Project status...deadline approaching!

[JamesJ]

best of luck to you, and have a safe trip. No speeding

[JimM]

Good Luck, Chris! Just saaw this today, read the whole thing, a great read it was, too. You gonna sell the movie rights? Overhaulin, move over!

[69MyWay]

Hey Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Checking in from my in-laws computer in beautiful Columbus, Ohio. We had a fairly uneventful and safe trip here yesterday.

Left at 5:45 a.m. from N.E. Florida with the car LOADED down with gear, my wife and 1 1/2 year old son Garrett.

Just past half way (approx 900 miles total trip one way), the rear gears started howling again. I can't believe it! I just had the 9 inch unit rebuilt because around the 200 mile mark on the rebuild it was howling and grinding.

Just into Ohio the roads got terrible. Hit a bad set of wash outs in the road bed that broke the driver exhaust pipe loose from the hanger. The hanger behind the rear tire twisted into the sidewall of the tire. It DESTROYED the new Goodyear Eagle EMT runflat that I had just bought a couple of weeks ago. I heard the noise but it was getting late and I kept rolling.

Made it in around 9:30 p.m. with generous stops for the child to get some energy out. He was an absolute angel. The a/c pumped plenty cold, cruise control was a life saver, and the engine just purred like a dream. The only other problem is one I was aware of. For some reason the PCM keeps telling the trans to go in and out of lock up. Don't know why, yet.

All said and done, I was running 23 mpg with the lack of continuous lock up on the converter. My guess is the car will run a sold 25 or more as soon as I get that licked. If I had been running with no a/c and the TCC working all the time mileage will easily exceed 25 mpg.

Today I hauled the driver tire down to DISCOUNT TIRES. They are the BEST tire company on the planet. They worked with me on a new one. Still cost a bit, but they gave me a break and did the swap fast. I bought FOUR new hangers and rehung all the exhaust. Finally, I drained out the 80-90 oil and replaced with LUCAS 85-140 heavy duty. I know this won't fix it, but my hope is the noise will go down a tad. I will be taking it easy until I can get it home.

The fellow that built it for me and replaced it the last time had no suggestions when I called him via cell. He is a good guy, but I will seek out a new gear guy, or just learn to do it myself this next time.

Car is cleaned and waxed and ready to go to the show in the morning.

Thanks for following along. Half of my goal is now accomplished of finishing the car in time to drive to this show.

BTW-My home computer is trashed, so I may not be able to give any updates on the ride home until that is fixed.

[BC69]

Well Id like to say, "good to hear" but at the same time your tire and exhaust problems isnt cool. Yet for such a long ride with such a new build, that is something to be proud of!! You thrashed to get it done, and drove relatively smooth all the way to Ohio!!

Next step...get yourself and award to drive home with.

Thanks for the update...best of luck

Tim

[69MyWay]

Complete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Drove into Florida Sunday night around 9:00. Car ran perfect on the way home other than the TCC going in and out and the loud noise from the 9".

I spent Monday trying to catch up on some rest, clean up around the house, and collect my thoughts. Just got our home computer working again late last night.

Having pushed so hard for so long to pull this off, I am happy to say it was a complete success. We didn't get any awards at the show, but it wasn't about the show anyway. It was about busting butt to get the car done in time to drive there and back without any major failure or time spent on the side of the road.

Future plans for the car include:

1. New set of INTRO brand wheels
2. More computer tuning
3. Tweaks here and there.

I want to get the car to the track and run some 1/4 mile slips and or a chassis dyno.

For now however, I am going to relax a bit, do some home repairs and reflect on our accomplishments.

[rockdogz]

Wow, congrats on your accomplishments! Surprising about no awards, as your car is beautiful from the pics, but that was a big show. Glad to hear you made it back safe and sound!

[69MyWay]

And the grand photo of the family at the show....

[camcojb]

Great looking family Chris! Good job on the car, sounds like a great first voyage.


Jody

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

And the grand photo of the family at the show....

I'll have what he's drinking - from the looks of it, it must be good stuff.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by rockdogz

Wow, congrats on your accomplishments! Surprising about no awards, as your car is beautiful from the pics, but that was a big show. Glad to hear you made it back safe and sound!

Hell, I didn't even find his car

You can bet there WOULD have been an award.. that show is just too damn big..