#998 Build Page

[HVACMAN]

I have been posting mostly on the other forum, but decided to start a page here also. This is my first build since a 1957 Bel Air Two Door Hardtop in high school. Warning!! I spend most of my nonworking time in the garage and not at the computer, (I stare at a computer screen 10 hours a day) so my posts are irregular at best. #998 stage one was started on May 1st. after the inventory was completed and will be an old school hot rod with a hard top, no side panels, and no hood. It will be LS3 powered, with an auto trans, and 3.73 gear. Here is where I am so far:

Powder Coating: complete
Rear suspension: complete (QA1's and adjustable 4 link)
Front suspension: complete (QA1's & Delrin bushings)
Front Brakes: complete (13' Wilwood's)
Firewall & foot boxes: Fit but not mounted
Rack & Tie Rods: complete
Pedal Box & Master cylinders: mounted
Steering column: mounted
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[HVACMAN]

Have any of you guys doing LS3 builds used the FF power steering kit? Problems? Alternate suggestions?

[wallace18]

I am currently building a 33 with the LS3. I will let you know about the electric P/S when I get there. I have been told by others you just need to reclock it some.

[HVACMAN]

I am currently building a 33 with the LS3. I will let you know about the electric P/S when I get there. I have been told by others you just need to reclock it some.

Thanks Wallace. I originally planned on manual steering but it looks like shoulder surgery may be in my future.

[HVACMAN]

I have a couple of questions (probably rookie) that just scream for answers. I have looked through manual several times.

1. What are the torque specs. for the rack mount.
2. What are the torque specs. for the tie rod ends where they attach to the spindles.
3. I wonder why FF didn't put the rack mount on the list of parts that need powder coating.
4. I received 4 extra bolts and nuts with the steering column mounting hardware. They are 5/16" x 20 x 1 1/2" button head with lock nuts.

Any help would be appreciated.

[HVACMAN]

I have a couple of questions (probably rookie) that just scream for answers. I have looked through manual several times.

1. What are the torque specs. for the rack mount.
2. What are the torque specs. for the tie rod ends where they attach to the spindles.
3. I wonder why FF didn't put the rack mount on the list of parts that need powder coating.
4. I received 4 extra bolts and nuts with the steering column mounting hardware. They are 5/16" x 20 x 1 1/2" button head with lock nuts.

Any help would be appreciated.

Well..... Number 4 really was a stupid question. I was sitting at my work bench last night taking a picture of the "extra bolts" when I looked over at the steering shaft bearings, and the light bulb came on.

[TDSapp]

HVACMan,

Check out the table on Appendix J around page 710 of the manual. If not stated in the directions they have a table that has the torque values based off the bolt sizes.



Tim

[HVACMAN]

HVACMan,

Check out the table on Appendix J around page 710 of the manual. If not stated in the directions they have a table that has the torque values based off the bolt sizes.



Tim

Thanks Tim, I'll check it out.

[HVACMAN]

Is anyone polishing the firewall and foot boxes?

[HVACMAN]

Looks like I'll spend the evening making hurricane preparations. I checked the generator, chainsaw, and filled the vehicles and gas cans last night. Tonight I'll get everything in the garage up as high as possible, make a trip to the grocery store, fill water cans, then work on the car some. I just hope this thing doesn't skip up the coast like they are predicting.

[HVACMAN]

Looks like I'll spend the evening making hurricane preparations. I checked the generator, chainsaw, and filled the vehicles and gas cans last night. Tonight I'll get everything in the garage up as high as possible, make a trip to the grocery store, fill water cans, then work on the car some. I just hope this thing doesn't skip up the coast like they are predicting.

25+ inches of rain so far with no relief in site until maybe Thursday. The garage is high and dry so far but it's been close a few times.

[Dodgeman]

I'm 85 miles north of Houston and its been raining nonstop since Saturday, rain gauge says 22 inches so far. I'm also high and dry.

[HVACMAN]

I'm 85 miles north of Houston and its been raining nonstop since Saturday, rain gauge says 22 inches so far. I'm also high and dry.

I'm glad ya'll are doing well, a lot are not as lucky as we are. We got another five inches since midnight. I hope this will be the last bad day.

[HVACMAN]

I'm glad ya'll are doing well, a lot are not as lucky as we are. We got another five inches since midnight. I hope this will be the last bad day.

I'm back. It's been a busy several days. We wound up getting 21.5 inches of rain on the 29th and 44" overall. I had 4" of water in the house and 8" in the garage, but we were SO much more fortunate than most. I hope to get back to the build this weekend.

