The revival of 650143R, 1970 with TS.

[Richard48Y]

Ordered 1.25" x 3.5" CLR tube bending dies from JD2 despite the intransigence of their site.
If anyone has the correct length for both tubes I will dust off my bending software and model them.
I can get very close from the set I have but it appears one has been cut and an additional rubber hose added inside the tunnel.
I do not know how much was removed, just a saw blade width, or a little more.
Not sure it is really an issue but may as well go as close to original as possible.
Once I find 1.25" tube in 9' lengths these are simple enough I may become a Western US source.
Everyone visits Reno/Lake Tahoe. 
Shipping cost have gone insane, so picking them up may easily be cheaper.

Also ordered my valve spring tester, it should be here tomorrow.
Convenient to have Summit Racing so close by.

[Richard48Y]

As feared, the worst expense for SS tube is still shipping, even for strait 10' lengths.
I may have to drive to Las Vegas to pick it up.
Will be fun in a '92 T-Bird. 
I will try some calls in the morning as it 'should' be available in Reno.

[GavinT]

You could buy mandrel bends and save the cost of the dies and weld them together, I did this with aluminum….

What filler rod is best for these, Turbo?

[Richard48Y]

Despite being rusty with the program I have modeled the simpler transfer tube.
On to the second!

[TurboFource]

4043 Gavin to weld these up....

[Richard48Y]

I have the second tube mostly modeled, just need to 'Clock' some bends.
Simple edits.

Finally found a decently priced source of tube, $95.00 a 20' stick.
And $200.00 in gas to go get it. 
Still beats the snot out $700.00+ to order a set.
Yes the dies cost a bit, but they are a durable tool I will use again.
I may just grab an extra stick of material, surely someone nearby will need a set too.

[GavinT]

4043 Gavin to weld these up....

Thanks, Turbo.
I see you've also done the heater tubes. I'd considered doing those in ally but figured they might waggle about too much and be prone to cracking. Maybe a couple of 'P' clips along the way would solve that.

[TurboFource]

Gavin, I welded tabs to them and they are pop riveted to the frame at each end.

[GavinT]

Cool . . . welded tabs would work.
I kinda wanted to be able to remove them with the body in place.

[dakazman]

  Just remember to put all the rubber seals in place. on an S2 with a Hermes intake you will have to cut them again.
  dakazman

[Richard48Y]

Got my new JD2 dies today.
As soon as I can get my hands on material I will be able to bend my own transfer tubes.
Found a source for SS, still looking for aluminum.
Not sure which aluminum alloy to look for.
So far all I have found available is 6000 series, which does not bend.

[Richard48Y]

New fuel tank sending unit installed.
Gave me a chuckle as there is no way it could ever read over a half tank accurately.
Lower limit of travel is at or very near the bottom of the tank, but upper travel hits the stop at about the middle of the tank.
So I see no way for the gauge to read anything more when the tank is over half-full. 

[Richard48Y]

Been trying to soda blast the body.
Got a crack in the main tank of the cheap HF blaster so I will have to braze it up.
Really need either a slightly larger compressor or more efficient blaster.

Finding more old repairs but none are major.
Also finding some surfaces to be really rough, pretty much all of the engine compartment for example.
Not really looking for a gloss finish there but may try to smooth it somewhat, rough surfaces are harder to clean.
Some areas are also so thin they are transparent, thinking of using microspheres and a layer of synthetic veil.
Really not wanting the additional bodywork but have to do this only once.

Salve Sacco has my 7mm stem valves and reduced diameter springs ready to ship.
With those in hand I should be able to get the head done.
I hope to drop it off at HBR when I visit 'Lost Wages' to get my SS tube.

[Richard48Y]

More soda blasting on the Lotus.
Trying to be able to bring it inside before the real rains begin.
Very slow going, and expensive at $50 a bag for the soda.
Scary thought but looks like probably another $400 to finish blasting.
Trying to avoid any possible chemical stripper damage and DA sander waves after going to such effort to obtain this shell.
Probably about 40% done.
Also doing the inside and engine compartment/frunk so maybe closer to 30%.
Soda is also removing remnants of black paint, undercoat (Over FIBERGLASS!) and loose fibers.
Finding the paint mission scope creep a bit daunting. 

[Richard48Y]

Lightened and increased flow valves and springs should ship by the end of this week.
Not cheap at just under $600.00
Then I still need to get them installed after the head is lightly ported, more $.
I no longer add up expense as it would be discouraging.

Completed the soda blaster mods last night so will try it out this evening.