Jumped around a bit. Started some body work. Call me Dr plastic. I really hate body work. It won't be a show piece, but it will at least be presentable.
Every piece of metal needed some dent pulling and filler...
Had to weld a few cracks, too. There are some rust issues in the fenders and grille, but it doesn't have to be perfect.
Back to some more plumbing work. Got the correct fittings for the braided stainless power steering line. I used the whiz wheel to cut the hose to the desired length. I did wrap electrical tape around the line first before I cut it to help keep it from fraying. It cut very easily.
Finally onto some wiring. I ended up running a Quick Car switch panel instead of fabbing one up. It was about $55 and looked great. I would have had at least that much in parts by the time I got all of it.
We learned from the last race that the ignition, horn, and switches need to be within arms reach. The dash mounted key switch wasn't reachable with a 5 point racing harness keeping me in place... So, this switch panel will be mounted between the seats well within arms reach.
I got the engine harness all bolted down and plugged in. While I was at it, I finished modifying the harness for the ignition coil, as well as for the fuses and relays.
Then came wiring and plumbing the gauges- engine temp, oil pressure, fuel level, trans temp, and voltage. I got some LED lights- 1 for the voltage warning indicator and 1 for the check engine light.
Next came finishing the fuel lines. They are all 6AN with rubber twist tite style hoses. Got it all done and put some fuel in it today. I have a slight leak at my fuel shut off. One of the fitting was standard NPT and I didn't teflon tape it- leaks ever so slightly. Can't really even notice it, but I will redo it. Lesson learned.
Today I also finished the chassis wiring. It has head and tail lights, a horn, electric fans on the radiator and trans cooler, fuel cell sender wiring, and brake lights. I also bolted up some collectors for the exhaust manifolds and put the oxygen sensors in.
Then I hooked the battery up and turned the ignition- I can hardly hear the fuel pump- it is very quiet. At first I didn't think it was working. I tried cranking it but it wouldn't start. Checked spark and that was great. Then I hooked a fuel pressure gauge up to the fuel rail. No pressure.
I primed it for a bit until pressure built up. Cranked it and it fired right up. IT LIVES!!!! Again, big thanks to NICK H for getting all the engine wiring straightened out! I feel like a big hurtle is now past. I didn't run it much, but it seemed to run well, even without an exhaust system on it. The PS pump fitting is leaking a bit. I guess I need to get the better fitting from Lee Power Steering.
Thanks again. The next race is coming up on April 30. I hope to have all the bugs worked out of it by then... Don't want something to come up during the race. My main concern is overheating. It has a new rad in it, but it is tiny like they all are...
i got a 2300 cfm spal fan...great work by the way. i thought i done a lot of wrenching before the m&g but youve well out done me...keep up the progress. where is the next race at?
If you can't fix it with a hammer and a welder then your gonna need a new one!