[HVACMAN]

I'm just putting this out there for any of you guys with current builds that haven't completed the A/C install. As of January 1, 2018 the new EPA regulations will take effect concerning refrigerants. Going forward an EPA certification will be required to purchase ANY refrigerant. I expect all of the "R-134A charging kits, etc." will disappear from the local auto parts stores shelves. If you are planning to do it yourself, you might want to make that purchase between now and the end of the year.

[mgh]

I'm just putting this out there for any of you guys with current builds that haven't completed the A/C install. As of January 1, 2018 the new EPA regulations will take effect concerning refrigerants. Going forward an EPA certification will be required to purchase ANY refrigerant. I expect all of the "R-134A charging kits, etc." will disappear from the local auto parts stores shelves. If you are planning to do it yourself, you might want to make that purchase between now and the end of the year.

Thanks for the heads up, I haven't started mine yet so will be going tomorrow to get one.

[wallace18]

I'm just putting this out there for any of you guys with current builds that haven't completed the A/C install. As of January 1, 2018 the new EPA regulations will take effect concerning refrigerants. Going forward an EPA certification will be required to purchase ANY refrigerant. I expect all of the "R-134A charging kits, etc." will disappear from the local auto parts stores shelves. If you are planning to do it yourself, you might want to make that purchase between now and the end of the year.

It seems only 30lb cylinders are affected not the small cans.

[HVACMAN]

It seems only 30lb cylinders are affected not the small cans.

Wallace you are correct. I finally read the entire section 608 and it does exempt the small cans providing they are equipped with self sealing valves. I apologize for the misinformation.

[HVACMAN]

Well I broke the crankshaft bolt loose last night. It's amazing how easy things are when you have the right tools.IMG_1027.JPGIMG_1030.JPGIMG_1032.JPG This little jewel was worth it's weight in gold. However why is it soooo..... much harder to pull 240 lb. ft. of torque now, than it was 30 years ago?

[TxMike64]

Yay for one-time-use tools....

::

[HVACMAN]

I have had a problem with the FF down pipe hitting the frame on the right side. IMG_1010.JPGI worked all day Saturday loosening motor mounts shifting things around etc. I finally got the laser out to check the drive train alignment. IMG_1023.JPG At the end of the day this was the best I could do. I hope it is enough.IMG_1024.JPG Someone suggested prying between the frame and down pipe, but I was afraid of shattering a brand new set of Hooker manifolds. Cast iron and stainless are both pretty brittle. On a better note the accessory drive and A/C came in on Friday. IMG_1025.JPG That will give me plenty to work on in the upcoming weeks and I can start the wiring.

[Cali-21]

I have had a problem with the FF down pipe hitting the frame on the right side. IMG_1010.JPGI worked all day Saturday loosening motor mounts shifting things around etc. I finally got the laser out to check the drive train alignment. IMG_1023.JPG At the end of the day this was the best I could do. I hope it is enough.IMG_1024.JPG Someone suggested prying between the frame and down pipe, but I was afraid of shattering a brand new set of Hooker manifolds. Cast iron and stainless are both pretty brittle. On a better note the accessory drive and A/C came in on Friday. IMG_1025.JPG That will give me plenty to work on in the upcoming weeks and I can start the wiring.

All,

I’ve decided to eventually start a 33 build but I keep reading here in this thread and others, that “this ____ (fill-in the blank) “came in today” or “the _____ wasn’t shipped and is coming”. I’m concerned about this as I will be a mostly after work/weekend builder that can’t be around during the day to receive all of the missing or late in arriving kit pieces. Should I be concerned and need to figure out an alternate shipping address (work) for these late arriving parts?

Any feedback you all could provide would be appreciated.

Mario

[JOP33]

Mario - I received my kit back in April of 2017 and initially I had a few bolts missing, a damaged radiator hose and my wiring harness was on back order. After doing a thorough inventory (this is key), I called FFR and in two days the missing parts from inventory arrived and within two weeks of my kit delivery my wiring harness was at my door. Since then I have only had to call them (about parts) once for the 12 point bolts for the driveshaft and they had those delivered the next day (on Saturday). As far as my experience goes, I have been extremely happy with FFR's support. I do understand your concerns though. My brakes were drop shift directly from Wilwood and just left in (2) boxes in front of my garage with the Wilwood logo printed all over the boxes. I am sure there are a hundred or more negative experiences out there, just wanted you to know that sometimes they get it right too. If I might add one tip, plan your build out. There will be items that you want to upgrade from a third party supplier or maybe it is something that didn't come with the kit. Try to stay about three weeks ahead of what you are currently working on so you can order what you need and have it ready when you need...but most of all enjoy the ride!

