1964 Valiant "Get Runnin & Drivin"

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I have a co-worker that has a few Lotus 7's all aluminum body cars.
They are pretty rare cars, one of them he bought was wrecked hard, but had racing pedigree, his neighbor had just retired, and re-built over 90% of that aluminum body for him, it turned out beautiful, no hiding bodywork on polished bare aluminum.
The guy is a true craftsman.
I said to my co-worker, that must have cost you a fortune, he said no, he just had to keep the refrigerator full of beer for him.
The guy was retired, just looking for something to do.

Google Lotus 7 if you want to see compound curves.

Oh I am certain there are a LOT worse jobs than this, but this was "about" as challenging as I want. In fact, had I known this little car needed all that it does, it would still be sittin there. But, I bit it off so I gotta chew it up now.
 
I hate fixing those areas. I blow the patch into prices in my head, and fab it up that way. It’s hard with lead or brass used on later cars to get the area good for welding too. But when it’s welded and dressed and all you need is a skim of fiberglass or All Metal it’s a good feeling.
 
Oh I am certain there are a LOT worse jobs than this, but this was "about" as challenging as I want. In fact, had I known this little car needed all that it does, it would still be sittin there. But, I bit it off so I gotta chew it up now.
I get the same feeling every time I am 1/2 way thru a project car, it’s like when does it end?
 
Got the trunk floor all done with Kilmat. It's so danged hot here now, I haven't done much else.

KILMAT TRUNK.jpg
 
RRR, I keep coming back every week or so to check in. You're making good progress!

Thank you. I've been trying. It's been so devilish hot here though, I haven't done much else at all. I am getting my Ford 9" measured and marked to cut though.
 
Ya know whats funny. We have ALL the tools for shaping metal. Shrinker, stretcher, englishwheel, planishing hammer, tons of hammer form dies, 3 different box breaks and more im probably not thinking about. Alot of times i just pull out the shot bag and beat the metal with a hammer....

:rofl:

Never underestimate the power of a vice, hammer and crescent wrench!

Patch looks good, some "flapalizing", skim coat and it will be good as new.
 
Ya know whats funny. We have ALL the tools for shaping metal. Shrinker, stretcher, englishwheel, planishing hammer, tons of hammer form dies, 3 different box breaks and more im probably not thinking about. Alot of times i just pull out the shot bag and beat the metal with a hammer....

:rofl:

Never underestimate the power of a vice, hammer and crescent wrench!

Patch looks good, some "flapalizing", skim coat and it will be good as new.

Thank you. I appreciate that. ....and that's the plan soon as we get a break in the heat. Nofrikkinvember probably. lol
 
Ya know what one of my favorite tools for shaping metal is?

Its an old gas cylinder with the top cut off.
The convex curve on the bottom shapes curves like you wouldn't believe. It has a deep curve in the center that flattens out at the edges. Want a softer curve? Lay it on its side. We even made bucks out of the top and side so we can shape different curves.

That sucker moves metal fast.

Found the video that i copied ours from.
This is an awesome tool!

 
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Ya know what one of my favorite tools for shaping metal is?

Its an old gas cylinder with the top cut off.
The convex curve on the bottom shapes curves like you wouldn't believe. It has a deep curve in the center that flattens out at the edges. Want a softer curve? Lay it on its side. We even made bucks out of the top and side so we can shape different curves.

That sucker moves metal fast.

Man what a tip! I have a brand new cylinder I got from Summit years ago. Never been filled. I took it to get it filled and come to find out, it doesn't have the right certification on it and nobody will fill it. So now I have a use for it. I had a good friend find one for me and got it filled so I at least have that taken care of. lol
 
No problem man. I kinda figured this was right up your alley. Its cheep and just works like you wouldn't believe.

This video doesn't do it justice. It really is awesome.

You gotta play with it like any other tool but after a bit it will be your go to tool for shaping.
 
