@FloMaxSS, I'm happy to hear there is at least one experienced builder watching over my progress. The shortcoming about posting progress reports is that you will only be able to advise me on my errors AFTER I've performed some work and posted it! I really dislike backing up my work for do-overs!
It's now November: cold winds blowing a combination of rain and fallen leaves all around and over my outdoor work space. I's time to wrap up the outdoor work, so I did the final body trimming and filled the holes in the firewall and front seat area.
The cowl is completely removed. I originally imagined retaining the wipers, for some reason. I guess I have watched too many Drag Week videos. anyway, it's now clean.
Here's how you fill multiple small or irregular shaped holes. Eastwood sells these standard diameter slugs made of body metal thickness. You drill out the hole to the slug size, and there, Bob's your uncle. For holes 3/8" or under, I used this:
That tool is a spring loaded copper backing plate with magnetic feet. You place it snugly against the underside of the hole and tack it closed. The copper plate prevents the molten puddle from falling.
I also excised those full diaper looking appendages from the rear of the body. The body work surrounding the fuel filler was heavier gauge, so the effort saved a bit more weight back there.
I'm all done carving weight off the carcass, with the exception of the front doors, which I can do indoors, out of the cold.
While it was raining the other day, I fabricated a test stand for observing and measuring fuel injectors. I have never made use of used of, nor modified injectors before, opting to replace them with new. However this project has me seeking ways to reuse existing resources, so I'll need to assure myself that the used and/or de-capped injectors I'll utilize will have been verified.
I utilized the fuel source I previously fabbed up for the engine test frame: a stock GMT360 fuel pump fitted into the lid of a 2 gallon bucket. For electrical power I tapped a Milwaukee M12 battery for energizing the injectors. The switch configuration allows me to view individual injectors for the spray pattern, or operate the main switch for running all 6 injectors for a measured time to determine delivery balance.
That's all I have for the moment. I have some final paint covering to do on the body, then I'll drop it back onto the chassis and park it under cover for the winter. I have begun fabricating pieces for mounting the steering column to the roll cage, and a seat mounting bracket, all of which are made out of aluminum. However I am held back by my inability to create satisfactory welds on this new to me material. The driver seat installation is really the next most important accomplishment, so that I can fit more roll cage pieces and begin to add other controls and systems.
Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions,
Rick