Nice idea on the washers, might steal that. Interestingly enough the uprights are not symmetrical, one side wants a 80mm gusset and the other wants 100mm.

While I was in the garage measuring up and changing over the big migs wire (I was lazy yesterday and used the gasless) I had an idea.

So.. The front of the car relies heavily on the cross member for rigidity, which begs the question - why no horizontal bolts to tie it properly to the chassis rail? Why didn't Ford use the obvious opportunity to extend and brace this section properly with a captive nut here.

 
 
Followed by a hole through the rail here.


 
This would add WAY more rigidity to the front of the vehicle for the cost of a bolt and nut with next to no weight added. In my mind by not locking the crossmember in on the horizontal plane allows for a fair amount of flex considering the pressures and weight exerted on it.

What you think team? Worthwhile mod or pipe dream?


Sneaky edit - Im stealing some pictures from Mk2 Mitch's videos. Look at the amount of room here, it really needs a spacers to at least get it snug between the rail and the crossmember, the amount of flex the turret could have because of this I think would be substantial.

Yeah nice, thought so.

So plan of attack should be to measure rail to rail between the mount holes and measure plate to plate on the crossmember,

If its for arguments sake 3mm each side to center it, fab up two three mm plates to the bracket but go higher up the rail, ending just before the top would be ideal.

Tack it up and test fit to make sure its snug, weld it, drill out the mount holes, maybe even two, because then you could run a sandwich plate in the arch for even more support. Offer it up to the car and snug up the bottom bolts and mark the top holes on the rail, take it out, drill the rails and job done.

Seems easy enough, I'll give it a crack.    
 

 
It would basically look like this - obviously not to scale 

Small update, it was raining on the day we organized to bring the chassis home so we moved the date to potentially Monday, I have to call the tow truck driver tonight to organize.
 
So to keep myself busy I prepped and painted the rear calipers and chucked a new shelf in the garage to keep the nose cone safe when it comes back next week.
 
 
 
Can't get over how good a finish you can get when you put the spray can in warm water beforehand.  

shiny new welder!
Whats with the gas bottly thing on the back for?  

I suppose the paint must be nice when the reflection of the welder looks that good 

Feast your eyes! She's home!!!!
 

 

 

 

 

 
Absolutely WRAPPED with how she came up, there are a few minor things that will be addressed when the car is together and finished like the final paint correction and a minor blemish on the drivers A pillar.

But she's straight and clean and lovely and I've just sat there staring at it.
 

Cripes that does look Mint as Paul says on odd autos. I would be scared to touch it, money's well spent right there . Sit and stare all day yes!
A bare painted shell always seems to look so good with all the curvey edges and empty engine bay . Wish I could paint that good! Oi be careful installing that bonnet release spring they are tricky to not scratch paint off

Yes Mark that is one superb paint job.
Never thought a bonnet grommet could evoke so much pleasure!
I'm sure you'll take your time and mask up etc.
 
On the crossmember. Just fit a cage, that will lock everything up
Seriously though it is a good thought on the addition of horizontal fixings to the existing OEM vertical.
I suppose a strut brace would have some influence on the rigidity?

Wow, what can I say? Stunning. Even I've got a sense of satisfaction after vicariously watching it progress to this stage.
Have you got any plans for treating the paint? Ceramic coating or the like. Only reason I ask is it might be worth doing the engine bay now while its empty. Its a bugger of a job if you decide to do it when everythings back in there.
Ask me how I know