Archive for the ‘Factory Five Racing’ Tag
Having things from Factory Five on back order is not so bad. It just means that packages arrive every now and then, and it is sort of like having gifts to open and see. For example, earlier this week, the box containing the exhaust headers and rear view mirror finally came back to me. In addition, I received the rear brake kit and the rest of the rear end hardware and fasteners.
The headers are nicely polished aluminum and are surprisingly light for their size. It looks like they mount to the exhaust muffler assembly with these splice-connector sections. Other versions of this exhaust are joined with a flange arrangement. I am not sure if I like this method of connecting the headers to the muffler assembly. I will have to post a question on the Factory Five Forum to see what others have done.
The steering arms are still missing (FedEx tracking info indicates they are in transit and will arrive just before Thanksgiving – this is great timing, since I will have a few days off to do some more work on the car), so I cannot install the front disc brakes. The CV shafts are missing so although I can start on the rear end, I will have to stop in the middle and wait for those pieces before I complete the rear end assembly.
So, I decided to work on the aluminum panels this weekend. I marked, center-punched and drilled the driver’s side footbox first. I used my new cleco pins and pliers for this sheet metal project. I really like them – I wish we used these in Mr. Spence’s 7th grade metal shop class!
See the gap at the peak of the box? I will install a strip of thin bar stock over the entire top seam to make it look better.
Some of you are wondering – what’s a cleco? I wondered about that, too. Wikipedia says, “A cleko, also spelled cleco, is a fastener developed by the Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Company. . .”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleko
So the next thing you may be wondering is – why do I have to use temporary fasteners to put these sections together? Another good question. I have to trim, drill and assemble all of the sheet aluminum parts – and then take everything apart so I can de-burr the holes, remove all the marks and scuff the panels to get them ready for paint. Although some builders have left these panels un-coated and raw, I decided to apply a finish to all the panels to prevent corrosion. My plan is to paint all interior panels (except the dashboard) with silver Rust-Oleum high temperature barbecue paint. I will paint the dashboard with Gray Hammertone – a darker color than silver, and it will have a nice contrast against my AutoMeter gauges.
Everyone seems to talk about the high temperature part of this paint, but no one mentions the fact that no primer is needed. I think that is one of the best features of this paint – one less step to do.
An alternative to the BBQ paint is what I use for my electronic chassis project boxes – Rust-Oleum Appliance Epoxy. This is another paint that does not require a primer, and the stuff is pretty durable. I would use that instead, but the colors are limited to white, black and almond. Yuk. Too bad.
At least, that is the plan so far. I might change. I am also considering some color alternatives to my original plan of having a white body and black stripes. But that part is a long way off. I will make a final color selection when the Halibrand wheels arrive – they still have not shown up yet.
It looks like there are just three things missing from the kit: The front steering arms, the rear CV shafts and the Halibrand wheels. The 302 V8 and T5z transmission should be here in December – so some serious building is about to begin!
My friend Dennis took these photos of the big delivery on October 9, 2012.
This was a tough delivery for Bob from Stewart Transport, since the delivery day was set right in the middle of a street re-surfacing week. The shipment had to be dragged on the dolly from the end of the street to my house, since the Stewart trailer is 70 feet-plus long, and could not make the right angle turn to my driveway.
Make a note of this and if you are not sure, verify with the Stewart Transport people about what is required (turning radius) to get to your house. I have had large cranes on my street (when a new air conditioning unit was installed at my house), but I think the crane may have been very wide, and not really long.
Another thing to consider is how much room you have to store all the boxes you will get. I received 24 large boxes – enough to fill one side of my two-car garage.
It took me two full days to take inventory of what I received, and I still need to check the “chassis-mounted parts.” Some items are on back-order, and I hope to see them soon.
Here are some pictures of the Big Day, taken by Dennis. The other images of the kit and parts were taken by me.
The famous Stewart Transport trailer with the built-in crane unloads a fresh Factory Five Racing Type 65 Coupe.
The Type 65 Coupe on the dolly at the end of my street.
Bob from Stewart Transport and the first dolly-load of boxes.
Taking Inventory. . .
I used a stack of not yet emptied boxes as my desk while taking inventory. Twenty-four boxes total.
I selected the Auto Meter gauge package from Factory Five Racing for my Coupe.
Beautiful wiring harness kit from Ron Francis Wiring.
I always wondered what that warning sticker said on all the Factory Five Racing hoods.
At the end of the second day, both the Coupe and Prius are in the garage.
The Building Phase begins – soon. Stay tuned!
This afternoon, Bob from Stewart Transport called – the big day finally arrives – Delivery is set for Tuesday afternoon.
Two pairs of jack stands and a floor jack are needed to move the shipment into the shop – check. All ready for the delivery!
I am not going to post any “before” pictures of the garage.
I wonder if I will be able to fit the Coupe and the Prius in the garage
Just before dinner tonight, I went to check my mailbox. But I stopped when I saw a white box with Factory Five Racing logo on it.
