Thunder Ranch build thread

Wrapping wires and tucking them up. It's getting there.

It's looking more like a car than a project!

Seat heater wiring is in. I decided to put the relays for these on the back firewall rather than completely rebuilding the stock harness. Waiting on the little relay brackets.

After that it's down to the cig lighter/accessory plug. I want it under the dash out of sight but in reach, and there's nothing to mount it to. So, pondering.

Once that's in I'll tie everything up and complete the loom wraps, test all the circuits again and then start putting the car back together. Really looking forward to getting the shifter, e-brake and seats in.

Ed, I fabbed up an aluminum panel under the dash center. It has a couple toggle switches, a cig. lighter socket, a dual USB, and of course my heater control. Can't be seen, but you can access and use it easily. Aluminum panel is screwed to the crossmember behind the dash, and double-sided foam tape to the backside of the dash.

Crossmember behind the dash, eh? That must be nice.

Her's my goober-ass solution.

In my defense...my heater controls are behind the shift lever, on the...erm...console?

Oh, I meant the gas heater control! The carbon electric jobbies are on each side on the cockpit bulkhead, down low. Vintage Greg copied me and puts them there now!

Ed

That's friggin' sweet, Danny. You're a craftsman.

Electric is done and tested good (except the gas gauge b/c there's not enough gas in the tank to check that & I didn't feel like pulling the sender to play with it). 

Also done: Hood release, throttle return spring, gauges secured in the binnacle and shifter is bolted in. 

Ed this old man leaves two float screws out and using a capture wire to raise and lower the float with the key on to confirm correct float to tank adjustment, then pull the wire and replace the two screws. Don't over tighten those screws but if you strip one a self tap 5/16" head hex screw is the perfect fix.

Shifter's hooked up. All 4 forward gears and reverse seem to work. Reverse lockout lever works. Now to the e-brake cables.

E; Brake cables: Fortune Cookie say : Better to cut the cables few time, than first cut too short. 

Cut these months ago, Alan. Tinned the ends with solder. Fortunately I've got a big ol' threaded rod to make up the difference between the cable lengths and the bottom of the stick. 

I put the ends on tonight. Didn't like how little past the set screws the cables went.

Dabbed a little JB Weld on the cable ends before sliding them in and tightening the set screws nice and snug. By tomorrow afternoon they should be good to go.

Update: e-brake works, shocks are in (mostly, see other thread), seats checked in again and I fit in there nicely—and you can too!

Gonna pull the front hubs tomorrow and inspect and re-grease the wheel bearings, then snug in the shocks and maybe try to do a violent brake bleed like @DannyP recommends. 

Then we're on to the rear clam: putting it back on, installing the tail lights, maybe putting in the reverse light.

Hang the driver's door. Screw the floor back in. Take her over to Mike's muffler shop for the final bit of bending/welding on me pipes.

After that it's down to stuff like emblems and windshield. I'll trim out the interior with vinyl too but that might wait until after I take it to The State & see about getting a title.

We're into the upholstery now. This should be interesting....

I also put the clam back on and installed the ratchet stay and ran the rear wire harness. Couldn't resist strapping in a tire for final test-fitment. 

Engine's all wrong but still . . .

@edsnova -- I had lost track of your thread and just found it last night. What a treat to see all of the progress! Love the Autopulse fuel pumps and the Golden Lady horn button. Lots of nice details!! 

Thanks for sharing this -- you made my day. 

Anand

I just love the look of that big-fat fan shroud leering up at me. That car has to be fast just by the looks of it !!  A lot of us are anxious to see how the whole project performs on the road !  If you ever sell this car, the new owner is going to get one hell of a build document. It's not un-heard-of but it is rare, like the car.   . Saludos !!!!!...........Bruce

I'm really excited about your work here, Ed. This is one of the great builds and your creative approach to precision makes it even more so. Don't be surprised if the whole DMV wants to come out and see this beauty when you go for your title!

Rear lights are in, grills are in. I put in the windshield but the screws that came with it are a bit too short to reach through the fiberglass. I'll buy new ones tomorrow.

You'll probably have this beauty sold before next year's Carlisle, but the selfish part of me hopes you don't so I get a chance to see it.

Thanks for that Lane. Thanks also to Bruce, Arjani & @Michael Pickett for the encouraging words. 

I'm hoping to show it off. And I will need to drive it a few hunnert miles for sorting purposes, which probably will be hazardous adventure. It's not like I'm Dr. Clock & get the mechanical bits aligned and tight on the first or second try....

So there's a fair to good chance I'll still have this bugger circa next May.

Gotta take some pics today for the insurance company....