Today I temporarily set motor in place to check fit, To quote Ace Ventura "Like a glove".

Large milestone for me.  Today I got the car off the build table and on all 4 wheels.  As soon as I get an oilpan I am ready to locate engine in chassis.

Last night I had a long conversation with Gordon Raymond, who I met on the Alfa Bulletin Board.  He is a Alfa Guru,  and he builds custom oil pumps both for race and street.  After discussing my project he suggested that I need a Alfa 101, 1600 oil pan.  The advantage of this oil pan is of course it is narrower than the 2L pan, but it is the shallowest pan available.  It is 3/4" shallower than an Alfetta pan.  The most desirable pan is a Veloce pan but they are quite rare and expensive $1200.  There is a 101 pan on ebay which I have bid on, hopefully I will win that auction.  Gordon can build a pump for me.

Today I am going to speedway to pick up the swedged tubes and heim joints to build my tie rods.  

After much discussion with my machinist, I have purchased a new welder.  I got a Hobart 187 welder, which is a 220v welder.  Wow what a difference,  now my welds don't look like chicken shit.

Today I cut 5" out of a Miata rack, then took it to my machine shop and had them weld it back together.  I then installed the rack.  Next I will fabricate tie rods.

Tacked together front suspension today.  This is a huge milestone for me.  Next I need to measure for my steering rack and get it on order.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Well I got all my parts back from the machine shop today.  I was progressing at lightspeed, getting right side suspension bolted together.  Decided to cut some 2" sq. tubing in order to make a  lower shock mount.  I was using a die grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut off one side of the tubing when I screwed up.  The die grinder grabbed and twisted in my hand and fell to the floor.  I ended up with a lacerated and broken left pinky.   The Doctor says it should be treated as a compound fracture, so I got a shot of anti-biotics in the ass, and a Tetanus in the arm.  I think my ass hurts more than my finger.   Hopefully I can still get this thing on its wheels this weekend.  

To night I worked on the front lower a-arms.  I got them completely built except some final welding.  I was able to get some measurements for the upper a-arm parts.  I will visit my machinist in the morning.  Hopefully he can build my needed parts tomorrow.

Finished installing Coilovers this evening.  Rearend is done except some final welding....woohoo

Rear Spacers

Received my 3" spacers today from Serpent Alfa.  Installed rear with spacers and wheels/tires.  I think this is gonna work.  On my way to speedway to buy some QA1 coilovers.  

This is my idea for my upper A-arms.  This is the original ball joint from the alfa.  with some mods I think this might work.  The forward arm will be lengthened and a heim joint added to the inboard end.  THe rear arm will be shortened threaded and heim joint added to inboard side.

I relocated my 4 link axle link to the rear of my axle.  This made my links 14" long , instead of 9".  Everything I read says make links as long as possible.  I still have to box in the brackets.

This is how I did my corners.  I could not find anyone who could bend 1" tubing to 2" or 3" radii.

A local machine shop ordered these stainless steel corners for me.

4 Link revision

This is a revised 4 link attachment.  I did this to gain clearance between the arms and the chassis.  I will need to use wheel spacers for my tires to clear chassis and 4 link arms.  By my measurements if I use 2" spacers I will have .625" clearance between tire and arms and 2.25" clearance between tire and chassis.  Trying to determine if this enough clearance, or if I need to use larger spacers, they are available up to 3"

4 Link

Today I worked on the 4 link suspension.  here are pics of the first trial fit.

Today I set the axle in place.  WOOHOO it is going to fit.  Now I just have to figure out a good way to center it up in chassis.  Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I went to a "7" gathering in Kansas City this weekend.  This was one of 14 cars there.  Lots of inspiration

Tonight I started finish welding the chassis.  I still officially suck at welding, but I suck less than I did a week ago.  I am getting good penetration on my welds, but they look like dog poo.  It's like golf if you get one great shot per round it keeps you interested.  I will post pics of my progress soon.

Today I made progress on the frame.  I also got a welding lesson from my friend Marlin.  Thanks Marlin.  This pic is for Ted and Marlin.  See My Work Table is Clean!!!!!

I got my steel this afternoon,  woohoo.  240' of 1" 16g square tubing.  Way more than I need, but I plan on mistakes.  Tonight I cut and tacked up lower frame.

I Built a scale rear and fitted it to the model. Set my ride height to 4" (scale).  Rear is hgoing to be tight, but with spacers I think it will fit.  Also discovered that my diff is offset to right 1.75".

Today I decided to build a 1/4 scale model of the "book" chassis,  in order to determine if my Alfa rear axle will fit.  This is my progress so far.