I am FEVERISHLY trying to get this Coronet back together in time for the show. I just keep feeling like it's one step forward and six steps back!!
Let's see...
Rear suspension is installed but I need to fabricate longer arms for the level sensors so they can measure axle travel without being snapped off.
Need to run wires to the four wheel height sensors which will require drilling a small few holes into the body and installing grommets.
Need to finish four wires to the new fuse block I installed
Need to run a 6ga wire to the compressors for the air system from the starter relay to the tank in the trunk that houses the compressors
Need to install the driveshaft and HOPE it doesn't hit the body with the car fully lowered
Need to make a second trip for belts because the ones I bought yesterday - which I measured for - are too short
Need to get coolant hoses for the heater box and install
Need to install radiator
Need to install radiator hoses which have been sitting at the house for a week or so...
Need to add oil, trans fluid, and coolant
Need to bleed the new master cylinder, install, then bleed the brake system which is completely dry
Need to take apart the brake hubs, re-assemble with loc-tite per Wilwood instructions, grease bearings, install wheels spacers and mount wheels
Need to mount the last fender
Need to wire up headlights/high beams/signals and parking lights with the last fender on
Need to install front trim, bumpers, and grill pieces
Need to prime the new fuel line, and run last hose (with filter) to the fuel pump
Need to get engine started and deal with any (hopefully minor) tuning issues.
Need to get the air-ride system online, calibrated, and set the ride-height levels
Need to add a condensate drain line for the air tank
Need to custom-build my new (paper filter) air cleaner
And need to do ALL of this by Sunday so I can get the car out next week to get aligned during the holiday week.
You gonna be a busy boy...
:wrenching:
When I'm faced with this, looking at a pile of things to do.....I just keep saying to myself.....one at a time....just knock them off one at a time.... works great especially when it's a list of shit jobs you're really not looking forward to doing... :headbang:
You can do it.....We have faith in you....plus you don't want to leave the car at home...what fun is that... :drinkingbud:
Rushing will not help , take your time & work through everything thoroughly so there are no mistakes
Quote from: anlauto on June 27, 2019, 06:10:41 AM
When I'm faced with this, looking at a pile of things to do.....I just keep saying to myself.....one at a time....just knock them off one at a time.... works great especially when it's a list of shit jobs you're really not looking forward to doing... :headbang:
You can do it.....We have faith in you....plus you don't want to leave the car at home...what fun is that... :drinkingbud:
That's kinda what I've been doing - I've made daily to-do lists and until yesterday I was keeping up with it. I had to fabricate a new firewall mount for the steering column because my first one didn't work - it just took me longer to build than I expected it would, so I didn't get to anything else on my list.
Luckily there's very little fabrication left, and I just ordered a sh!t ton of v-belts for the engine - I should get at least 2 that fit!! :D
Check them off one at a time. Pretty soon the check list is half, then a quarter.
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on June 27, 2019, 06:59:46 AM
Check them off one at a time. Pretty soon the check list is half, then a quarter.
...and by then it'll be August!! :rofl:
Sitting on this forum isn't getting anything done . . . now is it? :P
Quote from: Spikedog08 on June 27, 2019, 08:09:49 AM
Sitting on this forum isn't getting anything done . . . now is it? :P
Nope - neither is sitting at the office!!!!! :Thud:
:haha:............. but true. Get to work :wrenching:
Quote from: ViperMan on June 27, 2019, 05:59:53 AM
Rear suspension is installed but I need to fabricate longer arms for the level sensors so they can measure axle travel without being snapped off.
Need to run wires to the four wheel height sensors which will require drilling a small few holes into the body and installing grommets.
Need to finish four wires to the new fuse block I installed
Need to run a 6ga wire to the compressors for the air system from the starter relay to the tank in the trunk that houses the compressors
Need to install the driveshaft and HOPE it doesn't hit the body with the car fully lowered
Need to make a second trip for belts because the ones I bought yesterday - which I measured for - are too short
Need to get coolant hoses for the heater box and install
Need to install radiator
Need to install radiator hoses which have been sitting at the house for a week or so...
