C5R USA

I was wondering what happened to you and your car. You used to post quite often, and then all of a sudden, just nothing.

Thrilled to have you back, your C5 is still one of the best looking thru the years on this Forum. Glad you are getting it roadworthy again after some mishaps.

IMXCITD

Glad you will have it back on the road soon!

sfc rick

Well here's what happened in a short story. I blew a headgasket, pulled engine out and replaced piston rings and all rod and crankshaft bearings, R&R'd clutch components. Of course while I was performing these jobs I had a case of nerve damage from Diabetes which made even wearing a T-Shirt extremely painful and my back was very sensitive to touch.... ouch! Well I was told to use metal headgaskets because of it being supercharged, and after getting everything back in place I started it up. BUT noticed a small drip in the exact same spot on the head surface. Dang it I cussed up a storm thinking there was a more serious issue like a headbolt could be stripped. So I put everything on hold until my nerve problems became more bareble and the holidays come and go.

The car sat there and after I charged the battery back up I turned the ignition key and the engine completely locked up. I pulled the plugs and found three cylinders full of water. So last month I was ready to install a timesert in that headbolt location and removed the head. I inspected the headgasket and noticed there was a sealing problem. Anyway after close inspection of the cylinder block headbolt threads there was no stripped threads. I was pretty happy with that knowledge and reinstalled a new headgasket paying very close attention when I torqued the head( I always did) , and afterwards turned the engine over and it runs very well and NO LEAKS!

Another serious issue that came up was mice or rat found it's way under my car and they or it climbed up into the most inaccessible spot between the cars frame and the fiberglass body and ate all the lines in half! I was so pissed, I found the rat after it ran out from the car and I chased it around the outside of the shop and eventually shot it dead. It was like a Keystone cop movie it runs one way then switches back another way, then runs under a sheet of metal trying to catch it's breath then one .22 bullet finished his struggle. I now have rat and mice bait all over my shop! There is literally no way to easily reach the fuel lines(4) that run up in between the frame and body(insert cussing here) but I eventually found which line goes where and the proper routing.

Then the Tire sensor issue popped up, still need to sort that out, then the belt squealing after it reaches operating temps.

Don't worry I will over come all these minor things and drive the snot out of it then! LOL!

f6john

I had thought of you several times in the past months as I always enjoyed your posts, especially the ones with video after the blower install. I could use another one of those soon once you are fully back on the road.

At any rate good to have you back as I was having thoughts something really bad might have happened.

hoosiervette

Glad you are feeling better. Sounds like a very frustrating time. Always enjoy seeing pictures of your car. Hope you get the rest of your problems fixed quickly and are back on the road.

Stealth02

Glad you are up and running again. Would love to see shots of your car front to back.

sfc rick

See my photo album...

chasboy

Hey Rick, welcome back. Your ears must have been burning because I posted a question about trim mods, and Jack suggested I ask you.
I was wondering if you did anything with the trim pieces along the door opening, including the panel that covers the seat belt mechanism and speaker housing?

calvins

sfc rick

The A pillars are covered in Red Nappa leather, the trim seat belt pieces are painted in Plastic SEM Coat in Torch red as well as the overhead trim pieces with the roof liner lined in Torch Red Felt covering. The rear speakers are also in SEM Coat Torch Red.

Pounder

4XLR8N

Well...one thing hasn't changed here while you were away...you STILL have one of the baddest C5's out there.

Welcome back!

lewislgZ06

Welcome back Rick and best wishes for your health and getting everything sorted out on that awesome C5.

chasboy

Rick, did you also use the SEM coat on the radio bezel? Does it come in a variety of finishes and/or did you clear over it? Have a preferred supplier? Would you use the same stuff again?
My leather project is not working out due too many details that are impossible to finish properly.
Thanks!

LoneStarLizzard

What I missed the most were the fuzzy dice.

Welcome back.

the Lizzard

sfc rick

I used SEM Coat and would do it again. I did prep the material and applied SEM coat clear.

It's pretty durable if done correctly. I've seen other custom builders use it and when parked next to my interior the look was identical.

tzeller

Welcome back to the forum. You definitely have one of the meanest looking C5's around.

Mr. Peabody

Glad that you are feeling better and will soon be back on the road. I've always enjoyed seeing pics of your car

MSG C5

Welcome back Rick. We we're wondering what happened to you.

DDaaryl

Welcome back! That car looks SPECIAL!