JimLev's Build

[JimLev]

I’m about ready to trash the trunk lock, I’ve waisted too much time trying to get it to work reliably without getting stuck.
Anybody know where I can get a lock similar to the one in this pic?

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[progmgr1]

If you've given up on the usual suspects (Summit, Speedway, Jegs, etc.) you might try Sacramento Vintage Ford https://vintageford.com/sect_main.cfm?Line=main I have never dealt with them, but they seem to have a wide range of vintage and reproduction parts that may work for you. HTH Keith HR #894

[33fromSD]

I got mine through Speedway Motors....I'm going to do the same....while I have the FFR latch working fine, I keep thinking it's not going to be reliable down the road so I want something different. Since I put the external door handles on I think the trunk lid handle will compliment it.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1932-...it,418663.html

The latch is kind of funky so I need to think through on how to mount that.

[JimLev]

Thanks Keith and Jim. I was trying to find one that at least had some pics or directions of it mounted, no luck.
Jim, I think I’ll get the one from Speedway. Not exactly sure how it mounts, looks like the box part mounts to the inside surface of the trunk lid.
I called them this morning however after being on hold for 30min I gave up.
Just a few days ago I orders the parts from Speedway to replace the corrugated metal tubing that FFR sent for the lower radiator hose to the water pump.

[Kamp]

Kamp, I have the weather strip installed on mine and it does provide enough spring to "hear" the lid unlatch but not really enough to pop the trunk lid up.

Thanks for the info.

[JimLev]

I got mine through Speedway Motors....I'm going to do the same....while I have the FFR latch working fine, I keep thinking it's not going to be reliable down the road so I want something different. Since I put the external door handles on I think the trunk lid handle will compliment it.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1932-...it,418663.html

The latch is kind of funky so I need to think through on how to mount that.

Got the same latch a you, it arrived today.
Interesting that it doesn’t come with the nut (3/8x24) or washer to hold the handle to the lock mechanism.

[33fromSD]

Got the same latch a you, it arrived today.
Interesting that it doesn’t come with the nut (3/8x24) or washer to hold the handle to the lock mechanism.

I noticed that too.... oh well, I have three hardware stores within about 2 miles of me so no biggie if I need to source one.

I'm hoping to get to mine this weekend after I wrap up my dash wiring.

[JimLev]

I’m planning on mounting the latch tomorrow. I’ll post my results.

This part (I’m guessing) mounts to the body and we’ll have to add a pin to it for the lock hook to catch on.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1928-...Query=91126102

[33fromSD]

I’m planning on mounting the latch tomorrow. I’ll post my results.

This part (I’m guessing) mounts to the body and we’ll have to add a pin to it for the lock hook to catch on.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1928-...Query=91126102

That was my thinking as well.

I look forward to seeing how you make out on the install. Jim

[JimLev]

Mounted the (Vintique) trunk latch I bought from Speedway today.
I'll wait on permanently mounting the last piece the hook part of the lock catches on until I get the weather stripping on.

Drilled 1.25" hole centered on trunk.
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The gap could be taken up with spacers or shims.
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I decided I didn't want spacers or shims.
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[33fromSD]

Mounted the (Vintique) trunk latch I bought from Speedway today.
I'll wait on permanently mounting the last piece the hook part of the lock catches on until I get the weather stripping on.

Drilled 1.25" hold centered on trunk.

The gap could be taken up with spacers or shims.


I decided I didn't want spacers or shims.

Nice job...looks good

[JimLev]

Wow, it's been 8 months since I did any updates. Been busy with family stuff, vacations, etc.
I have been working on the car just not as much as in the past.
The alarm system and door popper are installed.
Door panels are fitted (only to be removed when I paint the inside.
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I removed all of the stainless radiator flex hose and found better parts.
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Then I installed the Bump Steer kit as well as replacing all the brakes in all 4 wheels with PowerStop Extreme pads.
Forgot who recommended them...thanks.
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Next was to install a Line Lock thru the small cutout in the front cowl. That 2 hour job took 2 days because of very limited access.
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Now it's on to get the left side of the trunk lid to fit flush with the body. I bent a piece of box tubing and bolted it to the inside of the trunk lid.
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Now it's time to make the hood fit. It's way too high. If I had known I wouldn't have laid the grill all the way back.
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Then make the belly pan fit.
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Time for some primer and paint.
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The front fenders are hanging from the ceiling, I'll start working on them next.

