Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

awesome build it was a verry nice rustfree car ti start with that shouldve helped a lot
think the sunbeam brand is derived from simca and talbot might be some renault in there too not sure
this car looks an awfull lot like a volvo amazone

come to think of it in india the cars are still used as taxies:
http://www.india-briefing.com/news/w...mini-taxi1.jpg

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

wow they are very similar. Here's a side-by-side:

http://www.india-briefing.com/news/w...mini-taxi1.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1262554092

Sunbeam was a brand under the Rootes Group, which also held the Singer, Humber, Matra, Simca, and Hillman marque. Rootes Group was later purchased by Chrysler. Here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootes_Group

http://www.team.net/www/rootes/

http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/

I'm just back from two weeks in Ukraine. What an experience! Saw some interesting rides there too. Can't wait to get back on this. Should be out there by Thursday (gotta work first).

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

they do sheetmetal too
when youre on google look up bangla bangers and leepu its an english discovery series bout an indian chip foose who makes sportcars out of regular datsuns and nissans

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

The big Indian Taxi is a Hindustan Ambassador. They're basically an old Morris Oxford III/IVwith IIRC an Isuzu diesel engine under the hood.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Took a little break from metal manipulation this week to play with an idea I've been brewing - gotta just roll with the ADD inspired motivation sometimes...

I converted my OG speedo from manual to electronic.

Took it apart and added the needle actuator from the Acura RSX-S cluster (extra actuator shown at bottom of 1st image):
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102440

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102440

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102440

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102440

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102661

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102661

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102661

Surface mounted a jack on the RSX cluster PCB to enable remoting of the actuator:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102661

I found a nylon nut for that upper stand-off after this shot was taken:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263102661

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

...and the end-result:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263103075

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263103075

Now the real question: Does it work? :lol: I'll find out after a lot more wiring work is done...

and thanks again to my awesome helper :)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263103199

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

I hope it works for you :metal: Nice work !

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Wow! U aren't afraid to jump into anything and everything are you? That car is cool and that motor/trans. swap is gonna be sweet. Keep at it and good luck.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Thanks gents :) By the way if my math is right, the indicated speed will be almost exactly 50% of actual with this setup. So I'll have to get the face reprinted to 180 MPH (not that I expect/want it to reach that :lol: ) I'll also have some adjustment available via the AEM EMS.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

i allways wondered why people DIDNT do that , 9 out of 10 times the gauges bolt up to the facia without adapting
its useful when you put another cluster in the truck like an impala dash

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

More gauge work:

With only three holes in the cluster I had limited options for adding a tach. I also HAD to have speedo, fuel level, H2O temp, and oil pressure. Five gauges in three holes means multi-gauges or cutting additional holes (no).
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263280225

Since the OG cluster came with a multi, but only used one of three slots I went with that style. It had oil, water, and amps. I needed oil, water, and fuel and happend to get lucky enough to find one on ebay from a MG, Morris, Austin, AC...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263280870

The only visible difference from the Sunbeam/Hillman style was the center "button" and needle color. That was easily fixed:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263280993

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263280993

This looks much worse than it is because of the flash.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263280993

Now the center cluster hole is freed up for a 52mm tach :)

Here's what's on the way for that. I'll try to use the Minx bezel and needle. Maybe re-silkscreen too:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263281330

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Very nice!

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

I'm sure glad I found this board and then found build threads like yours and LFD's and many others that always have some cool detail or mod that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Nice work man...

-Britain

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

just another annotation....
show off..
hahahhaa

damnned good work brother

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Thanks guys. Just been doing some odds and ends. Made an EGR block-off plate last night. Haven't been motivated to grind for 2hrs which is what I need to do next on the driver's side frame mod. Probably get to that this weekend.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

FF you definately got "Mad Skeelz" :)

Questions about your guage setup:

Are you going to use any other functions of the later model instrument cluster PCB?

Also that PCB was originally mounted in an enclosure with in the dash, how do you plan to mount it in the Minx's dash and you plan to conformally coat it?

And lastly, is the RS-232 connector isolated from the PCB? I see you're using nylon washers on one side but on the other the connector's metal case looks asthough it's sitting directly on the PCB, straddling 2 copper planes as well as several smaller traces. The reason I mention this is that vibration could cause the connector's conductive case to scratch through the solder mask and ultimately causing a short.

Potentially causing you problems and headaches.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Hey there Mil-spec. First, Thanks :) Second, why would anyone switch from Air Force to Navy??? :lol::uhmk::lol:

Other functions of the PCB. Yes, I plan to build a board to remote mount many of the indicator LEDs and LCD.

I will mount the PCB high under/behind the dash inside the plastic enclosure. It has fairly flat front/back covers. The front cover includes the Acura gauge faces that no one will see.

The 9-pin DSUB connector (often used for RS-232) mounted to the board is not the one shown in the vice with soldered wires (that's the gauge side). The one on the board has crimped/inserted pins and a plastic section/pin-housing protruding from the back side, which is what comes close to touching the PCB but is actually held off the board by the stand-offs.

