#998 Build Page

[JimLev]

Sounds good except for that AC compressor buzz.
I guess you must have figured out the electric steering issue.

[HVACMAN]

Sounds good except for that AC compressor buzz.
I guess you must have figured out the electric steering issue.

Thanks Jim. CVF Racing is shipping a new compressor today. Excellent service. And yes the power steering is working great now.

[HVACMAN]

Now it's time to put the body back on and move to phase 2.

[HVACMAN]

I had 4 inches of water in the garage yesterday but none in the house thank goodness. I was having Hurricane Harvey flashbacks. I keep everything stored up high now days, so no damage. (whew!!) It's funny, this morning you can hardly tell it rained except for the soggy yard. I will install the new a/c compressor tomorrow and do the first oil change. I'm also going to dissect the oil filter. I may even go for another ride around the block.

[HVACMAN]

I haven't updated in a while. A lot of doctors appointments and generally hot weather. I have been fixing some small things. I got the power steering fixed. The front end alignment is close. I did the first oil change just because I was anxious. No nuts and bolts from the pan and the filter was clean. All is good. I have been for a few more trips in the neighborhood. Apparently nobody has called the police yet. Whew!!IMG_0173.JPGIMG_0174.JPG

[HVACMAN]

The body is back on now. Thank goodness it is finally cooling off. This past weekend I piddled with the rear wire harness routing and ran the wires for the reverse lights and the backup camera. Then I started mocking up the trunk sheet metal. I also got the fuel fill installed. IMG_0200.JPGIMG_0202.JPGIMG_0203.JPG

[wrp]

I haven't updated in a while. A lot of doctors appointments and generally hot weather. I have been fixing some small things. I got the power steering fixed. The front end alignment is close. I did the first oil change just because I was anxious. No nuts and bolts from the pan and the filter was clean. All is good. I have been for a few more trips in the neighborhood. Apparently nobody has called the police yet. Whew!!IMG_0173.JPGIMG_0174.JPG

I like to use Blackstone Labs every other oil change.

[HVACMAN]

The rest of the trunk sheet metal is mocked up. I also rewired the manual shift mode on the Lokar shifter. The way I had it the transmission was in manual mode when the shifter was in drive. IMG_0204.JPGIMG_0205.JPG

[HVACMAN]

I managed to test fit the aluminum dash panel last night. It fits perfectly. Thanks Tim. IMG_0212.JPGIMG_0213.JPG I think I will try a carbon fiber wrap first. If that doesn't work out I will laminate it with a carbon fiber sheet. The only drawback to the cf sheeting is: I understand it does not like compound curves.

[HVACMAN]

I hope everyone had a bountiful Thanksgiving. I was on vacation the week of and had planed to get a lot accomplished on the car last week. That didn't happen. I spent most of Monday and Tuesday getting things ready for Thanksgiving day. Tuesday night I cooked the cornbread and boiled a chicken for the dressing. I was trying to be proactive, so that Thursday morning we could throw everything together and get it done. About 1:05 AM Wednesday morning we were knocked out of bed by a very loud explosion. The TPC chemical plant about a one and a half miles from the house experienced an explosion and fire. I was not overly concerned, we live with that threat on a daily basis in this area. We were very fortunate there were no fatalities and only three injuries in the plant and we had no damage to the house. However things were not over yet. Wednesday afternoon there was a second explosion that launched a cracking tower about six to eight hundred feet into the air and a quarter of a mile down range. This prompted a mandatory evacuation order, by local officials, for a four mile radius. My wife already has a compromised respiratory system and the wind was forecast to put us down wind the next day, so it was a no brainer. We shoved everything back in the fridge, packed a quick bag, and headed North. We got to spend Thanksgiving and Friday in a hotel in Jasper Texas. We cooked our Thanksgiving meal Friday night and it was awesome. I did get to work on the car some Saturday. I started on the console, something I had been putting off for sometime. This was a Thanksgiving we remember for the rest of our lives and we learned to be thankful for every day we are given. Life can make an abrupt turn in the blink of an eye.

[FF33rod]

WOW. That's not necessarily the kind of excitement one wants but glad you got through it unscathed!

[Straversi]

Yikes, gives new meaning to Giving Thanks. Hope everyone at the plant is ok. Easy to take for granted that people work dangerous jobs everyday so we can enjoy everyday commodities.
-Steve

[HVACMAN]

Yikes, gives new meaning to Giving Thanks. Hope everyone at the plant is ok. Easy to take for granted that people work dangerous jobs everyday so we can enjoy everyday commodities.
-Steve

From what we've been told there were three injured in the plant and all were treated and released. Probably burned on their backside. I understand there are several new holes in the fence. lol

**Update: A voluntary evacuation order was issued for the immediate area surrounding the plant, for above acceptable levels of Butadiene & VOC's. That's what happens when you put the fire out instead of letting it burnout. Never a dull moment.

