What I did this week end

[IH2LOSE]

So I was having problems with the look of the excisting intrument cluster.I seen John McGraws and wanted something different also.

So I purchased some styrofoam and then carved it to the shape I wanted.(I allready picked out my gauges so I knew what my requirements were)

I then painted the styrofoam with a sealer. I then went to my shop and made a small metal box.I then mixed up the plaster of paris and poored it into my metal box (80 lbs of plaster) next time I would make a smaller box and use less plaster but I was afraid it would break if it was not thick.

Anyways I then placed my styrofoam carving in the plaster until the plaster set.
Once the plaster set I removed the styrofoam and smoothed out the inside of the plaster mold with more plaster and sand paper.

I then cut up fiberglass matting into different shapes and screds,mixed up some resen and started laying the matting into the mold.

I let the glass set for a while ,but prior to it getting rock hard I removed it from the plaster mold and allowed it to cure in the sun.

Once it was hard I then trimmed the edges and shaped it some more so I could install it in the car.I bent and welded some mounting brakets and we are allmost ready to drill in the gauges and then the body work needed to smooth it out for paint.

I could not finish my steering column untill I had this peice. Wright now I have to wait untill I get my steering wheel hub.I have the steering colum completely moxed up now with wooden dowels and have to see how it feels with the wheel on.I may want to bring the column back into the car a tad (to lessen the angle of the steering joints.I also may want to lower the colum where it mounts to the firewall because I am worried about how close one of the univerasl joints is to the power brake booster.

I also had to weld a heim onto my frame to support the steering shaft because I had to use a 3 rd joint in the column.

Lastley it does not show up well in the photos but below where the gauges mount there is room for all of the switches and an a/c vent directly under the steering column.

http://members19.clubphoto.com/lawrence748455/2731213/guest.phtml

 

[BarryK]

great job Larry.
looks like you had a very productive weekend.

I still can't get over just how fast you seem to be making progress on this car. You have already gotten so much done in such a short time.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Larry,

And on top of all that creative work, you had time to take photos, post them on the Internet and describe what you were up to. Well done.

Then there's the guys who make performance upgrades by changing their floormats.

 

[John Mcgraw]

Larry,

That dash is going to look good! The angle on the U joints doesn't look too bad by your pics (anything less than 30 degrees is acceptable), but I sispect that you are correct on the booster clearance. I had to glass back up my firewall a couple of weeks ago, and move my column hole down about 3/4". The shaft cleared OK, but the U joint clipped the booster can as it went around! GRRRR....


Regards, John McGraw

 

['63split]

Hey Guys,

What's wrong with the stock dash? Just curious.

Mike

 

[John Mcgraw]

63 split,

The C1 dash is not very friendly to any gauges except the originals, and the steering wheel is very close to your body. By reworking the lower cluster, I was able to gain an addtional 2 " of "belly room" for the steering wheel and ended up with a top quality set of gauges that will work with the modern drivetrain. The car makes no pretense at being original, so I wanted the best set of gauges that I could make fit. Here are some pics of the completed cluster and column.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?selected=864856

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?selected=999962


Regards, John McGraw

 

[IH2LOSE]

here is a picture of an original one

 

[IH2LOSE]

custom one

 

['63split]

I see!

Very nice job.

I know what you mean about the challenges of restoring and keeping things stock original. I've been dreaming about a street rod. Maybe even a '32 ford pickup. Who knows.

Best of luck,
Mike

 

[John Mcgraw]

63split,

That is exactly what both Larry and I are building, Street Rods!

We both started out with cars which were not candidates for restoration, and decided to go from there. Larry is going with a fire-breathing big block, and I am going with a computer controlled late-model Corvette engine. We are both trying to keep the essence of the style of the C1, while getting some of the benefits of modern technology. We both have done high end restorations, but this is kind of a chance for us to let it all hang out. The last car I did was a Roman Red and white 60 that I recieved a Duntov award for at nationals last year, and I just nedded a little break from restoration!

Here is a link to my album of progress pictures.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubgallery.asp?id_=339303

Regards, John McGraw

 

[studiog]

So I was having problems with the look of the excisting intrument cluster.I seen John McGraws and wanted something different also.

So I purchased some styrofoam and then carved it to the shape I wanted.(I allready picked out my gauges so I knew what my requirements were)

I then painted the styrofoam with a sealer. I then went to my shop and made a small metal box.I then mixed up the plaster of paris and poored it into my metal box (80 lbs of plaster) next time I would make a smaller box and use less plaster but I was afraid it would break if it was not thick.

Anyways I then placed my styrofoam carving in the plaster until the plaster set.
Once the plaster set I removed the styrofoam and smoothed out the inside of the plaster mold with more plaster and sand paper.

I then cut up fiberglass matting into different shapes and screds,mixed up some resen and started laying the matting into the mold.

I let the glass set for a while ,but prior to it getting rock hard I removed it from the plaster mold and allowed it to cure in the sun.

Once it was hard I then trimmed the edges and shaped it some more so I could install it in the car.I bent and welded some mounting brakets and we are allmost ready to drill in the gauges and then the body work needed to smooth it out for paint.

I could not finish my steering column untill I had this peice. Wright now I have to wait untill I get my steering wheel hub.I have the steering colum completely moxed up now with wooden dowels and have to see how it feels with the wheel on.I may want to bring the column back into the car a tad (to lessen the angle of the steering joints.I also may want to lower the colum where it mounts to the firewall because I am worried about how close one of the univerasl joints is to the power brake booster.

I also had to weld a heim onto my frame to support the steering shaft because I had to use a 3 rd joint in the column.

Lastley it does not show up well in the photos but below where the gauges mount there is room for all of the switches and an a/c vent directly under the steering column.

http://members19.clubphoto.com/lawrence748455/2731213/guest.phtml

Larry it looks great.

 

[markiemyster]

Larry & John

You guys are my idles.;worship
I would love to have the time and knowledge to take on a project of that magnitude.
Keep the pics coming.

Mark

 

['63split]

Hey Guys,

From the photos the project looks great. One day I'll have the space, time and money to persue a project like yours.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

[richscorvettes]

Larry,

Great job on the dash pod! That will provide a nice touch to the car. Best of luck with the rest of the project.

Rich Lagasse

 

[jreeves]

If you want some very good info on plug and mold construction, check out http://www.johnrsweet.com/Mold.html

John carries a full asortment of cloth and resin products, as well as tools.

And if you get real good at it, you could whip out a carbon fibre dash

 

[ArkShark]

I agree w/ Markiemyster....you guys are amazing.

Love the pics & updates!
Keep them coming.

 

[IH2LOSE]

You Guys Are Way Too Kind!

I am just following in the path John McGraw is BLAZING

 

[IH2LOSE]

If you want some very good info on plug and mold construction, check out http://www.johnrsweet.com/Mold.html

John carries a full asortment of cloth and resin products, as well as tools.

And if you get real good at it, you could whip out a carbon fibre dash

Excellent site.I am glad I did not know about it or I would have treid the carbon fiber for sure

 

[00fxd]

Way ta go guys. I to am probably going to make a dash for my '65. Put in some guages that work and save the old dash for the next guy. My car is also a conglomeration and love it just the way it is. Had correct cars before but this one is so much more fun.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Well I finally have it painted

I still have to install the Blinker lights and the park brake and high beam lampsI am waiting on a deliver from painless wireing

This is my new heat control console.I purchased a matching clock but had to make a small bezel for it to work

This is my new steering wheel It called a haft track on the other side its all billet where your fingers grip,Hard to belive but this is excatly what I wanted and found it by axceddent