It has begun - G-Pete's 289FIA Scratch Build

[tkb289]

Pete ... Looking Good !!!

Once all the fabrication is done, will you paint or powder coat the frame / bits and pieces ?

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by stengun

Howdy Pete,
… would love to see your Cobra in person the next time I visit her….

Any time Paul! PM with my number on the way.

Originally Posted by COBRANIP

…Will the anti-sway bar require (re)heat treating after welding?..

No, it just needs to be welded on the outside of the bushings too. My tig guy is in vacation and it will be done when I take the car apart for paint.
I dipped in cold water after the red glow went away. The chrome moly does not change much its torsion rating. The anti-roll bar is a 1 inch 0.187 inch - [/quote]

Originally Posted by tkb289

…Once all the fabrication is done, will you paint or powder coat the frame / bits and pieces ?

The frame will be powder coated. Some of the smaller parts like the last fabricated A-Arms will be painted.
I’m still contemplating what color I will use on the parts. Frame, silver or black? Moving parts, silver, black, red, blue? This will be spontaneous decision when I bring the frame to the coater. I have 10 things on my to do list and after that she will be taken apart and the frame sent of to the coater. That will be happen within two weeks.

Stay tuned for updates….

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Stay tuned for updates….

Good progress.

Looks like we'll be done about the same time. Let's go for a spin when they get on the road.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

after that she will be taken apart and the frame sent of to the coater. That will be happen within two weeks.

Stay tuned for updates….

So did you get your frame to the coater? If so, what color?

Also... pm sent.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Now for this moment I waited a while and it is another milestone in the build

She is on her own legs...




Now some shots with her dress on.

Looks awesome! I can't help wondering about the clearance at the rear tires/fenders over bumps... looks like they will hit, no?

You do incredible work!

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by dallas_

So did you get your frame to the coater? If so, what color?
Also... pm sent.

Still not sure about the color. I was sick last week (cold) and had to take two days off. The rest of the week I just went to work and back to the couch and tee.
I have but one thing on my list done. That will be done this week and the frame is off to the powder coat.
Just saw your PM - answered.

Originally Posted by PDUB

Looks awesome! I can't help wondering about the clearance at the rear tires/fenders over bumps... looks like they will hit, no?
You do incredible work!

Yes is this configuration they will touching the tires. The rear get fender flares like the front. Pretty much the same shape. The fender will be trimmed after the attachment.

[G-Pete]

DPUB, here is a picture of the CSX2290 289 - that is the general direction about the flares and stand...

[PDUB]

That'll work! Hope you're feeling better soon...

[G-Pete]

Little update, I managed to finish the frame and I carried that bugger to the powder coat shop.











After I got that done I got an offer that I could not refuse. Complete rebuild of an '98 SVT engine (just labor) in exchange for brand new SOHC complete crate engine.

This sets me back on this build, but I will have a complete new drive train. Now the decision is easy to put a brand new transmission in there. The rear end is already overhauled with new parts...


Here some pictures of the engine, the main on the cyl.# 5 spun and even landed on top of each other...






...so stay tuned - soon I will be back on the Cobra.

[Avmaviator]

Pete, this is one of my favorite thread's on here. Love your work

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Little update, I managed to finish the frame and I carried that bugger to the powder coat shop.

After I got that done I got an offer that I could not refuse. Complete rebuild of an '98 SVT engine (just labor) in exchange for brand new SOHC complete crate engine.

So, what color did you decide on?

And now you need to start an engine rebuild thread.

[G-Pete]

No engine rebuild thread - but I will open a photo section on my picture website.

The frame will be in semi gloss black.

Great news for me. At work my boss just signed the final papers for a new manufacturing facility. 4 buildings sitting on 3 acre land - just 1 mile from my plant. Friday I got the keys.
That means we get the electrician and other workers on that project by Monday next week.
That legal process took just over 5 weeks and in that time I developed the floor plans for the machines and material.
By end of June the move should be completed. We move the welding shop first and then the machine shop.

With other words John, the completion of the car will be more likely in the fall.

[stengun]

Howdy Pete,

What does your employer manufactor?

Gee, I thought you lived in Allen, TX not China!

Keep us updated!

Need to finish the welding on my Spyder's frame so I can send it out to be powdercoated. I'm going with a lt. gunmetal metallic.

I have to buy a new mig gun for my welder because someone (not naming names) cut the hose with a cutoff wheel.

Paul

[G-Pete]

Paul,
the main is aftermarket accessories for Pickup Trucks, but we do all kinds of fab work too from Lawinforcment vehicles over aluminum boat seat frames to bicycle stands and pallet rack systems. My database now carries close to 15000 part numbers

Take a look...

Truck accessories for pickups, vans and SUV's

Although GO is in business since 1978, I started in the fall of 1999 the manufacturing part in a 2500 square foot shop. All manufacturing was outsourced and in Summer of '99 I assessed the situation presented a business plan based on the my assumption "it is possible to manufacture competitive in the USA".
It takes dedication and skills - but it is possible. When the market went down, especially in the automotive section I did not lay one man off.

We are very proud of having the label Made in USA on our products. Even it took some German engineering (G-Pete = German Pete)
Guess that explains my silly grammar sometimes...

[stengun]

Howdy Pete,

I checked out the link and y'all make some neat products!

I too work for a "Made in the USA" manufactor.

I work for General Cable.

General Cable Home Page

We make bare overhead transmission power lines and the medium voltage underground power lines at the plant that I work at in Jones' Mill, AR which is 10 miles east of Hot Springs.

Any updates?

Paul

[Roger Bray]

Hey Pete,
I finally got your splash guard ready. I didn't want to send it before I took some wet/dry sand paper to get to get rid of the tool marks.
Hope you like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-zs...feature=relmfu

[G-Pete]

Here comes the update Paul.

Roger, thank you looking forward to that splash guard.

The IRS cradle had these rubber bushings in there. I decided to cap them, after a while they get soft and the whole rear end gets wobbly. Time to get the pumpkin out for final touch up.





The other parts got also a touch up treatment - final welds and grinding (sure you know I like grinding)



After the paint the IRS cradle is back in the frame and secured.



Freshen up the Pumpkin.

[G-Pete]

And yes, the frame is gloss black. Last second decision - I called the powder coat shop and changed from semi gloss to gloss.

Now the assembly begins. Started with the rear end upper and lower A-Arms. Next step the front.

[Fullchat289]

I love this part....bring it, Pete!

- Allen.

[dallas_]

Looking good Pete!

It's amazing what a coat of paint will do.