Needle Beam Assembly – Continued
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 5:47 pmThe series of photos below are a continuation of the needle beam installation on car 0252/470. With completion of both needle beams the underside of the car is ready for sheathing. Photos provided by Tom Simco.
- This photo shows a close-up of the standards when installed on the needle beam. Each beam requires two standards for truss rod mounting. The standards are mounted to the beam using lag screws.
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- Here the truss rod is being test fitted by Bill Kepner. It is important that the two rod bends are in the correct location so the force is directed to the standard upon tightening the rod.
- The installation of the mounting bolts to the needle beam was next. These bolts are threaded at both ends and are inserted up through the needle beam, through the 1-3/8” spacer and through the side sill a nut and washer is then secured to the bolt, on the bottom of the needle beam a temporary mounting plate is affixed and nut affixed.
- Next the end cap on the needle beam is installed and washer with nut is attached to the truss rod. The nut is tightened until there a slit ping to the truss rod. Just above the end cap you can see the steel spacer.
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- This photo shows the installation completed. Duncan Burdick is checking the job from the far side of the car.
- This is the test fit for a queen post. Here the temporary mounting plate has been removed from the needle beam and the mounting plate for the queen post has been installed. Next the alignment of the side brace is needed.
- To compare this photo is of the sister car 0250 at the CRRM. Taken from the inside looking out you can see the queen post mounting plate and support arm. Compare the two queen posts you will see how similar they are.
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- Here you see the support arm from the new queen post, almost a perfect match to the old mounting holes. The mounting is by lag screw. Just a slight change to the leg is needed to obtain a perfect fit.