Driveshaft tunnel

Okay, check it out... some actual progress. Here I am test fitting the engine in the frame again. This time I can actually mount it to the frame though.



An engine mount close-up. Everything fits together nicely.



With the engine back out again, it's time to get it back on the table and get to work.



Here's the first part of the driveshaft tunnel-- the bottom rails.



After cutting out the center of that rear cross-member, the differential can be test fitted to make sure that the driveshaft will have enough room inside the tunnel.

It's difficult to tell here, but the input to the differential is actually offset from the centerline of the car (towards the passenger-side) by about an inch. Since the output of the transmission is on the centerline, this means that the drive shaft won't run straight back to the diff-- it will have to be run at an angle. But, I consulted the oracle and he said it was okay. In fact, I shouldn't have the driveshaft running perfectly straight. Once everything is hooked up, the angle on both the front and rear u-joints should need to be about 3 degrees.



A little bit of string where the tunnel will be makes sure that everything will fit... before I start cutting any metal. I want to make the tunnel as narrow as possible so that I'll have enough room left over to fit a decent pair of seats.



The cut pieces that will make up the driveshaft tunnel. This is 3/4" 16 gauge square tubing.



The tunnel tacked into place:



Another angle:



I've run out of gas... literally. I'll need to stop at the welding store and pick up a fresh cylinder before I can fully weld this. There are a few more pieces to cut to completely finish the tunnel. Also, I need to fit the front differential mount in here some where.