Kit 075 Restart

[wrp]

Then there is this..Asleep at the wheel

[wrp]

So 121 R&R has primered my side panels to protect the bare metal. We will do a major paint touchup this winter and they will go green. also today I took several friends for rides. I can't get enough of the enjoyment that I see people getting from the car. Offered to let them drive. Most declined.

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[wrp]

Here is a video of the rides.

[wrp]

Stressful couple of weeks, gloom of the season, separation from families. Been working hard on the Gen 1 Hot Rod fuel filler which really quit working effectively after adding the filler neck return bung for the EFI. The additional pressurized fuel overcame the capacity of the barely sloped filler tube. The tube filled with fuel and wouldn't drain because it sloped backwards to the gas cap. We got it mostly straight, rewelded the bung so it shoots directly into the fuel tank from the filler hose. So anyhow, there is that Red Mustang. I was all for letting bygones be bygones but was thinking about this might be my actual last drive in in the Hot Rod. I was shaking down the repair and concerned if the fuel filler setup would hold so I figured a huge fireball might be one way. I really am not that stupid, but then fate stepped in. The Mustang bumped the light. I hollered over to Ethyl, "Don't Look Ethyl!!! It was too late, she done loaded up on me. on the green we caught him and shut down at the top of second with a pretty decisive lead. Those 5.0's are no joke, I totally respect what you guys with them in the FFR Hot Rods must feel about the motors. Anyhow, enjoy the vid

[wrp]

Last night, after working nearly two weeks I finally got the fuel filler hose with the fuel return bung installed so that it worke3s reasonably well. Was able to fill the tank with the pump at half volume without interruption or kicking off. The fuel inlet on the tank is level with the Gas Cap Filler mount on the car. Without extensive body modifications, it is nearly impossible to mount the filler tube to get more than a level position visavis the fuel tank inlet. Adding the return line to the inlet hose created n issue with the fuel flow in the inlet overcoming the capacity as the fuel tended to flow back towards the gas cap and to remain in the tube. With the constant presence of fuel in the filler tube, the joints in the filler tube eventually leaked. I took the line out, installed a new bung in the filler tube that is pointed towards the fuel tank inlet, hoping to reduce the backpressure flow coming towards the Gas cap and to realigne the filler tube so it would drain completely. Was not totally nsuccessful in any endeavor but now at least the tank fills really easily without constantly kicking off the pump, and the backwash of fuel in the filler tube stays at 1/8 inch or lower.

The car seems to run better, less cavitation and aereation in the tank. I am still looking for a way to extend the inner portion of the return fuel bung to the bottom of the tank. I am looking at a new filler tube arrangement that runs the return through and down to the bottom of the tank through the filler inlet. Another approach is to modify the fuel sending unit so the return line does not run through the filler tube at all.

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[wrp]

We completed the glass laying in the 34 Ford Three window Coupe mold las week Should be cured enough to come out of the mold by Friday

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[wrp]

Built my first Ethyl in late 1963, first race was in early 1964. It was a Soap Box Derby Car. The crash helmets were awesome. So I was about 12 or 13 and signed up for this thing. My Dad showed me how to do the power tools . He was nervous as all get out. Local TV crew came by and filmed some of the building for a news article. There was no speaking as the newscasters were simply commenting on the Soap Box Derby as they were rolling the film. The bulk of the film was made by my mother who had a 8 mm movie camera. Amazing how I never really thought much of that camera during the day but now looking back she was very attuned to the things that are important. Anyhow, notice the 1964 Road Runner Car. I thought that was a cool prophecy years later when I saw it. Of course this one was about Wiley E. Coyote but I often wondered if the kid could claim an infringement from MOPAR. My car was Blue, it was the first in a long series of Ethyl Cars. We did not do very well, on our second run the turning buckle broke loose sending the car wildly out of control. Doesn’t look nearly as exciting in the film but I guarantee you a bunch of people had to clean their underwear. As you watch the video of the actual runs it is the last one and you can see the car skew at the bottom of the run. I was able just barely to keep control but the excitement from the spectators was very loud. I can paraphrase the PA Announcer and crowd for you beginning at the top of the run.

Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen please step back out of the street and onto the curb, we want to give these young racers all the room they need
Crowd: Mumble mumble mumble
Announcer: Please back up off the street for your own safety!!!
Crowd; murmer murmer mumble mumble
Announcer: Get the F___ out of the G__D_____ street
Crowd; shrieeeeeeeeeeek aaaaaaagh runnnnnn!!!!!

[wrp]

Began Demolding the 34 today

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[wrp]

Finished Demolding the 34 this morning. First body we’ve made on this mold. Very excited about the results

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[wrp]

Maybe the most awesome Mod ever. My son-in-law is a very talented luthier. I had asked him to build me a Stratocaster style guitar that would go with the Hot Rod. He does excellent work but had never really done finished autobody style painting. I knew the end result would be very good, I had no idea how awesome it would turn out. He still needs to set it up. I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

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[JimLev]

Very cool Bill. Next thing we know you’ll be playing with ZZ Top, You’ve already got the car.

[wrp]

I think mine looks better than theirs

[jayguy]

Is this a body to fit on the FFR chassis?

Sorry if this is already discussed, but I didn't see this mentioned earlier in the thread (or I missed it).

Looks good.

[wrp]

Nosir, the body will be fit on a chassis we construct. I only posted it because I felt some of the members might like to see the early stage building of a 34. I am sure FFR has a much more sophisticated body molding operation than our hand laying.

[jayguy]

Thanks, I was hoping it would be a coupe body for the 33 frame. It looks good.

I'm not a fan of the SpeedStar body, a little too show-car for my taste. A purpose-built and sealed coupe would be my preference, but then I've been following the HR since '07 and still haven't ordered one. LOL

Some day.

[wrp]

Our coupe will be a highboy, not channelled nearly as much as the 33. Would be exciting to mate the two up

[wrp]

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[wrp]

Finally got home after a family medical emergency and got my hands on the new Guitar. All I can say is awesome. Greg even put it in an old school hard case. took some shots outside.

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[wrp]

Back in the shop for a makeover. Delivered Ethyl to 121 Rod and Restoration today. Probably have over 50,000 miles on her. Going to go through the steering, reset the 4 link, fix some electrical issues, install some door safety pins, and of course touch up the paint. Interesting customers in the shop.

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[wrp]

egan the touch up painting today, painted the Don Ross Fabrication side panels.

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[wrp]

Finished the Side panels. Really stoked at how they turned out.

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[wrp]

Stopped up to check on the Hot Rod yesterday. Met The owner of one of the metal body cars who is having his bodywork done at the same shop. Had a really great time. We took Ethyl out and about. He looked at a few things we did well and a few things we would change if we were at his stage. One thing that thrills me about the metal body cars is the cut out dash that gives full access to the wiring. I so wish I had been that smart. Shop had picked up a neat large lathe, used to turn crankshafts. I though it was cool.

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[wrp]

Struggle with the Gen 1 fuel tank and filler system for a long time. Each time I thought I had it right, something would crop up and I’d have to start all over again. Not the least of the problems was failing to plan for a fuel return in the early assembly stage and later, when adding EFI, having to return fuel through the filler tube which I could never get aligned and flowing downward to the tank. The guys at 121 watched me struggle and when I asked for help, they suggested abandoning the in trunk filler cap, moving it to a press and screw cap mounted on the outside body between the top and the trunk lid. We solved the return issue with a Hyperfuel Bung. The bung inserts through a 1/2 inch hole in the tank and tightens against the inner an out walls like a rivenut. The bung fit like a glove. The tank wall was thicker than I anticipated but everything has mated up nicely. Very shortly we will complete the new filler tube setup and hopefully not have to look back.

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[wrp]

Bit the bullet and had safety pins installed in the front door. Tough job

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[33fromSD]

Looks like the ones I bought from Watson StreetWorks

Jim

[wrp]

I opted out of the electronic engagement and just went with the manual knob

[33fromSD]

I opted out of the electronic engagement and just went with the manual knob

same here

[JimLev]

Bill, were you having problems with the door opening on it’s own?

