Project No-Flight
Update
April
2005
Here is the start of the plumbing all of the systems. I decided to use the push-lock series hose rather than fill the engine compartment with braided "chainsaw" hose. The tightest line is the water outlet to the thermostat housing. It just fits using a 120* and a 45* hose end. I didn't have the hose ends to fit it when I fabricated the thermostat housing bracket, sometimes you do just luck out. For the sharp eyed, I still need to get a 45* hose end for the line from the expansion tank to the water pump.
You can also see my Valentines present, the injector stack dust covers. The first one Juliet made for me was made of white with red hearts. Timely, but not quite what I had in mind. This set should match the red stinger stripe pretty well.
I also started installation of the wiper drives. It is a cable drive system from Specialty Power Windows. I can't use the original since there is no space for the wiper drive motor with the recessed firewall and engine. I need to decide if I will make covers for the mechanisms, or just paint them to blend in with the wells and caulk the gaps. They need to remain removable incase they ever need service so I can't 'glass up tight to them.
I finally came up with a way to finish off the missing door sections. I bought a set of '63 door panel metal top edges and modified them to fasten to the door frame with button head allen screws. They will give me a more rigid top edge for the inside of the door and allow me to use the "lift strap" window mechanism like the Gran Sport and Hemi Cuda cars.
I finally got the drive motor for the wiper system mounted. It ended up on the driver kick panel. I had planned to put it in the left fender, but couldn't find a good way to route the drive cable through the birdcage pillar to get it from under the cowl and out the the fenderwell. It shouldn't be too much in the way on the kick panel as it doesn't stick out as far as the roll cage leg, which limits the available leg room anyway. I also coated the inside of the firewall and the insides of the doors with the sound and thermal barrier, Lizardskin. It goes on kind of like thin peanut butter, and does flow out a little to self level. Since it isn't intended to be seen the finish isn't a big concern, and it can be sanded to remove any remaining brush marks. You can spray it with an undercoating gun, but since I already had the steering and brake pedal installed it was easier to just brush it on for the firewall. Since my doors are open on the inside I was able to roll the coating inside of them. Hopefully it will prevent any panel resonance from the side pipes.
Since I was able to move Juliet's car out for a while I setup a small laminating table on my workmate, carved a male plug, and molded the blisters for the rear cockpit panel that cover the frame tube uprights. I also made the filler panels that cover the slots where cage side bars go through the rear cockpit panel but they are too far back in the body sides to get a good photograph.
