Pinned Items
Recent Activities
  • Mick replied to a discussion, DIY Flow bench
    So a lot has happened in the past 6 / 7 years. I did actually end up making a flow bench, but rather than follow the traditional constructions of using a manometer and orifice plates as outlined in the PDF above, I decided to design and build a...
    So a lot has happened in the past 6 / 7 years. I did actually end up making a flow bench, but rather than follow the traditional constructions of using a manometer and orifice plates as outlined in the PDF above, I decided to design and build a system that uses automotive MAF sensors. I also went one step further and released it as an open source project.

    After many experiments and several iterations I ended up with a system based on the ESP32 micro controller and designed a custom PCB 'shield' that integrates the necessary pressure and environmental sensors on one board.

    IMG_8562.jpg
    Some early tests

    DIY Flow Bench.jpg
    Initial versions used an LED display

    IMG_20210903_143935.jpg
    V1 Prototype PCB

    AltTiles.png
    The interface is now web based and accessed from a browser

    All of the work to date is available under the GNU open source license and is available for free. So you can build your own flow bench for relatively little cost if you have some patience and some basic soldering skills

    You can download the project files via my GitHub account. There is more info in the Wiki on the GitHub page and also on the website. I also created a Facebook page way back when I started this project, but whilst initially created to support the project it had now morphed into a community with over 8,000 members and covers a wider range of flow benches.

    The main project is still a work in progress and I am hoping to finalise and release the V3 PCB along with updated interface code some time this year.
    More
    1. View Post
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick replied to a discussion, Squishy Heads and Pistons
    Wow been 6 years since I posted this up. I'm still slowly chipping away at making my own supersquish style pistons. I did reach out to John at ACN a few years back, to see if he would be prepared to do a run of standard sized pistons, but the...
    Wow been 6 years since I posted this up. I'm still slowly chipping away at making my own supersquish style pistons. I did reach out to John at ACN a few years back, to see if he would be prepared to do a run of standard sized pistons, but the lack of demand made it prohibitive (unless I wanted to purchase multiple sets). So, somewhere on the horizon I will eventually make something akin to a supersquish for the Okrasa engine I'm building.

    Here's where I'm at...

    Screen Shot 2022-08-28 at 12.16.30 pm.png

    I've scanned the combustion chambers of the heads, this has given me a 'plug' of the chamber shape. This shape needs to be refined so that there is a void at the plug locations. This will force the charge towards the plug and confine it ready for the ignition event.

    Screen Shot 2022-08-28 at 12.21.45 pm.png

    Once the shape has been finalised I can then go ahead and machine the pistons.

    Which leads me to my next challenge - upgrading my desktop CNC. Whilst it would just about machine the pistons, it's not really enough guts to produce the kind of results I need. So I really need to pull my finder out and get my CNC mill finished off.
    More
    1. View Post
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  •   Mick commented on this post about 1 month ago
    Mick uploaded 5 photos in the album Repro Denzel Engines of Vintage Performance
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (1)
    • Saw this today on the 36hp Challenge page. Repro Denzel engines being prepared by Tom Niedernhofer. Most of the parts are bespoke. Heads are made bySaw this today on the 36hp Challenge page. Repro Denzel engines being prepared by Tom Niedernhofer. Most of the parts are bespoke. Heads are made by Ray Schubert who some may know as the fella that revived the Speedwell brand. There are six engines being built, most of which are destined for Denzel Sportswagens.

      More info on the Denzel Sportwagen page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/21755691266/
        More ...
      Reported
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick created a new group

    Vintage Performance

    Period performance, racing and competition, parts, photos, ephemera.
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick updated his profile
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • I've been contemplating is how to do the logos. The plan all along with the bus was to use it as a promotional vehicle for the business, which means getting it sign written in a sympathetic way with hand painted sign writing in a period style aged to fit in with the general patina and look of the bus. As we already have a company logo and typeface, it makes sense to use these as they are. But other text might look better done in a typical sign writers font of the period.

    This of course is...
    I've been contemplating is how to do the logos. The plan all along with the bus was to use it as a promotional vehicle for the business, which means getting it sign written in a sympathetic way with hand painted sign writing in a period style aged to fit in with the general patina and look of the bus. As we already have a company logo and typeface, it makes sense to use these as they are. But other text might look better done in a typical sign writers font of the period.

    This of course is really hard to decide as when I make a mockup photoshop image - to me, it just looks modern. But looking at other sign-written busses of the period shows that there are plenty of companies that had equally modern looking logos and typefaces. (Yes I did flick through the 400+ page thread on thesamba). I think that what I really took away from that thread was to keep the sign-writing simple. White logos and writing over the dove blue is pretty iconic and very typical of early busses and might be the key to making it look like the sign-writing is contemporary with the bus's age.

