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06-15-2024, 09:04 PM
#161
Powder Coating Madness
Last Winter John Ibele was good enough to give my daughter and I a quick lesson in powder coating(thanks again John!). I really was intrigued with the process and ordered up an Eastwood kit, some powder (black in flat, semi, and gloss) and started playing around with it. I would say about 80% of the items come out right the first time 10% need a touch of paint to cover some small nook, and 10% need to be stripped and coated again. Those numbers are improving but I'm pretty happy with the results. But there has been a bit of learning.
First... Acid. I tried using Muriatic Acid to strip the chrome from parts. It worked in some cases. In others it dissolved the pot metal that was under a thin layer of some other metal. So for anyone else out there the Lemans cap (I did not ruin), the mirror post, and the lock bases are pot metal... Don't use Muriatic Acid to clean or un-coat them.
The bubbles mean something is happening it if looks like it's boiling pull out whatever is in there.
Actual Metal parts come out great
Pot metal... Yikes
One of the skills I'm getting better at is making funking hooks to haning the parts on. Here is a front turn signal bezel.
Anyway I have about 10 more parts to do and 1 to re-do and then on to the next thing. The Windshield and headlight bezels are to big for my oven so those will get sent out.
Mark IV, 302 Based 347, TKx, Four link w/3.55, coil overs, PS, 4wheel Willwood. Dark Blue w Black/Red stripes, Saddle Interior, Blacked out chrome.
Kit Ordered 4/18/2022
Kit Delivered 2/20/2023
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07-22-2024, 08:49 PM
#162
Well 5 weeks since I wrote an update. Not a lot of progress at the moment. A lot of life keeping me out of the shop. I'm sure a lot of folks here know what that's like.
I did get the tire tires install on the wheels. Nitto NT555 G2s. For some reason I didn't take a photo of them out, but the shop wrapped the tire/wheels in bags and I thought it looked funny in the back of the truck.
I also fitted all the accessories, plugs, and sensors to the engine. Later I also got the belt installed again I forgot the photo.
Also I had an issue thinking 3 dimensionally and cut the hole for my dimmer switch in the dead pedal I made on the bottom.
Mark IV, 302 Based 347, TKx, Four link w/3.55, coil overs, PS, 4wheel Willwood. Dark Blue w Black/Red stripes, Saddle Interior, Blacked out chrome.
Kit Ordered 4/18/2022
Kit Delivered 2/20/2023
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07-22-2024, 08:51 PM
#163
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07-22-2024, 08:57 PM
#164
Finally we made one attempt to marry the Engine and the transmission. And by attempt I mean 2 hours of wrangling. We had a gap of less than 1/16th of an inch but couldn't push it in any further. The instructions say not to draw it in with the bolts so we pulled it a part to try again another day. I looks like the centering ring might have some imperfections so I'm thinking of polishing the inside of the ring and looking for any imperfections on the TKX where the ring/transmission should slide onto. It was so close to being on I am pretty sure that the splines line up. So the other think was going to look at was maybe the pilot bearing.
Mark IV, 302 Based 347, TKx, Four link w/3.55, coil overs, PS, 4wheel Willwood. Dark Blue w Black/Red stripes, Saddle Interior, Blacked out chrome.
Kit Ordered 4/18/2022
Kit Delivered 2/20/2023
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08-03-2024, 09:53 PM
#165
Pretty good day on the roadster. Finally got the engine and transmission bolted together. Took quite a bit of effort. Gave up on using the floor jack and suspended it from the engine hoist. Way easier. Also putting the motor on dolly was nice for moving it around and lining things up.
And bolted together
I also cut out 6 1/8 steel spacers for the transmission. I've read that to get the pinion angle folks are using 5/8-3/4 inch spacers. So no I just need to drill a few holes and coat them and they are ready to use when we drop the motor and trans in.
Also a few weeks ago I got all the brackets, accessories, belt, and thermostat housing lined up and installed but I didn't take a snap. So here it is now.
https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home...er/i-DPcvsd7/A
I also did a bunch of small things as well.
-Fixed a Zerk Fitting on the lower control Arm (Drivers side not that it matters)
-Powder coated one of the headlight trim rings
-Powder coated the dead pedal
-Fixed the Koolmat on the driver's footbox
-Reinstalled the now powder coated trunk brackets
I also broke a couple banjo bolts.. oops.
Mark IV, 302 Based 347, TKx, Four link w/3.55, coil overs, PS, 4wheel Willwood. Dark Blue w Black/Red stripes, Saddle Interior, Blacked out chrome.
Kit Ordered 4/18/2022
Kit Delivered 2/20/2023
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08-04-2024, 02:43 PM
#166
Senior Member
I'm enjoying reading through your build. Some great work done and I'm definitely stealing the 3M strip caulk idea to seal seams in the aluminum. Keep it up!
