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Thread: 40 Watt Garage & #9365

  1. #321
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - #9365 - 1st Road Mile!!

    I couldn't stand it anymore... beautiful spring day, been mentally cataloging "Roadster Roads" for months... Gendarmes be damned I'M GONNA DRIVE MY CAR!

    And my little 1 mile trip down the block, around the park, and back to the 40 Watt confirmed the need for ever-expanding test drive "loops" from base camp.

    Everything works beautifully! Got it into 2nd gear, romped it a bit, my "guess & by golly" brake balancer adjustment seemed good on a panic stop, all was ear to ear smiles. Pulled up the driveway, set the parking brake and got out to open the garage door and #9365 started to stumble and stalled out.

    WTF...

    From the sound/actions of it this wasn't electrical, it was fuel. I know everything is good. The pump works (58psi at the rail), 1/2 tank of fuel, what is going on??
    After about 1/2 hour of troubleshooting I narrowed it down to the problem. The electrical connector that snaps onto the fuel pump. So it was fuel-related electrical!
    (I checked the Coyote fuel pump relay, the FFR/RF fuel pump relay, the inertia switch, and had 14+V at the connector to the pump).

    About this time I remembered having difficulty getting the fuel pump connector to snap down and latch onto the pump. A lot of fiddling and it finally clicked into place... OK. The "1st Start", and all subsequent runs have had no problems... Until you introduce road jolts and vibration!.

    It turns out that with all my fiddling to get the connector seated, the female connector (inside the plastic) got deformed and opened up. It wasn't "gripping" the male post on the pump. It was touching, but not full contact (just fine for test starts...). I used an extractor tool to get the terminal out of the connector body, reshaped it with a needle-nose, and clicked it back in.

    End of problem.

    What I'm trying to express here is the K.I.S.S. principal (Keep It Simple... Stupid). Don't go "worst case" on a problem and start changing parts. Evaluate the conditions, the changes to the conditions, and compare to known facts when you troubleshoot.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  3. #322
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - #9365 - Reverse/Backup Light

    I searched a long time for a discreet, small, but bright reverse/backup light... I finally found something at my local West Marine store.

    Here's a link to the item

    It's small, the backside is fully "potted" (weathertight), and has a nice rubber gasket to seal it to the body. The housing is made from clear plastic ("white" in the description refers to the light output). I masked off the area of the LED's, and painted the balance of the housing with AlClad II "Chrome", over a base coat of their gloss Black.

    Early in the build I made provisions for a backup light circuit, and put it into the RF/FFR rear harness. The Tremec gearbox has a reverse light switch in the case, you just need to provide an ign/acc switched +12v to one side, then the switched feeder going aft for a light. The neg/ground is tied in locally at the rear of the car.

    Backup_01.jpg Backup_02.jpg Backup_03.jpg Backup_04.jpg

    Unfortunately the hole required for a 2-pin "Weatherpak" wouldn't be covered up by the lamp... so I installed a small "molex" 2-pin plug on the lamp pigtail and the body harness. The connector bodies were packed with silicone dielectric grease, snapped together, and taped.
    Last edited by Fixit; 05-07-2019 at 06:51 PM.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  4. #323
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    Great Thread! I have a long way to go!

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  6. #324
    BadAsp427's Avatar
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    Exciting to see you at this point... Knowing the fun you are about to have...

    Mk4 20th Anniversary #8690 (#8 of 20) Purchased 8/18/18----Build Started 8/19/18
    Build Thread Click Here / Registry Entry Click Here / BluePrint Engines 347ci / TKO600
    Carb/Heater/Heated Seats/Cruise Control/Drop Trunk & Battery/Custom Cubby

  7. #325
    Boydster's Avatar
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    The backup light is pretty cool. One of the little details that makes a nice build.
    ---Boyd---
    MkIV #9042 build thread
    www.boss427.us
    427W, TKO600, Moser 3.55 rear.
    Delivered Feb 2017, Graduated Nov 4, 2019

  8. #326
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - #9365 - Windshield

    That big box has been sitting against the cabinets for 312 days. I opened it on delivery, peeked inside to see if the glass was intact, and sealed it up.

    (I'll apologize in advance for this lengthy post... but this is pretty daunting task, especially if you work alone as I do).

