'll brush on the black. It's going to look GREAT! All 5 rear suspension links are complete and look pretty cool now too. Here is the rear axle, with the first silver coat of Rust Bullet on it Tomorrow (5/17), I hope to slide it back into position, painted black, and take a few more pictures.

Thursday, May 17, 2007.... Stuck the axle back in and did a few more things. This will probably be my last chance to get any garage time for at least a week due to too much other stuff going on in my life. Man, it's REALLY starting to look and feel like a real car. Sure, I've done a few things that could have waited, but when you look at the picture below, I think it will make you feel the way it does me.....

Here you see my adjustable rear suspension links. You may not be able to tell, but the original chassis brackets had to be cut off as they were pointed incorrectly. Plus, thanks to fellow North American Locost Yahoo list member Greg W, I learned that the brackets needed to be spaced apart farther to clear the calipers.

A look at the panhard bar from above. Couldn't get a picture of it from behind, too much clutter in the way! I got the design idea for this from Greg W. as well.

A look at the wacky bracket I used to attach the right end of the panhard.

Well, here she is, want to go for a ride?

Wednesday, May 23, 2007....
Way too many things going on in life to get any work done.... spent Monday in the bathroom, doing some remodeling, spent Tuesday with a family dinner, a bunch of stuff today, and the next couple of days will be spent with visiting family and some graduation parties. However, 1 forward step happened today... my Woodward KR steering rack was delivered! I know, it's not exactly low-cost, but it's perfect... and it's pretty too! Now all I have to do is find the 'sweet spot' to mount it in.

Sunday, June 3, 2007....
Fellow Locost lister, Graham Earley of Earley Motorsports (the Leitch dealer) recently upgraded the engine in his Leitch 7 to a Toyota 20 valve Silvertop. He posted a message to the Locost list that he was interested in selling his 16 valve 4AGE. It has the custom plenum made to fit within the confines of the 7, all rebuilt injectors, cam belt new, pan shortened, widened, gated, and baffled. The motor has been rebuilt at some time (before I got it) as the rods all have punch marks on them (common by engine rebuilders). The motor runs strong, has good oil pressure and compression, new plugs, wires, and even new synthetic oil. I jumped on the opportunity and will be headed down to Bloomington, Illinois (about 120 miles south of me) tomorrow and pick it up. I'll swap out the engine currently in my car with this beauty. The current image here is with the engine in his car. Once it's in mine, I'll switch pictures.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007.... I popped out into the garage this morning and pulled the engine/transmission unit. When I separated the transmission, the clutch looked odd, so decided to replace it while the thing is apart. Dropped the flywheel off at the machine shop for resurfacing and ordered new clutch disk/pressure plate/throw out bearing set. The flywheel should be done on Thursday, and the clutch parts should be here on Saturday.... so, I'll have to find something else to do on the car until then.

Friday, June 22, 2007.... I picked up my custom made driveshaft today at a local establishment, over in Davenport, Iowa, Abrahams Machine Service. Dave has 30 years of experience and the driveshaft is a beauty. Almost seems a shame to hide it up inside the tunnel! I've painted it after the picture was taken, just waiting for it to dry to slap it in place.

I've been doing some work here and there on the car this month, but just haven't reported on it. Guess I better take some more pictures! Started bending, flaring, and running some steel brake lines...... got Graham's ex-motor into the car with the new clutch.... got the handbrake handle mounted and the cables run/shortened/connected...... the Woodward steering rack is mounted (the mounting plate is just tacked in place right now) and hooked up to the front spindles.... made up my 'shopping list' for the stuff I'll need to make up the steering shaft (hope to order it Monday)... and repositioned the steering wheel/steering column to make way for the new Tilton hanging pedal set up. I had intended to use a floor pedal set up, but the clutch slave cylinder would have interfered with the clutch master cylinder.

Friday, July 27, 2007.... I finally got out there with my camera and took a couple of pictures of what I've been up to lately. Been busy with family issues and working at collecting door prizes for our local British Auto Club annual car show.... but there is progress to report on.

Here, you can see the nice firewall support bushing that I got from Woodward where the steering shaft goes through the firewall. If you look at the rod end support, you can see that I did use locking collars on the shaft. Don't think it would or could move, but felt they were needed. All of the steering components came from Woodward.

When I figured that the Tilton floor pedal set up would have the clutch master cylinder in the way of the slave cylinder, I swapped it for a Tilton hanging pedal set up. The downside to this was that a framework had to be made to hang the pedals from... which is something I didn't want to have to do. Also had to change the way the steering column was routed, but it looks like this current set up is actually better than what I had previously planned.

A look at the way the steering shaft goes from the collapsible Miata steering column, down to the steering rack. You can see the steering shaft support and master cylinders as well. The hardest part of figuring this out was that I had to sit in direct sunlight with a magnifying glass and Sharpie to count the 36 splines on the end of the column shaft in order to obtain a conversion u-joint assembly. Woodward had this item in stock as well.

Sunday, July 29, 2007....

Aviation legend, and Locost guru Jack McCornack (and his son John) stopped by my place on his way back to Oregon from his visit at the Oshkosh aviation show. Jack is a fun and interesting fellow. I quite enjoyed our visit... and he didn't even laugh at my car build project! He sure had his Miata loaded up!

Saturday, September 22, 2007.... Wow, has it really been that long since I've been out there? A lot has been going on in my life again.... The wife and I separated (my choice) in August, and my divorce became final on the 19th. I spent a lot of time getting her moved into her new place and getting things set up for her. Then I decided the house looked dingy inside, so started repainting rooms. One room led to another... after all, the 2 bedrooms had not been painted since before we moved in back in 1994. Added to that, Ruth smoked for 10 of those years... so it was time. Nearly reaching the finishing point, a tiny bit to do in the living room, and some more in the basement to go and I can get back to the car.

After riding in Russ Amos car down in Arkansas recently, I want even more to finish the car and drive it!

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