- Two months to the day. It's nice to know that people are reading, though, as I've
gotten a lot of 'update' requests! :) So, here you go!
As you can see in the picture above, the front end is ALMOST together! If not for an unfortunately slip with the buffer, the upper valence would be in place, and the urethane nose would be on... This coming weekend should fix both of those, however!
- So, what all have I gotten done? Well, obviously, I have been working hard to get the front end assembled. I had to do a lot of pushing, pulling, cursing, etc to get the fenders lined up, but they are now on the car. If you are building a project like this, and you can possibly do so, assemble the car before you paint it. Paint it like that if you can, but it not, at least make certain everything lines up first! It's a REAL pain to fix problems that crop up at this point...
- Also, I had to make another clutch bracket, as the first one was too thin and flexed
once the system was bled. PLUS, it hit the inner fender (thought I had checked that, but
I was off). The new one is much thicker, and there is NO flex now! :) Here is a
pic:
- I have installed the rest of the interior! The door panels are installed, the dash is
reassembled, most of the wiring is either connected, or (in the case of the power window
wires) in place for future connection. The only remaining wiring issue is with the
ECU. I have to mount it somewhere (likely in place of the glovebox), and the wiring will
be wrapped up after that.
I haven't yet decided what to do about a console. I'm probably going to try and use a stock one for a 73-81, but I'm not sure it will fit with the shifter located to the rear the way it is. I'm going to at least try to make that work, and then figure out how to make a custom one if it won't work.
Finally, on the interior, I installed the driver's seat the other night! This was a BIG accomplishment for me. I had held off doing this purposely for a long time. Once it went in, I must have sat in the car for 20 minutes with the gauges lit, the stereo playing, and pushing the clutch to shift gears! :) I was all giddy when I got out! Now I know I don't have far to go.......
No new pics of the interior yet, but I'll try to get some soon
- A few other odds and ends. I have ordered a new set of rear springs. I've chosen to
go with something slightly custom. I'll hold off on the details for now, but I will say
I'm going to 'experiment' with ride height. :) Also with spring busings. I'll keep you
posted when I get it all together.
I also installed a set of plug wire looms to clean up the engine some. I've done some work to try and hide the engine wiring, but I have more to do there... I've wired 2 fan relays for the cooling fans, they are mounting inside the radiator support. Lots of little other things I'm sure I'm forgetting! :)
- I've been trying to do some tuning of the FAST/SpeedPro ECU. I have a LOT to learn...
At least I can get the car to idle now, although a bit rich! :) I can only experiment
with this on the weekends though, as I'm still muffler-less, and my neighbors probably
wouldn't appreciate the noise at night! :)
Oh, how do you like the air filter?! :) It's one of the new K&N Extreme tops. I LIKE it, but hood clearance should prove to be 'interesting'.
- The car is so close... I expect to take it for its maiden voyage before New Years! I'm
planning to take a day and get a trailer to move the car to the exhaust shop, then to
the suspension shop for an alignment. I'll probably do both of those sans hood. I expect
not to put the hood on until after it's first drive. Just in case something goes wrong...
There aren't a lot of things left to do before that first drive. Obviously, finish up the front end, then fills/bleed the brakes. Gotta pour fluid in the rear differential, and check fluids everywhere. Probably the biggest job will be to wire up all the front lights. Ugh! The Painless wiring leaves a bit to be desired in this area. Otherwise, there isn't a lot left!!!!!!
- Oh, almost forgot! What do you think of the headlights?
They are going to look awesome once I get the valence and the parking lights mounted! There is definitely some work involved in mounting them, and I'll show and share some pics of that work later when I get the car done! :)
- Ok, let's hope that the next update comes AFTER I have driven the car, but BEFORE the end of the year! :)
