Day 3: (5 hours)
On day 3, much of the time was spent duplicating the weld in brackets for the ISC Panhard bar that would ultimately be used on the new chassis. The rear springs, lower control arms and new 3rd link were intalled and the chassis weight lowered onto the rearend housing before final tightening. The panhard bar brackets were then clamped into place to check fit and alignment. The ISC Panhard bar is designed with a 1/8” angle to the body mount as well as the housing mount. This alignment is critical, otherwise the panhard bar rod ends will bind as well as stress the panhard. Extra gussets and weld points were added to both the body mount as well as the housing mount for extra side load support.
The panhard bar bracket support rod was next on the list. There was some thought as to making this bar removable by using brackets and rod ends, but ultimately the K.I.S.S. meathod prevailed, and the weld in bar was retained. A 3' piece of 3/4” tubing welded to two pads is easier to duplicate on the new chassis, than making all of the associated brackets for a removable bar that will only be R&R'd once.
Day 4:
With the suspension conversion completed, the task at hand was reinstalling the Fuel Safe Enduro fuel cell. The panhard bar installation required the cell to be moved rearward about 4 inches. Mark also wanted to see if we could drop the cell down a little to help with the CG. The cell originally used two straps underneath the cell as well as 4 pieces of 1/8”x3” steel. The straps were “86'd” in favor of a 3/4” square tubing frame since the cell would now be exposed to potential contact. The frame is welded to the 1/8” steel which is bolted to the subframe for easy removal for transfer to the next chassis.
With the cell relocation complete, it was time to modify the original bulkhead. The bulkhead was a nicely made aluminum box that housed the fuel line, vent and filler tube, with an access door for refueling. With the cell now positioned lower, the bulkhead could be reduced to a flat piece.
Mark will be picking up the car the weekend of Aug. 29th and will be dropping off his new chassis for the installation of a new cage. In the meantime, we'll be installing a new PB&J Racing IT prepped Nikki carb on Marks car so that "Yellow Peril" is ready to go for either Topeka or MAM for Marks second quest for a championship year.