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3-28-09
This will be the last entry for Year Five. (wow! has it been that
long)
Sadly, I am way beyond the 3 year time frame I had
planned for. However, there are many things I did not forsee originally. Not to mention how my life has changed since then.
I am very devoted to school and there is a constant stream of projects around the house that require my immediate attention.
Hopefully Year Six will be more productive.
1-4-08
Mike's new shop is smaller, but in some ways better. He's barely getting settled, and I'm still struggling
to find time. I need to make a decision. I need to ask Mike if he will put more time into my project for payment, or I'll
need to move the Morris out of his shop until I have more time to spend with it. Mike has never had a problem with the Morris
hanging out in his shop. It does generate conversation with prospective business clients. But I feel guilty leaving it there.
I give Mike some cash every month... he always asks "What's this for?". I don't need to store a project I don't have time
for 30 miles away, and while it's in good faith, I can use that cash for other purposes. I need to see progress, or officially
but it on hold.
12-3-08
Mike has moved his shop. The Morris moved with it. I have finals this week. I bombed my first test, but
had a high average, hopefully high enough to maintain that A. Another test later today, the last of this semester. I hope
to use the time off at Mike's shop and finishing various other projects.
10-28-08
I'm doing my best to focus on school work instead of cars. My grade are great, and I even sold
the Taurus station wagon. The Morris is 30 miles away, and the 1 hour round trip barely fits into my schedule,
so no time do get involved in any work. Mike has finished the sheet metal work around the radiator and inner fenders. It needs
some structural support from the radiator surround to the chassis.
8-28-08
Here are some pics of the latest work. The fender well was cut back about 2". The cut fenders are being
reskinned where the rust was too bad. I purposely picked out the worst fenders I had to cut up, rather than destroy a good
set. The radiator support bracket makes a great place to rest a cold drink while working.
8-12-08
I modified the lower rear edge of the driver's side inner fender to allow more room for the tire when turned.
The tire was hitting and not allowing full turning lock. The problem would have been worse once the suspension was fully loaded.
I unbolted the shock and raised the suspension to a point beyond the maximum allowable suspension travel. All total, I took
about 2" out of the lower edge and made a clean arc about 75° up. The inner
fender will be replaced with new sheet metal. The passenger side will be done in the same fashion.
8-8-08
School and work have sucked up all my free time. What little free time I can find, I've been spending on
a couple of the projects here at home. I'm very undisciplined about doing my homework, so I try to make working on my projects
the reward for completing my homework.
I haven't made much progress on the Morris. Here are the last couple things that have been done. I cut the
fenders. Mike welding in the lips. I built a bracket to hold the radiator. One of Mike's helpers began sanding the cab and
mounted the doors. Actually, I think the doors where mounted just to get them out of the way while the shop was being cleaned.
  5-15-08
Mounting the steering wheel column is presenting an interesting challenge. All this big hot rod stuff crammed
into a tiny area is making it difficult. Mike presented the idea of a gear and chain setup to connect the steering column
to the steering shaft from the rack. The Wilwood pedal assembly should work well. After it's all said and done, the Morris
may not steer as well I hoped, but it will stop very well.
5-6-08
Pics as promised.
The new wheels and tires, the fuel cell, one of the seats sitting on custom riser mounts, the cooling fan assembly modded
to fit, and the fenders are cut.
        4-15-08
I installed the fuel cell, but will need to lower it a little bit now that the rollover vent is installed.
I also worked on mounting a fan to the radiator. I purchased a Flex-A-Lite dual fan with shroud kit, model 220. Nice unit,
very compact, and construction seems very good for a universal kit. When I looked at measurements online, it appeared to be
a perfect fit, so I spent the $220 and ordered it. Well, I didn't account for the inlet and outlet tubes on the radiator,
and the fans didn't fit. After a day of thought, I decided I'd take the risk and hack up the $220 fan kit... it worked out
very well. I cut a couple holes in the outer edges of the shroud and it fits the radiator like a glove. I also worked on finishing
the radiator mount. Since the bottom edge has been moved up 3", the upper edge need some re-working as well. The lower
edge now clears the bottom of the front clip, and is less susceptible to damage. I keep forgetting to take my camera to the
shop.
4-8-08
Each April begins a new year for this project. Mike has been making changes around the shop rearranging
projects. The Morris is moving from one bay to the next. It will be closer to the tubing bender. I want to build the front
half of the roll cage with A-pillar bars, door bars, and a halo. All of this will continue to allow the body to be removed
from the chassis without interference. I think the most notable aspect of Year Four is that I finally made it over $20,000
spent so far. I expect to spend at least another $10,000 before it's painted, running and driving.
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