    The other night I fitted the "side irons/bars" to the windshield frame. Driver's side just fell on - perfect fit. The passenger side was another story.
    The curve at the top wasn't quite right. It had a bit of a twist in it, and the radius wasn't correct - it didn't lay down on the curve of the frame, and overhung aft a bit.

    I wrapped it in tape, and using the plastic soft-jaws in the vise and a rubber mallet, proceeded to give it a few love taps/thumps. The brass is relatively soft, and if you don't go crazy on it there's no worries about cracking the plating. I was just chasing a 1/16th or so.

    Pay very close attention while threading the stainless screws into the brass thread strip in the edge of the frame. This is where "feel" is paramount.
    It shouldn't take more than your thumb & index finger to apply enough torque on the screwdriver. If the screw stops turning and the side irons are still wobbly loose the screw is bottomed out! Don't tighten it more!
    The screw is a 5mm. Get a 5mm nut, spin it on, then file/grind/sand off a thread or two from the screw. Put a tiny bit of a taper on the end of the screw. Using the nut as a "thread chaser" remove it. Try the screw in the windshield again.
    (In my instance i had to shorten all the PS screws about 1-1/2 threads, the DS were fine out of the package (??))

    The side bars are too long out of the box. The consensus is to cut them off 13" down from the lowest mounting screw. This turned out to be a good starting point.

    A lot of time was spent back & forth enlarging the pre-cut slots in the body. Initially just to get the assembly to fit onto the car, then "sweetening" to ensure there was no body contact to the mounting bars when it was in the holes. A B*stard-cut file will zip through the fiberglass like butter.
    Windshield03.jpg Windshield04.jpg
    The FFR cut holes weren't all that great... lucky for us there's the cover bezels & body filler.

    The recommended angle is achieved by measuring from the rear door opening to the top screw on the windshield. This distance is 27".
    How are you supposed to hold opposite sides of a 30+ pound, fragile, flopping in the hole, 4 foot wide thing at a precise amount while trying to get it to fit!??
    My Solution:
    Windshield01.jpg Windshield02.jpg

    These are 1 meter long sticks of aluminum DIN rail (I use it daily to mount PLC's, relays, gizmo's in control cabinets). The channel shape makes it ideal, as they're rigid and won't "bow". A 3/16" hole was drilled 27" from the end, and a too-long 5mm screw threaded into the windshield frame as a locating stud.
    With these in place I could (gently) jiggle the frame around and get it to set down on the body.

    Again, a lot of back & forth, and on & off. I couldn't get the DS to set down quite right, and by feeling around the mounting holes I found the side-iron was bottomed on the frame tube - so another inch came off the end. It now snuggled down to the body.

    Problems:
    "It won't fit down into the PS hole/slot"!
    - Look in the hole and check the little firewall extension piece - on my car the slot was too narrow and in the wrong place. I had to open it up/trim it using a "mini-hack" (a hacksaw blade holder) through the body slot.

    Tips n Tricks:
    - Before sliding the windshield in the body, mark a line with a Sharpie down the center of the side irons on the inside of the bars. This will greatly help you getting the bars centered over the hold-down holes. (You'll be on your head upside down with a flashlight peeking into these spaces).
    - Drop the fusebox. This will give you much more working room.
    - With the 27" locator rails in place, get the centerline (drawn above) passing through the center of the 5/8" mounting holes on the chassis. Trying not to bump anything, measure the windshield frame to body edges at several points comparing side to side. Get the windshield squared up.
    - Dive back in the hole(s) and mark the mounting holes with a Sharpie.

    **This is an absolute, must-do tip/trick/mod**
    Why it's not suggested in the assembly manual is beyond me, as it makes mounting the windshield so easy.
    - Pull the windshield, remove the side bars, and using your marked mounting holes, drill & tap them to 1/2-13. (Just go and buy a 27/64 bit, and a 1/2-13 tap... don't argue, just do it!)
    It's brass... it drills and taps easily.

    Re-assemble, slide it back into/onto the car, and start the shimming process. There's multiple posts about the need for this, and I won't duplicate them here. I'll just add:
    - My car the DS was just fine, and set flat against the mounting plate.
    - My car the PS needed about 1/8" at the top hole, about 3/16" at the bottom hole.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  10. #327

    Steve >> aka: GoDadGo
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    Big, Big, Big Progress!

    Definitely Looking Good!


    Last edited by GoDadGo; 05-11-2019 at 07:22 AM.

  11. #328
    Not a waxer Jeff Kleiner's Avatar
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    Almost sounds like you've been coached John

    Good job!

    Jeff

  12. #329
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    Almost sounds like you've been coached
    To quote Dirty Harry... "A man's got to know his limitations"... That's why I called a pro for his advice!
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  13. #330
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - #9365 - Windshield

    Yesterday was "maintenance" day around the 40 Watt... changed the oil in my F-150, the lawnmower, and the powerwasher. This meant that #9365 had to move out of the garage, so I took a few quick pics.

    20190511_075044.jpg 20190511_075109.jpg 20190511_075153.jpg

    Reality is really setting in again - There's an operational, driveable, legally equipped car in the driveway... that just short of a year ago was a frame, body, and boxes of parts!
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  14. #331
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    Looks great John! I would have to start it up everyday just to listen to it rumble until it was legal. By the way, working on clutch switches and Russ Thompson turn signal install today using your posts. Thanks!
    MKIV #9542 Complete Kit, Coyote, IRS - Delivered - 2/19/19, First start - 9/8/19, Go Cart - 9/14/19
    1965 Mustang Convertible 4v 289
    Build Thread HERE

  15. #332
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    I would have to start it up everyday just to listen to it rumble until it was legal.
    I'm thinking about firing it up every time the idiot dog 2 houses over is in the backyard howling at his shadow!! Too bad I really like the girls next door to the south, and the young couple neighbors to the north...
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  17. #333
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - #9365 - Windshield, Rear View Mirror

    A few little tidbits got accomplished the last few days:
    Rear View Mirror
    Center Cap on the Wheel

    I'm in a bit of a dilemma, as I've got my DMV inspection coming up, but I don't want to mount my mirror - there's NO WAY I can get it "centered" without the body & paintwork done, and I don't want to drill holes in the cowl that will need to be reworked/filled later.
    Solution:
    A piece of 1x1 aluminum angle was cut and trimmed down to fit the base of the mirror and the top of the windshield frame. A few holes drilled, some tapped, and a session on the rag-wheel with some polishing compound.
    Windshield06.jpg Windshield07.jpg Windshield08.jpg

    The trimmed off pieces were filed down, and made into thread inserts that slid into the windshield frame
    Windshield09.jpg

    It might just stay here...
    Windshield10.jpg Windshield11.jpg Windshield12.jpg

    Another item off the list was the center cap for the steering wheel. A dry-fit revealed that the "in-concentricity" of the wheel to the hub wouldn't allow the insert to fit in. Also, the air-tight seal of the o-ring was a pain. I marked the areas of interference and sanded them down a bit, and drilled a 3/32" hole from the o-ring groove into the hub area void. The center cap now presses into place with effort, but can be removed without fighting pressure or vacuum.
    Windshield13.jpg Windshield14.jpg Windshield15.jpg
    Last edited by Fixit; 05-19-2019 at 07:59 AM.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  19. #334
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    No offense to the "Show Me State" guys, but I'll scratch MO off my list. I thought MN was bad for storms & twisters!! Wasn't too far from Oronogo week before last.
    Crazy busy with work travel, cabin opener, and relocating a kid from St. Cloud MN, to Naperville IL... and then I get to tour central Iowa next week.

    #9365 is patiently waiting for its DMV inspection on 6/18. It's really weird having only two boxes of parts left in the basement! (Carpet and a condensed "mixed" doo-dads/leftovers box).
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  20. #335
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    Patiently waiting....20190601_174538.jpg
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  21. #336
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    A day like today makes the waiting harder. 73, sunny and no humidity.

  22. #337
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    For those that don’t know, we wait through this
    8F3EF535-F5A9-44B4-9A30-30765899FB32.jpeg
    For this
    649C9DBC-E117-4865-A5BC-F1399868A11A.jpeg

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  24. #338
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - #9365 - Loaded for DMV

    All loaded up and ready for my DMV inspection Tuesday afternoon.
    The "local" inspection station is booked out until late October, so I'm hauling it about an hour away to St. Cloud (where I've been waiting about 3 weeks).

    Just hook up & go!
    20190616_201724.jpg 20190616_201733.jpg

    (Actually got the car loaded, strapped down, and the rig backed into the 40 Watt with the wife's help and we're not filing for divorce!... I guess all that time at the boat ramp has paid off!)
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  26. #339
    Senior Member KDubU's Avatar
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    Good luck, hope all goes well.
    Kyle

    Complete Kit pickup 09/05/2015, 351w, QF680, 3.55, 3-Link, 15" Halibrands with MT's, Painted Viking blue with Wimbledon white stripes on 03/15/2017. Sold in 08/2018 and totally regret it.

  27. #340

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    Sending you good luck, John! Great accomplishment!

  28. #341
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    Go John Go!

  29. #342
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    Good luck!

  30. #343
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - #9365 is Legal!!

    It's official!


    #9365 is registered with the State of Minnesota, taxes (ouch) paid, licensing fees paid, and a 60-day paper license plate on the trunk.


    The "inspection" was really a non-event. I had documentation of the source of the major components, the guy at the testing station could see all the numbers on the parts/pieces, and PASS. It wasn't a safety inspection of any kind... no checking for anything - didn't even turn the key on.


    I took my "PASSED" form about 10 miles up the road to the Stearns County DMV, waited in line about 10 minutes, and 30 minutes later (minus a whole lot of sales tax) I had a paper license plate, "Title Applied For" paper, and out the door. Called the insurance guy from the parking lot and said "Turn it on!".


    There's now 6.3 miles on it. After dropping the car at home, then returning the trailer to my buddy, I got back home, had dinner, then made a run to the gas station and filled it up. Spent the next 20 minutes toodling around the neighborhood learning to drive the thing. Got a few clunks & rattles I have to check on, don't know yet if they're just it's noises, or I've got some work to do.
    Brakes feel good, and were getting better as I drove. Lemme tell ya it accelerates like a scalded cat! I "rolled into it" a bit through 1st and 2nd and WOW.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  32. #344
    Mark Eaton's Avatar
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    Awesome! I'm hoping to go kart mine this weekend
    MK4 #9130 , complete kit, arrived 8/10/2017, Street Legal 2/14/2020.
    DART SHP 347, EFI, TKO600, IRS
    http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...n-Build-Thread

  33. #345
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    Congrats! Time to enjoy all your efforts!
    MKIV #9542 Complete Kit, Coyote, IRS - Delivered - 2/19/19, First start - 9/8/19, Go Cart - 9/14/19
    1965 Mustang Convertible 4v 289
    Build Thread HERE

  34. #346
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    Congrats! I imagine that build threads like this one are an inspiration to all of us who are considering the plunge.

  35. #347
    Senior Member GTBradley's Avatar
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    Very nice! I so hope mine is even half that easy. Congrats!
    Bradley

    Build thread - Mk4, Coyote, IRS, Wilwood brakes, old-style soft top and accessories.

    The distance between "finished" and finished is literally infinite.

  36. #348
    RJD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fixit View Post
    I've installed the Breeze Cubby divider panel, per the instructions at about 11" back... but now I'm looking at it and it seems to be quite a bit taller/proud than the cockpit rear wall and the trunk hinge hoop.
    Should the divider panel be the height/follow the contour as if I laid a straightedge from the cockpit wall onto the trunk hoop, or does the body rise in this space?
    John,

    Congrats on getting your roadster legal!

    I'm getting ready to drop the body on. What was your experience on the cubby wall? How much did you have to trim if any? Thanks.
    Last edited by RJD; 06-20-2019 at 02:48 PM.
    MKIV complete kit w/powder coating and cut outs, serial #9189 delivered 10/10/17, first start - 10/5/18, legal - 10/08/20. Blueprint 306 w/Holley Sniper EFI, TKO 600, power steering, Breeze fan shroud, trunk cubby, & engine compartment battery kit, CNC brake reservoirs, RT turn signal & gas pedal, mechanical throttle linkage, METCO safety loop, GASN side pipes, drop trunk, dual chrome roll bars, vintage gauges, glove box, custom center console, cup holders, and speakers.

  37. #349
    25th Anniversary #9772 toadster's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fixit View Post
    It's official!


    #9365 is registered with the State of Minnesota, taxes (ouch) paid, licensing fees paid, and a 60-day paper license plate on the trunk.


    The "inspection" was really a non-event. I had documentation of the source of the major components, the guy at the testing station could see all the numbers on the parts/pieces, and PASS. It wasn't a safety inspection of any kind... no checking for anything - didn't even turn the key on.


    I took my "PASSED" form about 10 miles up the road to the Stearns County DMV, waited in line about 10 minutes, and 30 minutes later (minus a whole lot of sales tax) I had a paper license plate, "Title Applied For" paper, and out the door. Called the insurance guy from the parking lot and said "Turn it on!".


    There's now 6.3 miles on it. After dropping the car at home, then returning the trailer to my buddy, I got back home, had dinner, then made a run to the gas station and filled it up. Spent the next 20 minutes toodling around the neighborhood learning to drive the thing. Got a few clunks & rattles I have to check on, don't know yet if they're just it's noises, or I've got some work to do.
    Brakes feel good, and were getting better as I drove. Lemme tell ya it accelerates like a scalded cat! I "rolled into it" a bit through 1st and 2nd and WOW.
    congrats!!!

    I'm curious - how do you get a taxable rate on the registration? bill of sale of parts? insurance estimated cost? ????

  38. #350
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - 1st Real Drive!

    Got done a bit early and back home today, talked to the "War Department", and she said "Go Have Fun".... (Gotta love this woman!).

    I put another 30+ miles on #9365 and I believe that I knocked several significant milestones off the list:
    - Got it out of 2nd gear
    - Got it over 40 mph
    - Got it out of 3rd gear
    - Got it over 50 mph
    - Got it into 5th gear
    - Cruised for several miles in OD, at 60+ mph

    Then:
    Got on a side-road up to about 40mph and STOMPED on the brakes... It seems that my "guess & by golly" balance bar adjustment is pretty close - the rears locked just a millisecond before the fronts. Throughout my drive the brakes (and clutch) are bedding in and getting better and better).

    Then...:
    On the way home got caught under an obese cloud that decided to DUMP. Got seriously rained on - and yes, the object is keep moving at 35mph+, and get "less wet". Side-note, the FFR wiper kit seems to work pretty well, above 30mph.

    Oil Pressure settled down into the "gearhead standard" of about 15+psi per thousand rpm at cruise, Coolant Temp never got above 90C the whole ride. The other thing I was impressed with was the Nitto's had some SERIOUS grip in the wet (being conservative in the rain)... I was really afraid of sheit getting "interesting" on water.
    Last edited by Fixit; 06-22-2019 at 11:15 AM.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  39. #351
    Papa's Avatar
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    I can't wait to be legal, but I put over 200 miles (Kleiner is probably rolling his eyes) just cruising my neighborhood over the last 18 months since my first start. I achieved most of your listed milestones, but don't think I ever got into 5th gear. Keep in mind that my neighborhood isn't a typical residential neighborhood and it's four miles around my "block". I also got rained on the first time I had the car at an "event", a neighborhood car show. Have fun, and be safe.

    Dave
    Last edited by Papa; 06-20-2019 at 07:57 PM.
    My Build Thread: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...ter-Build-9754
    (Most viewed Roadster build thread on this forum!)

    Delivered: 6/17/2017
    First Start: 12/30/2017
    Completed: 12/7/2019
    Legal: 1/30/2020

    Member of the Mile-Hi Cobra Club
    Dave's Cobra YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbk...npK1UZHj4R-bYQ
    Agora 1:8 Scale Cobra Build: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l-Build-Thread

  40. #352

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    That's awesome, John! Congratulations!

  41. #353

    Steve >> aka: GoDadGo
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    Gentlemen,
    Keep A Big Golf Umbrella In Your Cars & A Fire Extinguisher Too!

    John,
    Congratulations on becoming a Legal Eagle!

    Papa Dave,
    Yep, Sir Jeff-Ski has got to roll his eyes all the time!
    Last edited by GoDadGo; 06-20-2019 at 07:59 PM.

  42. #354
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    Sounds like tons of fun... Well earned... Drive safe...

  43. #355
    Senior Member GTBradley's Avatar
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    So envious. Enjoy!
    Bradley

    Build thread - Mk4, Coyote, IRS, Wilwood brakes, old-style soft top and accessories.

    The distance between "finished" and finished is literally infinite.

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  45. #356
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    I'm getting ready to drop the body on. What was your experience on the cubby wall? How much did you have to trim if any? Thanks.


