Brent's RCR GT MKIV Build Log - Page 3

Brent Mills · #41 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 08:34 PM

Making progress here and there. Have the engine and transaxle mounted, though they will be coming back out for other work. Working on making the side scoops that will lead into mocal oil coolers. Working on the expansion tank per originals. That was kind of fun using a slip roll to take a nice flat piece of aluminum and turn it into a 6" diameter tube. And made a turkey pan. Welding and aluminum work is FUN.

Here's some progress pics:

Jamo · #42 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 12:34 AM

Turkey pan looks cool!

Brent Mills · #43 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 12:56 AM

Yeah, it should be pretty close to original...Just going off of pictures for most everything. Here's a shot of an original compartment that shows the expansion tank, side scoop stuff and the turkey pan.

trularin · #44 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 07:07 AM

Brent, I don't mean to pry, but the Romeo 605 runs about $18k. Was Keith's engine less than that?

I have been looking at "possibilities".

Brent Mills · #45 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trularin

Brent, I don't mean to pry, but the Romeo 605 runs about $18k. Was Keith's engine less than that?

I have been looking at "possibilities".

The prices are similar...I would love to use a motor such as that at some point in some project. I just couldn't bring myself to using something other than an FE in this kind of car. Now, if you've seen Fran's SLC, that would be a sweet powerplant for that I would think.

ALLEN ENGLISH · #46 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 07:04 AM

Wow Brent - That's some great fabrication work! Are you using an english wheel for some the metal bending?

Brent Mills · #47 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 06:56 PM

Allen, sorry I missed your post. No english wheel. I have a shear/brake/sliproll combo that I use a lot (harbor freight special). I also have a set of shrinker/stretcher tools that I got several years back that I use here and there. Used the shrinker to make the turkey pan. Outside of that a lot of tinkering.

Brent Mills · #48 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 06:57 PM

Did a quick startup yesterday!!! Oh my gawd!!!! Ok, there is something extremely sexy about an 600hp KeithCraft FE in a GT. The exhaust note is so different from the cobra with essentially the same engine. Man it is AWESOME!!!!

I started it for a little "added" motivation to get the sucker on the road. I've been making decent progress, but I could be further along by now. Hearing that engine....well....that got me excited! WOW! I'll try to get a youtube video of it this weekend.

As for the engine and getting her going...it started right up without any tinkering. Primed the oil and turned it over....A beautiful noise! Beautiful! Thanks Keith!

By the way, the car is not near road worthy...I still have to pull the motor and build the alt/ac brackets and a bunch of wiring to finish....and a bunch of other stuff.

froggyman · #49 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 09:17 PM

Brent,

I have been following your build, wow! Great stuff. Fran builds a good core for you to build on and you are proving it. I think the MKIV is perhaps one of the most beautiful shapes in racing history and in my humble opinion the most beautiful GT40 ever made, and truly American to boot.

I wish I had the time and money for one of them. Oh well, I will watch yours with enthusiasm.

Great job Brent,

Juan

PatBuckley · #50 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 11:50 PM

Congrats on the start up, Brent!

It sure does serve as an inspiration, doesn't it?

Brent Mills · #51 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 12:37 AM

Juan, I would tend to agree with you on all of what you said...Though I know many who don't like it.

Pat, It sure does! The quick ride through the parking garage in yours was inspiration! Believe me!

Brent Mills · #52 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009, 08:26 PM

The wiring just might be getting the better of me.

xlr8or · #53 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009, 08:54 PM

Not the funnest part of the build is it?

Brent Mills · #54 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009, 09:39 PM

This is my first time wiring anything more than a radio. I have learned a whole hell of a lot after chasing my tail for a hell of a long time. It didn't help that I read somewhere to use a battery charger to test your circuits because it wouldn't burn the fuses....I burnt several with exposed lines floating around here and there and didn't realize it. ALWAYS check the obvious, which I didn't...Thought I was missing something complicated and spent a lot of time redoing things and in the end had to redo them again as I realized my mistakes. What a pain in the ass!

ALLEN ENGLISH · #55 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 09:50 PM

Brent - My wiring was the biggest challenge for me on the FFR roadster replica build. Better you than me man

Andrew Teal · #56 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 10:30 PM

Brent,
It should turn heads at the car shows, woooooooooooooooooooow.

Andy

Brent Mills · #57 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 12:20 AM

Allen, I'm sure your experience will help you a great deal on your GT. In the end, I think my setup will work out great, but it sure was a pain in the ass getting there.

Andrew, it'll be different, and it's sure does sound good.

Brent Mills · #58 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 12:38 AM

This week I needed to make the mounts for my Alternator and A/C pump. After a lot of thinking, I came up with a reasonable solution I believe. It's very solid and I think will be golden. Everything lines up and very functional.

Cut an alternator bracket end off of a 390 I have and welded it to a mount I made that attaches to the block.

Here's the mount that attaches to the block that I made. The picture doesn't show the finished version as I cut the downtube to proper length and painted it a cast aluminum color that looks nice.

Brent Mills · #59 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 11:01 PM

Well, I decided that the bracket system that I fabricated would lead to trouble based on some of the feedback here, so I went a little more conventional route. What a pain in the ass, but I'm very happy with the end results.

Wiring is complete sans actual connection to lights, etc. Engine is sitting back in it's special little spot. Cooling system lines and pump routed. Things are starting to look like a car! Still a lot of work to go of course, and it will take about 5x long as I think it will, but...feeling pretty good about my progress recently.

Here are just a few pics of progress.

ALLEN ENGLISH · #60 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 09:24 PM

Brent, that new bracket set up looks good. Keep plugging away and you will be looking back and thinking that wasn't so bad...and then you will think to yourself what next