Work is progressing on the Silva Maco

dreamer wrote: Grill progress!

I think you win the most improved nose category. The round headlights made a 100% improvement, but the grill is killer.

Grill progress and body update

Randy- They are not great pics. When I get my scanner running again , Ill give it a shot.
skip

Firefingers wrote: Grill progress!

Thanks Dreamer!

It's coming along nicely... taking way longer than I anticipated, but I should have counted on that... they always do take longer.

In retrospect, if doing a full-width grill again, I would have made all the grill sections 1 1/2" wide, instead of going way bac …

FINALLY!

Skip, how right you were... I was told two- to three weeks, and I finally got my Mako back from the fiberglass/gel coat guy AFTER FIVE MONTHS!

Good news is that he put two thick coats on and I should be able to block the gel coat without even thinking about filler, and maybe not even much building primer.

Once again, I went a slightly different engine direction and sold the 400 stroker small block I had. I had my engine guy build me a 337 cubic inch destroked 350; it's a 1969 4-bolt mains 350 block with a steel 327 large-journal crank, HP rods, forged 11.5-1 pop-ups, big solid roller cam, Edelbrock aluminum heads all done up, gear drive timing set (a touch of initial advance on the cam), and a vintage Edelbrock STR-10 cross-ram two-piece staggered dual-four setup. Should be good for 7800+ RPM and 425HP or so... should sound like a million bucks through that Hooker side exhaust! This engine is going to match my "road race" Mako theme better with the high revving capacity, etc.

Here are some progress pictures; I hope you enjoy them. I'll be mounting the body to the frame in the next week or so, and will update again.

Take care Mako brothers! ~Tim

CarlBreit wrote: Grill progress!

You havent thought about making a couple more grills like yours, for a few other Makos. ;-)

FINALLY!

Hey Tim-

In that third pic, do those louvers fit a '68-77? If so, you're going to have to build a crate for all the stuff you'll be shipping to NJ (Hood and louvers...so far, LOL)

Keith

Firefingers wrote: Grill progress and body update

Carl, I would be willing to consider that, but only after I'm done with this and know what the variables and ultimate cost will be. The aluminum alone was over $300.00 to start, and polishing is going to run another $150.00. I'm currently into it $850.00 and it' …

FINALLY!

Tim,

She's really lookin' good !!! I know its been a long wait, but it looks like it was worth it.................. I'm looking forward to seeing your project come together !

Rick

skip wrote: Grill progress and body update

Hi- Grill is really cool. And, 3 words you may not be thrulled to hear- Body shop jail!! Skip

FINALLY!

Thanks Guys,

We're thoroughly cleaning the underside, and then will prime and undercoat it before mounting the body back onto the frame. Got the gas tank media blasted and "aluminized," and back on the frame. I used some self-adhesive rubber flashing to isolate the mounting straps from the tank; seemed to work well.

I ordered the body mount bolt and hardware kit form Corvette America; should be here tomorrow. Might be a week or so before the body's ready to go back on, though. Getting excited to have some progress again!

Keith, I do still have the hood but don't know how the logistics might work to ship... I've never shipped anything that large. The louvers were on a '70 Mustang fastback I bought years ago, but they weren't correct for the car... maybe they are for a Corvette? I couldn't say for certain.

Here's an engine picture just for kicks!

Firefingers wrote: Grill progress and body update

I hear you there, Skip... I do most of my own bodywork and prep for just that reason.

The guy got back in town this weekend after being gone for over three weeks... I did ask him to do the work personally instead of assigning some lackey to the task, so I'mhaving …

Body bolt kit arrived

Got the Corvette America new body bolt fastener kit today... the website said it would come with new inspection/access covers in the rear wheel well areas, but no... hopefully they'll send them free of charge. Good heavy-duty hardware, though.

Question if someone in-the-know reads this: does the body channel under the doors actually rest ON the frame, or do the body mounts keep it up off the frame that 1/2" or so (size of the aluminum spacers)? The reason I ask is that I'd like to eliminate the spacers if possible to lower the body down as much as possible on the frame, if it doesn't already sit on the frame. I figured I could use that self-adhesive rubber weatherstripping I've got on the top edge of the frame to prevent any rattling, etc. The 1/2" would make a difference overall, if I can gain it.

Your input is requested!

2Sharks wrote: Grill progress and body update

Skip, We would all like to see your pics.

Body bolt kit arrived

To answer your question, Yes the alum spacers go between the body and frame. But the later 74 up rubber mounts do a much better job. helps to do away w/ stress cracks. what your talking about doing is going to add to the stress cracking if you plan on driving it very much.

skip wrote: Grill progress and body update

Randy- They are not great pics. When I get my scanner running again , Ill give it a shot. skip

Semi-update

Wow, has it really been a year and a half? Funny how time flies...

