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Jim came over last night and we got the steering column installed. I'm going with the C3 wheel which will give me a little extra room. Also clear coated the brake M/C, so I'll get that bench bled and put in next.
I think I may be working on the last piece of fab work, kinda has me second guessing if I'm crazy or actually getting close to done... Does anyone else have that nagging feeling that it's really not okay to get excited about nearing completion because there's a whole lot more to do before it's truly done?!?! I'm thinking this accelerator linkage and cable setup is the end of my custom items, then everything else should be just bolt on and go. Wasn't sure if I could get it shaped just right to achieve full throttle range but got it all figured out. Had to build a special bracket to anchor the rear connection on the throttle cable. It attaches to the EGR block off plate studs. Everything works like a charm!! Also got the brake M/C bench bled and almost all the brake lines bled before shutting down for the weekend. Will finish the brakes and then get the seat belts/seats in as well as hang the driver door. The list is getting shorter...
We finished bleeding the brakes and I touched up the paint on the rockers and got them on. Also bolted in the seat belts, almost complete with the underside body anchors for them. I had picked up a nice driver front grille which had decent chrome but had aged some. I steel wooled the chrome and masked it off, 1/8" on the verticals and 3/16" on the horizontal sections. Looks so much better now. Jim helped get the mounts riveted in place, I just need to adjust it up a bit and secure the center brace/bolts. Started the bumper brackets so the chrome bling will be added soon!
...(snip)...I had picked up a nice driver front grille which had decent chrome but had aged some. I steel wooled the chrome and masked it off, 1/8" on the verticals and 3/16" on the horizontal sections. Looks so much better now...(snip)...
Rhett, nice job on the grill.
I need to do that to mine also as the frosted areas are a bit weathered. What paint did you use for it? I'm thinking Duplicolor 1615 aluminum? Cheers, Bill
Last edited by NightshiftHD; Feb 23, 2017 at 10:43 AM.
We set a record in Texas for 11 days over 80 degrees during the winter months... yesterday was mid 80's so I took advantage of the warm evening to work late. BTW, it's only going to be 53 here tomorrow...
Did the final adjustments to the grille and a little more bumper bracket work. Had to fabricate a bracket for the left side A/C duct and got that side all buttoned up, just have to find a couple screws for the computer port. Will finish up the kick panel carpet and door sills tonight and hang the driver door tomorrow.
Bill, here is the paint for the grille. I got the info off of a thread here on the Forum. Had to order it online. One can is plenty.
Great couple of days... Kick panel carpet, door sills, rockers, driver door, seats all complete. Also coated the inside of the bumpers with Por15 silver. Driver door gaps came out fab and I mounted the mirror. Started her up last night so have a timing issue and some electrical glitches to chase down but mostly all good. Headlights indexed perfectly and line up great. Dash lights, radio, clock, lights all work. Next is working on the glitches and mount the bumpers and adjust the eBrake.
Rhett, good idea to paint the inside of your bumpers. I did that too to mine.
Also, just a suggestion, cut some thin rubber patches (I used an old bicycle inner tube) and glue them onto the bumpers as a gasket where they touch the body. I cut mine a bit undersize away from the outer edges of the bumper mount areas so you don't see them. It will eliminate scratches in the paint as you mount and adjust the bumpers. Bill
Thanks Bill, I'll cut some pads prior to attaching - good idea!!
Did some research and found out that you actually CAN index the cam pin incorrectly on the optispark - ARGH!! Was nowhere to be found on any of the install info but assumed it was the problem and finally found a thread of someone who had done the same thing before. Took the belt, crank pulley and water pump off and re-aligned the opti, now starts up and idles SO much nicer!!! Was 120 degrees off...
Can you show a picture of the can of POR-15 you used on the inside of your bumpers. Or what POR-15 silver is it they make all different types. Thanks Tom
So I lied about having done the last of the fab work... had to modify the two outer front bumper brackets to get everything to line up just right but they are on and level!! Started the eBrake adjustment but found out the cable ends at the brakes were not fully engaged and pulling out of the adjuster arms. So now off with the calipers to get them fixed...
Nothin' like straight bumpers Rhett! It always amazes me why people don't take the time to get them level. My eye is immediately drawn to things crooked ... side flags, body peaks, bumpers, even pictures on the garage wall! Bill
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
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