Still alive. Been busy. Today I had a day to work on the car. I was able to get the fuel pump installed after 3 attempts- kept breaking bolts and making a mess of it it's installed in the tank. The tank is now loosely assembled in the car, and will be tightened in after I add some fuel lines (still need to purchase) and clamps for the filler neck (still need to purchase). I also started roughing in some front brake lines using some 9 gauge bailing wire.
My buddy Dave came by with his car fresh from the paint/ body shop. It looks better than new. It was also motivating to ride in that to keep me going on my car. The color on his car, btw, is called "Nightshade Green" It's a 1 year only color which is original to his car (a #'s matching 400 car) It's really sweet.
I'm just happy to be making a little progress again.
Today, with 3 trips to the hardware store, I was able to finally get my tank installed. I keep ruining the stainless steel tank strap carriage bolts. They just bind up and break when trying to remove the nuts. Very frustrating. I also built a few flexible fuel lines with some goodies that arrived from Summit Racing. I ordered the PTFE lines and put a few sections together and connected them to the tank, as well as made a few of the front brake lines and installed my master cylinder. Between using the copper nickel alloy and the Eastwood brake flaring tool these were a breeze to make. Let's just hope they don't leak. I also tacked on a few brackets to the rear axle for mounting brake lines before I ran out of daylight.
A little more progress on the brake lines this weekend. I made the rear axle tubes, and the large one across the bottom of the car. I have it connected to the proportioning valve, but forgot to get a pic. Next week. I also made a bracket for the valve out of a scrap piece of square tube and got that mounted. I'm sure with this, and my brake lines there will be some interference with the inner fender. Oh well.
All I have left for the brake lines is the front tube, but I'll wait until after my engine is in to make that.
Today, with 3 trips to the hardware store, I was able to finally get my tank installed. I keep ruining the stainless steel tank strap carriage bolts. They just bind up and break when trying to remove the nuts. Very frustrating. I also built a few flexible fuel lines with some goodies that arrived from Summit Racing. I ordered the PTFE lines and put a few sections together and connected them to the tank, as well as made a few of the front brake lines and installed my master cylinder. Between using the copper nickel alloy and the Eastwood brake flaring tool these were a breeze to make. Let's just hope they don't leak. I also tacked on a few brackets to the rear axle for mounting brake lines before I ran out of daylight.
stainless steel on stainless steel is a recipe for galling usually
To do that I tied down the front brake line along the crossmember, assembled the flywheel/ clutch/ throwout bearing and bolted & torqued the trans to the engine, then learned that I should measure the throwout bearing so it came back apart. Seems I'm within spec (barely) and shouldn't need a shim for the throwout bearing. Since I was on a roll I set the engine in the car on Sat night. I did gouge a few areas and scrape some paint. Oh well, I plan to drive the car, not trailer it to shows. I also mocked up the fuel line and installed the fuel pressure regulator and cut the hole for the shifter. I have the original bracket from the old trans tunnel that I'll weld back in for support. I have a few more parts on order and hope to get a little more done over the holiday weekend.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
and I have a bottle of anti seize, too... Thank you for the tip!
Hybrid Mode
