AHHH... the axles... What memories... Bet you can't wait to get her back on the road?
katatak
APR 28, 06:15 PM
Just waiting for flex brake lines! And a little mortor slide to the passenger side.
katatak
APR 28, 11:20 PM
Just got back from replacing the shift cable bracket and shift arm that I stole off of Frizlefrak's 4.9. I did some measuring and eyeballing and my axle fears have subsided. He is using the same axles as I am and both his and mine are within 1/4" of being in the same place. I will bolt her back in where I had her and run it that way. On the way home I picked up some header wrap for the crossover. As soon as my brake lines come in from Rock Auto, I should have it on the gorund. Just got to get after the exhaust now then clean up some odds and ends. So close yet so far away. More later!
Pat
[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 04-29-2010).]
Been surfing Muffler suppliers trying to decide what to use. Thinking of a cheap turbo muffler to start with. More for mock up versus function. I need to see what "fits" before i buy some higher end mufflers.
More later!
Pat
katatak
APR 30, 12:33 AM
Ordered a set of cheap turbo mufflers today and gathered up some exhaust pipe pieces. It will be tight but I think I can make it work. Alos wrapped the crossover with header wrap - 2 layers. Should help keep the under hood heat down. Also got the motor mounts bolted back in. If I get my parts form Rock Auto tomorrow, I may be driving it Saturday afternoon!..........
Wrap that rascal!
In the car - starting to clean up the wiring some:
More later
Pat
[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 04-30-2010).]
katatak
APR 30, 06:38 PM
A little more exhaust work this afternoon - Finished the Y pipe and then welded it up. There will have to be a few small adjustments made to it for a good fit but it's pretty close - a little heat here, some tweaking there.... It's coming along. Still looking for brake lines from Rock Auto. Got an email last night that it shipped yesterday - doubtfull they will be here tomorrow. If the mufflers I ordered actually show up tomorrow as promised, I can get the exhaust finished up then go over everything a second or third time - main thing is cleaning up all the wires - routing and I have to fab a couple hose mounts to keep them out of harms way. A few wires to the starter need to be lengthened then rerouted to keep them away for the exhaust manifold. With the exception of the brake lines, oil cooler and AC hoses, it should be done tomorrow afternoon. I can hardy believe that it is near the end of this swap. Seems like I just started it yesterday. What will I do when it's done????????? I think I can find something to keep me busy!
More tomorrow!
Pat
[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 04-30-2010).]
katatak
MAY 01, 10:24 PM
Had big plans for the XTC today - I really wanted to drive it around the block but it was not to be. The mufflers never showed up at the parts store and I could not find the bolts for calipers - spent half the day digging trough bolt buckets looking for them. I put a new rad cap on - just for good measure and then topped the coolant off again. I did spend some time cleaning up the wiring, tightened up the crossover, installed the exhaust collector/Y pipe. Then I started it up and put the tune to it Did the Idle learn thing - a few times and set the timing. It purrs like a kitten. ABout 6:00 the boy found the caliper bolts - maybe i'll spin it around the block tomorrow. While I was waiting for the mufflers, I worked on the V8 Coupe so the whole day was not a loss. I was ging to wait to post this video until I had the exhaust done so I could do a comparison but here it is anyway.
Pat
[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 05-01-2010).]
katatak
MAY 02, 11:14 AM
Found this "vintage" XTC video!
katatak
MAY 04, 04:50 PM
Had some fun with the XTC rear brakes. I decided it was time to bolt the calipers back up and found that the left side sliders were siezed up. Also had to take the e brake lever off to compress the piston. Found that whoever worked the brakes on this car last, did not get the arm on correctly and the hex was rounded out. I added some spot welds and used my dremel with a carbide cutter to reshape the hex. After compressing the piston, the arm went on perfectly - all was good there.
I did find that the rear brake pads are nearly new - I compared them to a brand new set I have for the Formula - can't see any wear. Anyway, there were 2 outer pads on the left side and 2 inner pads on the right. Without the inner on the right, this allowed the piston to spin rendering the ebrake useless on the right side. I swapped the pads around to the right orientation but was missing one of the anti rattle clips. Spent most the afternoon yesterday searching for one clip - no one sells a hardware kit. I can buy new calipers from Rock Auto and they come with new pins and anti rattle clips - I hate to spend 50,00 plus for calipers just to get a anti rattle clip. I have a few firends searching thier stash's now - if I can't come up with one, I will reassemble the brakes and leave the right outer pad without the clip until I can find one.
On a more serious note, I have a rant about AZ - why is it that they can never seem to order what you actually need? I know these guys at my local AZ real well - they know better. Everytime I have to order something through them, it either comes in wrong or never shows up at all. I try to use these guys cause they usually have what I am looking for and if I have to order it, can get it in 2 days. If I wanted to wait a week, I would order from Rock Auto, Fiero Store, Summit, Jegs, etc. I ordered some cheap turbo mufflers for the XTC exhaust mock up and they were supposed to be here on Saturday - nope - come back Monday! Went back Monday - nope - don't know where they are - have no shipping info - do you want your money back? No I say, Order the Fu&^%ng things again! Cheese and Rice these guys are starting to make me want to throw on the postal uniform and run through a couple dozen clips! Ok rant off!
Hopefully they will show up on Wednesday - if so, I can get the exhaust done and be able to take the car around the block. I'd love to get her done by Friday - there is a Vette run planned this weekend and I'd really like to take the XTC! - What? It has Vette taillights!
