Lance's Roadster Build Thread-No First Start, Mechanical pump No Pump

[F500guy]

Thanks Jeff, It will be on the inside of steering bracket and I plan to keep the outside of the steering shaft open, thanks for the great advice and always supporting the community!

[Rebostar]

Lance
Looks good. When you go to fire it up give me a call and I'll drive over and hold the fire extinguisher. Sounds like your getting close. I need to score some of those carbon fiber panels. I think you told me where you got'em but I forgot! I have some really great ideas for the lower switch / circuit breaker panel and want to use the carbon fiber. Give a shout if I can help in any way.
Allyn

[F500guy]

carbon Panels.JPG
Amazon...

[F500guy]

My son came over this weekend and assisted with the rear Aluminum, so good to be done with that, we got the upper trunk, side walls and rear wall completed
Rear Wall.JPGPassenger Side Al rear panel.JPGDriver side Rear AL Panel.JPGTrunk Al complete.JPG

[F500guy]

I completed the Dash final details, the under dash panels, EPAS controller and installed. I Used modern plastic fasteners for the under dash panel-to-Dash connection. They appear to be pretty good and I am happy. I bought several types to test and settled on a screw in type. The center portion is completely removable while the dash is installed to help access some of the switches and wiring. I installed the EPAS controller under the steering wheel for easy access.
Center Console under dash panel.JPGDash Final.JPGDriver Side under dash.JPG

But, Had 1 issue, hope I can fix without taking it back out-Center under dash light does not work, no voltage on the bulb supply wire....ARRGH!!!

[F500guy]

As a final note, I finally got to test out my EPAS! I dropped the car on the wheels today (Garage door spring broke today and I needed to move the car back for the work) and was able to go lock to lock with my little pinky finger using the steering knuckle! I think I am going to like this!
EPAS Final Install.JPGEPAS Parts Powder Coated.JPG

[egchewy79]

good tip jeff. I used nutserts to be able to remove the dash supports.

[Rebostar]

Lance, the dash looks awsome. Love where you put the circuit breakers. I ordered several of those carbon fiber panels. I'll use one to drop the center of the dash down to the tunnel cover to install all the switches. One for under the right dash for all the circuit breakers and one under the left dash for the EPS switch panel. Really glad your out front blazing the trail for me!
Allyn

[F500guy]

So, now that it is spring time almost, (had a few days of nice weather any way) my volunteer job picks up and my other household task pick up so build progress probably take a hit. Does not help when I bend installed panels.
I was jacking up to do the lower rad hose and my rubber block on the jack was not well positioned and it skidded to the side and the jack caught the bottom of the F-panel, so it got bent a little bit, enough that i want to replace it. So i ordered a new one.

I did get the radiator installed. Tested the Factory provided overflow tank-Only 30 ounces and does not fit well due to the alternator location. So, having heard all the stories about whether it is big enough or not, for my purpose I decided to go after market canton 1.75 qt with sight tube. I will post another question about clearance at that location on another post.

Lower rad Hose.JPGRadiator.JPGRecovery Tank Location.JPGUpper Rad hose.JPG

Obtained a 90 degree hose to do the elbow off the engine. For the corrugated hose, I added (4) 5/32 stainless rivets around 1 rib at the end of the tube. I got some bolt style clamps to install as well.

Went thru my parts and and cannot find the shoulder bolts for the hood hinges not sure if they would be in the hing parts bag or generic fastner box, but I do not remember seeing them ever and do not have a line item on the inventory. Sourced from McMaster , waiting on delivery

[F500guy]

Lance, the dash looks awsome. Love where you put the circuit breakers. I ordered several of those carbon fiber panels. I'll use one to drop the center of the dash down to the tunnel cover to install all the switches. One for under the right dash for all the circuit breakers and one under the left dash for the EPS switch panel. Really glad your out front blazing the trail for me!
Allyn

Allyn, those are actually the dash gauge setup and adjustment buttons. Includes fuel and tach (2 buttons in the rear) and speedo, clock and dimmer (3 buttons in the front.) But, that would be a good place for the ckt breakers.