Need to add oil, trans fluid, and coolant
Need to bleed the new master cylinder, install, then bleed the brake system which is completely dry
Need to take apart the brake hubs, re-assemble with loc-tite per Wilwood instructions, grease bearings, install wheels spacers and mount wheels
Need to mount the last fender
Need to wire up headlights/high beams/signals and parking lights with the last fender on
Need to install front trim, bumpers, and grill pieces
Need to prime the new fuel line, and run last hose (with filter) to the fuel pump
Need to get engine started and deal with any (hopefully minor) tuning issues.
Need to get the air-ride system online, calibrated, and set the ride-height levels
Need to add a condensate drain line for the air tank
Need to custom-build my new (paper filter) air cleaner
:vipermanhiding:
:wrenching:
See how easy that was....and you still have 14 more days to go :slapme5: :ohyeah:
Already looks less formidable.
1 step at a time !! :bigthumb:
Quote from: ViperMan on June 27, 2019, 05:59:53 AM
Rear suspension is installed but I need to fabricate longer arms for the level sensors so they can measure axle travel without being snapped off.
Need to run wires to the four wheel height sensors which will require drilling a small few holes into the body and installing grommets.
Need to finish four wires to the new fuse block I installed
Need to run a 6ga wire to the compressors for the air system from the starter relay to the tank in the trunk that houses the compressors
Need to install the driveshaft and HOPE it doesn't hit the body with the car fully lowered
Need to make a second trip for belts because the ones I bought yesterday - which I measured for - are too short
Need to get coolant hoses for the heater box and install
Need to install radiator
Need to install radiator hoses which have been sitting at the house for a week or so...
Need to add oil, trans fluid, and coolant
Need to bleed the new master cylinder, install, then bleed the brake system which is completely dry
Need to take apart the brake hubs, re-assemble with loc-tite per Wilwood instructions, grease bearings, install wheels spacers and mount wheels
Need to mount the last fender
Need to wire up headlights/high beams/signals and parking lights with the last fender on
Need to install front trim, bumpers, and grill pieces
Need to prime the new fuel line, and run last hose (with filter) to the fuel pump
Need to get engine started and deal with any (hopefully minor) tuning issues.
Need to get the air-ride system online, calibrated, and set the ride-height levels
Need to add a condensate drain line for the air tank
Need to custom-build my new (paper filter) air cleaner
:yes:
:clapping: Gees...what are you going to do with all your spare time ? Brew some beer ? :drunk:
O.K.
Gotta do it....
:needphotos: :takepicture:
Made some good progress on that list! :ohyeah:
I notice that take pictures for my internet forum friends is not on the list?
:needphotos:
I haven't had much time for pictures - even slacked badly on video content for the YouTube channel I want to start...
Plus, the car won't look much different than it did last year - just lower. All of the work I've been doing is underneath the skin, so to speak...
You can do it!!!
Quote from: ViperMan on June 27, 2019, 05:59:53 AM
Rear suspension is installed but I need to fabricate longer arms for the level sensors so they can measure axle travel without being snapped off.
Need to run wires to the four wheel height sensors which will require drilling a small few holes into the body and installing grommets.
Need to finish four wires to the new fuse block I installed
Need to run a 6ga wire to the compressors for the air system from the starter relay to the tank in the trunk that houses the compressors
Need to install the driveshaft and HOPE it doesn't hit the body with the car fully lowered
Need to make a second trip for belts because the ones I bought yesterday - which I measured for - are too short
Need to get coolant hoses for the heater box and install
Need to install radiator
Need to install radiator hoses which have been sitting at the house for a week or so...
Need to add oil, trans fluid, and coolant
Need to bleed the new master cylinder, install, then bleed the brake system which is completely dry
Need to take apart the brake hubs, re-assemble with loc-tite per Wilwood instructions, grease bearings, install wheels spacers and mount wheels
Need to mount the last fender
Need to wire up headlights/high beams/signals and parking lights with the last fender on
Need to install front trim, bumpers, and grill pieces
Need to prime the new fuel line, and run last hose (with filter) to the fuel pump
Need to get engine started and deal with any (hopefully minor) tuning issues.
Need to get the air-ride system online, calibrated, and set the ride-height levels
Need to add a condensate drain line for the air tank
Need to custom-build my new (paper filter) air cleaner
Almost to the end . .time to fire it up!
