Gbranham's MkIV 427/IRS/TKX Build Thread...Wiring Test Success

[gbranham]

Jeff's right. I had an Optima on the last build and it always had to have a trickle on it week over week. Bought a Walmart Everstart Platinum and I put one on maybe once a month, but if I forgot, it was still always ready to roll.

Super! Well, I'll give it a go, and if it's no bueno, I'll buy something else. I've been googling, and it does appear their quality has gone way down. I had no idea...thought they were still great batteries.

Greg

[Jeff Kleiner]

… I thought the Optima batteries were one of the best you can buy.

Used to be but over the past decade that isn’t the case. Hit and Miss at best. My experience has been all misses…over the last 6 or 7 years I’ve probably had a dozen cars come through here with Optimas and EVERY ONE would be dead if they sat anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks. I now tell customers if you’re bringing me a car with an Optima battery make sure to bring me the charger too.

Jeff

[gbranham]

Used to be but over the past decade that isn’t the case. Hit and Miss at best. My experience has been all misses…over the last 6 or 7 years I’ve probably had a dozen cars come through here with Optimas and EVERY ONE would be dead if they sat anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks. I now tell customers if you’re bringing me a car with an Optima battery make sure to bring me the charger too.

Jeff

Noted....LOL. I'll bring you a charger with mine. Or better yet, there will be no trace of an Optima battery in my sloppy jalopy.

[gbranham]

Had a great morning in the shop today. I got my battery installed and clamped down. It was time to throw the main battery switch, and test all my wiring. I was a bit nervous. Fortunately, everything worked! Fuel pump cycled, horn works, turn signals work, headlights, brake lights, parking lights, hi-beams, hazards...all of it. The only thing I had to do was rotate my turn signal toggle on the dash, as right was left and left was right. Loosened up the bezel nut, rotated it 180 degrees, and tightened it back down. Success!!! I've ordered weatherpack connectors for the lighting, and my trusty Amazon peeps are bringing them to me tomorrow. I'll get those installed tomorrow.

Also primed the oil system, and verified oil at all rockers. Buttoned up the valve covers, checked for leaks (none, thankfully), and called it done!

Battery2.jpgBattery1.jpgDashLights1.jpgDashLights2.jpgHeadLights1.jpgBrakeLights1.jpg

[gbranham]

And one other small project. I removed the standard e-brake on the passenger side of the tranny tunnel, since I'm going to use the Wilwood electric park brake. Patched the tranny tunnel, and recarpeted.

EBrakePatch2.jpgEBrakePatch3.jpgEBrakePatch1.jpg

[Blitzboy54]

Getting all the electrical circuits is in my opinion the single most satisfying milestone after first start. Looking really good

[gbranham]

Getting all the electrical circuits is in my opinion the single most satisfying milestone after first start. Looking really good

Thanks! It is very satisfying...it gives it some life.

Greg

[Rebostar]

Great milestone! No matter how often we do major wiring, untill you "throw the switch" there is all sorts of demons in our heads. Best of all outcomes is no giant blue flash with accompaning billows of smoke calling forth the genie laughing at you for having the moxie to think you could do it! HA! Begone genie! Well done!