[HVACMAN]

I'm glad to know someone else is having problems with the left side of the trunk lid. I was beginning to think it was something I did. I have worked on it off and on for months. I would get frustrated and quit. I have decided the problem is with the body and not the lid. I have a question Jim. Did you have a problem with the lower left rear corner of the body being malformed where the quarter panel joins the body? I think the bodies on our cars were produced at about the same time.

[33fromSD]

Looks great Jim, I like the yellow.

Jim

[JimLev]

Andy, I had both stages delivered at the same time so your body is about 7 months newer than mine. They are both Gen 1.
My back left seems OK however even though the floor to chassis measurements are the same the rear of the fender to floor measurement are 3/4” off. The left side is higher.
It took forever to get the trunk lid to open and close without scraping. Once that was adjusted I started to work on the left side of the trunk lid. The middle of it was about 3/8” above the body, the top and bottom edges were OK.
I heated and bent the box tubing, installed nutserts in the lid then used the box tubing to pull the middle of the lid down.
I don’t have any of the weather strip installed so that may require more adjusting.

[JimLev]

Finally taking some time to update my build.
Thank you SVTfreak for the info in the door popper to fix my hood not popping up from the front most of the time (Gen1).
I opened it up to replace the spring with one that had a little less tension. I also added a spring to make sure the latch always opens up all the way when the hood is opened.

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I finally started to get some color on the hotrod, need to finish the drivers side fender today.

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[JimLev]

Got the driver's side front fender shot with color, cleared, and mounted.
Next will be working on the roof so I can get the front and rear glass permanently installed.

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[1932]

That looks GOOD!

[JimLev]

Got a little more done yesterday. Painted the waterfall again, didn’t like how it came out the first time I painted it.
The running board step panels came in today, thanks for the info 33fromSD.
I added the yellow inserts hoping it would match the car, if it didn’t I’d paint them. Looks so close I’ll leave them like they are.
The new alarm system arrived today so that’s what I’ll be working on this afternoon and probably tomorrow too.

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[33fromSD]

Step plates look awesome.

Jim

[JimLev]

Got the alarm system installed (thanks again ProgMgr1) and a little more painting done the last few days.
The pass door inside and outside. Will do the drivers door, then the trunk, and the roof.
I’ll do the body last.

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[progmgr1]

Gotta love that yellow! I had a (German built) Mercury Capri II that color back in the day. Good memories.
Keith HR #894

[JimLev]

There is a guy here in our local car club (mostly old Vetts and 60’s muscle cars) that has a German built Mercury Capri, yellow with a black top. He bought it new and still drives it.

[JimLev]

Got a little more done today, RR fender painted and mounted. Took the LR off to start prepping it for painting.
I’ll do the trunk next.

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[JimLev]

Worked on getting the left side of the trunk to match the body better with a piece of 1/2” square tubing that I bent to pull the middle section down. It’s close to perfect.
I then painted the the tubing and the trunk. All that is left is the drivers door, the roof, and the body.

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[33fromSD]

Looks great Jim, love the yellow but I hate to ask, how is the fit with the weather stripping on?

My issue on my Gen2 was without weather stripping the trunk lid fit great, when I put the weather stripping on the sides were up about 1/8", top & bottom were fine though. I hadn't painted mine yet at the time so I could play with a little and finally got it.

Jim

[WIS89]

Jim-

She looks amazing, and I have enjoyed watching your build. I have a question to ask you, however. I looked for the answer, and I didn't see it mentioned in your thread, so if you already addressed this, I apologize!

What is the reason for painting the car in sections, as you have, rather than waiting to paint it all at once? I can see the convenience of it, but I would be concerned about how well the paint laid down, and how it matched up -- because of my inexperience.

I can't wait to see her all dressed up! She is really beautiful!!

Regards,

Steve

[JimLev]

Jim, no the weather stripping isn’t in. I’m going to borrow some play dough from our granddaughter to put between the trunk and body so I can measure the gap. I’ll most likely buy something like what’s used in the doors to the body.
Like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092ZV8HNK...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Steve, I don’t have a paint booth so I’m doing one piece at a time in the driveway when the weather is cooperative. I want all of the mounting surfaces that bolt to the other parts painted too which is another reason I’m doing each part individually.
A friend recently offered me his 3 car garage shop to paint the body in.
No problem with the paint not matching, it’s a solid color and all comes out of the same gallon can mixed 1:1 with reducer.

