Missing?

Before I can connect the gearbox to the chassis, I needed to make this small bushing. There's a aluminum plate that goes between the bell housing and engine. The plate contains 6 steel bushings that the attaching bolts go through, well I was missing one. Not 100% sure it was there when I dismantled the car. Fortunately I have a South Bend lathe that my father gave to me 35 years ago. One of those must have tools in your collection. But anyway, 2 hrs later(on the lathe) I had it replaced and ready to install.

Lucky 13

Graphics shop again did a real nice job. This number is on the nose. The photo to the left(1975), the number was probably hand painted

Last one done.

That's it for the wheels. All 4 done.

Just a little more.

It will still be awhile before I attach the rear to the tub, but placing it position helps to see what modifications might be needed. Needed to make new attaching bolts, the old ones where in pretty bad shape.

The big move!

There's not much more I can assemble on the rear. So it's time to position it behind the tub. I'll continue to use the table it's on now, and make the tub movable for aliment. It will be more visual in the next post.

Windshield installed.

Another one of those long projects that is finally completed.

New Windshield

The new windshield just arrived from LP Aero Plastics Inc. Placed it on the body and the size appears to be perfect. The one thing I still have to do is drill the holes for mounting. It looks opaque, but that's just the protective covering, it's clear.

Three down, one to go.

The rear rims are a bit bigger than the fronts. A whole lot more work to do.

Gearbox Plate

Studs are fitted and the gearbox plate installed. Rear suspension attached, and I guess for now ,this assembly is pretty much finished. There will be little odds and ends, but this will be needed to be fitted to the car and engine.

Starter Motor

Starter motor is overhauled, and ready to go.

More snow and cold weather.

Monday it snowed about 6" , windy and has been in the low teens. March has definitely arrived in as a Lion. On the phone with Jim the other day(engine rebuilder), looks like most of the engine I dropped off will be usable. The crank, block, heads, pan, are OK. The rods might be usable too. The pistons and cam will be replaced. The cam was real old school, it would have required very high revs to produce HP. This engine when completed should go the whole season with very little maintenance. Jim said next week he'll start assembling it.

Two down, two to go.

The front rims are done, now the back. Also the replacement studs are finished for the gearbox plate.

Starter Motor

The starter motor was among missing items when I purchased the car. Figured no big deal, it's a Chevy. Sent a email to the group(fellow Lola restorers)and the response was not good. Reinhold sent a photo of his starter(Lola T190) and the message, you better start looking, your not finding this at a store. And he was right, it uses a reduction gear and works off a smaller flywheel. Immediately I called Chuck Haines at Can-Am cars, yes he had one left. Phew, that was close. I think this is the first time it's been apart. Working on the rest of the missing parts list now. The first race comes in June at Mid-Ohio.

One down, three to go

As with everything else on the car, the more you do the faster you get. Should have all done by mid-March.

Gear box plate

I have always had the suspicion that the gearbox was never used on this car. The serial # was way to early for the year of the car. On the early Lola's they used a plate that attaches to the gearbox cover. When I placed the plate on the cover the studs where to short to attach the nuts. Will have to make up some new studs, no big deal.