Miata Drivetrain in a SAAB 96
04-14-2012, 12:12 AM
#125
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Final fitting of rear subframe holder has been completed. Pads for subframe mounting points are flat and parallel within a 1/16" of the planned dimension. It's ready to weld in place.
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04-19-2012, 11:39 PM
#126
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Got the parts cut and formed for the rest of the transmission tunnel.
Drilled and used cleco clamps to hold the formed tunnel piece to the floor. Clecos are wonderful temporary fixtures to hold parts while drilling. You drill a hole and then use a pair of plier-like things to depress a spring which retracts the jaws, stick the cleco into the hole, release the pliers and the spring forces out the jaws so the draw the two pieces together tightly and align them.
After that I cut away the part of the floor in the tunnel.
Finally I cut two pieces to fill in the space between the new tunnel and the original Miata subframe section.
I need to remove the paint from the weld areas and can weld the parts in place. Boring I know, but it's what I did today.
Drilled and used cleco clamps to hold the formed tunnel piece to the floor. Clecos are wonderful temporary fixtures to hold parts while drilling. You drill a hole and then use a pair of plier-like things to depress a spring which retracts the jaws, stick the cleco into the hole, release the pliers and the spring forces out the jaws so the draw the two pieces together tightly and align them.
After that I cut away the part of the floor in the tunnel.
Finally I cut two pieces to fill in the space between the new tunnel and the original Miata subframe section.
I need to remove the paint from the weld areas and can weld the parts in place. Boring I know, but it's what I did today.
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04-24-2012, 10:48 PM
#129
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Thanks but there will be no updates for a bit. I pulled the V8 car back into the shop and there it will stay until I get the tach, speedo, Maxiguages gauge pack working. (They are still in the box they came in.)
And then get the alignment and tune done. It's silly to have all of this time and money sitting here and never drive it.
And then get the alignment and tune done. It's silly to have all of this time and money sitting here and never drive it.
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10-13-2012, 12:14 AM
#130
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Started installing new frame rails today. I had to cut the old ones out when I cut the Miata pan to fit into the SAAB.
Both ends look like this.
New frame rails constructed from 2" square tubing with 1" angle iron flanges welded onto it.
Frame rails will be bolted into place first, then welded in once everything is drawn up tight into position. Need to make a hardware run tomorrow for proper bolts and fender washers but everything is pulling into place nicely.
Both ends look like this.
New frame rails constructed from 2" square tubing with 1" angle iron flanges welded onto it.
Frame rails will be bolted into place first, then welded in once everything is drawn up tight into position. Need to make a hardware run tomorrow for proper bolts and fender washers but everything is pulling into place nicely.
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10-14-2012, 08:53 PM
#136
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Totally awesome build. My dad used to road-rally in the 70s. Came up against a few of the old Saabs. He always talked about them. Maybe I can find one of his old Super8 films with a 96 in it.
They were not known for handling, but they were supposedly near indestructible. Many a small tree in northern Europe found its' live ended by Saab 96 bumpers and fenders.
They were not known for handling, but they were supposedly near indestructible. Many a small tree in northern Europe found its' live ended by Saab 96 bumpers and fenders.
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11-03-2012, 12:25 AM
#138
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Picked up a sweet pan/box brake this week in Branson, MO. Not sure what brand it is (it's not marked) but it's very high quality and appears be domestic production. All surface ground fingers, high quality castings. It's at least 400 lbs. Heck, the eccentric shaft is 2" in diameter. Anyway, it appears to be new/old stock. A bit of surface rust but doesn't appear to have ever been used. Got it for $500 but it looks like at least a $1500 unit. Going to be really nice for all of the little panels that I need to bend up to finish boxing in the welded-in sections of Miata unibody.
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11-05-2012, 12:33 AM
#139
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Some pics of yesterday/today's progress.
Just barely started on rust repair tonight. Going to be SLLLOOOOWWW going without a lot of MVP (Major Visual Progress).
Just barely started on rust repair tonight. Going to be SLLLOOOOWWW going without a lot of MVP (Major Visual Progress).
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