Mikey's Ghia Thread...

[Mikey]

I stuck the engine back in today. I wanted to get a good look at it in with the rear apron on. It looks good. I don't really like the way removeable aprons fit. They never seem to fit right. I guess that's the price I have to pay to have it removeable.



Today, I also finished my oil pan. I got 2 O-rings and sealed the pan with some silicone (sp?). Tomarrow I'm going to either work on the front fender or spend some more time in the engine compartment. I keep forgetting to install my Kafer Cup brace before I install the engine. To get an idea of where the exhust will have to go, and the water lines. Maybe throw an axle in that side just to see where everthing is going. It's not going to have a lot of space on the driver's side next to the tranny.

Yeah, comments, suggestions, and questions are always welcome.

[ricola]

Keep the pics coming Mikey

Did you do a test to see if the silicone will withstand hot oil and not peel off? Any idea how much you cut the sump by and do you have some pics of it installed in the car to see relative ground clearances? Did you shorten the pick-up by the same amount or reduce it a bit so it stays as deep as possible?

Rich

[Mikey]

Thanks.

I didn't test the silicone. It's a gasket type of silicone. I figured it would work. I believe I cut the sump down an inch and a half maybe two. I'll snap a picture or two today of it mounted. The exhaust and oil filter are the lowest points now. Yeah I shortened the pick up the same amount. I didn't want to throw it off a bunch from stock. If you try to make it as deep as possible. There is a slight possiblity that it won't pick up enough oil because it's too close to the bottom of the oil pan.

Originally Posted by ricola

Keep the pics coming Mikey

Did you do a test to see if the silicone will withstand hot oil and not peel off? Any idea how much you cut the sump by and do you have some pics of it installed in the car to see relative ground clearances? Did you shorten the pick-up by the same amount or reduce it a bit so it stays as deep as possible?

Rich

[Mikey]

Another update. Oh yeah! It's starting to get to be a daily report.

I spent about 4 hours again today. I started on the right front fender. I'm happy to say, even though I cut a chunk out of it. It looks a lot better than the driver's side. I'm going to probably do the same to it. I think I tried to stretch the driver's side too much too fast. It got out of hand. I only took 1 picture. After being a Tim's shop for about 8 hours. I was ready to go home.

I started out like I did the driver's, I cut the seam. I found some rust and some brase. I hate both. Brasing just blows up when you try to weld it. So I had to cut a strip out of the fender. I cut it out and replaced it with new metal. I left it attached at the opening so it wouldn't change on me. It looks messed up. But it worked great. I know the seam will have some filler in it, but it's a lot closer than the driver's side.



Ricola, I snapped a few pictures and took a few measurements today. I hope they answer your question.

The ground to the left side of the exhaust- 5.75"
The ground to the oil filter - 6.125"
The ground to the front part of the exhust- 6.5
The ground to the oil pan - 6.75"
This first picture is from the driver's side, about the torsion cover pointing back.

The second is from the rear. I tried to get the camera level with the bottom of the engine to give an accurate perspective on the height.


I'm really excited about the passenger side fender. I'm also ready to get started on the rear fenders. That will be a while, but I have my motivation back now. I nearly beat myself to death with the hammer and dolly today. That's a lot of work. I'm gonna be back after it tomarrow.

I'm sure I'll have more pictures again.

[ricola]

Lookin' good!

[Mikey]

Thanks Ricola!

If persistance is half the battle. I'm winning that half. I'm at the shop right now. I love wireless internet. I thought about having a live webcam kinda thing like KCW. Although I have a $20 wal-mart special webcam. The picture isn't the greatest. I'm on webcam right now over msn though. It's working okay.

I almost find it hard to believe. My passenger side fender looks beautiful. I love it, and best of all.... It's 1-3/16" wider!!! I'm going to push it to see how far I can get, but I left it for now to see if I can get the driver's side to go my way. I'm going for at least an 1-1/2" If I can get more I'll try it. Best I can figure, about two rounds of streching with the palm nailer and smoothing with a hammer and dolly will give me 1/8". I'm sooo excited about my fenders. I have to get my brakes machined soon. If I didn't loan friends money they'd be finished. Oh well.

I'll post some pictures later tonight. I don't feel like doing it now since I'm in the middle of this fender.

If someone oh here wants to watch my webcam for whatever reason.
I'm on msn- tellevery1thissn @hotmail.com (no space) No sound but that's good, it's loud sometimes and I talk to myself.

[kitchenware]

great looking project! Looking at it sitting there in a garage that I've stood in many times is cool... My brother and I both used to live back there. We used to get parts through Tim, bought a car from him once. It's really cool to see a Subie swap going down in his garage. Especially so since my brother and I both are building subie swapped cars right now. I'm looking forward to checking back for your updates. :agree:

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by kitchenware

great looking project! Looking at it sitting there in a garage that I've stood in many times is cool... My brother and I both used to live back there. We used to get parts through Tim, bought a car from him once. It's really cool to see a Subie swap going down in his garage. Especially so since my brother and I both are building subie swapped cars right now. I'm looking forward to checking back for your updates. :agree:

That's cool. When did you move out there? I've been hanging around for about 2-1/2 years. I bought my Ghia from Tim. He was a little unsure about it at first, but I think he's come to like it. How are the projects coming? and pictures?

I would have added pictures but my camera didn't copy them like it should have.

[kitchenware]

I'm not going to hijack your thread with my pics... but I've got pics of your car i can share.



I think this was taken back in June... by a friend of mine, Dave, who is also interested in putting a subie lump in his beetle.

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by kitchenware

I'm not going to hijack your thread with my pics... but I've got pics of your car i can share.

I think this was taken back in June... by a friend of mine, Dave, who is also interested in putting a subie lump in his beetle.

Word, you have any more of my car? Email them to me. Also if you want email me some pics of your car. md2284@ yahoo.com

I was starting to think no one was watching this thread.