Project XTC - The Rehabilitation! (Page 41/47)
katatak DEC 15, 11:57 PM

quote
Originally posted by Rick 88:

PFS: Fiero Mera Cromodora like wheels with nearly new BF Goodrich tires - $799

Pat, the wheels in this thread have a lot of negative offset. They might work on the XTC.



Thanks Rick! I'll take a look.

Pat
katatak DEC 18, 09:44 PM


Foam Core boards can only mean one thing here at Howser's Howse of Fiero's! It's that time of year again when I dive into fiberglass projects. Last year at this time, I was redoing the interior in my V8 Coupe. This winter is the XTC's turn. First on the list is a new dash. I have been thinking about this project for a year now and it has gone through many "designs" but I have finally settled on one. Of course it will most likely change as it goes along but I have to start somewhere.

I found some pics a few months ago of the dash in a 65 Buick Riviera. I think - and I could be worng - that the lines and angles of this dash fit the angles and line of the XTC - or at least the lines of the XTC when we finish the "exterior" rehab. This new dash will not be a replica of the Buick dash. It's just a place to start.



So the first thing I did was go out to the XTC and take some measurements. Then I dug out my "donor" dash and started to cut and fit the foam core.



This is the basic dash top. It will have places for some nice speakers and the defrost vent from the stock dash will be transfered to this dash.


Next step was to clamp it to the donor dash and angle off the sides. Working with this foam core and hot glue is too easy!




Then it was time to fill in the bottom of the dash.






Then I mocked up the instrument cluster/console face.




I still have to fill in the outer edges - incorporate the outside ac duct but the basic shape is there.


Next step is to clean out my work shop out back as I do not think my better half will let me do anymore Fiero work on the dining room table. It was a good thing she was out shopping all day.

More later!

Pat
katatak DEC 19, 08:37 PM
Did some work on the XTC today - the fuel gauge has been inop since the last fuel pump replacement - guage is pegged all the time so I thought maybe the gauge was stuck or bad. I tore the dash apart and discovered something a little scary. My son had wired in some fog lights and installed the switch on the right side of the dash. When I pulled the switch/cover from the dash, this is what I found!



I have never seen a fuse melt and not be blown like this one! Maybe there is a short somewhere and the hot wire to the fog light is shorting out somewhere? I'll have to trace the wires now.


More later!

Pat
RCR DEC 19, 10:35 PM
chinese fuses...not the first one ive seen melt down...

Bob
Sofa King DEC 20, 10:24 AM
Foam Core... is there anything it can't do? The mock up is looking good. The overhang looks a little deep. Is it supposed to go out that far?
RWDPLZ DEC 20, 10:27 AM
There was a news story a while back about some chinese fuses that would melt rather than blow.
katatak DEC 20, 09:24 PM
RCR, RWDPLZ, After looking at it a little closer, it lookes like the power feed and the power line going out to the fog lights got hot and melted together basically bypassing the fuse and then the fuse got hot and melted. I winder why the fuse did not blow before the wires got hot and melted. There has to be a short somewhere but I will replace the fuse with better quality one.
katatak DEC 20, 09:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by Sofa King:

Foam Core... is there anything it can't do? The mock up is looking good. The overhang looks a little deep. Is it supposed to go out that far?



Hey Greg!

Not sure yet about the overhang. I need to get it in the car and look at it. It does not come out as far as the gauge pod but you may be right. It could be the angle and location of "dash" fave plate that makes it look so deep? I have to tear the guage pod apart again this weekend to trace some shorted wires. I can set the mock up in the car and get a better idea of where I need to adjust. I am thinking that it may be too "flat" too. I think it needs to angle up a little more? I'll probably change it 10 times.

Pat
RCR DEC 21, 07:46 AM

quote
Originally posted by katatak:

RCR, RWDPLZ, After looking at it a little closer, it lookes like the power feed and the power line going out to the fog lights got hot and melted together basically bypassing the fuse and then the fuse got hot and melted. I winder why the fuse did not blow before the wires got hot and melted. There has to be a short somewhere but I will replace the fuse with better quality one.



They got hot and melted because the fuse did not blow. Might not be a short, just too much current drawn on the line. I don't recall off hand what value a blue fuse is, 15A?. Did you have it properly sized? Fog lights should be in the 5 to 10 A range I'm guessing (or about 45 to 60W)...

Bob

[This message has been edited by RCR (edited 12-21-2010).]

Sofa King DEC 21, 09:30 AM

quote
Originally posted by katatak:


I am thinking that it may be too "flat" too. I think it needs to angle up a little more? I'll probably change it 10 times.

Pat



It looks good so far. Having worked with foam core, I know where you're headed with the design. Also, the flatter the surface on top, the bigger chance you have at a MASSIVE reflection in the windshield - that can cause problems when driving. With an area that large, I hope you're planning on flat black or a dark grey? But I know you have everything under control...