- I'm not even gonna say it again. I've been remiss... But, I'll save bandwidth and tell you about the good things I HAVE done this time! :)
- I've made the most progress on the interior! I spent the end of December and part of January getting the Dynamat installed, and it turned out great! Take a look at a few pics here. Installing the stuff wasn't quite as bas as I had expected. BUT, I haven't managed to do the doors yet, so I'm not out of the woods yet!
- Once the Dynamat went in, it was time for the carpet. This was easy enough, but then I realized I didn't have a set of the inner rear side panels (the big plastics ones beside the rear seat). So, it took a few weeks to acquire a good set of those. In the mean time, I dyed the seats black (the interior I had was tan), and they turned out well! Look at the interior page for more details.
- I also managed to install the Painless Wiring replacement harness I purchased into the dash. Nothing electrical has been hooked up to it yet, but at least the wires are run through the dash and to the rear of the car. The Painless kit is pretty nice, all of the connections are labeled and have the right connectors with the kit, so it should all connect right up! :)
- Speaking of connecting up, what's it gonna connect to? Well, I have built a custom aluminum dash panel to house the Autometer Ultra-Lite Gauges. Actually, I should give credit correctly. My father built the panel, I just put the gauges in it! :) I still need to drill the holes for the signal lights and light/wiper switches, but those will come later. I also have to figure out how I'm going to feed the 'bulbs' through the dash for the mechanical water and oil temp gauges. Hmmm...
- Another little problem... I want an Air Conditioner. But I don't know what will fit under the dash? I borrowed a unit from someone that's using it on another car, but it doesn't fit between the tranny tunnel and the dash (height wise). So, I'm trying to decide what to do. I'm leaning toward a unit from Vintage Air. Specifically their Compact Gen II unit. It's tall though, so I'm just not sure it will fit... I may have to get one and just try it and see.
- One more success. I made up the braided stainless fuel lines to install the fuel pressure regulator on the car. Here are a few pics. They went together a little easier than I had expected, but only after purchasing and returning a LOT of different fittings to get the right ones. The 180's at the front were particularly hard to find! Turns out that Earl's fittings have a tight radius 180 that would work (their Auto-Fit line). Phew!
- I have done a few other odds and ends along the way too. I made my front brake lines (see the picture at the top! :). I also installed the alternator. I'm holding off on the PS pump until I get the Tavia Billet Timing Pointer shaved down and installed (since I used the thick timing cover, I had to shave off about 5/8" from the mounting point of the pointer). That should go on this week. I also should get the fuel tank in this week, along with installing the rear brake lines (have to bend those too). Oh yeah, I also stuck the plug wires on just to see how they would look! :)
- D'oh! Almost forgot (how I could, I don't know...). I rebuilt my steering column this past weekend. What a PAIN! Took about 6 hours, but I managed to do it. Turns out the tilt screws were REALLY loose (I sure hope no one ever drove a car with that column in it!). I also replaced the ingnition lock while I was in there. So, as soon as I can get the AC decision made, I can finish putting all of the dash in place! Then it will really start looking like a car inside!!!
