Racer's Wedge - SB-1, Silver Bullet version  Page 3 - reassembly

After the Road Atlanta test, we decided to go ahead and powder coat the frame - I did need to make a few modifications before the process, but the end product would look MUCH better.  This is the final frame after all mods, just before it left for Lithia Powder Coating to do its magic.  The mods required a complete removal of almost everything anyway.  The clutch cable pulleys had to be relocated, the seating position needed to be changed and I changed the way the front beam bolts to the car to make it easier to mount the nose.

When the frame got back home, it REALLY DID look nice <VBG!!>

  The basic frame - which, BTW, weighed in at 112 pounds.

A couple closeups of the shiny new coating.
 

Front beam mount	Steering box mount	Nice reflection off the bottom of the cell pan

NOW - to get it all put back together ... and, I guess PAINT the bodywork the PROPER color.

I have also received my official Homologation Certificate - when I get it back together, I'll be able to get the log book started and go through the FIRST TIME TECH.

Aug 14, 2008...  The car is mostly back together now - here are some shots ...

The dash was reconfigured and remounted and the wiring cleaned up a bit.

  This shows the fuel test port.  Hopefully it will work the way it should.

  The new dash configuration.  The AIM display was too low for me to read easily, so I took it off the steering wheel, then moved the dash forward (away from me) so I would have room to mount it there at the highest point.  I was also able to squeeze the analog oil pressure gauge and the oil light up there.

  This one shows the PVC tube I tied to the upper brace to 'contain' the wires from the dash area to the engine area.  Sure does clean things up.

  This (barely) shows the caster spacers I made (at the junction of the top beam tube and frame) as well as the 'new' method of mounting the beam.  I changed the way it was originally done to make it easier to get the nose on.

Some shots of the fiberglass fill required to clean up the lines.  The air horn was bolted to the body (still is) and there was quite a gap.  The main body is also made in 2 pieces that are spliced - the splice junction is somewhat 'dirty' and needs to be cleaned up.  Still not sure if I'll try to paint it next week before CMP or wait till after.

  This is a shot of the modified pitman arm that allows me to tilt the steering wheel down so that I don't murder my knuckles against the front roll hoop.  ... hope it's strong enough!

  This last one shows the side rails we made (from Aluminum) to cover the gap between the body and the frame.  The body tucks in just behind it.  I think it turned out pretty well ... after a LOT of sleepless nights trying to decide just HOW to do it. :-).

More after I get the nose done and the motor installed.

We ran CMP and had motor woes. I checked things over and found a valve adjustment WAY too tight.  I corrected it and hoped that the valve hadn't gotten burned too badly.  After CMP, we went to Barber (see couple of pics below) and the engine wasn't much better.  I later found out that one of the valve seats was coming apart - that REALLY hurt the power.  Fortunately, it stayed in the head and didn't come completely loose and cause catastrophic damage!

I lifted these pix from the PhotoBama website.  Since I left the watermark on, I hope he won't mind - you can go to PhotoBama.com and BUY a non-watermarked copy if you like :-).

Coming over the hill down into Charlotte's web

The nose is taped up from a collision I had on the previous day.  Sure did mess up my new nose, but otherwise the car was undamaged (thankfully).

After Barber, we set about making the car Runoffs Ready! -  Page 4