1970 SWB : Porterbuilt to the Extreme "Double E"

[mikeleeshields]

I just went to my neighborhood Napa and got some new electronic goodies and heavy build primer. This darn thing will be started soon I promise.

New: headlight switch, brake switch, dimmer switch, ignition switch, oil pressure monitor, water temp sensor.

[mikeleeshields]

Here is a picture of the tubs I am working on modeling up. We call them drain pan extrusions in the restaurant equipment world and they are referred to on here as speed holes, haha.

What do you think?

[jlsanborn]

Super cool! Solid modeling is awesome, wish I could learn. I'm old-school wire frame ACAD Are you going to put something behind the "drain pan extrusions"?

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by mikeleeshields

Here is a picture of the tubs I am working on modeling up. We call them drain pan extrusions in the restaurant equipment world and they are referred to on here as speed holes, haha.

What do you think?

Looks good Mike. I like the lightening holes for that purpose only. IMHO, Sometimes they seem to get overused for decoration. Again, that's just me. Can you bend up a large radius on the angle or do you have to keep it small to accommodate your tread?

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Super cool! Solid modeling is awesome, wish I could learn. I'm old-school wire frame ACAD Are you going to put something behind the "drain pan extrusions"?

Solid modeling is a really great tool. I have plans to make a few more items also. A new radiator cover, debating on the extrusions for that, I don't think I like them in it. I am probably going to try to make some new inner front fenders as well. I wish I had the money for Slosh Tubs but I have too much other stuff to buy.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looks good Mike. I like the lightening holes for that purpose only. IMHO, Sometimes they seem to get overused for decoration. Again, that's just me. Can you bend up a large radius on the angle or do you have to keep it small to accommodate your tread?

Thanks man. I don't like to see them used too much either. I was looking at a few trucks today (Brigham) and thought it was a nice little touch there. The largest die we have it a 1" die. I am going to ask my fab guy if he can just conform 18Ga to the front face. If so I will do that and round it out more. We will see.

[jtp67-72]

You mean u don't like this??.....lol.....Ive got dies and still found it better to by this ....but i made the corner pulls.....its all in the details...lol.......jim

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

You mean u don't like this??.....lol.....Ive got dies and still found it better to by this ....but i made the corner pulls.....its all in the details...lol.......jim

In the front up there I think it looks better if the holes are capped off. As far as making these parts, Fortunately I work in the engineering department of a major factory that has about 40 huge press brakes. I draw it up they cut it on a laser and they form it and weld it for me. Makes government work easy and nice in every case lol. I will get the dimensions I need and draw up a few different concepts to see what I want.

[jtp67-72]

on the radiator cover i agree..i'm not done with that yet...on the corners i like them open......but i am always looking for different ways of doing things!!..jim

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

on the radiator cover i agree..i'm not done with that yet...on the corners i like them open......but i am always looking for different ways of doing things!!..jim

I am also. That is what this site is for. I love it. A great community

[mikeleeshields]

I just about have all the wiring routed and I'm going to try and start it this weekend. Wish me luck

[suspect]

Good luck on first start! If you have a fuel cut off valve, make sure its open. I forgot mine was closed on first start. I was sweating, until I remembered. Fired right up with some fuel. Ha!

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by suspect

Good luck on first start! If you have a fuel cut off valve, make sure its open. I forgot mine was closed on first start. I was sweating, until I remembered. Fired right up with some fuel. Ha!

That is kind of funny. I don't have a cutoff at this point. The good thing is the engine ran a little over a year ago.

[mikeleeshields]

Well I finally shot some heavy build on the firewall.

I also finished routing the wires into the engine compartment. I changed the oil and primed the engine also. Im ready to start her up this week finally.

I put the bed back on and started mocking up some wheel tubs and figuring out how I want to design my bed floor. Do I just raise the entire floor to the top of the notch, do I only raise the wheel tubs and the notch cover and just barely raise the floor. Do I leave my gas tank exposed through the floor. So many questions and ideas running through my head.

[mikeleeshields]

Here is what I have so far. I think im going to raise the bed floor around 8 inches and make 3 hinged compartments. Front one for air Equipment, middle one for the notch and the last one for the gas tank area. We will see how it pans out. Don't know if I want to just do sheetmetal panels, wood floor, or formed aluminum panels to mimic wood slats but riveted together down the center rather than strips holding them together.

[mikeleeshields]

I've actually accomplished my goal. I put the engine back together and finally started it for the first time in over a year. It sure was loud but started and ran on her own. A sense of accomplishment.

I started making a bed frame also. Should I just raise the entire floor up or try to keep the majority of the floor as low as possible?

[ajgriffin]

Congrats!!! Now let's hear it!

I say raise the whole bed floor up. I don't think it serves any purpose trying to keep parts of the bed low.

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by ajgriffin

Congrats!!! Now let's hear it!

I say raise the whole bed floor up. I don't think it serves any purpose trying to keep parts of the bed low.

Thanks buddy. I need to get some pipes and mufflers on first. I will be in cypress ca next week how close is that to you.

[ajgriffin]

Originally Posted by mikeleeshields

Thanks buddy. I need to get some pipes and mufflers on first. I will be in cypress ca next week how close is that to you.

I bet it was loud without those parts on! Cypress is less than 30 minutes away, shoot me a PM when you're in town!

[Xeen]

It's been awhile since I have stopped by and I gotta say WOW everything looks great man. I have one concern with the speed holes in the rear wheel tubs and I know I'm stating the obvious here but won't road debris shoot through the holes into your bed?

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by ajgriffin

I bet it was loud without those parts on! Cypress is less than 30 minutes away, shoot me a PM when you're in town!

I might do that buddy.

Originally Posted by Xeen

It's been awhile since I have stopped by and I gotta say WOW everything looks great man. I have one concern with the speed holes in the rear wheel tubs and I know I'm stating the obvious here but won't road debris shoot through the holes into your bed?

Thanks man. I see you finally started working on yours again, good luck on the brakes.

[mikeleeshields]

Shot some semi flat black on the firewall so I can try to get this thing roadworthy for Good guys in Columbus next month. Wish me luck.

[Bennett68C10]

Looks good Mike, what did you use for the black on the firewall?

[mikeleeshields]

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Looks good Mike, what did you use for the black on the firewall?

Thanks Keith. I just used rustoleum spray bomb semi gloss black. It is just temporary for now. Hopefully it sands off easy later on.

[mikeleeshields]

I actually got to work on the beast for a few hours yesterday.

I got the brake system completed. Front calipers installed and lines installed. Brake booster and proportioning valve done with all the connecting lines.

If I want this thing drivable in the next 3 to 4 weeks I need to:
- Get the steering column installed
- Get an exhaust installed
- Mount a battery
- Button up wiring
- Install driveshaft
- much much more.

It doesn't seem possible.

[Bennett68C10]

Looking good Mike, you'll be driving in no time