Project Hands-On Honda Continues

Tony finishes a few welds with the car on its side. This view shows the tube layout at the front of the car. Not a whole lot of Honda left now.

Re-installing the roof. Use a clamp with a piece of metal inside and outside the original. Tighten gently, then pull or tap the panels together. Clamp tight and tack-weld.Tack-weld, tack-weld, and tack-weld until the panel is welded solid. Done this way,there is minimal warpage.

Dalton is rolling the rough fender edge cutout. This will help to prevent cutting up your new driving suit when changing tires.After we removed everything else, 3/4-inch tubing was used to support the rear quarter-panels.

The same 3/4-inch tubing used for quarter-panel mounts was flattened for the front roof mount. Hammered flat, a curve appeared, making it nearly a match for the original.

We made a makeshift paint booth by stapling plastic drop cloths to the ceiling. They covered the floor also. With an openin in one end, a fan was placed at the other. The fan intake was covered with air conditioning filters. Check your local ordinances before painting a race car. At some of my previous garages, neighbors It was hard to keep a straight face when telling them it must be a beautiful reflection.

The Jaz fuel cell is mounted. Two 1/8x2-inch straps secure it to the car. The electric fuel pump, the fuel filter, and a filter for incoming air in the vent were all put together on the tank before installation.

A good example of the results of lack of planning. The "X" bracing tubes are exactly where I wanted them. It just so happened the master cylinder was there, too. PVC pipe fittings, an O-ring,and PVC cement saved me. Offsetting the filler cleared the tube. Brake fluid won't touch PVC.

After carving 7 pounds of plastic and rubber from Mr. Honda's steering wheel, a 4-pound piece of steel remained. The rim is covered with a length of heater hose. The tie-wraps not only hold it on, they provide grip not unlike the racing wheels with knobs welded on. Don't forget to cut the ends smooth. Oh, and wear racing driving gloves.

Being budget minded and not being able to get a quick change hub for our Honda steering shaft, I McGyvered one. The stock nut was welded to a fender washer. A spring-loaded bolt was placed through an off-center hole. When released, the bolt rest between the spokes, keeping the nut from turning. Pulling on the bolt allows the nut to be quickly spun off.