Looks good!

 

Thanks Bill! I think you and I are the only people checking this project thread!

 

Oh, does somebody need a pat on the head today?
Did I happen to mention...."looks good" lately?

 

Every day Val, looking good!

 

Thanks! I've got a major rework that needs to happen before the Roadster Show next March. I've been looking at a rearend cover I bought in April to replace the one I have. Sounds simple, but it's designed to make the rearend look like a quick change, and it sticks out about 9"-10", and my panhard bar is right in the way!
I've got to figure some way to either relocate the panhard bar up, or take it off and build a new one with an offset to clear the cover; and strong enough not to flex because of the offset, so diameter will need to increase.

 

One of the winter projects was to try and fit the fake Halibrand quick change cover to the rearend of the Austin. So today I went out and took the panhard bar off, and removed the old cover to see how the two matched up. Well they were way off! The QC cover was designed to work by drilling and tapping holes in a 9" Ford, and my Pontiac rearend is a lot smaller, and no chance of adapting it to my rearend, or the cover.
So since I have plenty of time, not much money, and it was a gorgeous day out! I took the old cover outside and started digging through the metal bin. Found some 1/2"x1/8" flat bar, and after digging the torch out I bent up pieces to make my own version of a finned steel cover.
Welded the pieces at the high point of the cover, then heated and tapped them down to fit the cover's curves. Once they fit on one end I tacked it, then repeated on the other end and welded them in several spots. After I had all the fins welded in place I cut them off with a parting wheel and the angle grinder. Then a bit of touch up and some Hammerite paint to match other items on the car, and it was ready to install.

Only took me a few hours to cut and fit the pieces and get it back on. It's not as fancy as the QC cover, but I think I like it even better.

 

Wow, nice job. It looks great! And you made it.....something to feel really good about!

 

Thanks! It was fun to build!

 

I'm not always posting but I check your updates every time.

 

Thanks! Hope there's something of interest to some people here.