J

[Cali-21]

J,

Thanks for the advice on the planning out the build, I’m big into that being in construction. I want to approach the build like a construction project without the schedule. Did you attend the build school and if so how was it and is it worth it, I haven’t built anything with a motor since high school and those were VW bugs that I helped build? I’m hoping my being an electrician, general handy guy around the and the support of the FFR community that I’ve got what it takes to finish a build.

Thanks for sharing your experiances.

Mario

[HVACMAN]

I finally had some time to work on the car over the holidays. I sprayed the firewall with lizard skin and mounted it. I mounted the brake reservoir and started on the steering linkage. I'll have to set the engine and trans in so I can determine where to clock the power steering motor. Next I assembled and mocked up the E- brake system. I also picked up a set of Foose wheels for $100 that were salvaged from an 08 Mustang that was flooded during the Hurricane. i will get some used tires installed to make it a rolling chassis. Also my early Christmas present arrived. IMG_0872.JPGIMG_0873.JPGIMG_0878.JPGIMG_0883.JPG

[RoadRacer]

Also my early Christmas present arrived.

Ha! The wheels/tires I found were my early (perhaps only) Christmas present according to my wife

[HVACMAN]

I saw this for sale in front of the local NAPA store on the way home from work yesterday.
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[HVACMAN]

I learned last night that anyone who runs brake lines for a living deserves a special place in heaven.

[progmgr1]

I learned last night that anyone who runs brake lines for a living deserves a special place in heaven.

That made me laugh out loud, until I realized that I'm facing that job next (cue "Jaws" theme song)...
Keith

[erlihemi]

Congrats on the early Christmas present!! Did it arrive on the white sled with the funny fender emblem in the pic??

[wallace18]

I mounted my fluid reservoirs like yours initially. The outside one will hit the hood. I had to move my clutch one to inside the firewall. Just a heads up while you are in the initial stage here.

[HVACMAN]

I mounted my fluid reservoirs like yours initially. The outside one will hit the hood. I had to move my clutch one to inside the firewall. Just a heads up while you are in the initial stage here.

Thanks for the heads up Wallace but I'm not going to run a hood or side covers.

[HVACMAN]

Is there a reason to/or not to go ahead and fill the drive train with fluids?

[TDSapp]

Is there a reason to/or not to go ahead and fill the drive train with fluids?

Is there a chance that you are going to have to pull the motor and trans again? If not then fill and forget. But if you don't fill it... make sure you don't forget it. Heard of several motors get ruined when they got Go-Fever and forgot to put in the fluids before starting it.

[HVACMAN]

Is there a chance that you are going to have to pull the motor and trans again? If not then fill and forget. But if you don't fill it... make sure you don't forget it. Heard of several motors get ruined when they got Go-Fever and forgot to put in the fluids before starting it.

Exactly Tim!! I don't plan on pulling the motor again. I do maintain a list of "to do's" on a white board in the shop, but why take a chance. That would be one expensive mistake. Thank you.

[HVACMAN]

I am missing the four brake line mounts and clips that rivet to the frame. Should they be packaged with the tee’s couplings, and other hardware? I don’t even see them on the inventory sheets.

[Tampa33Build]

I thought the same thing, found them in box 30 with the power windows kit with the e-brake cable.

[HVACMAN]

I thought the same thing, found them in box 30 with the power windows kit with the e-brake cable.

Hmmm....... I didn’t order power windows, so I guess I’ll go through everything again. Thanks

[HVACMAN]

I bled the brakes last night. A task I have been dreading for sometime now, after reading some of the stories on this forum. As it turns out my concern was for nothing. Forty five minutes and it was done. A firm pedal and no leaks (so far). I credit my success to two things. I used copper gaskets on all flare fittings and a brake bleeder from Amazon. The best $25 I have ever spent.IMG_1046.JPG

[HVACMAN]

This weekend I managed to get the EVAP purge valve bracket modified and relocated. IMG_1040.JPG I modified the water pump and attached the steam hose thanks to Wallace 18. IMG_1036.JPG I mounted the inner firewall panel. I have two layers of Dynamat on the firewall and one layer on the inner firewall. Hopefully that will help keep the heat out of the cockpit. IMG_1039.JPG And last but not least I mounted the engine accessory drive and all the shiny stuff. CVF Racing really makes some quality pieces and it uses an eight groove serpentine system not six. IMG_1042.JPG