I'll get some close-up shots of that for ya.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Here you go Mil-spec. What do you think?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716058

Got the 52mm tach and stuffed it in the hole just to see how it looked (tilted back in the hole, not secured):
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716058

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716058

Looked pretty sweet IMO, but the non-matching bezel and curved glass would bug the crap outa me so...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716058

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716058

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716058

It took a lot to get that bezel on there, but it was worth it. There is no lense in the pics. I need to have one cut because the fuel gauge lense was too small. I still need to mod the needle to resemble the others and get rid of the dolphin logo.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716058

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Also got some grinding done.
Before:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716952

After:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716992

...and the most fun area :rolleyes: (still need to add the filler strip and grind/smooth the back half)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263717043

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Looking awesome.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

There is an article in this months hot rod about the sunbeam tiger. I found an older article on their web site, but not the current one. Imagine, you could have had a V8!

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicl...ger/index.html

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Yes, I could have had a V8 ...for far less money too. But then it would just be yet another V8 swap. Believe it or not this little Honda 4-banger, which is basically 1/2 of their formula one V8, makes more power than the Tiger's Ford V8. The tiger's power plant made 164HP and later 200HP. The F20C makes 240HP in factory trim. Yes, low end grunt is lacking compared to the V8 but in a light car with proper gearing the lighter, higher rev'ing F20C will be nuthin but grins in a straight line as well as in the twisties. :cool:

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

dont forget the boatanker weight that you now dont have over the front wheels this little car will actually go around a corner

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

This is just wrong in so many diffrent ways

you have some amazing fab skills wish i had these skills
this is a very very cool project you have have

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

:metal::metal::metal:

Keep it up!!!

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Serious attention to details on those gauges. Great job.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

[QUOTE=Frizzle Fry;3738211]Here you go Mil-spec. What do you think?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1263716058

Looks good. Please I hope you don't think I'm being too anal. I really like what you're doing a lot and don't want you to have any problems. I work in development, prototyping and PCB design, so my kids can eat :lol: (by no means an expert though)

The only immediate potential issue I see is where the standoffs interface with the PCB. The solid green areas where the standoffs are resting on are copper plains. I have no idea without looking at a schematic, if the 2 planes are electrically the same, or what. You could trace the plains back to a component with an exposed solder joint and using an Ohm meter, see if they are the same potential or shorted to each other. If they are NOT, then the metal standoffs and metal connector case would provide a shorting path from one plain to the next if the solder mask were to be comprimised. Couple things you could do (if you want), replace the stand-offs with a non-feris type or plastic hardware. Or isolate the existing stand-offs with a material like mylar or some sort of plastic sheet under them. (I like to use old coffee can lids because they are flat and can be trimmed to whatever you want. ** also as expoxy forms because the 2 part I use won't stick to it**).

Another possiblity might be to locate an appropriatly sized enclosure to house the PCB (Mouser or Digi-Key or some similar online place). With the PCB ridgidly mounted, you could use panel mount I/O connectors mounted in the enclosure itself and that would help protect the board from Vibration at the connection points. If grounded properly, then from noise as well(I didn't even want to get into injecting noise in the plains). Depending on the enclosure selected, might make easier to install in the Minx.

Hopefully that wasn't too Nerdy. I you need more clarification, let me know.

I had fun in both services :metal:

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Too nerdy??? :lol: We are well beyond that!

Thanks for the suggestions. The the holes I put the standoffs in were pre-existing with metal screws holding the needle actuator at that position. I think I'll take your advice and add some plasic washers anyway.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

:lol: No prob.

If that is the case, then it maybe that the 2 plains are the same potential and you'll be fine. It's hard to tell, not having the board in front of me. What your doing looks sound, I was just looking at it from longevity stand point if you planned to drive it hard or AutoX the car, but I'm sure you'll baby it like a Grandma right? :lol: Hopefully not with the redline that engine has.:devil: (I've breifly entertained the idea of mating a Honda engine to the transaxle in my wife's Corvair)

Regarding your LCD package, are you planning on desoldering it and relocating or getting another display and jumpering onto the thru-hole leads on the secondary side of the board?

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Man I have to say. That thing is awesome. Great job.

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

It will be autox'ed and driven hard :burnout:

The LCD contacts are just pressed in so it's easy to remove. I am planning to simply solder leads between the back of the board and the LCD contacts with another DSUB arrangement in between.

Thank you! :)

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

I look forward to watching your progress. I'm curious how do you plan to resilkscreen the Tach?

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Frizzle,
I didn't know they made a Chevy Sunbeam!!! This thing looks like its going to fly.
JRBECK64

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Gauge shops can do it. Here's one example.

You can make anything a Chevy! But this one has zero Chevy blood. Well, I did use a section of Chevy inner fender... :lol:

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Umm, wow is all I have to say. This car is going to be one of a kind, and friggin amazing at that. Good luck with the rest!!!!

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Thanks Ed :)

I've made some serious progress with the DS inner fender and frame rail. Same deal as the other side so I'll post pics when it's further along. I did get the itch to ditch the honda logo and VTEC lettering from the coil cover. Here's the direction I'm going with it (script is just sitting on there for now):

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1265077724

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1265077724

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Nice!

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

sick sense of humor.. but i like it!

Re: '66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...
 

Frizzle, that car is coming along nicely, way prefer the sunbeam wmblem over the V=TEC emblem. i SURE WISH THAT I NEVER SOLD MY s-2000 now. I had plans for it but needed the money. darn it. Darn caps lock also. to lazy to fix it.