Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Nothing Ever Goes As Planned



Well, it has been 21 days since my last post. I knew this was going to take forever.........My plan was to take the gas tank out, so that I could clean up underneath the car and install the suspension components a little easier. This did not happen as planned. 23 years of decay and gunk have taken easy jobs and turned them into a ALL DAY affairs. The gas tank in these things are held in with two straps bolted to the frame. Simple 30 minute job and the tank is out. How about THREE HOURS. Bolts broke...etc...etc. After the tank was out, you guessed it, I found a crack in the gas tank, nothing major, but a definent setback. So, after repairing the tank and letting it cure for several days it is leak free and has a new coat of paint. I have included a picture for your viewing. This has been my excitement with the car over the last several weeks. I have been extremely busy and have had extra things going on around the house...oh... like water heater replacements, but things are coming along and I hope to have the rear suspension improved by my next post. Until then......

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The First Before/After




I decided to post a before and after photo of the engine bay. People at my work think that I realy don't have a car and they need more proof that not only do I have this car, but that I actually work on it. First. I did remove another 47 pounds off of the car. This weight came off the front off the car this time not the interior.
Well, as you can see there is a difference between the engine bay before and after. I have added a MSD Blaster Coil, MSD Cap, MSD Rotor,NGK Plugs, and Jeg's 8mm wires. NO MSD IGNITION BOX? NO! The Duraspark ignition by Ford is actually a very efficient ignition. I don't plan on running NOS or anything, right now, so I'll save the cash. Believe it or not I had these parts left from the 88 Mustang I had once. (4 years ago). The old anti-freeze catch can has been replaced by a JAZ catch can($5.00 swap meet part). New Battery(courtesy of Wal-Mart---FREE by the way...I know the manager that "sponsored" me. If you look to the back firewall, you can see my aluminum fabrication. The aluminum is covering all the holes that where left after taking out the heater core, AC, and other components. The Moroso air cleaner is a Ebay find and is temporary for now.
Not a lot of fancy stuff under the hood here. It doesn't make the car go faster, so why waste the cash. Bye for now.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Went For A Drive



OK, removed another 12 pounds of the car today, for those that are not keeping track, that's 363 pounds of weight off the vehicle so far. I have a long way to go. I myself have lost 27 pounds...so....in theory that's 390 pounds the car won't carry anymore.
Exhaust is on, the car is tuned, so we went for a ride. The neighbor (he has a nice 80's Elcamino running 12.20's in the quarter mile) said when I took of the right rear tire came off the ground. The car had massive wheel hop. it looks like I will need to do some research on suspension. I did get the tires to bark in 3rd gear..so it seems the motor is running pretty strong. There is LOTS of body flex, so sub-frame connectors are next. There is also lots of engine movement, so I am going to work on a torque strap tomorrow. They cost $55.00 in most mail-order sites. I think I can do it for about $8.00. I will include a picture of one I will try to fabricate.
I have been asked by some web-surfers to list modifications done to the car so far. I'll work on this so others may duplicate the mod's or whatever they want to do with the info.