Brakes are about 80% done

So I ended up deciding to go with pre-flared lines and fittings. I ordered some stuff through NAPA for next day pickup and this evening I finished about 80% of the brake lines with Tom. All I have left now is to run the long line from the ABS unit to the rear and I have to go back to NAPA to get 2 fittings (they gave me the wrong thing!) Other than that the brakes are finished. Hopefully I can run the fuel lines tomorrow and then get the battery relocation finished during the holiday and can drop the engine in on new years day!

Egad brakes suck...

I've basically been treading water for a few days on the brake lines. The (main) trouble is that the tool I bought to flare the brake lines doesn't work. I'm not sure if it is because the lines are too hard or if the tool just sucks, but it is not properly flaring. So I've pretty much narrowed it down to 2 options after trying a few things:

1. Get a more expensive flare tool.
Upside: All the lines would be perfect fits.
Downside: More chance of a leak from a bad flare, chance this tool will suck too.

2. Buy pre-flared lines of the 'right' size and adapters for the ends.
Upside: No flares to do! No chance of a misshapen flare. No wasted money on bad/once used tools.
Downside: Adapters means more chances of a leak, lines wont be perfect fits, have to find all the right sized adapters.


Well, I mounted the Anti-Lock Brake System Controller last night. This was a little challenging because the older style models are huge, and the manual doesn't have anything in it about where to mount it. I think the typical donor car does not use ABS. But given I'm building this car to withstand weather, I think I want ABS for the rain. Although an on/off switch would be awesome. Here is a pic of the mounted unit, as you can see I had to make some stuff up for it because they don't have a prefabbed mounting position on the frame.

Cockpit Aluminum

I spent 8 hours in the garage today riveting panels. Lucky for me it warmed up a lot today! Diana came out and helped for awhile which was really helpful for the passenger footbox. Here's a few pics:

Steerin'

With the pedals in and the hydrobooster loosely fitted, I decided to go ahead and start on the steering system even without my back-ordered part. I got the donor steering rack in and bolted up - only to realize that it seemed really loose. I poured through the bags of donor parts and found the steering rack bag which had some rubber bushings I forgot to put in. SO, I had to unbolt it and remove it and slap those bushings in. It wasn't too bad though, so after I put the rack in the 2nd time, I attached the tie rods and gave the car a 'rough alignment'.

Then I deciphered some more instructions and despite the manual giving me the wrong part numbers - and wrong box location - I managed to get the upper steering column mostly fitted. I had to grind a bracket down a bit so it would lay flush, but it wasn't too tough. Once that back-ordered part comes in the steering will be finished.

A nudge forward

Last night, Josh and Brandon came out to help work on the car. Josh worked on fitting the hydrobooster while Brandon and I mounted the fuel filter. Brandon took a drill-face picture of me, and that is the only picture that I have from last night to post right now. I'll take some pics after the hydroboost is done and the pedals are finished.

I got gas

Chronicles of a gas tank. Diana scrubbed the tank yesterday in preparation for painting, and when I got home I sprayed the first coat. Meanwhile, Tom headed over and we torqued the suspension to the proper specs and finished a few lingering suspension issues. After that, I sprayed a final coat on the tank and we hoisted it up onto the frame.

Rear Suspension/Axle

This will be quick and short because it's about 2 am and I have just finished working on the car... My goal for the day was to complete assembly of the rear end. I got home about 6 and worked straight through until after 1. But I got it done! Here is a pic of the assembly. It's kinda hard to tell what is what in this pic, but you can get an idea.


There was a lot of drilling...a LOT of drilling. I broke 2 bits including my new 9/16 metal drilling bit. It made me sad because I had just bought it the other week, but then it made me feel kinda awesome for breaking a drill bit so huge :-D.


The evening had a few frustrating moments and several puzzles solved. I didn't get a chance to eat dinner, and I nicked the back of my hand with Carl's grinder - (that is a nick you won't do twice!) But once Everything was done, I put the wheels on and got to hop up and down to test out the suspension. It's official, the car is now a rolling chassis!! It probably wont roll very straight or well, since the steering hasn't been done yet, but it will roll!