[HVACMAN]

I have been working on the console as I have time. It took a lot more modification than I expected. The first thing I did was take ~3 inches off of the bottom and ~3 inches off where it meets the dash. Then I split the back 2/3 to narrow it by 1/4 inch and glassed it. I also extended the length by 4 & 3/8 inches. When I trial fit it in the car I discovered that, where it meets the dash, was off nearly 1/4 inch side to side on the face that meets the dash. To correct this I had to sand down one side and build up the other, sand,glass, fit, repeat. I will final sand that surface tonight (I hope) and start on the arm rest/storage compartment. IMG_0259.JPGIMG_0261.JPGIMG_0274.JPGIMG_0275.JPGIMG_0277.JPGIMG_0285.JPG

[fostia]

When the key is on the daytime driving lights work, the turn signals work, and the flashers work. When I turn the lights on (park or headlights) only the brights work. I think I know why but haven't had time to dig into it. The instructions for the led headlights are not very clear. .Attachment 111625Attachment 111626 I also found this and added it to my shop. My Dad had 3 Humble service stations when I was a kid. I can't tell you how many gallons of gas I pumped at fifteen to twenty five cents a gallon. Attachment 111627

Hey, reading through your build thread. Did you figure out your low beam problem? I have the GEN 1 headlights but the low beam is extremely intermittent. Probably a different problem than yours but figured I'd check. I'm going to try to localize the grounds at the headlights but haven't gotten to it yet.

[HVACMAN]

Hey, reading through your build thread. Did you figure out your low beam problem? I have the GEN 1 headlights but the low beam is extremely intermittent. Probably a different problem than yours but figured I'd check. I'm going to try to localize the grounds at the headlights but haven't gotten to it yet.

If I recall correctly, my problem was the way I had the extra wires for the LED headlight bulbs wired. Yours sounds more like a ground or switch issue.

[HVACMAN]

This weekend a buddy came over to help me set the top on for the first time. Once we got it on, centered, and everything lined up, I marked the location and snapped some pictures. I am super pumped!! IMG_0288.JPGIMG_0290.JPGIMG_0294.JPG

Then we took the top off and removed the body. After my friend left I cut the dash. Next I installed the door hinge standoffs. IMG_0297.JPG I also did some final fitting on the console where it meets the dash. IMG_0286.JPG

And that brings me to a question. Since the door striker mounts bolt to the outside of the bracket, can they be mounted with the body off? I tried installing them body on, like the manual shows, and it seems impossible. Particularly on the passenger side with the a/c hoses in the way.

[FF33rod]

I must have done my AC hoses slightly differently but I can do both sides body on. I can't imagine how to do them body off with the striker sticking out like that. The body essentially has to come straight down from the top - forward motion limited by the firewall and rearward motion limited by the door jamb hitting the hinge mounting stuff.

Steve

[HVACMAN]

I must have done my AC hoses slightly differently but I can do both sides body on. I can't imagine how to do them body off with the striker sticking out like that. The body essentially has to come straight down from the top - forward motion limited by the firewall and rearward motion limited by the door jamb hitting the hinge mounting stuff.

Steve

Thanks Steve. I was thinking of attaching the striker mount, then put the body back and installing the striker through the 3/4 inch hole. I'll take a picture tonight. I just can't see a way to get that mount and the carriage bolts on the outside of the bracket and be able to start the nuts while holding the bolts in place. It is a very tight spot.

[FF33rod]

Gotcha, I understand. You'll still have to tweak the position of the mount plate so that it's right up against the body but that's easy enough once the mount hardware is in place. Can't say it was easy putting them on with the body in place. I dropped the bolt more than once trying to get them in. My hands aren't huge so that helps....

[HVACMAN]

Gotcha, I understand. You'll still have to tweak the position of the mount plate so that it's right up against the body but that's easy enough once the mount hardware is in place. Can't say it was easy putting them on with the body in place. I dropped the bolt more than once trying to get them in. My hands aren't huge so that helps....

Here's the pictures from last night with the mounts installed.IMG_0300.JPGIMG_0301.JPG
I also did a preleminary run on the a/c ducts.IMG_0302.JPG

[HVACMAN]

I had a few hours to work on the car Saturday. I got the defrost plenum located and marked on the underside of the cowl. With that done, I figured out where i wanted the duct to attach, cut the opening, then attached it to the plenum with 6-32 bolts and nuts, and bonded it with epoxy. I also finally got the face of the console built up like I wanted and the dimensions worked out. Then started laying out the cutouts for the different components. The a/c ventsIMG_0305.JPGIMG_0306.JPG are mounted and the a/c controls are ready to cut the opening. I had to order a 2 5/8 hole saw for the cup holder openings.

[JOP33]

I like the placement of the vents in the console, unique idea.

