"Project Orangepeel" 52 A.D

[reaper71]

Pic #1 In this shot is how we normally do our steering column mounts...simply use exhaust tubing just big enough to fit over the column. Then using a large washer open the hole (if needed) so the shaft fits through with plenty of room to move. weld the washer to the bottom of tubing and metal finish..then the entire unit is ready for mounting in firewall. so after you drill your hole for the tubing you can slide it through the hole and get your depth set and mark it on the outside. at this point you can remove the excess (inside the vehicle leave 2-3") and then using flange nut close to the end of tube inside vehicle drill a hole and weld in place for securing the column.
Pic #2 all welded in...

[reaper71]

As I stated before this is what your tube will look like inside....The bolt you see is the way you secure the column,this is where the flange nut is used...So when it's all said and done you have a very solid mount for the column (at the bottom) so now when you need to remove it loosen the bolt and slide the column out of tube..
onto the upper mount..

[reaper71]

In these two pics is the upper mount I'm making it is heavy wall tubing I had laying around and was the right I.D. I needed to fit the column. I cut them in half so there is a way of "clamping" them together.
The plate will then be welded to the upper (stock mount under dash)

[reaper71]

Here is the final mount.. IT has been welded to the upper stock mount coming off the firewall and is super solid. So now when your putting this together, slide the column through the hole in the upper mount and into the lower tube and secure it. One thing I do not have a shot of is in the upper cover for the top mount I put a cap screw in it facing down. The reason for this is so you drill a hole the same size in the column and now the cap screw drops in the hole and locks it all together preventing the column from rotating.

Mark...

[RockinKees]

That looks nice and easy, Mark.

What are you using for brake pedal assembly?
I want to make my own assembly but have to sort it out yet...

[rusty76]

Great work Mark. I really dig the mounting system.

[reaper71]

Thank's Kees....The brake pedal ass. is a Speedway unit it is a 6:1 ratio for the pedal swing I think they are around $90.00 range.

Originally Posted by RockinKees

That looks nice and easy, Mark.

What are you using for brake pedal assembly?
I want to make my own assembly but have to sort it out yet...

[reaper71]

Thanks Rusty76!!
wanted it nice and simple to frills...

Originally Posted by rusty76

Great work Mark. I really dig the mounting system.

[reaper71]

Onto the the next Item...My mount cover...
Here is a shot of the upper mount cover(this is not a structural item) This is simply used as a cover to fill in the gap between the dash and column...
1st I made a template and rolled it to the shape I wanted and then using round bar to finish off the edges.

[reaper71]

In this Pic it is showing the entire cover made
(sorry did not have any pics during the making of lower cover) The lower cover was made from 1 piece and just rolled into shape and is held in place using industrial velcro

[reaper71]

Covers all done....A few shots from diff. angles.
Till next time...
Mark...

[rusty76]

Nice.

[RockinKees]

Looks great, Mark!
You've got a great eye for detail!

And thnx for the info about the pedal assembly!

[reaper71]

Thank's Kees! The part # Is 91631991 they also offer a dual for clutch and brake FYI...

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Looks great, Mark!
You've got a great eye for detail!

And thnx for the info about the pedal assembly!

[reaper71]

Ok guy's this is my next big project!!!
I really wanted a cockpit feel to the interior. I also love the Impala gauge housing's, the problem is they are pot metal (aka cast) and if you try and weld to them they will blow apart.....My solution ....Make my own!!

[reaper71]

First I started with exhaust tubing that fits around the gauge bezel (gauge sits inside tubing) and I cut the tube @ 30 degree angle.. Then using the piece that was cut off it is then tacked and trimmed to replicate the Impala design..(black line is cut off point)
The reason I cut @ 30 degrees and weld it back on, is it was alot easier than trying to get the angle cut with a flat all at one time

[reaper71]

This is what you have after you cut the short section off....time for welding and metal finish..

[reaper71]

Welding and metal finish all done!!

[reaper71]

So...After several hrs cutting,welding and metal finish they look like this.
You may notice the seam on the inside...Yes I weld them and metal finish them as well...
At this point all the small ones are finished, now onto the Large!!

Till next time..
Mark...

[RockinKees]

[Advanced Design]

Mark - Really great ideas you are sharing! Love every one of them and really appreciate your design eye and talent. Thank you for continuing to share and look forward to the next updates.

PS - When do you sleep?

[rusty76]

I've wondered the same thing^^^^^ When do you sleep? Zzzzzzz

[reaper71]

HaHaHa!!!! you guys are funny!!
Alot of the progress I'm sharing was already completed at a earlier date so this is old stuff....

[reaper71]

OK boy's....these are the large bezel's.
again starting with exhaust tubing. (went to a diesel shop for the tubing)
These are still not large enough to fit over the large gauges (3 3/8) so they will need to be cut and opened up about an inch..
this pic shows same steps as the small ones, cut,weld,grind etc.

[reaper71]

In this pic. it is showing the amount it has been opened.
So after I spent the time doing my metal finish on the tube I then cut it open and lightly pull it apart so it will fit around the gauge bezel....Then using a leftover piece of tube I cut my piece to be installed..