Update on two other projects

[Breadfan]

Well, thought I'd share a few updates and pics...

First...my Monkey Wards mower...you might recall the first part from this thread: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=29962

Well, finally got around to some more time working on that project. Made some good progress, and came across a few times where I had to question whether or not I was taking things too far. :) My little sister is helping me on this project, and she's learning the basics about tools, mechanical stuff, and body work.

We got the first half of the mower in primer - sanded off all the rust and much of the old paint, and shot some primer. She did alot of the primer parts, not bad for a first go-round. The primer built pretty quick so the other parts need to be sanded before final painting. They actually came out pretty good!

There is a dent in the front fascia, it's not an easy one to bang out though due to the thin metal and slots. Hard to get them straight with a hammer and dolly and no chance for just bondoing it straight. (I mean, it IS just a mower...)

So...we're going to cut that peice out and install a home-depot gutter-guard grill, ala Jaguar XJ-R. :)

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc2/000_0056005.jpg

Next we jacked it up to do a few other items:

- Remove the rust mower deck and belt
- replace the leaking fuel line
- final-tune the carburetor

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc2/000_0054003.jpg

Got it running nice, and tore around the yard a bit! I must say darn right hilarious!

But before we could drive it, we had to put on the new steering wheel! Came up with a pretty good mounting solution, basically some long bolts and nuts going through the old streering wheels hub. Made installing it on the mower steering shaft a breeze - we just cut off the old spokes. Will have to sand the hub smooth for final looks, cut the long bolts shorter, and install the steering wheels center cap.

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc2/000_0053002.jpg

Oh and I found my Skull shift-knob...

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc2/000_0055004.jpg


Next on the list is to finish getting the rest into primer, and then it'll get hit with some silver basecoat paint. Flames will go on after that, black flames fading into...well...DTR actually. Red, but specifically the can of touchup paint I got is actually Ford Dark Toreado Red. :)

Then I'll have to repair the mower deck, just needs cleaning, new blades, and a new belt.

Aside from that there are some other minor add-ons planned.

Heh, wierd project, but just a fun goofy project - not to be taken seriously and if you do it misses the point. Then again when I'm done I'll have a mower that was basically free plus parts. :) I'll keep updated as more comes together!

[Breadfan]

Now project #2, which is in my sig, my '65 Spitfire.

This has been a very passive project, especially since getting my Marauder and of course the required mod-attention. :)

But for the winter I'd like to make some slow but useful progress. I have the frame and suspension components powdercoated, so the plan is to move this forward by assembling the rolling chassis. That means full front suspension with brand new components, rebuild and resinstall the rear end, rear suspension components. Then I can even mount and install the engine and transmission.

The body itself is the slow part of this project. It's in rough shape - I'm passively searching for a new one, so if anyone has a source on a cheap MK II Spitfire body tub please keep me in mind. It's one reason I've not done much on this project - almost all panels on the body tub have damage of some sort, either rust or hits - most of it I found removing bondo.

This car has been in my family for many many years, so I'm not planning to abandon it even if it takes more work than it might be worth. Anyway, it's gonna be one heck of a fun car, and this one (unlike the mower) is being done right - metal replacement, new parts, etc.

Here's a pic of the frame after blasting and 2-stage powdercoat (black and clear):

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc2/000_0057006.jpg

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc2/000_0059008.jpg

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc2/000_0061010.jpg


And here's some of the suspension parts - the perch and then the coilover spring and end cap. Aside from the perches the rest of the suspension parts in the front are bight silver powdercoated. (A-arms, springs, sway bar, etc etc.) On a spitfire these are all in plain sight when the hood is open, so when it's done this will look awesome.

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc2/000_0063012.jpg

So anyway, there's my updates, hopefully as winter comes I'll be working on this more and posting more updates of the chassis coming back to life.

[ckadiddle]

I know the spitfire is a family heirloom, but I like the mower project better. Wierd stuff is what attracts me, that's why I love the Marauder. Love the skull shifter.

[VNMUS]

I grew up around Spitfires and Heralds. I'm looking forward to pics when it's done.:)

[shakes_26]

Okay mr. Taylor step away from the mower!!! Ha Skull shifter..love it.

IIIRC, there was a British car boneyard soemwhere between Hampton and Tappahanock, In Virginia. When I was in the service a buddy had a TR6, we were ALWAYS fixing or patching, or repalcing something. Hell we had half a car stashed in the utility room packed around the AC equipment!

I think it was off of Nettles road in Hampton, otherwise somewhere up off of rte 17 on the other side of the Yorktown bridge.

Sorry its been 14 years....and I don't own British cars, I enjoy driving not reparing :)