Boss 427 Build

[Boydster]

Edit: First attempt at embedding pics instead of thumbnails.

Been a while. I've had a few big things going on and haven't had much time for the Boss.

So I ran my fuel lines before I had an engine and didnt really know where to end the hardlines in the engine compartment. Once the engine was installed, I found that although the hardlines cleared the engine and exhaust, there is zero room to swing a wrench when securing the flex lines to the hardlines. No crowsfeet, no shorties, nothing would work. So I remade my fuel pressure hardline from the filter up to the engine compartment, this time finishing it off at the top edge of the footbox. The return line would have required an entire new line back to the rear axle. Didnt have enough line so cut it under the floor and patched in a new section, also going to the top of the footbox. Got my flex lines made and attached to the FiTech.

Also took an afternoon and made my ignition wires.



I did a bunch of research on how to install the Fortes mechanical throttle. Wasn't a lot of very good info. Started installing, then the current thread on mechanical throttles came out. Realized I made a huge error. I mean the next day I was now reading how I screwed up. I will keep it short... the fail was that I didnt mount the crossbar low enough to clear inside the driver footbox. Realized it as I was assembling, so I pointed the control arms down. Angles were a bit odd, but it seemed to be working. Tubes were cut and I had gotten some LH thread balljoints and jam nuts to install so the tubes could be adjusted by turning. Now the throttle is way too notchy coming off idle and those angles that seemed OK are not.

I'll be taking it all apart, lowering the rod ends in the firewall as low as possible, order a new throttle tube and going at it again. I dont know what I will do with the holes that are already drilled, but I will have to do something. Maybe some of those metal push in panel plugs painted grey to semi-match the powdercoat. Wont look right, but maybe it will look OK.


No, the drivers footwell bellcrank is not pointing at that extreme of an angle. Its not good, but better than it looks.

Decided I hated (and I never use that word lightly) my dash layout. Way too unorganized, too flippant, too slapped together. My OCD was going nuts every time I looked at it. I know I have a lot of switches and stuff, needed to find a good way to organize. Gary Luigi is driving a Coyote Roadster around in gel coat and lives not more than a few miles from me. He asked to come over one day to see what I was doing and we spent a few hours talking cars and stuff. Anyways, he custom made a true carbon fiber center console (and entire dash!) for his radio and switch gear... asked if I wanted the aluminum mold he made up. Also mentioned he had a blank dash. So we did a deal and traded some stuff and I'm back in business. I laid out the switches and knobs in a much better fashion on the console. He had some holes and cutouts in it, so I had to flush patch some and others I was just able to tape over with some 600mph speed tape.

Console will be a lot of work. Virtually every wire will have to be extended down through the Replicaparts undertray I have after cutting a slot in it. I may take the opportunity to run the tail wiring through there into the trans tunnel, removing it from the firewall as designed. Then I'll use that firewall hole for the engine sensor wiring.

Sat in the stock seat and laid out some cutouts of my gauges on the dash. These are full size outside diameter, not cut guides. I think I like it. At least much more than what I had before...


Since this was taken, I centered up the speedo and small gauges, aligned the ignition switch and horn button and moved the GR, GL and BH led lights to center in front of the driver. Also ordered matching switches for the Haz and Eng Fan (those did have red guards over them, but I'm going with red labels instead). Liking it more and more.

However, not crazy about the footbax fan switches sticking out of the side of the console. I may move the fan switches to the front and then put the seat heat switches on the side. That way there's not a switch sticking out of the side.

Thanks for coming over and talking out some issues with me, Gary. Not only good to hang out (and your car is looking awesome!) but you're the first F5 builder that's looked at my car. I appreciate the input and the help.