Quote from: ViperMan on July 03, 2019, 08:48:31 PM
Quote from: ViperMan on June 27, 2019, 05:59:53 AM
Rear suspension is installed but I need to fabricate longer arms for the level sensors so they can measure axle travel without being snapped off.
Need to run wires to the four wheel height sensors which will require drilling a small few holes into the body and installing grommets.
Need to finish four wires to the new fuse block I installed
Need to run a 6ga wire to the compressors for the air system from the starter relay to the tank in the trunk that houses the compressors
Need to install the driveshaft and HOPE it doesn't hit the body with the car fully lowered
Need to make a second trip for belts because the ones I bought yesterday - which I measured for - are too short
Need to get coolant hoses for the heater box and install
Need to install radiator
Need to install radiator hoses which have been sitting at the house for a week or so...
Need to add oil, trans fluid, and coolant
Need to bleed the new master cylinder, install, then bleed the brake system which is completely dry
Need to take apart the brake hubs, re-assemble with loc-tite per Wilwood instructions, grease bearings, install wheels spacers and mount wheels
Need to mount the last fender
Need to wire up headlights/high beams/signals and parking lights with the last fender on
Need to install front trim, bumpers, and grill pieces
Need to prime the new fuel line, and run last hose (with filter) to the fuel pump
Need to get engine started and deal with any (hopefully minor) tuning issues.
Need to get the air-ride system online, calibrated, and set the ride-height levels
Need to add a condensate drain line for the air tank
Need to custom-build my new (paper filter) air cleaner
Here...We don't need magnifying glasses.
Some of us are getting old...Ask Dave. :crazytalk:
Rear suspension is installed but I need to fabricate longer arms for the level sensors so they can measure axle travel without being snapped off.
Need to run wires to the four wheel height sensors which will require drilling a small few holes into the body and installing grommets.
Need to finish four wires to the new fuse block I installed
Need to run a 6ga wire to the compressors for the air system from the starter relay to the tank in the trunk that houses the compressors
Need to install the driveshaft and HOPE it doesn't hit the body with the car fully lowered
Need to make a second trip for belts because the ones I bought yesterday - which I measured for - are too short
Need to get coolant hoses for the heater box and install
Need to install radiator
Need to install radiator hoses which have been sitting at the house for a week or so...
Need to add oil, trans fluid, and coolant
Need to bleed the new master cylinder, install, then bleed the brake system which is completely dry
Need to take apart the brake hubs, re-assemble with loc-tite per Wilwood instructions, grease bearings, install wheels spacers and mount wheels
Need to mount the last fender
Need to wire up headlights/high beams/signals and parking lights with the last fender on
Need to install front trim, bumpers, and grill pieces
Need to prime the new fuel line, and run last hose (with filter) to the fuel pump
Need to get engine started and deal with any (hopefully minor) tuning issues.
Need to get the air-ride system online, calibrated, and set the ride-height levels
Need to add a condensate drain line for the air tank
Need to custom-build my new (paper filter) air cleaner
Quote from: Topcat on July 03, 2019, 09:49:24 PM
Here...We don't need magnifying glasses.
Some of us are getting old...Ask Dave. :crazytalk:
Hey I didn't pick the font size for the forum... :) Hit Control+ on your keyboard and it'll enlarge everything on the screen. You're welcome. :)
Must be a real "joy" working in that heat you have been getting. :rebelflag"
Rear suspension is installed but I need to fabricate longer arms for the level sensors so they can measure axle travel without being snapped off.
Need to run wires to the four wheel height sensors which will require drilling a small few holes into the body and installing grommets.
Need to finish four wires to the new fuse block I installed
Need to run a 6ga wire to the compressors for the air system from the starter relay to the tank in the trunk that houses the compressors
Need to install the driveshaft and HOPE it doesn't hit the body with the car fully lowered
Need to make a second trip for belts because the ones I bought yesterday - which I measured for - are too short
Need to get coolant hoses for the heater box and install
Need to install radiator
Need to install radiator hoses which have been sitting at the house for a week or so...
Need to add oil, trans fluid, and coolant
Need to bleed the new master cylinder, install, then bleed the brake system which is completely dry
Need to take apart the brake hubs, re-assemble with loc-tite per Wilwood instructions, grease bearings, install wheels spacers and mount wheels
Need to mount the last fender
Need to wire up headlights/high beams/signals and parking lights with the last fender on
Need to install front trim, bumpers, and grill pieces
Need to prime the new fuel line, and run last hose (with filter) to the fuel pump
Need to get engine started and deal with any (hopefully minor) tuning issues.
