Quick update….

Not much progress has been made on BISKWIK. My kids are out of school for the summer, so I spend my days off from the Fire Department with the family. I am contemplating working on it after they go to bed. We’ll see how that works out.

I got another update from Jeg’s that the Lokar shifter I ordered back in May was not going to ship until October now!!!! What?!?! I get on the phone with Customer Support and find out what shifters they have in stock. Low and behold they have one, ONE Lokar shifter that has a single bend for a 4L60E. It of course is a “Smart Shifter” which OF COURSE means it’s more expensive than the original shifter I ordered. After some more talking, I was very cordial btw, they were able to get the price of the replacement shifter within $45 of the original one. Talk about markup! I am very happy they worked with me and impressed with the customer service. Long story short, bought the shifter and BAM! It was on my doorstep in three days!!! :thumbsup: I am hoping the length will be adequate for my setup.

I also ordered some sheet metal to patch up the holes in the floor pans from where I removed parts of the roll cage. I will update with more pics soon.

Hello Everyone! Not too much to update. I haven’t spent much time on it while my kids were out for the Summer. School is back in session, so I will be able to get some work days in here and there hopefully.

The only thing I’ve accomplished recently is starting on prepping the interior to weld in patch panels for where I removed parts of the roll cage. I will be working on that and the firewall panel before I move on to anything else.

I quickly learned I need to get a corded angle grinder. This little bit of work took four batteries using a sanding disc and a wire wheel brush. I’m hoping I can do it justice with the patches as I will be learning how to weld as I go. Yay! Go me!

The patches that are in the pics are from when the cage was installed. I have not mud-daubered any of my welding yet....

My Makita 4.5" angle grinder has been one of my best purchases ever. It's a corded unit.

Good luck with the patches. Practice first. Clean the metal well before adding the new patches.

Yes sir! I definitely will. A lot of OJT going on here. :D

Ok… it has been a little bit since my last post. Not too much going on unfortunately. I have managed to get a 4-speed hump modified to work with my shifter so it will be offset in the center console and have also started on disassembling the dash to install the Dakota Digital gauges. The rat’s nest of wiring will be fun to tackle. The shifter is not mounted in the pic, btw.

I also figured out how to get the Vintage Air system moved inboard a bit to clear the firewall so I don’t have to use their chincy plastic cover plate.

Now, does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to cover the gaping hole? A smooth firewall would be great, but I’ll be real. That is beyond my skill level and wallet of course.

You could just make a plate. There's been a number of build that have a plate covering the hole in the firewall. They also tend to run the hoses in and out through the plate.

What about a factory 'heat-only' firewall cover?

Agreed. Make a plate and use grommets or a bulkhead to run your hoses though the firewall... or looks like that hole on the left side may already have enough room so as not to add more holes to the firewall.

I like the factory "heat only" plate idea too and then you could just use grommets.

Thanks for the input! I have thought about the plate and bulkhead, but was concerned about routing the hoses under the dash. It is a bit cramped for where the exit through the firewall would be.

The “heater only” cover looks like a viable option as well.

I have thought about a plate and touting the lines through the kick panel vent then up through the round panel under the fender. For those that have done that, how do you block off the air coming in from the cowl? Does that make sense?