I received an email the other day from Robert, along with a follow-up by Marv. My login failed some time back (probably a 1.5 years ago!) and for what seemed a long period I couldn't get a reply with my login info, which of course I didn't properly record.

Anyhow, I've been lurking, and recently requested the said info, and received it right away... I guess there was some issue for a while? Anyhow, HELLO EVERYONE! :)

I have indeed been plugging away at my car, slowly but surely. The money I spent having it gel coated was a complete and utter waste; the chump who did the work was no car craftsman, and applied it at best with the texture of an old football... orange-peel would be way to generous to describe this nubby texture. I had to block almost all of it back off the car, and second-time around will simply use a polyester primer/sealer to do double-duty.

The body is ready for primer again... smooth, straight, and sweet. The big news for me is that just last week we finally re-mounted the body to the chassis... spent a lot of time detailing the underside, wheel wells, etc. so the car would look just as new from underneath as from above. It's a thrill to have it back on wheels again.

I'm going to seek professional assistance to get the stance of the car as low as reasonably possible... the wheel lip openings on the Mako seem physically higher than the "stock" Corvette counterpart; is that just me? Anyhow, it makes the car seem higher off the ground than it is... wheel and tire fitment will assist, of course.

I've mentally labored over the rear window treatment and came up with my own personal solution. I'm cutting the entire louvered section out about 1" down the side of the tear drop, and about 4" above, intothe sail panel. I bought a plate and hinge assembly from an '81 hatchback, and will mount the a custom flat rear glass permanently (window ribbon/tape) onto a flange (weathertight), then hinge the louvered panel to come down on top of it. With that hinge and proper weatherstripping, the gap will be only 1/8" or so, and the hinge is hidden. It will look "factory," which is my objective throughout. It will allow the louvered hatch to be raised to clean the window; that is it's only purpose, other than facilitating a properly-sealed rear window treatment.

Bought a new fuel sending unit and mounted the gas tank as well...

Good to "see" all you guys! I'll snap some pictures and post them later. Take care Mako brothers! ~Tim ( Brother Firefingers )

Firefingers wrote: FINALLY!

Skip, how right you were... I was told two- to three weeks, and I finally got my Mako back from the fiberglass/gel coat guy AFTER FIVE MONTHS!

Good news is that he put two thick coats on and I should be able to block the gel coat without even thinking about filler, and maybe not even …

Update with pictures

So, I'll try to post this with pictures if I can remember how to do it...

Body is finally back on the chassis. My current project is to cut the louvered section from the teardrop back, then fabricate channels to mount a solid rear window, then install an '81 hinge assembly, then reinstall the louvers, which will then have hidden hinges and latch. Glass will be mounted just like an old-school windshield, with window ribbon. Hatch will have weatherstripping on the underside just like a trunk lid. I'll have a provision for drainage.

Point being, the Shark will now be weather-tight, and the hatch louvers will raise for cleaning. Should like like a factory-original setup when done.

Let's see if I can post images... Ok, it's not taking the images... is there a current site problem?

parkeracing wrote: FINALLY!

Hey Tim-

In that third pic, do those louvers fit a '68-77? If so, you're going to have to build a crate for all the stuff you'll be shipping to NJ (Hood and louvers...so far, LOL)

Keith

Pictures!

Ok, here's the layout for the cut-out... I've made some progress since then; mounted the hinge to the louvers, installed the mount for the hinge to the sail panel, and am fabricating an aluminum channel for the window to seat into on the body opening.

454CanAm wrote: FINALLY!

Tim,

She's really lookin' good !!! I know its been a long wait, but it looks like it was worth it.................. I'm looking forward to seeing your project come together !

Rick

More

More pictures...

Firefingers wrote: FINALLY!

Thanks Guys,

We're thoroughly cleaning the underside, and then will prime and undercoat it before mounting the body back onto the frame. Got the gas tank media blasted and "aluminized," and back on the frame. I used some self-adhesive rubber flashing to isolate the mounting straps …

More

Excellent as usual.
Glad you are posting again, it was getting a little sparse around here.
This is the way that I was fixing my Motion Kit.
Marv, you need to pay attention to this set up!
Keep it going!

Firefingers wrote: Body bolt kit arrived

Got the Corvette America new body bolt fastener kit today... the website said it would come with new inspection/access covers in the rear wheel well areas, but no... hopefully they'll send them free of charge. Good heavy-duty hardware, though.

Question if someone in-the- …

Good to be working on her again

It feels good to once again be making some forward progress on the Shark.

I discovered what amounts to a pretty big setback the other day... I had been complaining about the poor finish quality of the gel coat, and put many hours into blocking it down for polyester primer... well, when I cut the louvered section from the car, a piece of the gel coat chipped off. Concerned, I began to explore the adhesion, and found that the jackass I paid to do the job didn't remove the paint first (as instructed), nor did he even sand the car at all.

