Sean's RCR GT40 build

[Sean Starkey]

Just got done machining the most expensive crank case breather fittings in history. These fittings are the main reason I decided to buy the mill and the lathe.

I never liked how the ones I welded up looked (the welded ones are the black fittings in the first pictures. I needed something that was a lower profile to clear the rear clam shell than anything I could find for sell. I have to say I really like how these turned out. I’m still debating on cutting a round radius on the square portion on top, the squared off parts do look pretty cool though. I do plan to have them black anodized to match the hose ends.

 

[Randy V]

Great job Sean! You made a very quality piece there!!! I love my Mill & Lathe... I have saved more than the cost of the equipment over the years when you figure out what the one-off costs are to have a machine shop do it for you. Of course I get to do favors for friends that aren't as lucky as I am - but that's all part of life..

 

[joe]

I had the same problem with my Prestige 363. I ended up using LS push-in AN adapters and ran 10AN hose to my catch can on my fastback. I like how yours are more low profile. I originally had 6AN hose Pictured), which Doug thought was too small. I ended up changing everything out for 10AN.

 

[Sean Starkey]

Great job Sean! You made a very quality piece there!!! I love my Mill & Lathe... I have saved more than the cost of the equipment over the years when you figure out what the one-off costs are to have a machine shop do it for you. Of course I get to do favors for friends that aren't as lucky as I am - but that's all part of life..

Thanks Randy.

I’m not sure how I’ve gone this long without a lathe. I have to say it’s looking like the most versatile tool I have now.

I see why machine shops charge so much for one off pieces like this. I have around 12 hours in them, some of that was from the learning curve but not as much as you would think.

 

[NickV]

Just got done machining the most expensive crank case breather fittings in history. These fittings are the main reason I decided to buy the mill and the lathe.

I never liked how the ones I welded up looked (the welded ones are the black fittings in the first pictures. I needed something that was a lower profile to clear the rear clam shell than anything I could find for sell. I have to say I really like how these turned out. I’m still debating on cutting a round radius on the square portion on top, the squared off parts do look pretty cool though. I do plan to have them black anodized to match the hose ends.

SO JEALOUS of your new lathe and mill.... the custom part looks awesome I can't wait to see it anodized! what brand of equipment did you go with if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Sean Starkey]

SO JEALOUS of your new lathe and mill.... the custom part looks awesome I can't wait to see it anodized! what brand of equipment did you go with if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks Nick.

I got a new Precision Mathews 12x36 lathe. And I lucked out and found a 2 hp Ex-Cell-O mill in good condition at an auction for crazy cheap.

 

[Sean Starkey]

Do you have any more pictures of your front clam hinge mechanism?

Here’s a few with different angles. Hopefully they help.

 

[Sean Starkey]

Finished off the hold downs for the exhaust pipes today. I decided to go with Randy’s idea of bolting them down vs the springs. I found I was able to hide the tabs so that they don’t stand out.

While I had them off, I went ahead and prepped them to be sent to Jet-Hot to be ceramic coated.

 

[Vinny P]

I like it, clean looking!

 

[Sean Starkey]

Been working on a side project this week. Still waiting on a few pieces of trim and the other 2 tires to finish it off. But over all it’s looking pretty good.

 

[Sean Starkey]

Just waiting for some stickers and upholstery to redo the seat. But she is looking pretty good.

Also found a nail style for the wife. She doesn’t think they look too good.

 

[Sean Starkey]

Finally back working on the GT. Can’t you tell I love fiberglass body work? I’ve been procrastinating the body lines because of this, but it’s got to be done. Saving the doors for last.

Had to heat up the single nostril to get a lot of warps out of it and bend it a bit to clear the radiator. Went ahead and cut out the dual nostril.

I’m probably going to relocate the upper radiator hose to the bottom side, this will allow me to open the dual nostril up a bit to allow better air flow.

 

[Sean Starkey]

Next up was checking the fit of the windshield. I’m glad to see it fits perfectly, I’ve hear others had issues with this so it’s a good feeling that this is now a box checked off. It was exciting to see the glass on it for the first time!

 

[Rob Hurley]

Hey Sean,
I'm dreading the body line fittment as well. The fiberglass work makes a mess of everything. I'm about where you are on the glass work of my GT-R. Most of the major work is done on the front clip and rear clam shell. I plan to focus on the doors and line gapping next. Interior work will be last on the list. I would love to see more on how you handle final body fitment. What products are you planning to use for the fairing and gapping?

Nice work by the way. I love to follow your progress.

 

[Randy V]

Sean - make sure you have your door gaskets in place while fitting the doors. If not, the doors will NOT fit properly once you install the gaskets. Too many people have made that mistake and paid dearly for it - one guy found out after the GT had been painted.

 

[NickV]

Next up was checking the fit of the windshield. I’m glad to see it fits perfectly, I’ve hear others had issues with this so it’s a good feeling that this is now a box checked off. It was exciting to see the glass on it for the first time!

Hey Sean,

Our windshield is VERY snug on the sides (the spider isn't quite wide enough. How much room do you have on the sides?
Have you heard what others have done to fix windshield problems?
I am jealous yours drops right in.

Nick

 

[Randy V]

Hey Sean,

Our windshield is VERY snug on the sides (the spider isn't quite wide enough. How much room do you have on the sides?
Have you heard what others have done to fix windshield problems?
I am jealous yours drops right in.

Nick

I had to sand (by hand) the sides of my windshield from RCR. The bottom corners and about 1/4 the distance up the sides needed a “wedge” of glass removed. I used 80g very lightly and then 320g wet sanding. It took many hours, but I was told a new windshield would cost $2,000 USD - So I just made the time. I had 1/8” clearance top and bottom. The sides I had as little as 1/16” In the areas I sanded.

 

[Sean Starkey]

Sean - make sure you have your door gaskets in place while fitting the doors. If not, the doors will NOT fit properly once you install the gaskets. Too many people have made that mistake and paid dearly for it - one guy found out after the GT had been painted.

Yes sir. Thanks for the advice. I have them installed.

 

[Sean Starkey]

Hey Sean,

Our windshield is VERY snug on the sides (the spider isn't quite wide enough. How much room do you have on the sides?
Have you heard what others have done to fix windshield problems?
I am jealous yours drops right in.

Nick

I will plan to put it back in and measure. I want to say it was around 1/16” on the sides and close to 1/4” on top. I was mainly making sure it set in and the curves were correct.

 

[Vinny P]

Hey Sean,

Our windshield is VERY snug on the sides (the spider isn't quite wide enough. How much room do you have on the sides?
Have you heard what others have done to fix windshield problems?
I am jealous yours drops right in.

Nick

My windshield was tight it rubbed against the posts, more so on the passenger side. I had to have it shaved by my glass guy.