Progress Update

[SNClocks]

Getting one's shoulder replaced is not for the faint of heart. Nonetheless I have been able to make some progress, even though one arm is next to useless. I finished up work on the Weber DCOE 40, rejetted to my best guess of what it should be, set up the choke cable (which meant replacing the original steel wire/housing with braided bicycle cable and lined bicycle cable housing), and upgraded/powdercoated the air cleaner housing.

Next I powdercoated the top tank on the new aluminum radiator and got it installed. I shot some pictures of the custom shroud I made-up for the new SPAL fan. Overall it took some cutting and modifying of the radiator to get it to fit such that the fan motor does not foul the back lip of the bonnet air inlet opening. I think it came out slick.

I got set up sometime ago to powdercoat my wood shop. It already had a dust collection system so that part of powder coating was easy. I also had an old home oven over in the corner to heat treat metal, which also allows me to bake power coat. Only thing left was a powder coat system. Initially I used Eastwood's inexpensive system which works well enough, once you figure you have to use electrical tape to seal the powder jar to the gun. I have to admit upgrading to their nicer system makes powder coating a lot of fun.

I've included a shot of the radiator in my oven. The shot shows the radiator after I've removed the masking tape and ready for its final cure - I've learned that leaving the masking tape on for the cure results in silicone masking tape that's very tough to get off of the work piece.

If y'all are interested I could put together a short tech article on powder coating.

I'm off to go stretch my shoulder and put in a bit more work on the bug eye.

 

[DrEntropy]

If y'all are interested I could put together a short tech article on powder coating.

That'd be both interesting and helpful!

As for the shoulder, stay with doctor's orders and you'll be better than new. We're becoming bionic!

 

[HealeyRick]

What a beautiful bugeye. What are the engine specs?

 

[SNClocks]

I had the engine built by MiniMania - bored to 1380, moderate cam, 1.5 ratio rockers, 10 to 1 compression... They suggest 120 ponies, but did not dyno it. NTL - likely more than the car originally came with.

 

[SNClocks]

What a beautiful bugeye. What are the engine specs?

Hey HealeyRick - I followed the link on your 5 liter heart transplant - OMG - that was a lot of work! How did it all come out in the end? I noted your 345 dyno and 200 at the wheels - did you sort that out? Whilst I contemplated replacing the engine that comes in a bugeye with something more exotic, it was an awareness of the challenges that you overcame that kept me in the realm of semi reality. All I really wanted was a nice ice-cream-getter car - but I suspect the added ponies will be enjoyable - almost the power to weight ratio of our Elise and more than our AZ-1!

 

[HealeyRick]

Even with 200 hp at the wheels, the car is very quick and will pin you back in the seat going through the gears. Unfortunately, I had an engine fire this fall and am in the process of getting it back on the road. While I have the motor out to fix the wiring that burned, I'm replacing the very restrictive Sunbeam Tiger cast iron exhaust manifolds with some headers. The engine was dynoed on the engine dyno with long tube headers and the exhaust is the only difference from the engine as placed into the car. I'm hoping the headers will get back some of that lost hp. You're 1380 motor should really scream. Enjoy!