[wrp]

The latch has a two catch feature where it can pop but still hold the door. I had it pop loose a couple of times, mainly when I had passengers lean against it. I would not call it a constant problem. The fiberglass tends to move and from time to time I have had to re adjust the doors I also figured this would help me keep the in line. My passenger side door had actually moved enough that the electric window would not power through the contacts I had installed on the door sill. Here is the completed fuel line filler we relocated to outside the trunk.

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[wrp]

Been dealing with a lot of issues since last February. We did take the car to Back to the Fifties in June. Car has been in the shop since with the guys touching up and tweaking a few things. Today I recharged the AC and put some rubber hose on the tips of the alignment pins. Amazing quietening down of the rattles and so forth. Took her out and flogged her some this other night also, enjoy

[wrp]

Lots of car shows in Arizona today. Was really warm so me n Ethyl went out for a ride. Run into a couple of fun guys, thumbs up all around

[sread]

Looks like you got the perfect spot there to troll some stoplight action...

[wrp]

[wrp]

[33fromSD]

I see the C8 has the top off but windows up.

Sorry in advance, My opinion solely because it's a pet peeve of mine (not trying to insult any one who does this), but I never have, and probably never will understand why if you're going to have a car with a convertible top, or a removable top, that you have the top down (or roof off) but the windows rolled up.

If you're going to drive that way, then just drive with the top up (or roof on). To me, there really is nothing like the feeling of a convertible ride (with windows down), such a relaxing feeling, no matter the wind. I've done several trip from SoDak to Wisconsin (580+ miles) in my C6 vette with the top down, no windows rolled up. The breeze, the free feeling, the sun (or clouds), the different sounds normally not heard in a car with a hard top, just awesome, nothing like it!

I know some believe it cuts down on the wind but it just looks odd to me.

Jim

[peterh226]

I see the C8 has the top off but windows up.

Sorry in advance, My opinion solely because it's a pet peeve of mine (not trying to insult any one who does this), but I never have, and probably never will understand why if you're going to have a car with a convertible top, or a removable top, that you have the top down (or roof off) but the windows rolled up.

If you're going to drive that way, then just drive with the top up (or roof on). To me, there really is nothing like the feeling of a convertible ride (with windows down), such a relaxing feeling, no matter the wind. I've done several trip from SoDak to Wisconsin (580+ miles) in my C6 vette with the top down, no windows rolled up. The breeze, the free feeling, the sun (or clouds), the different sounds normally not heard in a car with a hard top, just awesome, nothing like it!

I know some believe it cuts down on the wind but it just looks odd to me.

Jim

I have a BMW convertible and sometimes on the highway I put up the windows as the tire noise is just annoying as well as noise from large trucks. If it is chilly (like below 50) having the windows up means you can use the heater with a bit more effectiveness. It’s still better than putting the top up!

[33fromSD]

I have a BMW convertible and sometimes on the highway I put up the windows as the tire noise is just annoying as well as noise from large trucks. If it is chilly (like below 50) having the windows up means you can use the heater with a bit more effectiveness. It’s still better than putting the top up!

It's all good...I get it.

Jim

[FF33rod]

Good fun Bill.

I don't know if it's a Vancouver thing or a Canada thing but since I've started driving the '33 in June it doesn't matter who I'm beside they are compelled to get in front. I'm not pulling up looking for a drag, not revving the engine, just minding my own business. Doesn't matter which side they're on or if they're driving a Mazda, a Kia, or what. It's really starting to amuse me actually.

Steve

[33fromSD]

Good fun Bill.

I don't know if it's a Vancouver thing or a Canada thing but since I've started driving the '33 in June it doesn't matter who I'm beside they are compelled to get in front. I'm not pulling up looking for a drag, not revving the engine, just minding my own business. Doesn't matter which side they're on or if they're driving a Mazda, a Kia, or what. It's really starting to amuse me actually.

Steve

Not only a Canada thing Steve, happens in SoDak too. That or they just cruise next to you gunning it every once in a while egging you on to open it up.

Of course then there are the really neat encounters where people are going out of the way to follow the car and see it. The other night I had one guy follow me for a good 10 miles until I pulled into an local ice-cream place and sure enough he pulled in just to look at the car and get some info. Those encounters are always fun.

Jim

[peterh226]

It's all good...I get it.

Jim

I don’t like the look either!