D87: Steering Column + Mount

Today I spent some time working on my new steering column. I wasn't thrilled with the first attempt, and kept thinking it was too weak. The drilled out 3/4" tube seemed too thin.

Here is my second attempt. I cut the end off the donor column which happened to be .47" on the inside which is close to the size needed for a 1/2"-20 thread. I threaded the end of a 3" grade 8 1/2"-20 bolt into this end. The smooth end would slide nicely into the 3/4"x.120 DOM that I'm using for the column. The smooth end had a little bit of slop, so I used a piece of paper to ship the bolt to keep everything tight and straight for welding.
Below are the two pieces assembled and then welded and ground. With both pieces .120 wall, and the joint being supported by a 1/2 bolt, I feel MUCH better about the strength of this design. I also plan on drilling a couple of holes on either side of the weld and then welding them up. I'm hoping this will add some torsional strength by transferring some of the load onto the bolt.
With the new column together, I need to check the clearance with the engine mounts. I got the engine back in and THANKFULLY everything fit just fine. It's definitely close, but I don't think the engine is going to shift side to side. In theory it'll more rotate which shouldn't interfere with the steering linkage.

Knowing the new column would fit around the engine mounts, it was time to get the drivers end mount built. I'm using a 3/4" steering shaft heim joint to attach the column to the mount. Below is the mounting hole for that heim. I cut a 1" hole in the 2"x1" tubing and used some of the 1" DOM from the a-arms inside.

I plan on adding at least one more piece to reinforce the mount.

I also played around with placement of the turn signals and ignition switch. I haven't settled on anything that I like yet.

D85-86: Frame Supports & Ride the Rockies

It's been a while since I've posted, mostly because it's been a while since I've worked on the car. Partly the weather and partly because I got into Ride the Rockies.

Ride the Rockies is a Colorado bike (bicycle) ride through the Rocky Mountains. The route changes every year, but this year it's 6 days, 442 miles, from Gunnison, CO to Ft. Collins, CO. What does this have to do with building a locost? Well, riding 442 miles takes some serious training which means I have and will be spending an increasingly greater amount of my free time on my bike instead of in the garage. I still plan on continuing the build, but it'll likely be at a slower pace than usual.

This weekend, I found myself motivated to get this frame finished. I've past my one year anniversary and I'm still working on the frame. I know everyone says it takes the majority of the build time, but I had NO idea it would take this long. With a few free hours I got almost all of the remainder frame supports cut and tacked into place. The two picks are the rear bulkhead behind the seats and the side of the frame (both sides are finished).