[WIS89]

Jim-

Thanks for taking the time to reply; I appreciate it. Color match makes sense the way you describe it! I would still worry, but that's because of my inexperience!

Boy, that three-car garage would be tempting!

Thanks again for the response, and I look forward to watching you finish things up! All the best!

Regards,

Steve

[Gablerent]

Can't it be sent back for a proper replacement without these flaws?

[JimLev]

Can't it be sent back for a proper replacement without these flaws?

I wish it was that easy. Basically none of the fiberglass fits out of the box.
You need to make everything fit by cutting, modifying, shimming, etc.

[Mastertech5]

Hi Jim, I picked up my stage 1 kit on June 10th and have an LS3 coming tomorrow. I've asked this question on other threads and can't seem to get an answer. I see you have the same engine with the power steering. What oil pan did you opt for? Street Rod Jim used a Holley 302-2 pan. It is extremely shallow in the front. I would rather use the 302-1 pan but it is a little deeper in the PS motor area and I was wondering about the clearance. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[JimLev]

I used the oil pan that came on the LS3.
I didn’t mount the PS motor on the bracket FFR said to as the motor would hang down below the pan.
I made an angled bracket to mount the PS motor on the firewall.
I’ll dig up that info and be back.

See post #110 and 113
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...-s-Build/page3

[Mastertech5]

That is quite ingenious. I think I will give it a go. The stock oil pan doesn't have any ground clearance problems? While on that page of your build I saw some answers to some other issues I've researching. I didn't want to spend the money for one of those fancy accessory drive kits. What A.C. compressor did you use and the alternator too. More complete explanation as to your modifications to install these would be a great help. And the crank pulley and damper. My engine is the E-Rod for a manual transmission and comes with the short corvette w/pump and damper pulley set up.

[JimLev]

Ground clearance is whatever you set the coilovers too.
For the alternator I bought an ICT mounting kit that I had to modify as it was for the truck engine that had a longer crank snout.

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I changed the pulley to a larger one so I wouldn't exceed the max alt RPM

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For the AC compressor I bought a small Sandin and a mounting bracket I also had to modify.

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Had to do some trimming on the compressor too. The fit was very tight.
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[Mastertech5]

On the alternator, is that the smaller Caddy CTV one or did it come with the bracket kit?

[Mastertech5]

I really appreciate the time you spent helping me out. Extreme thanks! Your car is so similar to mine except the trans. Same size wheels, tires, engine and diff ratio. My diff is used and I rebuilt it with upgrades. I was a GM tech for over 30 years. I have a Tremec TKX for mine.

[JimLev]

Glad to help out. I was going to go with a 6 speed, but my left knee is so so, my other car has a V8 and 6 speed so I went with the 4L65e.
Umm, a GM Tech, I may have to pick your brains in the future.
Spencer MA, been there in the past. I’m originally from Wareham, then moved to Pembroke on the South Shore. In 2016 we moved to NM.
I bought the alternator and the bracket from Summit.
The bracket is for the truck engine, you can see below the harmonic balancer sticks out a lot further than the LS3 one. I shortened the spacers to get the pulleys to align.
Here’s the info.

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[Mastertech5]

I'll check them out. May not work with my set up. The truck engines have the furthest away pulleys and mine (corvette) is the closest to the block. I found a vintage air bracket set that mount it low on passenger side. 11 3/4 inches from crank centerline to outside of the compressor. As soon as I get my motor mounts (were not available when I picked up my kit) I'll set it in and measure. I ordered my engine from Summit and it wasn't supposed to ship from GM until Aug 17. I guess they found a dealer in Texas with one willing to sell it so it's coming tomorrow. I told the shipping company when they called to set up delivery that they needed to use a box truck not a 40 foot trailer but they didn't listen. That was yesterday. Driver called and said he couldn't make it down the road that leads to mine. So now it's tomorrow. I told the dispatcher again about the road and she said she'd get a box truck. Fingers crossed.

[Mastertech5]

Oh, by the way about picking my brain. I'm all ears. ASE and GM mastertech the whole time, hence my handle.