2 steps forward 1 step back

Post date: Jan 28, 2014 4:16:16 AM

Always seems to be the way of this project.

The main recognizable progress:

Still need to get the correct master cylinder pushrod and shorten the clevis rod, but I wanted to get those mounted and off the shelf. I did repaint the firewall. Still had some of the texture problem but it sanded down much better with only the tranny tunnel needing a slight touch up. The main power lead laid in same as the other car.

Shaun beat up on the core support to get the headlight buckets pretty square. Looks like it's coming along but won't be able to do much else until we try to assemble the front clip.

Otherwise, one fun aspect:

Reconditioned POA valve and an old stock expansion valve, both sourced from eBay. The POA is adjusted down to 26psi for R134a which was an interesting test setup:

Hook up an evap core, expansion, and POA valve, blow air in and adjust the valve until low side hits 26psi. There's a little set screw on the outlet side of the valve that sets the low side. The compresser didn't push enough air to trigger the POA so it was a little finicky. Had to block the outlet so the POA sets then partially cover it to see the real low setpoint.

Also got the heater box installed and a new door control cable. It's a new design that uses a coupling nut for adjustment. And I got to learn the hard way that the Chevelle and Cutlass cables are different. Whoops. The corner of the gas pedal rod also hit the defrost dashpoot so had to grind that down. The bolts holding the A/C box stripped its holes so had to move up to 3/8" body bolts.

The steering column went in but I scratched it on the dash opening. Figured that'd be easy - that's what the detail gun is for, right? Except then while moving around I saw the paint on the bottom of the column collar flaking off. So out comes the column and tear it down. Strip off all the paint (again) and paint it (again). Except it had HORRIBLE orange peel - first time with these guns. So strip off all the paint (again) and paint it (again). The primer still strayed rough, but I used some high build primer and sanded down. Then also learned that the pre-clean wipes the high build primer right off..... So a few false starts but got it laid down well. I think. I'm waiting a few days to make sure it's sticking well this time!

Stripping down the trunk lid didn't yield what I had hoped. The edge under the trip was starting to go and the inside was rusted badly about 3" or so. There were only a few pinholes that went all the way through. So new repop trunk lid from Goodmark on the way. This one is much better than the other, so I can spruce it up a bit and keep it.... Or sell it. I did manage to sell the extra core support for $100, so that's a net wash.

And picked up two wheels with good - but broken bead - tires for $25 to replace the spares that were 'liberated'.

Found four barely used tires and got them shipped here for total of $275 - huzzah!