I was able to finish the under-dash wiring and button up the dash this week. The dash pad and shift console are new repros but I was able to save the driver and passenger lower dash pads and original center gauge cluster. I kept the wiring race car simple and located all of my power and grounds under the passenger dash pad for ease of serviceability.
Love it or hate it, here is my swank race car interior that I completed this past weekend. I tried my best to retain a vintage vibe while using modern gauges. I even put a USB port in it. But.... no carpet, no insulation, no heat, no defrost, no AC, no headliner, no power anything... Perfect! : )
Next up is redoing my power steering lines and reservoir to eliminate fluid aeration. Then I will align the side glass and install the door panels and custom sill plates.
Neil looks good! I see a set of Naval Wings, I flew A4M and Harriers for the Corps. Retired after 27 years.
Those are my Dad's Wings. He was a career Navy man. We shared a common interest in cars, so it seemed appropriate. These projects consume an enormous amount of time and become very personal, so it's cool to be able to relate a project to the important things in life.
So here is attempt #4 at my power steering system. I chose a new reservoir from a company called Chase Bays who specializes in fluid transfer products for BMW and other import cars. They were the only company that made a reservoir with the baffling and size/dimensions I was looking for. It's a nice piece. This reservoir allowed me to get the suction line further away from the control arm and also place the steering box return line on the bottom of the reservoir. I also replaced the stainless PFTE pressure line with a rubber/swedged fitting setup. I had high hopes. The foaming/aeration problem seems better, but the fluid is still getting way too hot and the pump starts to groan when the engine comes up to temp. With this being a track car, I just bit the bullet and ordered a Derale stacked plate fluid cooler which I am going to mount in front of the radiator. This should add significant fluid volume in addition to the cooling unit itself.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Hybrid Mode