Need to get the air-ride system online
Need to add a condensate drain line for the air tank
:D
There's still some stuff to do - gotta actually lower the car, run the air system through it's calibration sequence, and set the levels. I gotta put the hood and front bumper on. I've gotta glue a chunk of body filler back on that popped off the rocker panel (I'll have to fix that whole area at a later date and time!) I've got some sort of weird electrical issue in that my parking lamps are blinking with my brake lights... I still gotta try and build my air cleaner (or just put the stocker back on) and then get it aligned early next week. It looks like I have a ton of time left for all this but we're out of town from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon...
Wow impressive! I assume it is coming to the big show?? :dunno:
7 days left & you've run out of things to do..... Sounds like time for a beer... :drinkingbud:
Quote from: Spikedog08 on July 04, 2019, 07:58:10 PM
Wow impressive! I assume it is coming to the big show?? :dunno:
I'm going to get her on the ground today and attempt to roll her out of where she's slumbered for the past 7 months... I feel like there's still a ton of work to do...
:banana:
That looks sweet. :perfect10:
So you said seven months....give us the condensed version of what took place...the car looks great by the way, love the stance. :twothumbsup:
Air ride is functioning TOO well - the car practically hops when the rear-end lifts. There are flow control settings I can tweak though (if I feel like crawling in and out of the trunk about a dozen times...)
She's still idling too high - I probably need to turn the distro but man I don't wanna mess with that... Also she won't shift into gear, but I ran out of tranny fluid trying to fill it up, so I need to run up to the auto parts store again for like the 500th time... :)
Watching that air ride system work though... kinda makes all the effort worth it... :)
That's awesome! Hope you can figure out how to get it to move! :bigthumb:
Quite a unique project indeed congratulations 🎊🍾🎉
Okay, that is impressive!!! :clapping: Very nicely done. Looks great. :twothumbsup:
Quote from: anlauto on July 05, 2019, 07:38:49 AM
So you said seven months....give us the condensed version of what took place...the car looks great by the way, love the stance. :twothumbsup:
Thank you, Alan. :) The project still has a long way to go, but this has been a pretty fun and challenging phase of it for sure!
I started disassembly of the car on January 6th. It took about 2 weeks to tear the front end apart and get the engine out. By the end of January I had setup all my measurements on the garage floor, and set apart cutting the frame rails, just in front of the firewall.
I spent most of February welding the new stub in place from FatMan Fabrications. From there it was installing new steering, braking and suspension components. I had my new Wilwood calipers powder coated, and purchased a GM-spec steering column to connect to the new Ford-spec rack & pinion. Suspension is all tubular A-arms from FatMan. I built new brake lines and plumbed new airlines from the front air bags using weld-on studs.
In March I was sorting out the engine mounts, which set me back way more than I expected. I ended up having to notch the frame to clear the rotating assembly of the engine, and had a custom oil pan built by Kevko Racing. That all took up most of April, too.
By May or so I was tackling the rear suspension. I got some new leaf springs from Detroit Eaton Springs, but with several leafs removed. I built a new cross-member with brackets from Universal Air to mount new, behind-the-axle air bags (though I placed mine in front!) That took a lot of work too - trying to get it all lined up correctly.
Funny thing was, by June I felt like I hadn't accomplished a thing. Nothing was truly "finished" yet. Air lines weren't done, the air tank wasn't installed yet, the rear suspension wasn't finished, steering wasn't ready... ...and then I tore out the dash so I could rewire the whole thing. Even Spikedog thought I was nuts on that one. :)
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind... We got the column mounted, built the DD-linkage to the rack, finished the rear axle level sensors, ran a new fuel line, finished all the air lines, got the air tank mounted, finished all the wiring, and bled the master cylinder and all the brake lines... Literally this morning I put the car back on the ground for the first time since January. A few hours later I took her for her innaugural drive!