The FedEx man arrived at my house in stealth mode today. I was studying and although I heard a diesel truck stop, I did not hear a box land just outside of my gate.
This is the first box of stuff for my Type 65 Coupe
I received the manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCOO), the nameplate with my serial number, a set of four rear taillights and a pair of upper control arms for the front suspension.
Ahhhhhh, the smell of new car parts is great!
Building Serial Number 586 begins soon.
I needed some new tools for my Coupe project. One day at the grocery store, I noticed one of those Coin Star machines. I always thought those were just another form of “one armed bandit,” until I took a closer look at the machine’s policies. Yes, there is a service charge in order to change money into money. Not quite sure what that percentage is, which is why I steered clear of those machines.
The Coin Star Machine – One Armed Bandit – or Alternative Financing?
But then I noticed something about fees being waived if you exchange coins for gift certificates from certain vendors. So I had to check that. Lo and behold! Lowe’s Hardware store is one of the vendors for this Coin Star exchange!
Take a look at what I got at Lowe’s for my jar of coins – – –
Torque Wrench, 1/2-inch drive
Snap Ring Pliers
Two Pairs Jack Stands (Not Shown)
A new half-inch drive “clicking” torque wrench, a pair of snap ring pliers and two pairs of jack stands recently purchased with “junk money.”
Speaking of the torque wrench, I really wanted a Sears Craftsman “clicking” torque wrench, but the guarantee is one year. What happened to the lifetime guarantee on Craftsman tools? The Kobalt torque wrench at Lowe’s has a lifetime guarantee.
I am anxiously awaiting the call from Stewart Transport. And I am still trying to clean out my garage!
After some thought and planning, I selected a Ford 302 with electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine and transmission package from the Engine Factory in Lebanon, NJ. This should simplify building the Factory Five Racing Coupe, since everything on the engine will be assembled, tested and ready to go. Chris sent me photos of engines and customers’ installations to whet my appetite. Engines from the Engine Factory are a work of art!
The 350hp, Ford 302 V8 with EFI should be a practical engine for the Type 65 Coupe. It will have a T5z manual transmission.
The EFI unit selected by Engine Factory does not need an external computer, and will increase reliability and reduce emissions. The engine features:
- Precision machined 302 roller block in Ford Blue
- Nodular cast iron crankshaft
- Shot-peened stress relieved connecting rods with 190,00psi ARP bolts
- Hypereutectic Federal Mogul 9.5 to 1 compression piston w/DuraShield coating
- Speed Pro chrome moly piston rings
- 3 piece steel roller style timing chain
- Steel roller camshaft for mid-range horsepower and great low end torque
- Melling oil pump and screen
- Edelbrock rpm aluminum heads 60cc combustion chamber with bronze guides
- 1.94 stainless steel swirl polished intake valves
- 1.60 stainless steel swirl polished exhaust valves
- Comp Cams Ultra Pro Magnum chrome moly steel roller rockers
- Hard seats for unleaded or regular fuel
- Heavy duty 1.45 diameter valve springs, 7 degree locks
- Heavy duty chrome moly push rods
- Low clearance rear sump 5 quart oil pan
- Timing chain cover with scale
- Polished aluminum valve covers
- Heavy duty 157 tooth standard flywheel
- Edelbrock Performer RPM dual plane intake manifold
- Atomic EFI by MSD
- Pertronix FlameThrower ignition distributor w/45kV coil
- ACCEL SuperStock 8mm ignition wires, blue — UPDATE — wires in BLACK (car body will be white, with black stripes, this might match better)
- Thermostat housing
- High volume chrome fuel pump
- High flow water pump
- Dip tube and dipstick
- 14 inch chrome air cleaner with PCV system
- Braided steel fuel lines and filter
- Chrome 100 amp alternator
- Sandon polished A/C compressor
- Complete March under-drive polished pulley set
- Polished chrome alternator bracket
- Serpentine belt installed and tension adjusted
- Balanced, blue printed, assembled by ASE technicians
- QuickTime steel bell housing, clutch kit and starter installed and aligned
- T5z 5 speed transmission
Related Links
Atomic EFI, made by MSD: http://www.atomicefi.com/
Engine Factory, Lebanon, NJ: http://www.enginefactory.com/
Thanks to Jason and Rick at The Factory – and Dave Smith – president of FFR – for the GREAT 50-50 sale – I have configured and ordered my 65 Coupe component car. I am now looking for a Ford Racing 302 V8, with electronic fuel injection and a Super T5 transmission to complete the list of ingredients.
Delivery is scheduled for late September. I am planning to hold a “Delivery Party” with the local F5R builders and some other friends in the area. Probably another great opportunity for another Networking / End of Summer / Coupe Delivery BBQ!
I will be documenting the build with still images and video, too – so stay tuned!
A gallery of these beautiful cars can be found here:
http://www.factoryfive.com/galleries/type-65-coupe/
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