[F500guy]

Slowly prepping for first start, maybe this weekend.

1) Added oil, cranked the motor for some pre-lube a few times, I just like being able to turn the key....
2) installed overflow/recovery tank and filled everything with water. Pulled a plug in the manifold to vent the block.
Overflow recovery tank (1).JPG
3) Secured the wiring harness in front to the radiator shroud with some screws and clamps
P4280017.JPG
4)Installed trunk struts and started filling all the aluminum gaps so I can install the sound mat.
Rear Struts Installed.JPG
5)attached the side pipes, torqued the headers. I will put some hangers at the ball joint as others have done and redo some of the hardware and add gasket sealer later, I know these will be off and on a couple times before I am done and I used the kit provided supplies except the bolts to connect the header to the ball flange, could not find anything in the kit that would work so i got some.
Driver Side Headers.JPGPassenger Side Headers.JPG
6) i also decided to re-do rear brake line exit from driver compartment, pulled it to the inside instead of outside the front of the foot box and redid all the rear brake bleeding.
Redone rear brake line cockpit.JPG
7) I also ended up re-doing the rear toe link chassis side heim and bolt. I continued to have play in the toe link on the passenger side and traced it down to a loose heim joint. I went ahead and replaced the bolt with a full length shank bolt and some good aurora rod ends. Huge difference in those compared to the kit supplied parts and makes me feel better about it. Not cheap, but worth it. I did both passenger and driver side although the passenger side did not have the same issue as the driver side did.

getting ready for starting, I will get some gas this week!

[F500guy]

Was hoping to do first start this weekend, but I could not get the pump to pump. I was able to suck fuel thru to the pump using my lips...., but the pump would not pump. I did not dis-assemble, just ordered a new pump that will get here next week. A little baffled, only thought that comes to my mind is it sitting for a year and the diaphragms wont seal now. I continued on other items.

Started my interior insulation, but I ran out so, on order...Finished the Passenger foot box, started the driver foot box and mostly done with the trunk.
Passenger Side.JPGTrunk Partial.JPG

Made my clutch stop, although not sure if it is important or how to set it up to prevent the throw out bearing from over travel as I can not measure it when installed.
Used a piece of square tube, welded a nut on back side the welded it to the foot box 3/4 tube. Added a rubber end and second nut to lock it after adjusting. Will post on the forum for some input

Clutch Stop installed.JPGClutch Stop Part Togather.JPGClutch Stop Parts.JPG

[Jeff Kleiner]

You don't have in and out reversed on the pump do ya'? I ask because I've been there

Jeff

[Mike.Bray]

You don't have in and out reversed on the pump do ya'? I ask because I've been there

Jeff

That happened to me one time when I connected the battery backwards. The horn sucked and the radio listened

[F500guy]

Thanks, I did check that early on even thought it came 1/2 plumbed from BPE. I also received an Edelbrock pump today, put it right back in the box and submitted a return, the threads were @#$! and the casting looks like it came from a 3rd world country just now learning to make things, not what I expected for a "Made In USA" label.

[Rebostar]

Lance. I had the exact same thing happen to me when I bought a new Holley mechanical pump. It looked like it was made in Pakistan...in a mud hut! I sent it back to Summit and got a Carter. The offer still stands if you want my new Carter pump. If you like it, just keep it and get me a replacement.
Allyn

[zarnold]

Are you certain that the engine was set up for mechanical vs. electric fuel pump? I see the mechanical fuel pump in previous pictures, but how do you test to see if a eccentric was installed on the camshaft? BPE starts all engines (right?), but not necessary using the delivered fuel delivery system.

[F500guy]

There is rub marks on the lever arm and although I am not completely familiar with these, there does appear to be a disk like item that has marks similar to the pump lever that go around it.

[zarnold]

There is rub marks on the lever arm and although I am not completely familiar with these, there does appear to be a disk like item that has marks similar to the pump lever that go around it.

That sounds right. Very weird that the pump would be bad, but I guess it happens.