70 Hemi Superbird Restoration..................errr.....scratch that........

[HYRDGOON]

Hemirunner is some kinda strange Fer Racin' Alien!!

 

[Hemirunner]

I got the chimney piece tacked into position and then started forming the side pieces to the chimney shape. Cold forming this isn't real easy so I clamped a big C-clamp on it and then beat it into submission.

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I couldn't get the piece to form as tightly as I wanted and the torch wasn't available so I had to make a slight cut into the part to get it to bend there. I welded that cut up later.

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I designed a 3/16 gap between my shock mount plates and the K-member because I knew this would pull back when I welded it. It pulled pretty hard so I had to test fit it. It's snug but fits on. If the other side pulls in, I may have to put a hydraulic jack between the two and spread them an 1/8 or so. After welding the outside, I welded up the inside as well.

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It needs some more cosmetic touch ups with the welder and flap wheel, but not bad for an hour or so.

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Next time, I'll work on getting the lower control arm pivots in. I still need to order a rack and then fab the rack mounts. I think they'll just mount on the bottom of the center box tube. I also want to weld some tie down bars on the K-frame just in case I have to trailer the car.

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Unbelievable skills! You are in a different dimension than most of us.. lol

I live in my own world some days! lol..... but there's never a dull moment in my head! The wheels are always turning.

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Hemirunner is some kinda strange Fer Racin' Alien!!

I'm a special kind of stupid that really loves a challenge!! :eusa_wall::sHa_dielaughing2:

 

[Average Joe]

Hemi,Are you building your own UCA's and LCA's?
I enjoy watching the progress on your car.Thanks,Joe

 

[Hemirunner]

Thanks Joe. Yes, I'm building my own upper and lower control arms. The ball joint receptacles are readily available as are the heim ends. This is all a variation of the Alterktion design which I run in my other car. I will most likely be using the Wilwood 2" drop spindle and Baer 13 or 14" brakes depending on what works with the 17" front wheels. Progress isn't as fast as I'd like. My limited free time and minuscule bank account really slow me down, lol.

 

[Bone]

how did you choose your axle width? I assume you are doing at least a mini tub. Did you choose your wheel and tire combo first and then measure your axel to suit? I am in the planning stages of a build and have not found a lot of good resources in terms of aftermarket axels with custom suspensions (street lynx in my case) tubed wheel wells and disc brakes.

great work so far quite impressive

 

[Hemirunner]

Thanks bone. I started reading and searching to find out what other cars of this power level were running. I finally decided on Champion CAP5 rear wheels in 15x12 with double beadlocks and Mickey Thompson 315/60-15 drag radials. I printed off the drawing of this wheel and then found a Baer 11" rear disc package with dual calipers that will fit the wheel. They also had dimensioned drawings to download. Armed with all this info, the tire specs, the axle end offset for the housing ends that I chose, and a tape measure, I calculated the overall width of the housing. Then I could subtract out the center section and housing end and offset dimesions, and divide the result by two to get the length of each axle tube. They are both the same length since I wanted the housing centered. Once you get into it and break the project into smaller pieces, it's not so complicated.

 

[keepat]

Awesome project and great fabrication!!!
Pat

 

[Hemirunner]

Thanks Pat. It doesn't have the refined craftsmanship of your Charger but what it lacks in finesse it will more than make up for with brute power, lol.

 

[Hemirunner]

Ok, so tonight was supposed to be more K-frame work. As usual, my brain had other ideas so it was back to the FAB9 rear faceplate. I got the idea that rather than have my buddy plasma out a new piece, I'd just rework this one. This is where stubborn met stupid, folks. I relocated a few bolt holes and the project just kept going. I got my plasma cutter back up and running and hacked out a big section on the left side in this photo so the center section would clear in the relocated position and decided I'd weld that back in on the other side. Luckily, it all worked out.