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08-04-2024, 04:45 PM
#167
Senior Member
Originally Posted by
JMD
I'm enjoying reading through your build. Some great work done and I'm definitely stealing the 3M strip caulk idea to seal seams in the aluminum. Keep it up!
For sure! I bought a 15 foot roll of butyl 'rope tape' on Amazon for $12. It's been awesome for filling in seams, especially in the upper trunk side wall area.
Built an early MkIII years ago, sold years ago.
Got Corvettes out of my system, and now back after 18 years to build a MkIV.
MkIV Complete Kit Ordered 4/18/23, Delivered 7/11/23, 427 Stroker (in the process of building it now), EFI System - Edelbrock Pro Flow 4, TKX, IRS, Wilwood Big Brakes
Here to learn, contribute, and have fun!
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08-16-2024, 05:36 PM
#168
Originally Posted by
gbranham
For sure! I bought a 15 foot roll of butyl 'rope tape' on Amazon for $12. It's been awesome for filling in seams, especially in the upper trunk side wall area.
I actually had not thought about that area yet. I'll keep that in mind. Good hint.
Mark IV, 302 Based 347, TKx, Four link w/3.55, coil overs, PS, 4wheel Willwood. Dark Blue w Black/Red stripes, Saddle Interior, Blacked out chrome.
Kit Ordered 4/18/2022
Kit Delivered 2/20/2023
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08-16-2024, 06:01 PM
#169
Ok still moving slow. Found the right bolts for the transmission mount. I find it strange these aren't in the instructions that come from 1/2 - 13 x 1.25 of 1.5
I finished the spacers for the transmission mount to transmission support. I created 6 1/8 inch spacers so I can stack them for whatever I need. I probably spent as much on drill bits as It would have cost to just order Forte's parts.
After some powder coating in the sandwich oven
Next I've always liked the look of wrapped headers. So I bought some stainless steal Fox Body headers and gave it a go. I think they came out pretty good. I'll do the J-pipes too soon.
Anyone else prep parts at the breakfast table?
I also greased the Zirk fittings on the front end, adjusted a power cable that was getting in the way in the transmission tunnel, and took the car off the dolly and on to jack stands. I just need to test fit the trans support, do a couple things on the brakes, put the wheels on and drop the car onto wheel dollies and I'll be ready to drop the engine in.
Also last weekend we had an open house at the Garage Condo Complex. Here was my version of a factory five 'in progress' display.
Got a lot of attention even though there were a lot of exotic cars to look at. Ferraris, Lambos, Lotuses, a Gullwing Mecedes, one family owns a whole building that has something like 100 Corvettes.
Mark IV, 302 Based 347, TKx, Four link w/3.55, coil overs, PS, 4wheel Willwood. Dark Blue w Black/Red stripes, Saddle Interior, Blacked out chrome.
Kit Ordered 4/18/2022
Kit Delivered 2/20/2023
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08-16-2024, 06:07 PM
#170
20230805_094419.jpg20230805_093435.jpg
Here a couple shoots of the garage i talked about in the prevous post. Sad thing is none of it ever gets driven.
Mark IV, 302 Based 347, TKx, Four link w/3.55, coil overs, PS, 4wheel Willwood. Dark Blue w Black/Red stripes, Saddle Interior, Blacked out chrome.
Kit Ordered 4/18/2022
Kit Delivered 2/20/2023
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
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08-18-2024, 10:45 AM
#171
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08-18-2024, 10:49 AM
#172
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09-09-2024, 02:53 PM
#173
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09-09-2024, 03:01 PM
#174
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09-15-2024, 09:32 PM
#175
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09-15-2024, 09:41 PM
#176
At the end of the day the motor was in. Probably around an hour and a half of efforts. Having done one I could do the next in 1/2 the tie I think. We were being cautious and debating each move. Pretty much un-eventful to be honest. I'm having a bit of trouble with on bolt on the transmission mount so I'll get my tap out and see if I can clean it up tomorrow. It also took us a while to figure out a way to pull the passenger side of the motor up in order to locate the tab/stub of the engine mount on the drivers side. The answer a ratchet strap.
Two notes:
1.) I would recommend buy a good engine balancer/leveler not the harbor freight one. It is a one time use tool. The plastic handle was worthless, and the metal part of the handle was bent by the time we were done. I oiled the thread pretty good so there wasn't much resistance. It's just so cheaply made.
1.1) I have the extended firewall. I think I would have the crank for the balancer/leveler on toward the front of the engine next time. It got really close to the fire wall.
2.) Also I would suggest if you are buying or renting a hoist get one that's legs are 42" or less out side to out side on the legs. I wanted to leave the car on wheel dollies so we could move it around. But the legs stuck out to far and I had to put the car back on jack stands to be able to get the legs under the car.
Mark IV, 302 Based 347, TKx, Four link w/3.55, coil overs, PS, 4wheel Willwood. Dark Blue w Black/Red stripes, Saddle Interior, Blacked out chrome.
Kit Ordered 4/18/2022
Kit Delivered 2/20/2023