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fit with a Glide Engineering seat
frame, which will be mounted in
the correct location, the seat track
will be welded to the floor. |
This
is a basic seat frame so padding
is added to simulate where Blackstock
would sit and the upholstery is
installed.
This is then measured from any gauging
position so the height can be duplicated
when the upholstery is completed.
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Measure
where the steering wheel will fit
after the column is installed, this
location can change forward or backward
depending on the driver.
The angle through the firewall is
what's most important. |
If
a shorty column is used this procedure
is much easier.
Then we sit the car's owner in the
car holding the steering column
where he feel's it is most comfortable.
Be sure this is where you will want
your positioning at, |
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so at this point it is good to get
the owner's input on it's location
as well on some of the other controls.
The seat can be moved forward or
backward though it is a good idea
to leave it center to provide ample
forward aft seat adjustment.
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Since
the car will be using a manual Tremac
five-speed transmission, it will
be equipped with heavy-duty Wildwood
pedals for the brake and clutch
system.
We will approximate where the pedal
system should be mounted and is
a very important step since the
once the pedals are in position
they are not adjustable.
SO GET THIS PART RIGHT! |
Hold
the pedal while the owner checks
to see if it will be a comfortable
position .
After lowering it slightly after
it's initial measuring, which what
this expertise calls for, the pedal
was installed.
The brake pedal will then be added
accordingly. Be sure never to place
the pedals to flat or at too much
of angle as this will result in
an uncomfortable position for any
driver. |
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This
can be easily changed before drilling
it's placement into the dash panel
if the view is awkward.
Since this is what the driver sees
most it is important that it not
only looks aesthetically |
The
approximate position is then measured
for the positioning of the stickshift.
From the seated position you can
do this easily by positioning the
driver into his most comfortable
position and then measuring from
the edge of the dash. |
Next
comes the gauge panel location.
The owner himself picked the location
and lined it up on the dash and
then it is taped into place . Make
sure the steering wheel and gauge
panel aren't awkward.
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pleasing
but is most importantly not a distraction
to the driver.
Special attention
should be paid attention to here. |
This
will give you an approximate location
and a ballpark reach is fine for
starters. |
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Check
to see if all gear locations, even
reverse are comfortable and within
hand's reach.
This helps preventing the reach
from being to long or to short.
After all the interior measurements
were made, the location of the bulkhead
can be determined.
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Since
the owner didn't want to use the
stock gas tank which allowed for
a perfect location for the tank.
This can be positioned low or high,
depending on tank height and how
much trunk space you want. You can
make a cardboard model to get a
rough idea. |
With
photos of other similar cars one
of the fabricator's showed the owner
what it would look like and how
this positioning would allow for
his desire for maximum trunk space.
Remember it is always more expensive
to undo and change things later
so try to make compromises during
mock-up. |
 With
the final measurements made for the
gas tank in depth, width and height,
by Rick Cresse so the shop could make
the exact gas tank to the owners desired
finished look - including the extra
trunk space. The job was completed
successfully and exactly how the client
wanted it showing the this is how
it should be done. |
We
here at Tri-C Engineering would like
to thank Tony Blackstock and street
rod builder magazine for this product
profile. |
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