Just saw your post about the 9". Don't forget to subtract the brake off set. Also on my 9" it was just a few bucks more to buy the rear disk kit that to fully rebuild the drums.
Just food for thought.

And im sure you know but if you gonna brace that 9" do it before you have it shortened.

Also cant say enough about how helpful the folks at strange engineering were when it came to figuring out the rear axle. Even if you dont buy from them, they will help.

With my 35 spline axles it was 50 or 100 bucks more each side to upgrade to the 1,000 HP axles. Will i ever make that much power, no. Did i upgrade, yes....
 
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Ya know what one of my favorite tools for shaping metal is?

Its an old gas cylinder with the top cut off.
The convex curve on the bottom shapes curves like you wouldn't believe. It has a deep curve in the center that flattens out at the edges. Want a softer curve? Lay it on its side. We even made bucks out of the top and side so we can shape different curves.

That sucker moves metal fast.

Found the video that i copied ours from.
This is an awesome tool!



Creative mind at work. Really like what you can do and make with things that are readily available. It's called talent, Artist at work.
Nice job on the video, making the tools, and demonstrating how to use and what you can make with them.

Awesome !!!
 
Thats not me in the video. Just a video i came across late one night and i got a buddy at the welding supply store that gave me a old tank.

I didn't think it up but i sure do like the tool.
 
I am sure after watching that video you can do the same things that guy can do. Cool Stuff, we all make things out of what we have to work with. That's what makes this all fun.

Really enjoy the Creative side of things . . . It's like the Journey is a much fun as looking at the final results.

Good Day !
 
Just saw your post about the 9". Don't forget to subtract the brake off set. Also on my 9" it was just a few bucks more to buy the rear disk kit that to fully rebuild the drums.
Just food for thought.

And im sure you know but if you gonna brace that 9" do it before you have it shortened.

Also cant say enough about how helpful the folks at strange engineering were when it came to figuring out the rear axle. Even if you dont buy from them, they will help.

With my 35 spline axles it was 50 or 100 bucks more each side to upgrade to the 1,000 HP axles. Will i ever make that much power, no. Did i upgrade, yes....

I've narrowed several through the years using my method. I thought about a how to, but decided against it. It involves a plumb bob Kitty made from a 3/8 nut and some red ribbon. Real redneck stuff, but it works and will get it just as accurate and any other method. I've never used the rod and fittings that hold the ends in place. I use the third member and the axles themselves. It's real easy to get it right.
 
I've narrowed several through the years using my method. I thought about a how to, but decided against it. It involves a plumb bob Kitty made from a 3/8 nut and some red ribbon. Real redneck stuff, but it works and will get it just as accurate and any other method. I've never used the rod and fittings that hold the ends in place. I use the third member and the axles themselves. It's real easy to get it right.

I guess I missed something here , your putting a 9" ford rear in the valiant now ?
 
I guess I missed something here , your putting a 9" ford rear in the valiant now ?

Not right away. I'm narrowing the housing and getting it ready for when the 7.25 breaks. It's the only "other" rear end I have and was free so.......
 
Not right away. I'm narrowing the housing and getting it ready for when the 7.25 breaks. It's the only "other" rear end I have and was free so.......

So,down the road -----more H.power !!---------'' get it runnin and drivin again!"< lol.
You`ll have that little hemi in it before its over with !!-----would be kick a$$ too .
 
So,down the road -----more H.power !!---------'' get it runnin and drivin again!"< lol.
You`ll have that little hemi in it before its over with !!-----would be kick a$$ too .

Just call it a "preemptive strike".
 
I found what I believe to be a competent machine shop in Macon. I took the head, pistons, rods and rod bolts to get pistons pressed on, rod bolts installed amd rods resized. Going to get the head magged. If it's good, we're gonna "talk " about it. Stay tuned.
 
Cassidy...….?

Oh heck no. I love Gary Meadows all to pieces. Known him all my life, but he has no interest in automotive machine work at our level. Every single time I've taken him something in the past, his prices have gone up. They do good work, but I'm not puttin up with that. lol
 
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