Springfield Flyer.

[tauruck]

Funny thing is that SSS gave me permission to start a tutorial on the composite thing
about 3 weeks back. I've been slack due to health, work and other stuff but I promise
I'll get on to it in the next day or two.
I owe it to all my buddies to help where I can. You guys have helped me so much and
I appreciate it no end. It will be in the section where Willy's builds are.

John, if you only knew the truth!!!!!.
Miracles.

[tauruck]

Got some sanding done on my engine cover plug.
My methods are a little unconventional when it comes
to bucks and plugs and if I ever had to do it over i'd have
used a much higher density foam.
The right side is ready for final sanding and filling.
As you can see, the left side's taken a battering due
to it being so fragile. I put my hand through it twice
while moving it.
I love the work especially when I blow the sanding dust off.
Wind tunnel smoke in the yard.

[tauruck]

More work on the right side of the engine cover.
There are so many materials of different density
on this plug it makes sanding a PITA.
I decided to lay up sme woven glass fabric to give
it more stibility. Wet out the cover with some epoxy
and rolled the glass onto it.

[tauruck]

I used a short haired roller because it creates a more even finish and
spreads the resin beautifully.

[tauruck]

I never even had to wash my hands. With a brush most times
you seem to get the Epoxy on your fingers. I throw the rollers away
after use. It costs more in Acetone to clean them than to replace.
After cure I'll give the cover a thick coat of spray filler and sand it to finish
we hope.

BTW, using the roller the whole job took about 15 minutes.

[ggl205]

VERY nice, Mike! I like the idea of using a roller to apply resin. We tried it on my car but I had so much vertical surface to cover, epoxy was dripping everywhere. BTW, where will you run your liner when finished?

John

[tauruck]

John, the trick is not to use too much resin.
The length of the engine cover is 7.2ft and the side from the crown
ia 1.93ft. I used a 220gr/m woven fabric and I only used 400gr of resin.
The short mohair roller does the trick. Being resin rich is just waste.
You'll get the hang of it with time.

I'm hoping to run at Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa.
It's like Elmo but way bigger and smooth as it gets. Dusty though.

[tauruck]

Making some good progress on the engine cover.
It may be divine intervention or that I'm just good
but my feeling is that it's ther former.
I painted a layer of Epoxy on the right hand side of the cover
(which was left over from work on the Pro Mod) and had a look
from the back toward the front. Not any really wavy surfaces like I
expected. Light sanding will sort that out.

I keep looking at the big picture and all the hurdles ahead but like
Tom, Doug and everyone advised patience is the key.
Weirdest part of all is that no one else has laid a hand on this project.
Other than the machining of parts it's all me. No one to blame if things go
pear shaped!!!!!.

There's local monthly industrial publication from a nearby area and they
asked if a reporter could pop in for an interview and a few pics etc.
From the time she got out of the car I knew just how the deal would go down.
She was pretty amazed by the size of the liner and asked the normal questions.
Then it came!!!!. Aren't you afraid?. I'm standing there full of sanding dust, haven't showered in days
and my mood hasn't been great of late. The Pro Mod is eating me alive.
I said "look at this car and the work that's gone into it", does this look like something a fearful person would build?.
We live in South Africa and if fear was my thing I'd have 15' fences and barbed wire. This interview is over and you
need to leave. End of story. No wire, electric fences and the would be burglars are street wise. A guy who doesn't have the security
his neighbours do must have something else.

My rant isn't over. Most of my sponsors have given me product but that was all. They don't come around to check on progress.
I asked for promotional material but only my US based backers complied. What would you guys do in this situation?. I don't want the 11th hour Subaru.
Thanks for the motivation and help you all give.

                                             

[tauruck]

Never been a big eater. Food was just fuel to keep the body working
but lately something got into me and I'm pigging out.
Maybe Buick Guy's posts on Facebook started it.

One of my sponsors supplies automotive paints and related.
I got 50 lbs of Bondo but it's the good German stuff.
I couldn't use it because the containers are made for a body shop
machine that pre mixes the filler and hardener. I called my go to girl
and she just cut me off saying she's moved to another department and can't help.
I need to get the engine cover done!!!!!!!!. Her attitude wasn't nice.
I left it for a week and called the company asking to speak with the
sales manager. Justin was very helpful. He's sending someone to
uplift the stock and replace it with normal containers.

June and July are always lousy months for some reason but it's looking up.
One less hurdle. 

[revolutionary]

keep pluggin away at it!

[ggl205]

My rant isn't over. Most of my sponsors have given me product but that was all. They don't come around to check on progress.
I asked for promotional material but only my US based backers complied. What would you guys do in this situation?. I don't want the 11th hour Subaru.
Thanks for the motivation and help you all give.                                            

Mike, take what they give you, give what you can and keep pointed at completing the car. Sponsors generally are not bashful about what they want so if you don't hear from them, great. Just keep them posted from time to time.

Keep your spirits high, Mike. Work steady and don't exhaust yourself. This should be fun stuff.

John

[tauruck]

John, you're right 100%.
In today's world with the internet, email etc I could be some crook
sitting in an apartment block on the 14th floor ripping comanies off.
All I ask is that they show some interest and come verify that what I say I'm building
really exists. Most just delivered products with a driver.
This is a pretty lonely build. It's just me, that's it. All I hear is that when I make my run they'll be there!!!!!.
So many guys on the forum have said I should have fun and it shouldn't become a chore. I'm trying, believe me
but it's difficult.
I know if I was US based you guys would come around for all the right reasons.
If I could find a tire sponsor I'd sleep better. Prayer is the breakfast of champions and I'm going to keep eating.
Thanks for the kind words friend. God Bless you.                                                                                                                                           

[floydjer]

Mike..If you were within driving distance??  you`d get tired of several of us...quickly.

[tauruck]

That will never happen. You guys are family!!!!.

[Elmo Rodge]

Mike, pay attention. That's what he said.   
Wayno