It'll never fit!!!!!!!!!!

Oh wait, nevermind. Looks good, want to hear some brap!

Bullshit! I can make it fit, I has torch and am not afraid to use it. :lol:


Pictures of it installed, which should shed some light on why it is such an oddball shape and size.

view from the bottom of the car ...
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4185/3...260d7eeb_z.jpgmiddle muffler mounted (bottom) by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

passenger side ...
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4163/3...718e3476_z.jpgmiddle muffler mounted (passenger side) by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

driver's side ...
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4161/3...74b38b47_z.jpgmiddle muffler mounted (driver's side) by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

Over the axle pipe is welded up. All the different turns, bends and little whoop-te-doos for clearance made it look like something Dr. Frankenstein would have come up with. Just need to smooth the remaining welds to check for pin holes, then get paint on it. At that point this tour in building the world's most frustrating exhaust should be finished.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4246/3...bf62104f_z.jpgOver the axle pipe 1 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

... and done.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4219/3...406d3661_z.jpgOver the axle pipe - finished by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

I got the exhaust system bolted together and everything fitting. I only had one area where I had to clearance some of my previous work on the gas tank surround for clearance on a flange.

Over the axle pipe bolted and in final position. Lots of odd bends and offsets to make this work.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4280/3...b8cefdfa_z.jpgOver the axle pipe - bolted in by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

This is about the best shot I can get of the entire exhaust system finished and bolted together without putting it on a lift. (which I do not have anyway)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4266/3...c29e2685_z.jpgexhaust system - finished by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

That's a lot of work! Good job!

Thanks. It was a lot more involved than I thought it would be when I started on it ... as usual.

Dash is stripped of padding so I can try to build a template. Trying to make the FC instrument cluster fit in here somehow, along with a tilt column from a 1986 Mustang. It's going to be a challenge, that's for sure.


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4230/3...8dff2a36_z.jpgDash work by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

Stainless steel dash roughed in and bolted.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4280/3...1f8d3473_z.jpgDash - roughed in by Kevin Frank, on Flickr

Good job.

Great job Mister, mister.

Thanks guys, more pictures to come as I figure out how to make this thing actually fit in there. I have found that the 16 gauge stainless steel sheet is a lot harder to work than a mild steel equivalent. I've heard that, but never had much call to work with stainless steel before. I had to do some repairs to my plasma cutter to get it cut out as it's a bastard to do any other way.

edit:

...and the doors close! Getting those ends trimmed and hammered into shape for this to happen only took me a large chunk of the weekend, but success at last. :)

progress report ... slow with a strong chance of cussing storms. I need to weld in some finishing bits to make it all look integrated with the car.


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4282/...1d91e487ae.jpgDash work 1 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4211/...be9e5fa9de.jpgDash work 2 by Kevin Frank, on Flickr


The bolts will eventually be replaced with SS allen head button screws like I have bolting down the sides of the dash. I plan to adhere a sheet of walnut to the steel when I have the face of the dash in final configuration. The foot well sides are to be covered in carpet.

Nice work on that dash!!

Thanks, beware - sharp edges cut the shit out of you while reaching up underneath to work on stuff. Who'd'a thunk? :lol: