Jim's Build Thread

[33fromSD]

Hi There

So I don't have my build number yet, but I'll kick off a build thread now since I'm starting to receive parts although I wasn't expecting it yet, nor will I see my actual 33 kit from FFR until early September.

My configuration for my Gen2 Kit is this:
* Powder Coated Frame
* 302/T5 Blue Print Engines combo (ordered Friday)
* Manual Trans Pedal Box Components
* 28 spline 35.25" driveshaft
* Black Leather Bucket Seat Upgrade
* 4-Link suspension
* Gen2 Nose/engine cover kit
* FFR gauge cluster (interestingly enough these Dakota Digital gauge clusters are build in my town in SoDak)
* Paintable Tilt Steering Column
* Brushed Aluminum Hood or Trunk Handles
* Brushed Aluminum interior handles / cables
* Full Fender Kit w/ Running boards
* FFR Carpeted Floor Mats
* Gen2 HR 11.65 Rear Disc Brake Kit
* Mosier 8.8" 4-Link Rear End Assembly
* 18"x9 & 20"x11 Gray Bonneville Wheel / Tire Kit
* Sound Insulation Kit
* Spread Rear Exit Exhaust System
* Hot Rods Black Soft Top (w/ zippered side curtains)

Wasn't supposed to get the 4-Link Moser Rear end until mid-Aug but it showed up today. I guess I'll use the extra space in the crate to store other parts that might show up until my kit arrives.

I ordered the complete kit (Stage 1 & Stage 2) since I have the room for everything.

Won't have a lot updates until later when I get the kit but I'll update stuff as I get parts.

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[FF33rod]

Getting the beer and popcorn to watch this properly
If you need something to do, answer this question: what colour is it going to be? If I had a buck for every time that question was asked... LOL

Steve

[JOP33]

Use the Moser crate to store your receipts in!

[shmelty]

Use the Moser crate to store your receipts in!

Hahaha!! So true!!

[JimLev]

LOL, all good answers!

[HVACMAN]

It's not big enough. lol

[33fromSD]

Yeah.... I think I'm going to need a bigger box. I'm supposed to be concentrating on a 55 Ford F100 build I'm currently doing so I can get that in decent shape before the 33 shows up but I found myself on line last night for about 3 hours searching for goodies for the 33 (wiring harness, mirrors, different seat belts, stereo, etc.) when I should have been looking for stuff for the 55 F100.

[Mastertech5]

I think you will find that something always gets in the way of what you are trying to do. Post a lot of pictures. What color did you say? Good luck and have fun!

[33fromSD]

I think you will find that something always gets in the way of what you are trying to do. Post a lot of pictures. What color did you say? Good luck and have fun!

Oh yeah...I've learned years ago doing restorations on classic cars that stuff gets in the way / plans change / budgets are blown, etc. etc. I have a very tolerant wife who loves cars as much as I do so changes (meaning extra $$) is not an issue.

Example...I'm currently working on a 69 Austin Healey that was supposed to be a "simple" oil leak repair (rear seal) and it turned into a complete engine/tranmission rebuild with new interior since all that needed to come out just to get to the rear seal (turns out you can't do it in the car) and you need to remove the seats to remove the carpet on the transmission tunnel to get to two bolts that hold the rear tranny mount. $250 in parts originally turned into about $4K when I'll be finished.

On the color...not sure yet... I have a few in mind:
* white w/ black accents (Grill, maybe fenders, etc.)
* 2020 Mopar Battleship Gray
* Possibly a more vintage color (popsicle orange, lighter blue (50's F1 Ford blue)

I love love love black, burgundy, deep blue, basically any dark color etc. ........ on other people's cars..... but I don't want them on mine since I don't want to spend my time cleaning all the time. I have 3 classic mustangs up and running and one is a burgundy and then my 70 challenger is Plum Crazy Purple and those are the two that I end up cleaning the most since dust is so noticeable on them. They are gorgeous for the first 5 minutes after they are clean.

Not sure.....color is one of those that I almost need to see the car ready for paint before I know the exact direction I want to go.

[Mastertech5]

I Had a 65 Fastback in my youth. The floors rotted and a shackle went through into the trunk. Life got in the way and I sold it. I loved that car!

[33fromSD]

Engine / tranny showed up today from BluePrint Engines....couple more weeks and the kit should show up.

Still need to order different valve covers and air cleaner.

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[33fromSD]

Was informed today that the 33 HR kit will be picked up at FFR by Stewart on 9/17 (+/- 1 day) and it should be at my house in SoDak on 9/23 (+/- 1 day).

getting close!!

[33fromSD]

Just got confirmation from FFR that my 33 HR kit is being loaded on Stewart Tranportation's truck.....should be to me in SoDak by mid-next week. I best be cleaning up the garage this weekend.

[33fromSD]

The wait is over!!.... well, almost. I just got call from Stewart Transport, my 33 HR Kit will be delivered at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning (9/25).....

It was supposed to be a day earlier but they ran into a few issues with their crane and since they were in Iowa already for a delivery they stopped by the crane manufacturer to get it serviced. All is good now.

Looks like this weekend the inventory starts.

[Mastertech5]

I'm so glad for you! My wife sees cars as transportation and that's it. enjoy the build.

[33fromSD]

I'm so glad for you! My wife sees cars as transportation and that's it. enjoy the build.

Yeah, I'm married to an angel, she is as much into cars and in some cases more than I am. She helps where she can but her true passion is documenting / following the journey but really likes the cruising after the finished car is ready to go. She puts journals together of every build with pics, significant milestones, any items unique to the vehicle, tracks issues we ran into on a build so we can avoid on future cars, tracks costs, etc.

I'm a truly lucky man. She is one in a million

[33fromSD]

Car is here...you've all seen this before, but pics attached

Very neat process to see & experience.....these guys are truly professionals at what they do....The driver's cart didn't fit on my lift (too narrow) so I'll need to build a cart to get it on there which is the first action item...next is doing inventory on the big pile of boxes

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[33fromSD]

On the lift, just need to get it back onto jack stands. The cart I made will come in handy for the body shell (may modify it a bit though)

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[FF33rod]

Congrats, I remember the feeling well! have fun this weekend!

[sread]

did the fear set in yet?..."what have I gotten myself into?"

[33fromSD]

did the fear set in yet?..."what have I gotten myself into?"

Nope..... Now had I never done complete restorations of classic cars before and dealt with piles of parts I could see where it would, but this, just as those projects is about getting organized, time management and getting started.

In fact, in parallel to this I have a 55 Ford F100 frame off restoration going on as well as a 67 mustang rotisserie restoration going on......Thank goodness the mustang is down to body work prep in anticipation for paint in spring but on the 55 Ford F100 I just restarted putting the frame back together after I got it all painted up.

The good news is I'm about 3/4 of the way through the 33 HR inventory, today I'll finish that up, store the boxes & body panels I don't need right now and get started.

Here's a quick shot of the current state of the 55 F100

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[JimLev]

You’ll do just fine building the 33.

[33fromSD]

Inventory finished earlier this morning, boxes and body panels not needed taken out to the shop and stored so they are out of the way. Body is off the frame. Basically I only left boxes for suspension, brakes and steering back at the house to start on. My upper control arms for the 4-link rear end are back ordered so I'll have to wait on that.

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[33fromSD]

Except for installing the tie-rods, front suspension & steering rack is installed. I decided not to powder coat or paint the upper & lower control arms, instead I cleaned them up, buffed them out and then cleared them...I like the look (not for everyone I know).

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[j33ptj]

They need chroming!!!

That would look awesome....

[33fromSD]

Got the aluminum gas tank shelf installed last night along with the passenger side aluminum floor panel under the car.

I'm glad I have a lift where I could work standing up...kudos to you all who did this laying on the ground, I couldn't imagine having to do this laying on the ground. Having bursitis in the shoulders I'm feeling it this morning, just glad I only have the driver's side left.

One question......did you guys run a bead of clear seam sealer around the bottom of the panel to keep moisture from getting between the panel and the frame?

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[JimLev]

I used black RTV in cartridges for my caulking gun on the aluminum panels.
I put it on the frame then riveted the panels.

[RoadRacer]

One question......did you guys run a bead of clear seam sealer around the bottom of the panel to keep moisture from getting between the panel and the frame?

Yes, I used clear sealer under every panel.

[33fromSD]

Thanks guys.....To be clear, I used panel bond between the frame and the aluminum sheets but I may also take clear seam sealer on the exterior of the floor panels where it meets the frame as well as the seam in the middle (will do the middle seam from the top so it's less obvious).

Just seems like a susceptible area for moisture to get in and sit and eventually rot things out.

[FF33rod]

Yes put sealer on the frame between it and every panel to cut down on rattle. I also used it at the seams between the panel. Note there is an aluminum colored GE Silicone II if you can find it.

Do you have the FFR heat and sound insulation package? If so, there is a piece that goes between the gas tank and the aluminum underneath it. Now would be a good time to put that on. The manual has you installing the tank long before it talks about the insulation...

Steve

[33fromSD]

Yes put sealer on the frame between it and every panel to cut down on rattle. I also used it at the seams between the panel. Note there is an aluminum colored GE Silicone II if you can find it.

Do you have the FFR heat and sound insulation package? If so, there is a piece that goes between the gas tank and the aluminum underneath it. Now would be a good time to put that on. The manual has you installing the tank long before it talks about the insulation...

Steve

Good tip...yes, I ordered the sound insulation package....... I'll dig out the insulation piece that goes under the tank.

[33fromSD]

Driver's side floor board installed (Yay, no more bottom side drilling / riveting). Also got the firewall installed. It came with some scratches on it so I'll need to figure out if I can buff those out, otherwise I may just paint it. Also need to drill the hole for the clutch cable yet.

Probably this weekend I'll do some of the interior aluminum panels (Waiting on the 3M 5200 sealant to arrive for the internal foam).

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[RoadRacer]

Also need to drill the hole for the clutch cable yet.

Think long and hard about the clutch cable. I started that way due to budget, but didn't like it once in and I switched to hydraulic release bearing. People use both types (well all three if you count internal vs external hydraulic) and they all have advantages. I'm just saying read the threads and think about it now and potentially save some rework.

[33fromSD]

Will do..Thanks for the heads up

[AJT '33]

Think long and hard about the clutch cable. I started that way due to budget, but didn't like it once in and I switched to hydraulic release bearing. People use both types (well all three if you count internal vs external hydraulic) and they all have advantages. I'm just saying read the threads and think about it now and potentially save some rework.

Agree with RoadRacer, I installed the clutch cable and will be replacing the cable with a hydraulic system from Mike Forte (https://fortesparts.com/product/fort...ic-clutch-kit/) or similar system (https://www.moderndriveline.com/shop...pAtArlaQLehxac). My opinion is that due to the tight 180 degree bend the cable does not slide in the sleeve as easily and cleanly as it should, would not recommend the cable, should have gone with the hydraulic or hydraulic assist.
20200405_155605.jpg You can see it coming out of the firewall and looping back, its not a straight shot.

As always, HAVE FUN!!

[33fromSD]

Agree with RoadRacer, I installed the clutch cable and will be replacing the cable with a hydraulic system from Mike Forte (https://fortesparts.com/product/fort...ic-clutch-kit/) or similar system (https://www.moderndriveline.com/shop...pAtArlaQLehxac). My opinion is that due to the tight 180 degree bend the cable does not slide in the sleeve as easily and cleanly as it should, would not recommend the cable, should have gone with the hydraulic or hydraulic assist.
20200405_155605.jpg You can see it coming out of the firewall and looping back, its not a straight shot.

As always, HAVE FUN!!

Good advice...and Thanks for the links, I'll start doing some research on a similar set up for a T5 tranny.

FWIW, I actually didn't go with the cable route out of cost concerns, I went with it because I "assumed" the cable routing was well thought out by FFR and it was the most straight forward application.....sounds like it's not

Thanks again

[33fromSD]

Yes put sealer on the frame between it and every panel to cut down on rattle. I also used it at the seams between the panel. Note there is an aluminum colored GE Silicone II if you can find it.

Do you have the FFR heat and sound insulation package? If so, there is a piece that goes between the gas tank and the aluminum underneath it. Now would be a good time to put that on. The manual has you installing the tank long before it talks about the insulation...

Steve

Hi Steve

Do you happen to remember the shape of that insulation piece between the aluminum and the gas tank? I brought the box home from storage thinking how hard can it be to find that piece of insulation mat and nothing in the box resembles the shape of the gas tank shelf. It's a bit embarrassing to say i'm being tripped up by a piece of insulation mat.

[tony]

I went with the hydraulic kit from modern driveline. Pretty sure they have a t5 setup similar to this. Very happy with it. I installed the cable first as well and immediately went with hydraulic. www.moderndriveline.com

[33fromSD]

Thanks Tony

[JimLev]

Hi Steve

Do you happen to remember the shape of that insulation piece between the aluminum and the gas tank? I brought the box home from storage thinking how hard can it be to find that piece of insulation mat and nothing in the box resembles the shape of the gas tank shelf. It's a bit embarrassing to say i'm being tripped up by a piece of insulation mat.

I didn’t get any insulation between the aluminum panel and gas tank. Looking at the manual and figuring out where they all go there wasn’t a piece in my kit or one shown in my manual. Maybe is it included in the Gen 2 kit?