PCV & distributor vacuum

I finished up the valve cover install with a new cap, PCV valve and grommet then I had to make a vacuum line for it, while I was at it I made a new one for the distributor that was a bit longer.

Wiring up the iPod controls

I started wiring up the switch & potentiometer that will control the ipod power and volume, below is the back of the panel and connections.



And here is a test box for 12v that I made awhile ago from an old power supply.

A couple new vids

We got the bucket fueled up and decided it was time to get it tuned and ready to run. The vids can be seen on the left side (or links below) and are just a couple I shot of John enjoying the shake of the car and the last the wonderful starting and revving. I figure within the next 2 weeks it will be on the road.

Video 1

Video 2

New valve covers

Sure it's the 3rd set on the car since I got it but I think these are pure winners. I found these at a price too reasonable to pass up and they were local to John's work so he went out and grabbed them for me. The old Mickey Thompsons will be at home a my buddy Pat's project T.

Brake Lines

John came by again and worked his magic with the brake lines, and donated the parts to the cause as well. Thanks alot John I am glad you were a part of this, especially this aspect.

New steering wheel

New steering wheel and install kit just went on and cleaned up the interior a bit. No more bent steering wheel and goofy accordion boot install kit.

Interior going back in

Yes, it really is that time. I started putting in the interior panels last night. I still need to "fine tune" them, get out the wrinkles, creases, etc

Speakers installed

I painted the grills, & surrounds a charcoal grey to match a bit more with the interior, finished up the install and tested them out - more than happy!

Header wrapping

Finished up wrapping including the extension pipe/baffle. This will work for now until budget permits a proper lakes style header.

Outside again

For the first time since it arrived, the bucket has seen life outside of the garage.

It was a just a little push and only so I could get the garage back in order but these are all signs of assembly - which is a good thing. At this point we are putting the car together and no longer taking apart or rebuilding.

Turn signal stalk

That little rubber boot on the chopped off indicator stalk has finally annoyed me enough to do something about it. I had these "bullet" license plates nuts left over from the Buick and I figured it would be a good fit. I had to grind down the stalk for the right O.D. then I used a die to thread it and then drilled out the bullet nut and tapped that to a larger diameter.

Speakers

To go along with the iPod amp & console controls I have decided on a speaker setup. I have installed Soundstream 5.25" component speakers in the front upper firewall board and the crossovers in the lower. I plan on covering them in a matching grey fabric (the midwoofers at least) for a more subtle look however as it stands you really can't see them once installed.

Not an ammo box shifter console

After finishing the ammo box shifter console, I decided it just wasn't me. I made something a bit more retro and also served the purpose of holding the controls for the ipod interface I made earlier. The knob, switch & light are sourced from a vintage electronics tester, the side panels are from an old Alfa Romeo.





Let's see how long this one lasts before I get tired of it :)

Ammo box shifter console

The last of the wood just has to go. I have been trying to come up with something to do about covering the shifter mechanism and giving me a little room for switches & such for another project when my neighbor (and very good friend) brought over a few old ammo boxes - again, this is where having a plasma cutter makes you do weird things.

The old:


the new:


all cut up:


and a little before & after:




It still needs to be cleaned up and the rough cuts smoothed but this is the basic look that I was going for.

Bullet dipstick handle

The bent chrome piece just wasn't doing it for me and shell casings area always readily available around here so I decided to give it a try.

First striping on the car

Not the best and I am not sure if it's going to stay but I finally got up the nerve to put some lines down on the car.