GT 14 RestoMod

[ztnoo 2,298]

Be ye not faint of heart......

[Aldon 4,826]

It's actually too cool outside to work with paint. In late May! Crazy.

 

Anyway, I took the opportunity to finish the muffler set up. I had ordered perforated stainless off fleabay and it fortuitously cam in while I am sitting on my thumbs doing shop clean up etc. 

 

I don't really have an easy way to trim it so I ordered size that was close to what ideally I thought I'd need. I figured it would be 1/2 inch too long and it is. But I can live with it since it's a worker....or will be after the show.

 

The piece I ordered was 12 X 12. I used 5 inch stainless clamps to keep the shape and snug it up against the tabs or stops on the muffler and a couple stainless sheet metal screws through the perforation into two of the tabs to keep the set up from sliding around. 

 

The decals arrived from Terry. They look AWESOME! Can't wait to get this thing assembled.

[953 nut 55,298]

12 minutes ago, Aldon said:

don't really have an easy way to trim it

I used a cut off wheel on a 4" grinder, zipped right through.

[Racinbob 11,088]

Looking great and I love those decals.

[19richie66 17,508]

[Aldon 4,826]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

I used a cut off wheel on a 4" grinder, zipped right through.

I did consider that method. May do so if time allows to tweak. When you did so, did the stainless discolor from the heat caused by the cut-off disc?

[953 nut 55,298]

57 minutes ago, Aldon said:

did the stainless discolor from the heat

The edge did a little, but when I filed it smooth the blue went away.

[Aldon 4,826]

Well I finally ran out of time to make paint perfect. I only have a few days vacation left before life gets very hectic again. So there are a few runs in the paint but for my first actual build and since it will be put to work very soon, it's good enough for a garden tractor:-)

 

As such things are moving at a quicker clip now.

 

 

Edited May 17, 2016 by Aldon

[ztnoo 2,298]

[Aldon 4,826]

Realized today as I was installing mid mount attach-a-matic mounts that I had installed the fan gear to spindle tie Rod upside down or reversed. Switched it back. The design of this tie Rod does not match the one on Lazarus. And this tie Rod impacts with mid mount hardware and limits turn radius. Gonna leave it for now but may have a new one made up later using Lazarus' as template. Seat is installed and rear panel and decal. Starting to look like a tractor again. 

 

Rain is on forecast for tomorrow but hopefully I can do wiring and tackle some additional assembly.

 

The countdown is ticking down to Monday when I have to start earning a living again.

 

[JPWH 6,040]

Looking good Aldon .

[19richie66 17,508]

That's beautiful Aldon.

[ztnoo 2,298]

Primo stuff, Brother T., Primo stuff!!!

Work sucks doesn't it?

It cuts into a guy's fun time for some reason.

[Aldon 4,826]

Journey is almost complete.

 

Mechanically it's almost complete except for some rework like with the one Tie Rod and minor putty rework where stresses from deformation in welding caused cracking. 

 

Fuel system is plumbed and primed

 

Just need to finish the wiring. 

 

So so barrung a mechanical failure during startup, this beast should make the show....

 

FOR SOME REASON I AM CURRENTLY LIMITED ON UPLOADING PICS. Will upload once resolved.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Aldon

[Aldon 4,826]

Still something weird with loading pics but I was able to get these loaded. Now back to wiring:-)

Edited May 20, 2016 by Aldon

[JPWH 6,040]

Looks real good Aldon!

[p38js 401]

Aldon you did an awesome job can't wait to see it in person at the big show.

I sure do hope this hot mess will look like yours someday.  I'm getting there just don't have the time right now

[Aldon 4,826]

2 minutes ago, p38js said:

Aldon you did an awesome job can't wait to see it in person at the big show.

I sure do hope this hot mess will look like yours someday.  I'm getting there just don't have the time right now

Looks like you have the hardest part done. Dissassembly! And the chassis looks great!

Edited May 20, 2016 by Aldon

[Racinbob 11,088]

That looks incredible Aldon.

[ztnoo 2,298]

Aldon,

Truly looking spectacular!

You sure you haven't created a "trailer queen" there???

I see you don't have a battery yet, but I'm anxiously for you to get that thing started and take it for an "installation lap", as they call it in F1 and IndyCar.

You should have a machine good enough to serve you the rest of your days here on this earth, as little kids in cars hang out the window on trips with mom to the grocery store or soccer practice in 20 years and wonder and ask about the old guy "who uses that antique lawn tractor created back in 1970..........man that was a LONG TIME AGO!!!"

 

You've obviously made great use of your vacation time.

[Aldon 4,826]

Thanks for the compliments gents!

 

Definitely reached project fatigue a few times but seeing it done is great feeling of accomplishment. Then I sink back to earth and realize I still need to get it wired up.

 

And come up with a good name for it...

[ztnoo 2,298]

I expect a full and unbiased muffler and db report after the installation lap, using Lazarus and its pepper pot muffler as a control.

[19richie66 17,508]

Samson would be a good name. 

[ztnoo 2,298]

Any Old Testament male name would be appropriate, IMO.

That's a lot of room to maneuver and be inventive.

[953 nut 55,298]

@Aldon, we have all learned a lot and been eager to see your restomod reach it's completion, now it looks like @p38js is going to have to start sharing his journey so we don't have withdrawal symptoms.    Job well done.