[HVACMAN]

I was able to get back on the console this weekend. I had to move the cup holders due to a wiring harness in the way. But I think everything else will be fine. I also removed the trunk metal to run the wiring for the backup camera.IMG_0314.JPGIMG_0315.JPGIMG_0317.JPGIMG_0318.JPG

[shmelty]

What rear upper control arms are you using? I am still waffling between 3 and 4 link on my order

[HVACMAN]

What rear upper control arms are you using? I am still waffling between 3 and 4 link on my order

I am using Dan Ruth's adjustable 4 link, but I used longer adjusters on the upper control arms, so that I could center the tire in the wheel well.

[HVACMAN]

This weekend I glassed in Tim Whittaker's defrost plenum and, with the help of a friend, we put the body back on the car. It is a tight fit and a lot of caution is advised, but it went over the hinge and striker mounts. I just left them loose enough so they would slide. I checked the fit of the console and installed Tim's aluminum dash panel to start laying out the gauges.
IMG_0323.JPGIMG_0328.JPG

[sread]

that console looks great man - really like the layout!

[HVACMAN]

that console looks great man - really like the layout!

Thank you. It has been more work than I ever anticipated. I probably have 80+ hours in the console and still have a long way to go.

[sread]

Hey I believe it - I keep finding that even the simplest mods end up taking 3 times as long as I thought.

[HVACMAN]

I removed the seats and mounts this weekend and installed a second layer of Dyna-Mat. I'm considering installing the carpet so that I can do a final install of the seat mounts and final fit on the console. I glassed the arm rest to the console, now more sanding. (scratch, scratch) Has anyone sourced a hinge for the armrest lid? All I have found so far are OEM with no dimensions listed. I could use a piano hinge but I was looking for something a little sturdier and spring loaded. Then fabricate the mounts for the console. I secured the body front and rear and next work on drilling the holes for the firewall and door sills.

[HVACMAN]

IMG_0343.JPG The new arm rest.

[Bgardner]

For the hinge look at cabinet hardware.

Link for Richelieu Hardware attached, many other options available there.

https://www.richelieu.com/ca/en/cate.../sku-420104130

[HVACMAN]

For the hinge look at cabinet hardware.

Link for Richelieu Hardware attached, many other options available there.

https://www.richelieu.com/ca/en/cate.../sku-420104130

Thanks Bgardner. I went to Lowes looking for inspiration and this is what I found. 773199315551.jpg If this does not work, I will look into the barrel hinges.

[HVACMAN]

Well, I worked on the Hot Rod this weekend and have the body attached at the firewall, door sills, and rear fender wells. Then I started on the trunk lid. I really envy you guys with lifts. It definitely is not easy for an old fat guy to work up through the bottom of the trunk, with the car on jack stands. I did persevere and the hinges are attached. Now to adjust them is so that it will open is a whole new learning curve. IMG_0353.JPGIMG_0350.JPGIMG_0348.JPG

[HVACMAN]

I have spent my self isolation time working from home, on the dash, and console for the Hot Rod. I could really get used to this working from home stuff. I may never go back. lol I mounted the gauges and lights in Tim Whittaker's awesome dash panel, wired them into a single modular plug.
I also worked on the arm rest for the console. I cut the opening in the top and started on the lid. I'm cheap so I wanted to use all the material from the FFR rest. I removed the cover, foam pad, and cleaned the glue from the aluminum plate. I cut a wooden lid to fit and cut down the pad to fit the new lid. I glassed in a block in the back for the hinge to mount to. I re-covered the assembly with part of the old cover, so it would match the seats. Not the prettiest work I've ever done but I'm determined to do as much of the work as I can. My wife always said I would have made a better framing carpenter than a finish carpenter. lol IMG_0357.JPGIMG_0359.JPGIMG_0361.JPGIMG_0363.JPGIMG_0365.JPGIMG_0366.JPGIMG_0367.JPGIMG_0368.JPGIMG_0369.JPGIMG_0370.JPG

[HVACMAN]

Here is the finished arm rest. IMG_0375.JPGIMG_0376.JPG

This last picture is something from a long time past but I may wish I had kept the current. I'm not having much luck finding a ASE Master Certified Technician. I'm not ready yet but it never hurts to know where to go when the time comes. IMG_0371.JPG

[wallace18]

Nice work!

[tony]

Is that a cabinet hinge? How do you like it. I just used regular small hinges for mine and I think they're janky.

[JOP33]

I'm not having much luck finding a ASE Master Certified Technician. I'm not ready yet but it never hurts to know where to go when the time comes. IMG_0371.JPG

I don't know exactly how far you are from Beaumont (or what the county break-down is around that area), but I believe there is a Christian Brothers Automotive in Beaumont. I know they are a chain, but the local CBA here was able to perform my Safety Inspection and had (1) Certified Master Technician on hand. I had to schedule a two hour window with him, but they were extremely knowledgeable and very cooperative...may be worth a try at least.