Ash and I agree that the Coronet should go to Carlisle, but she's really not road-worthy... There's a nasty shuddering above about 20mph. The power steering system puked out its fluid twice today - not sure where its coming from yet. There's a weird wiring issue with the GM column - I don't have rear parking lamps and the front parking lamps blink with the brake lights... The air-ride however works fantastic. :)
Not sure if tht was condensed enough, but it's kinda hard to boil all that down! I spent nearly every single weekend out in the garage since January, and have spent every evening out the garage since June.
That’s amazing! Great breakdown! Car looks very cool! Look forward to checking it out at the show! On a side note, I really don’t think you should chop the top . . I like that look. :alan2cents:
Quote from: Spikedog08 on July 05, 2019, 07:29:32 PM
On a side note, I really don't think you should chop the top . . I like that look. :alan2cents:
Well, if I do, it's not going to be a huge chop - the plan is to make it look more proportional. I feel like, when she's all the way down, and you're standing there looking at it, the greenhouse becomes kinda cartoonishly tall...
Quote from: ViperMan on July 06, 2019, 06:07:10 AM
Quote from: Spikedog08 on July 05, 2019, 07:29:32 PM
On a side note, I really don't think you should chop the top . . I like that look. :alan2cents:
Well, if I do, it's not going to be a huge chop - the plan is to make it look more proportional. I feel like, when she's all the way down, and you're standing there looking at it, the greenhouse becomes kinda cartoonishly tall...
I agree, chop a few inches out would make it look better. Not so much of a balloon top.
Jeff,
I know you have a vision, and I get that. It's your car to do what you want.
BUT.... If I can be honest with you. That car looked great at Carlisle last year. I absolutely love the matte black paint job, and you made a great choice with the wheels too. So that would have been where I stopped.
I can't wait to see this modified version. I gotta give you credit buddy, to do sooo much work in such a short time is nothing short of amazing. I wish you nothing but the best in making it your dream. :cooldance:
Quote from: MEK-Dangerous on July 06, 2019, 10:27:00 AM
Jeff,
I know you have a vision, and I get that. It's your car to do what you want.
BUT.... If I can be honest with you. That car looked great at Carlisle last year. I absolutely love the matte black paint job, and you made a great choice with the wheels too. So that would have been where I stopped.
I can't wait to see this modified version. I gotta give you credit buddy, to do sooo much work in such a short time is nothing short of amazing. I wish you nothing but the best in making it your dream. :cooldance:
Yeah MEK - that's kinda the point though; it looked good last year, it'll look better this year, and it'll keep improving each year until I'm done. :) When I look at it, I see where I want it to go and what it can be and I'm excited to make that next step. Other folks can't see that - which makes sense of course - and so it's natural for them to say, "Yeah it's great - leave it..."
I appreciate the support. At least this car won't scare you like my other one - at least for another year or so... ;)
Can't wait to see everyone next week!!
So here's the NEXT list of "now that she's done, I need to fix" repairs... :)
Install axle shims to hopefully fix the really-bad pinion/driveshaft angle
If deemed necessary, get a new driveshaft
Install the new proportional valve I bought from The Right Stuff at Carlisle
Re-bleed brakes after proportional valve is in
Grease all the ball joints and tie-rod ends to see if the groaning noises go away when steering
Finish wiring horns and clean up front-end wires
Find final location for air-ride system computer and make installation permanent
Modify aftermarket paper-style air cleaner to fit engine
Adjust timing and/or carburetor to get the idle where it needs to be (lower)
Get front-end aligned
Finally take her for a cruise... :)
I can tell you however that I won't be TOUCHING this car for a week or two. We need a break from each other. :)
You did amazing work with the time you had . . Car looks great! :clapping:
Quote from: Spikedog08 on July 15, 2019, 07:06:58 PM
You did amazing work with the time you had . . Car looks great! :clapping:
Yeah it looks cool but now I've got to get it out on the roads. Need to get it safe, reliable, and get it to stop sounding like an old man... :)
Actually the first car I looked at....I was running through the swap meet and saw it sitting there.....Looked AWESOME !
Quote from: anlauto on July 16, 2019, 05:25:36 AM
Actually the first car I looked at....I was running through the swap meet and saw it sitting there.....Looked AWESOME !
Thanks, Alan! I kinda wish we could've had a chance to chat - I probably could've learned a few tips had you had time to look over my work a little!