And it begins..."The Flash" Build Thread

[Ironhydroxide]

Had to work a full day today at work so only got 2 hours to work on the car today.

one thing to note, you NEED to break down your used front axles, keep the inner Cone for the Rear, bolt the OUTER cone into the Knuckle/bearing. this cone holds the bearing halves together and the bearing in the knuckle. If you don't have it, your first drive will end VERY badly.

[Erik W. Treves]

it's only just sitting there...if you look close the bolts are still rusty and not torque striped.....I still have to finish the install...I just needed a side done so my brother has something to look at as an example.

[Ironhydroxide]

good, just making sure that's clear. I would cry if i saw that it happened the first drive, especially if I didn't mention it.

[bbjones121]

This is exciting! Now I need to get instant updates all day during work.

[longislandwrx]

Erik, did you just spray paint the bulkhead aluminum?

Are those red? rivets provided?

[Erik W. Treves]

I epoxy coated the aluminum.

the rivets are powdercoated red...rivets are provide but they are plain aluminum colored...so they are still in the bag.

[MurrayT]

Erik, I am really enjoying this thread. Thank you for posting.

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

I epoxy coated the aluminum.

the rivets are powdercoated red...rivets are provide but they are plain aluminum colored...so they are still in the bag.

After building my Cobra with plain aluminum panels, I plan on painting them when I build my 818s (probably a year before I can order it).

[Mechie3]

After building my Cobra with plain aluminum panels, I plan on painting them when I build my 818s (probably a year before I can order it).

Any specific reason?
Hide dirt?
Looks?
Heat?

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

Any specific reason?
Hide dirt?
Looks?
Heat?

Looks and to make it easier to clean.

I used Fatmat insulation under the carpet, so I do have a little isolation from the heat. Even with powered footbox vents, my Cobra interior gets miserable hot.

Steve

[Canadian818]

I was considering spraying the inside and outside of the cockpit with lizard-skin, for heat and sound deadining. Definitely want to paint it at least though. Nothing worse than dirty pitted aluminum.

[longislandwrx]

krylon spray epoxy or something else?

[cmcintyre]

This was used by the publisher of Kit Car Magazine when he did his Roadster and wrote a book on the build.

http://www.eastwood.com/sharkhide-al...FUGk4AodvkcAWQ

Anybody else have experience with it?

[AZPete]

I used Sharkhide on the aluminum panels, and other metals parts, on my roadster. When I sold it after 2 years the panels looked new and it was easy to clean but realize that I live in the Arizona desert with lots of heat and dust but no salty roads. I'm now coating 818 parts in Sharkhide and I'll use it on the panels when I get my kit in August.

Regarding insulation, look at EZCool. It's a foil backed foam that is used in NASCAR and it's very effective for heat and noise, plus it's MUCH lighter than other stuff.
http://www.lobucrod.com/
Pete

[Mechie3]

Erik hasn't posted yet. Since yesterday morning. Either he's busy working, or someone else found him and took his kit.

[Xusia]

Wasn't Wayne on his way there, last we heard from him?? Hmm...

[Wayne Presley]

I was there last night, he's working hard on it. Sent me a pic an hour ago and the front suspension and brakes are on.

[Erik W. Treves]

ok guys...sorry....long day at work yesterday and had to pick up my brother at the airport... Wayne and I worked on few things, but mostly walked around the car and talked about the path ahead..also helped him load up...

today...lot's of progress...a good 5 hours...



just playing

[Samiam1017]

Very nice. Looks like lots of progress in only 5 hours.

[Mechie3]

Nice. What size and offset is that front wheel?

[Erik W. Treves]

18 x 8.5 +45 offset

[thestigwins]

I love those wheels. Thank you for taking the time to post pictures and discuss your build. I'm sure there a ton of lurkers on this forum like myself that check this site multiple times a day hoping you have an update.

[timmy318]

You can not believe how slow these 9 days are going to go by me gazing at this build thread!

[longislandwrx]

I was going to use a stock rad for the weight, but these aluminum ones look so much more substantial. Why the tilt though?

Also click the pics, quite a bit more on his photobucket.

[JAubin]

Awesome photos, some really nice prep work and detail in your build already! I wonder how distorted everyone's view that is new to building a kit car (myself included) is getting in seeing how fast you're putting yours together.

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

I love those wheels. Thank you for taking the time to post pictures and discuss your build. I'm sure there a ton of lurkers on this forum like myself that check this site multiple times a day hoping you have an update.

I too think there are a lot of lurkers (myself included!).

I can't wait to see the finished result and hear what Erik has to say about the finished product.

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

I was going to use a stock rad for the weight, but these aluminum ones look so much more substantial. Why the tilt though?

Also click the pics, quite a bit more on his photobucket.

The tilt is to get the radiator to fit under the hood.

Thanks for telling us about photobucket!

[Mechie3]

Do we need to reuse the stock hardlines for the brakes or fuel? I've been storing these since last year and they don't store neatly. It'd be nice to finally fold them up into the scrap bucket.

[David Hodgkins]

Mechie, I know the rest of the kits from FFR com with new hardlines, but I defer to Erik for the definitive answer.

BTW I hope no one gets the idea that their kit will go together as fast a Erik's or Wayne's. Both of these guys are notorious for their fast building skills! They are perfect guys to be doing the first builds, because if there are any issues with the kit, they will find them fast! We really couldn't have a better set of guys doing the first builds.



PS I do have one request for you Erik. Can you post pics to an album here?

[Erik W. Treves]

Dave , sure. no problem at all.. I was just thinking about that. I will start with today's updates after we setup to get the car on the ground with the engine in it

stay tuned...

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

Dave , sure. no problem at all.. I was just thinking about that. I will start with today's updates after we setup to get the car on the ground with the engine in it

stay tuned...

What a tease! Damn, I do have to get some work done sometime today. I can't just keep hitting refresh!

[gwader]

Finally more pics! Your making some great progress.

[metalmaker12]

I can not wait to build mine soon

[DodgyTim]

Erik, I see from the photos you are building on car stands. I'll have to have a trolley/dolly because I'm short on build space nad will need to move it against a wall when I'm not working on it.
Can you please post the measurements front/back and side/side (and possibly a couple of photos) so I can get the trolly/dolly started?

[Frank818]

Those wheels are nice. I would like to see how deep the concave face would be on the rear ones.

But hey Erik, something flammable right underneath the car? I hope you don't smoke!

[MurrayT]

What kind of radiator is that?

[Erik W. Treves]

Well.... another 4 hours or so on the Flash today... I think...well....it looks ..... OK.... maybe I will go ahead and finish it..... ARE YOU KIDDING ME>>>>> this thing looks hot!!! I was going to paint it right away....but man-o-man I am digging the wheels with the white....

My Brother enjoying the day!!! Good job Blake thanks for the HELP!!!!!







ok.. now we need a motor!



All turned around and ready for install of the motor in the morning....

[JayStockE30]

Wow, go on vacation and leave the internet behind for a few days and look what happens. Keep up the good work!

[ehansen007]

where'd you get the seats? How do they fit?

[Erik W. Treves]

I got them on ebay...$298- free ship (2 days) with seat adjusters... fit right in the hole..seem ok...we totally just threw them in the hole for the pic.,,they feel super comfortable for the 3 mins I sat in them... I really need to make sure they really do fit, but I think they look pretty good regardless.