I put the old battery on the charger overnight. This afternoon, I cranked her over - she made about 3 revolutions and fired right off - the starter realignment made a huge difference. I tinkered with the timing and adjusted the carb some. Then I installed the tail lights so I can take it over to the exhaust shop in the AM. SHould be driving it tomorrow afternoon! Here's a little clip to hear the "before" exhaust.
[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 02-25-2011).]
katatak
FEB 25, 07:29 PM
Well I could not take it! I went back out to the garage and cleaned all the crap off the top of the car. I installed the back tires, set her on the gorund and took her for a little spin around the neighborhood. All I can say is HOLY C^%&! She runs pretty good! I hope to get the exhuast done tomorrow!
What do you think of the rear wheels?
Now I got to clean the garage! I wonder what I'm going to put in there for the next project?
I'm truly sick - this one is not done and I'm thinking about the next one! I need some drugs or an intervention!
More later!
Pat
josef644
FEB 26, 10:53 AM
I am sure something will 'roll' into your life. Bet-cha can't own just one!
Carver1
FEB 26, 12:51 PM
the wheels are NICE!
katatak
FEB 27, 01:55 PM
Did not get much done on the Coupe yesterday. Went over to the Muffler shop and they were too busy to squease me in. I'll take it over on Wednesday and borrow a lift - build the exhaust myself. It's nice to have access to a shop with all the pieces parts and tools! The only drawback is having to work - on thier schedule. Not complaining just wishing I had a fully equipped shop of my own. I did get the front wheels on and I like the wheels a lot but the tires are a little too tall - the car sits a little high but I think it has an old school muscle car look to it. I'l fry these tires to nothing then get some 50 0r 45 series tires to lower her down a bit. Also changed an O2 sensor on Jeff's Vette! Man that car sits low. 90%of the job was getting high enough to get under it. Only took about 5 minutes to change the )2 sensor and about 2 hours jacking it up and then setting it back down.
I'm going to get the rear bumper back on today and then I have some AC parts that I need to remove from the front end. I may work on the wringing osme too! Lot's to do still.
More later.
Pat
Rick 88
FEB 27, 02:37 PM
Pat the wheels look great. I believe the stock tire size on the SE was a 215/60/14. Based on a tire comparator, a 235/45/16 is only 4mm taller than stock, and 9.3 in. wide on a 7 in wheel, vs 8.5 in wide on the stock 14. This would get you very close on the speedo also.
katatak
FEB 27, 11:04 PM
After watching a marathon of auctions on HD Theatre last night and most the morning today, I finally dragged my butt out in the garage and got to work on the Coupe. 12 hours of Mechams Auctions, RM Auctions and Chasing Classic Cars got my car jucies going. I have a refershed spark to get busy on all these projects.
Plan for the day was to get the back bumper back on and the inner fenderwells back in. Sounds easy huh? Well I had a few problems. First off, I installed the pan that bolts to the bumper and then the facia fastens to it - upside down! Flipped it over then went to slip the facia on and it would not slip into place! After fiddling with it for an hour I thought maybe I had the steel bumper on upside down - nope - it was on right. Turns out that where the rear reflectors fit into the crush part of the bumper was hanging up and I could not see it. I finally shoved my hand up in there and using several chioce words - and a couple new ones, I got the facia on. Put the tail lights back in after cleaning the bulbs and replacing 2. Installed the side markers. Then I had to scrub and clean the inner fenderwells. Got them installed then used some plastic paint in flat black to clean them up. I know it does not sound like much work but I had a solid 4 hours into it today. I also worked on some of the wiring and now have a pretty solid plan in place to clean it up.
This week, I need to pull all the AC stuff from up front out of the car. This car has no heater/AC now so I will yank the heater/AC unit out of the firewall and build a "block off" plate for the firewall. Every pound I can take out will help go a little faster! I think this will be a fun car when it's all done. I also need to do some more intieror work - my last headliner job is sagging already! I must have not removed all the old crap off the board. I think this time I will give the inner surface a coat of resin to give the glue something solid to adhere to.
I also need to remove the center console so I can run some more wiring. I am going to install 2 cut off switches for the water pump and the fuel pump. I'd like to be able to turn the fuel pump and water pump off should I need to have the key on/engine off. I also need to install a new set of dew wipes and do some boby panel work / rocker work (plastic rivets are broke). The driver side window is tinted and it's old so I will strip it off - service the widow mechs while I have it torn apart. Still a lot to do but I need to get it done as soon as possible so I can get some other projects in and out before it starts getting hot.
Rick, you listening? Your Mera suspension is next! I have the car to the point where I can move it in and out of the garage so your next 3 day weekend we need to get your front suspnesion work done. I also have a set of door locks and a trunk lock to install in the Bus and new rotors and pads for the XTC.
Back in the garage and up in the air after I spent a few hours cleaning the garage out - amazing - all my tools are back in their proper place!
First time in months I have seen the rop of this bench!
Can anyone see a problem in this pic? The silver pan is upside down!
Cleaned up the inner fenderwells a bit.
Bulbs and wiring cleaned up - everything is working and ready for install:
Looking like I got it ready for the Facia right - wrong - got to flip that pan over!
Had the bumper on and off a dozen times trying to get it to fit - first was the pan - second was the crush thingy for the bumper was hangin up on the reflector housing in the Facia. I fought this dirty rotten no good ---- for a long time!
Bumper Done!
Fenderwells Done!
Rear wheels back on - I need to find some center caps to fit these wheels!
More later!
Pat
BigGuyTinyCar
FEB 28, 12:27 PM
Looking great, Pat. I'm loving those wheels. Just my opinion, but I would keep larger tires in the back when the time comes to replace your tires. Those rims with the larger tires have a wicked old-school muscle look to them (even without center caps ) particularly on a notchback.
Rick 88
FEB 28, 08:25 PM
Pat, I don't recall what the factory center cap looks like for those wheels. I do like the exposed lug nut look. Maybe there is a small center cap you can put on that will allow the lug nuts to show. What year Beretta are the wheels from? I can research the caps for you here at the dealership.
The weekend of the 18th is my next 3 day. This week I am off Thursday.
katatak
FEB 28, 09:11 PM
quote
Originally posted by BigGuyTinyCar:
Looking great, Pat. I'm loving those wheels. Just my opinion, but I would keep larger tires in the back when the time comes to replace your tires. Those rims with the larger tires have a wicked old-school muscle look to them (even without center caps ) particularly on a notchback.
Hey Tim,
I'm liking the stance of the car - it will most likely stay this way it is for awhile. I put the back wheels on with the stock Fiero lugs and plastic caps. I was thinking of "blacking" out the inset/lug area?
) particularly on a notchback.