    Some might note that there are already existing logos on the bus, these are pretty faded and unrecognisable. Removing the top layer of paint also removes any trace of the logos as they seem to have been painted in non-automotive paint over a previous repaint, so they are pretty much impossible to uncover and retain. This is a bit of a shame, as original logo'd busses are alway nice. but I do plan to retain and touch up a few of the parts that I could make out, like the axle weight markings. So there will be a small homage to the original logos.

    I think I really need to get the bus back and uncover as much of the original Dove Blue as I can before making the final decision, but at least I've made a start.
    More
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick liked the page, 63 Ragtop
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Bodywork Progress
    As the bus is progressing along I'm starting to get a bit excited that bodywork is nearing completion and that I should really start looking at what needs to be done next. I've already sourced some wheels (not the red ones in the photos) and have a gearbox and straight axle setup ready to go in from my 15 window. So maybe over the xmas break I'll look at putting a narrowed beam and some flipped spindles together. Which only really leaves a whole bunch of shits and bits like...
    Bodywork Progress
    As the bus is progressing along I'm starting to get a bit excited that bodywork is nearing completion and that I should really start looking at what needs to be done next. I've already sourced some wheels (not the red ones in the photos) and have a gearbox and straight axle setup ready to go in from my 15 window. So maybe over the xmas break I'll look at putting a narrowed beam and some flipped spindles together. Which only really leaves a whole bunch of shits and bits like loom, petrol tank, rubbers and bright-ware. Guess I need to get searching for those parts.
    The latest progress has been around the rear end of the bus. The massively dented in rear quarters have been straightened up, the rear hinge panel has had a new inner grafted in and the rear hatch has been replaced with one that was a little less rusty which on balance was less $$'s than fixing up the one that came with the bus. Fortunately I was able to source an original paint Dove blue patina hatch which should blend in nicely once the OG paint is exposed. (Thanks Joe).
    I also had to steal the brakelight decklid that I had set aside for the 15 Window as the one I had was just too far gone. It's also Dove Blue. But it does mean that now I've got a bunch of parts that I need to source for the 15 Window.
     
















    Logos
    The other thing I've been contemplating is how to do the logos. The plan all along with the bus was to use it as a promotional vehicle for the business, which means getting it sign written in a sympathetic way with hand painted sign writing in a period style aged to fit in with the general patina and look of the bus. As we already have a company logo and typeface, it makes sense to use these as they are. But other text might look better done in a typical sign writers font of the period. This of course is really hard to decide as when I make a mockup photoshop image - to me, it just looks modern. But looking at other signwritten busses of the period shows that there are plenty of companies that had equally modern looking logos and typefaces. (Yes I did flick through the 400+ page thread on thesamba). I think that what I really took away from that thread was to keep the signwriting simple. White logos and writing over the dove blue is pretty iconic and very typical of early busses and might be the key to making it look like the signwriting is contemporary with the bus's age.
    Some might note that there are already existing logos on the bus, these are pretty faded and unrecognisable. Removing the top layer of paint also removes any trace of the logos as they seem to have been painted in non-automotive paint over a previous repaint, so they are pretty much impossible to uncover and retain. This is a bit of a shame, as original logo'd busses are alway nice. but I do plan to retain and touch up a few of the parts that I could make out, like the axle weight markings. So there will be a small homage to the original logos.
    I think I really need to get the bus back and uncover as much of the original Dove Blue as I can before making the final decision, but at least I've made a start.
    More
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Stacks and filters
    One of those things that immediately grabs your attention when you open the engine bay on a 356 are the air filters. The original Pre-A's used dual single Solex carburettors moving on to the two barrel P40 Solex carburettors for t...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Beehives
    I finally pulled the trigger on a set of beehives. I've long wanted to replace the not-quite-correct Lucas style 'beehives' with the correct style units and could resist no more when I saw these for sale....
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    It's inside
    Been a while since anything has happened on the speedster. Not that there is anything to really report, but I did manage to tick off a couple of small jobs recently...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick unlocked the badge Video Creator
    Video Creator
    Love to create videos on the site. To unlock this badge, you need to create videos more than 30 times on the site.
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in The Joe Blow Delivery Bus
    Mail Call
    Funky green dog legsPretty much the last panel required.(although we're replacing the drivers door with a better one)...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick updated his profile
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick commented on the blog post, Quick update
    Quick update