    No trimming needed. Slide it forward to where the ends are nearly touching the sides, fiddle with the 90* ears to mount, and you're done.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  47. #357
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    I'm curious - how do you get a taxable rate on the registration? bill of sale of parts? insurance estimated cost? ????
    The lady at the DMV looked at my invoices for the kit, and the engine/trans package and did simple math at 6.5% sales tax... then the obligatory fees for this, that, and anything else we can bend you over for...
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  48. #358
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - #9365 - Professional Alignment Results

    Just got back from "The Alignment Guy" in a neighboring Mpls suburb. He was recommended by a trusted Chevelle Club member, and several other "cone manglers" that do a lot of AutoCross.
    Jeff's an interesting character... not PC/WarmFuzzy, and says what's on his mind. He likes a challenge, and recently set up an 818 for a local guy.
    He's very methodical, and will chase an nth turn to get the numbers dead on - spent 3 hours on my car.

    (It was nice to see that my strings, tape measure, and 60 year old bubble camber/caster setup wasn't too far off the mark. Completely safe & driveable for the short time it took to get a professional alignment.)

    Pay no mind to the "Lotus Elise" at the top of the page... he had to punch in a similar suspension layout to baseline the machine/software:
    20190621_165217.jpg

    I haven't had a chance to give the car a decent run to compare the before & after, but on the short 4 mile drive home it felt GREAT!
    Last edited by Fixit; 06-21-2019 at 05:48 PM.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  50. #359
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    Just got back from a 96 mile run with #9365. Absolutely flawless.
    The alignment Jeff did was perfect... the car is not twitchy, tracks where you put it, hands off the wheel and it just rolls along.

    I did the I-494/I-694 loop around Minneapolis, starting at the west center (I-394), and went clockwise. This interstate system encircles Mpls. & St. Paul. At the south end I veered off onto Cedar Ave, and did a cruise around our 3 inner-city lakes. There's a 25mph interconnecting loop around all of them, with a bazillion stop signs.
    I figured this would give the car the best test of all situations... highway cruising, then seriously nasty stop-n-go.

    #9365 was perfect. Again, the temp never got above 85C, oil pressure was about 20psi/thousand (normal for a Coyote?), and it just loves to cruise!

    I think I nailed it on the selection of the gearbox final drive ratio. I'm running the 3.15 rear (where most seem to run the 3.55). At 65mph in 5th, the Coyote is loafing along at 2100rpm. Don't even have to downshift for passing, just press a little harder, the torque comes in, and the speedo climbs... RAPIDLY!

    According to the "tell-tale" on the speedo, my max mph was 96 on this run... How'd that happen?? Musta been when two C6 Corvette weenies wanted to play a little off a stoplight... hmmm. After dusting them off, I had to remind myself there's less than 100 miles on #9365, and take it easy John...

    The clutch has bedded in perfect... it's just totally smooth and predictable (Thanks Mr. Forte), doesn't feel like a "juice" clutch - more like a light mechanical.
    According to the witness marks on the rotors the brakes are settling in as well - getting better and better with every run - and nearing full contact patch.

    Hat's off to FFR. With a little time, patience, tools, and sweat you CAN build yourself an awesome car!
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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  52. #360
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The 40 Watt Garage - 2nd Road Trip, 1st leg - 180 miles

    Happy to report #9365 has logged another 180 miles, and only had 1 (somewhat) minor hiccup. (I'll post that over in Coyote)

    We're spending the 4th week at our lake cabin, and I couldn't resist driving the Roadster. (Mrs. Fixit has to head back to the cities on Tuesday for an appointment, so she drove the F-150 with all the supplies).

    Drive Report:
    Stopped at the 103-mile mark to top off on fuel. I wanted an easy number to calculate MPG. It clicked off at 5 gallons! 20.6 mpg
    This leg of the run was a bit of highway, then 20 miles of stop-n-go, then another 70 miles of highway between 55 and 75 mph.
    2500 rpm in 5th = 70 mph.
    2150 rpm in 4th = 60 mph.
    Engine temp varied between 80C and 90C depending upon speed.
    Oil Pressure was all over the place between 60 & 80 psi depending upon rpm.

    The car just likes to cruise at about 72 mph... nice mellow exhaust drone, not lugging, not spinning hard, just putzing along. Lotsa "thumbs-up" from truckers, bikers, and kids. This car is fun to drive... I'll give it a few hundred more "slow time" miles before really romping on it.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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