The only places the gel coat is properly adhering is where I sanded to prep the sail panel areas for the scoops, etc. Everything else literally peeled up with a paint scraper, in big pieces. It would have been a nightmare if I had painted it, gotten a chip through the gel coat, and the entire panel just flaked away.

Now, I have to sand off ALL the gel coat and start over. I shopped this job, made my own punchlist prior to landing on a painter, went over each step in detail (remove all existing paint, perform x, y, and z repairs, remove stainless trim, mask glass and wires, etc.). I did all the thinking for him, and this guy lied straight to my face and just did a terrible hack job for over a grand. :(

rockcrusher67 wrote: Body bolt kit arrived

To answer your question, Yes the alum spacers go between the body and frame. But the later 74 up rubber mounts do a much better job. helps to do away w/ stress cracks. what your talking about doing is going to add to the stress cracking if you plan on driving it very much.

Good to be working on her again

Tim,

hope you have somehow the chance to get some money back from this guy.
Too bad people try to trick others.

Good luck

BTW: like to see how your Mako is making progress.

Greets
Robert

Firefingers wrote: Body bolt kit arrived

Got the Corvette America new body bolt fastener kit today... the website said it would come with new inspection/access covers in the rear wheel well areas, but no... hopefully they'll send them free of charge. Good heavy-duty hardware, though.

Question if someone in-the- …

More

This is the way that I was fixing my Motion Kit.
Marv, you need to pay attention to this set up!

I am paying attention!!!

I'm getting old and will have trouble seeing out the rear window, especially if it gets dirty, so the clear glass with hinged louvers installed over it sounds like a great way to go.

I'll be interested in what you use for the glass; something out of another car or custom made. My '64 coupe had great veiwing area, but I think the mid-year rear glass is too much different from the Mako body and wouldn't lend itself to louvers.

Great stuff Tim. Glad you are finally getting back to your car and making progress.

rockcrusher67 wrote: Body bolt kit arrived

To answer your question, Yes the alum spacers go between the body and frame. But the later 74 up rubber mounts do a much better job. helps to do away w/ stress cracks. what your talking about doing is going to add to the stress cracking if you plan on driving it very much.

Glass

The channel I'm molding into the rear of the body is flat/planer; just curved at the edges to follow the shape of the teardrop. I'll just be able to use flat safety glass, cut to shap... just make a cardboard template that drops in, take it to the local glass company, and voila, no problem!

:)

Firefingers wrote: Semi-update

Wow, has it really been a year and a half? Funny how time flies...

I received an email the other day from Robert, along with a follow-up by Marv. My login failed some time back (probably a 1.5 years ago!) and for what seemed a long period I couldn't get a reply with my login inf …

Rear louver hatch

Progressing on the rear glass/louver area.

Here are pictures of the sail panel with the channel 'glassed in; not completely done but epoxied in place, coverd in mat and resin, and then built up with Duraglass, along with the rivets being drilled out and holes filled.

Ditto on the hatch/louvered lid... you can see the '81 hinges; what you can't see is the metal plate that is now sandwiched/'glassed into the hatch.

Firefingers wrote: Update with pictures

So, I'll try to post this with pictures if I can remember how to do it...

Body is finally back on the chassis. My current project is to cut the louvered section from the teardrop back, then fabricate channels to mount a solid rear window, then install an '81 hinge assem …

Rear louver hatch

Tim,
just a idea.
When you anyway have a aluminum frame in the hatch, maybe you could make a small barel out of aluminum, in the middle of the slats, and fix also the stability of the slats to remain in the same position.

Looks great your idea with the hinges.

Greetings
Robert

Firefingers wrote: Pictures!

Ok, here's the layout for the cut-out... I've made some progress since then; mounted the hinge to the louvers, installed the mount for the hinge to the sail panel, and am fabricating an aluminum channel for the window to seat into on the body opening.

Rear louver hatch

Thanks for the input, Robert!

The latching mechanism, whatever it turns out to be, should serve double-duty in hold the louvers down, and keep them properly centered/positioned on the car.

Fiberglass work is slow-going.... ~Tim

Firefingers wrote: More

More pictures...

Window channel build

Progress pics of the rear window channel build; I bought 1" x 1" aluminum angle stock, and cut slits in it to be able to make a curve, and to bend it up/down to form a flat/planar area.

After shaping and fitting, I screwed them to the car to trial-fit. After adjustment, they are glued into place with two-part epoxy. Note the rear channel; there will be a matching one in the front as well.

After all this is epoxied into place, the screws come out, and then it will all be sandwiched between layers of fiberglass mat and cloth. The two tabs you see are were the hinges mount. Of course, all this will be hidden behind fiberglass, paint, and uphostery... you're getting the rare "behind the curtain" look, lol!

Finally, the hinged hatch portion fitted back to the car for your approval! ~Tim :)