    Feeling Stoked

    1. View Post →
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in The Joe Blow Delivery Bus
    Quick update
    Received an update from the shop. Front inner panel and passenger door are fitted up. Starting to look like a bus again....
    1. Continue Reading
    ‏ — feeling happy
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • 0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • 0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in The Joe Blow Delivery Bus
    Nose Job
    Just a quick update. The shop has just taken delivery of the front panels for the bus. We decided to go for an all-in-one front sub-panel instead of separate panels as not only is it assembled on a jig and so should hopefully be nice and square, but ...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Keeping with my vintage speed 356 inspired Okrasa engine build I bought a nice O/T crank pulley. These four hole items are found on early 356's....
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Joe Blow Ad
    A word from our sponsors...
    Joe Blow Superchargers - VDubber site Sponsors
    https://joeblow.me
    Joe Blow Superchargers and performance products for air-cooled Volkswagens
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Another piece in the puzzle arrived today. Todays treasure is a 356 oil filler neck....
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick uploaded a new video
    Karmann Ghia - 1960. An air cooled obsession.
    Andy is the warm & charismatic owner of this classic 1960 Karmann Ghia. He's had a lifelong obsession with the VW air cooled machines & his dream car was always the Karmann Ghia. So, imagine his delight when he stumbles over an old lady driving his dream car &... the rest is history.
    So come along for a ride through the streets of Sydney on an early Sunday morning as we reveal the love & contempt Andy finds in his Karmann Ghia.

    Another Machines & Macchiatos - Classic Driver video story.
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Okrasa 1625cc
    Been a bit flat out with work so no real time to do anything on the build but have been doing a bit of daydreaming whilst standing at the lathe. I've somehow convinced myself that I should put together my Okrasa engine for the Speedste...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    After completing the collector for my DIY Sebring exhaust the next part that I need to tackle is making the silencers. I have already spent a bit of time doing some research to try and find some off-the-shelf items but due to the small...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick uploaded a new video in Speedster
    Cool video showing the creation of rear quarter and roof panels using traditional methods
    1952 Porsche 356 'Streamliner' roof & rear quarter fabrication
    On this video it shows panel fabrication on a 1952 Porsche 356 split screen 'streamliner' outlaw.
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  •   Barty reacted to this post about 3 years ago
    Mick uploaded a new video
    Inside Comedian Gabriel Iglesias $3 Million Volkswagen Bus Collection
    Fluffy comedian Gabriel Iglesias owns a $3 million collection of classic Volkswagen Buses. He keeps them in his enormous personal museum that resembles Volkswagen's most famous German factory. His car collection also includes several very rare Beetles and muscle cars.
    Comments (1)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Don't forget it's burger night this Friday.

    Meet at Burgers N Shakes from 6:30 onwards.
    ‏ — at Welland Plaza Shopping Centre, Way Terrace, Welland, Adelaide, City of Charles Sturt, South Australia, 5009, Australia
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick uploaded a new video in Speedster
    Pre-A getting a hammering
    Chris Harris races Porsche 356 at Goodwood Revival
    Chris Harris races Howard Donald's Porsche 356 in the Fordwater Trophy at Goodwood Revival. Can he convert second on the grid into a win?
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Managed to scrounge a few minutes to finish off the collector for the Sebring exhaust tonight. I had ran out of gas when I was initially welding up the collector and so still had to join the two halves together. Today I managed to get a few minu...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Glaser Karosserie
    Many 356 fans will know of the name Reuter, the coach builder responsible for the manufacture of the Porsche 356 from 1950 onwards, but many do not realise that initially Reuter did not have the capacity to build the convertible models so t...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    If you read my previous post Sebring Exhaust Part 1 you would know that I have decided to build my own Sebring style exhaust. This evening I managed to get a little time to make a start on it....
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick uploaded a new video
    1955 Porsche Continental Pre A 356 || Outlaw Garage
    Porsche Continental Pre A 356

    Today Outlaw Garage take a tour of an amazing 1955 Porsche Continental Pre A 356. This beautiful Jade Continental Porsche 356 Pre A is an amazing piece of Porsche history. Take a tour and drive with us in this Porsche 356 Pre A Continental and spot the differences between a standard Porsche 356 and these amazing Pre A Porsche's.
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Got some more goodies today, my new front brake discs. These took a while to source as everyone has been out of stock since before Xmas....
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    A Sebring style exhaust is something that I have been planning for a long while. Whilst it's not the best style of header to use from a performance perspective, it does have that iconic Porsche racing style to it and so is the perfect choice for...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick posted a new blog post in Speedster
    Aluminium Badges
    Building an early replica has been a bit of a challenge in some areas. The Late 50's cars have a pretty good availability for trim and parts as most parts are now remanufactured. The early cars however have a number of differences from those late par...
    1. Continue Reading
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
  • Mick uploaded a new video
    Porsche 356 Carrera Speedster Zagato: Sanction Lost
    Zagato has chosen to retrace and reproduce a few of its early designs under a program it calls Sanction Lost. Petrolicious founder and CEO Afshin Behnia recently became an owner of one of these limited-run cars: the Porsche 356 Carrera Speedster Zagato featured in today’s film.
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments (0)
    Post is under moderation
    Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
There are no activities here yet
Unable to load tooltip content.
Monthly Leaders
1
Frogstomp
3 Points
2
robkat
1 Points
Featured Build-Page
Latest Blog Posts