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You can see the gaping holes on the right side that had to be filled without pulling it all over as it cooled.
I used a few C-clamps for alignment and to act as heat sinks. It worked.

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Here it's looking kinda rough with all the welding and grinding.

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Here's the finished Faceplate from the front

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So, now I'm back to square one. Ready to begin to assemble the housing. The good thing is, I have the pinion offset 1-1/4" so it matches the measurements on the drive shaft tunnel in the car. Several other upsides presented themselves in this project;

1. pinion is lower than in a dana or 8-3/4 and that really helps with clearance in the tunnel since the car will be LOW
2. the offset now counters the offset in the two caps in the center section and the caps are now centered within a 1/4" That will allow me to have both axles the same length which is a real plus so they can be reversed.
3. the housing is centered in the car which looks way better
4. the axle tubes will be the same length

 

[dvw]

Ok, so tonight was supposed to be more K-frame work. As usual, my brain had other ideas so it was back to the FAB9 rear faceplate. I got the idea that rather than have my buddy plasma out a new piece, I'd just rework this one. This is where stubborn met stupid, folks. I relocated a few bolt holes and the project just kept going. I got my plasma cutter back up and running and hacked out a big section on the left side in this photo so the center section would clear in the relocated position and decided I'd weld that back in on the other side. Luckily, it all worked out.

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You can see the gaping holes on the right side that had to be filled without pulling it all over as it cooled.
I used a few C-clamps for alignment and to act as heat sinks. It worked.

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Here it's looking kinda rough with all the welding and grinding.

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Here's the finished Faceplate from the front

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So, now I'm back to square one. Ready to begin to assemble the housing. The good thing is, I have the pinion offset 1-1/4" so it matches the measurements on the drive shaft tunnel in the car. Several other upsides presented themselves in this project;

1. pinion is lower than in a dana or 8-3/4 and that really helps with clearance in the tunnel since the car will be LOW
2. the offset now counters the offset in the two caps in the center section and the caps are now centered within a 1/4" That will allow me to have both axles the same length which is a real plus so they can be reversed.
3. the housing is centered in the car which looks way better
4. the axle tubes will be the same length

Axle guys say never reverse rotation, hastens breakage. Carry on, great fab work.
Doug

 

[Hemirunner]

Axle guys say never reverse rotation, hastens breakage. Carry on, great fab work.
Doug

Thanks for the tip! I will carry on!

 

[Homstead]

Man that's looking good! Keep it up!

 

[Birdie]

well i found it and love the pics and your story

 

[Birdie]

u know what has fasinated me the most is the disection of the metal work and the repairs and up grades u have done , just looking at your thread has given me an awesome understanding of my own car on things i want and need to do, im going to have to rely of someone to do the metal work for my car , and this disapoints me i wish i knew how to weld like this . everyone in houston seems to be to bizy to be bothered by anymore work and other peoples car sit for months and are never touched i just dont get it , what planet are u from again ? lol thank u again for your thread it is by far the most comprehensive and educational thread i have ever seen u should have gotten a camera crew to follow this project i would have watched it and love it

 

[Birdie]

u know anyone in houston that works out of there house and can do some of this type of work

 

[Hemirunner]

I don't know anyone in Houston, sorry. I had to learn everything I know out of necessity as I wasn't blessed with a billionaire last name, lol. If I can help with advice, you know where to find me.

 

[Birdie]

thats cool thanks im going to need it and the extentions i would like when i get to that point , im trying to find the fenders now , i am going to i think go with the hood and truck u went with

 

[plymouth67]

Mike.....you are a mad man!!!! We will have to get a yellow Duster out and cruise over to check it out when the weather breaks...

 

[Hemirunner]

Mike.....you are a mad man!!!! We will have to get a yellow Duster out and cruise over to check it out when the weather breaks...

Come on over. Bring the whole crew!

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Started fitting up the rest of the housing and prepare for movement when the welds cool by tacking it all up, including the little gussets.

 

[Birdie]

curios have u finished this build