Ken's Engine Project... Part II - 2003

[Ken]

Aha! Well, at least this way it lies as flat as possible, plus it gave me some additional room to get the driveshaft in and out.

You ever have one of those days when it seems that no matter how simple the task, or how easily it should go, NOTHING seems to go right?

Today was one of those days for me; it started out fine but I just seemed to get nowhere today. The brackets I had made for the DFUs both had the holes mis-drilled; one of them I was able to elongate into more of a slot so that I can get both bolts in the head, but the other will have to be re-measured and re-cut. Rick really mis-judged that one. I think he may have mistakenly used the wrong hole when he measured the first time. It's always something, always something... :eyerole

 

[Ken]

You're starting to remind me of the professor in Back to the future. Locked away for days on end ...

:Silly

 

[Ken]

Hey, while I'm thinking of it, the Corvette Specs book shows PN 1318 for the rear and PN 1311 for the front u-joints of the original driveshaft. Is PN 1318 the "big & little" Oldsmobile type u-joint? :confused

I'm having slight difficulties locating a severe-duty type (no zerks) in the "b&l" version locally. I know it won't be a problem, but I'm just curious if the original was the same as what I have now with the ROD 6-speed.

_ken

 

[Ken]

No pictures today...

But man, it's sure gonna be lookin' good when it finally leaves the shop! :cool

Meguiar's 3-steps to a successful shine:

First, after I cleaned it with Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner

This amazing, nonabrasive cleaner safely removes contaminants, light oxidation, light scratches and swirls to restore damaged and dull finishes. This easy to use formula uses advanced technology to prepare all paint finishes for polishing and waxing.

I then proceeded to the second step, polishing. Here I used Deep Crystal Polish

This product is not a wax. It is a pure polish that conditions and nourishes the paint and is the secret to creating an awesome, deep, wet-look shine.

Then, I protected the whole shebang by waxing it with Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax

This is the ideal product to protect the dazzling finish you created in Step 2. This formula delivers tough, long-lasting Carnauba wax protection on all paints.

Now, if it only ran. :L

But ah! Tomorrow I pick up the finished dashboard, customized for my new Autometer gauges, and yesterday Richard came by with the new fuel surge tank for some final measurements, and also to pick up the brackets that must be modified to clear the right valve cover. :eyerole

Also, I talked to Richie today, and I take my driveshaft back to him tomorrow to have Driveline Service in Gardena install the u-joints that were specified in the first place. My half shaft u-joints are of the solid-body type cross, and not fitted with zerks, so I'm cool there. :cool

It's getting to the point where I am going to have my back to the wall, and will be finally forced to deal with the electrical issue; I keep putting it off in hopes of an angel coming to my rescue. :L

I GOTTA get it out on the road soon, CRUISE SEASON has begun! :J

_ken

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Re: No pictures today...

It's getting to the point where I am going to have my back to the wall, and will be finally forced to deal with the electrical issue; I keep putting it off in hopes of an angel coming to my rescue. :L

_ken

What do you mean by that ken?

Also I cannot wait to see pictures of the new Dash

 

[Ken]

Figuratively Jeff, figuratively.

However...

:J I'm so excited,
And I just can't hide it,
I'm about to lose control
And I think I like it.
I'm so excited,
And I just can't hide it,
And I know, I know, I know, I know
I know I want you, want you.

You wanted pictures of the new dash, you got 'em!

What I need to know now is what is the prevailing opinion as to how to finish the panels now. So far, at the shop, I've had two votes that say leave it unfinished. For all intents and purposes now it's a race car and not a street car, so their point is taken when they say leave it. What do you guys think?

I was going to go with a black wrinkle finish, or something similar but it's still in the air and not cut in stone yet. Tell me something good.

_ken

 

[ErnieN85]

Ken, Black would be good if it's really for driving! it lowers the chance of the sun blinding you at a bad time. krinkle is hard to clean though, matte would clean easier.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

That is the most business-like dash I have ever seen in a Corvette.:cool

Black would be good if it's really for driving! it lowers the chance of the sun blinding you at a bad time.

I would go with Hammerite black, the finish is almost indestructible if you apply it correctly.

Be careful with that 160 MPH speedo, you might bend the needle when it hits the peg.:L :L :L

 

[69MyWay]

I would get it powder coated in metalic silver, then clear coated. That way it would be brite, but not raw looking. Plus, for panels that small, it would be very inexpensive to get that done.

It looks great!

Now you need a freak mode racing steering wheel to match!

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Ken, I was asking more about the wiring itself...

I do like the Dash, but what gauges are located where

(I Did figure out which is the Tach and which is the Speedo though)

 

[JT ZR-Won]

Wicked Ken! Looks awesome!

Jay

 

[Ken]

My new fuel tank:

How far do ya think a quart or so will get me? :L (Len, Jon, and whoever else feels like wisecracking about it running in the first place, SHUT UP AHEAD OF TIME!)

The exhaust has been reinstalled; I should be dropping it back to the ground Tuesday or so. Holiday weekend and all, you know.

More later...

_ken

 

[Ken]

Pictures of the DFUs installed...

And the breather tank. If you look closely, you can see the TCI Roll Control directly beneath the breather, and the two lines running over the top of the brake booster are the hydraulic lines from the release bearing. One obviously is a bleeder.

Tomorrow, I'll probably put together a shopping list of fittings and lines to wrap all of this up finally. I know it's gonna be expensive but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. :gap

Speaking of expensive, I discovered last week that the fan clutch on my truck is basically just freewheeling, so today I ordered the part from the Ford dealer and guess what? $180.00!! Geez, it never ends; these things are going to nickel and dime me to death!

_ken

 

[Ken]

$400 worth of lines and fittings!

The modified blower box:

The lines and fittings, partially assembled:

There's more lines and fittings for the valve covers to the breather tank that has yet to be assembled.

_ken (I'm tired... :cry)

 

[69MyWay]

Flat black?

You need to repaint that blower box semi gloss, or gloss.....

Other than that....it is looking great.

 

[Ken]

Everybody's a critic! :L You know what they say about opinions don't ya Chris?

 

[Vettelt193]

It is looking good Ken.... I really like the way you mounted the ignition system with the purple back plate, and the location is cool too.

 

[Ken]

Today's work...

The assembled fuel and breather lines:

The breather lines:

The fuel tank lines:

It still involved me running back to the Earl's store (Industrial Liquidators) several times before I got it right.

_ken

 

[69MyWay]

Ken,

Can you fabricate a quick aluminum shield to go between the fuel lines on the cooler to the header?

Looking good!

Any nice cuts in your hands yet after fooling with all that braided line?

 

[Ken]

... fabricate a quick aluminum shield to go between the fuel lines on the cooler to the header?

It's been planned for and is in the works Chris.

Any nice cuts in your hands yet after fooling with all that braided line?

A few. :L Actually, I'm getting quite good at it.

_ken