July 8, 2000

Started off the day, laying on my back, under the rear of my car! Finally was able to remove enough of the floor brace metal to accept the new fuel tank straps. I ended up using my dremel tool with a cutoff wheel.. Connected the hoses to the fuel tank and then attached the sending unit wire. Using a calk gun, I applied a thin bead of tar along the top off the tank. I then layed the fuel tank insulationon on top. Next was the FUN part, especially doing it by yourself!

Got the tank into position under the car. Now it is time to do the benchpress!! I lifted the tank up and while holding it up with my left hand, I positioned the floor jack under the tank, with my right hand, and started jacking it up to hold the tank in place.. It was a cool morning, but I was sweating!!

Finally, with the tank strapped up, and the fuel and Vent lines connected, and the ground wire from the sending unit connected to the chassis, I was then able to mix up some J-B Weld. It is an epoxy that binds metal. I applied a heavy ammount to the old fuel tank neck and some to the new fuel tank. Pushed the neck into the tank and supported by attaching a rubber band from the trunk latch down to the fuel vent tube on the neck.

Later, I taped off the rear chrome quarter extesions, and painted that area black. Was then able to install onto the car. Looks Sharp!

July 9, 2000

Today, I did a lot a media blasting, AGAIN!! I blasted the rear tail lamp housings, rear bumper brackets, my original air cleaner, license plate holder, the plastic defroster dash cover, and misc. hardware. I found out blasting the defroster cover, that it was painted three times. Black, then Gold, then Dark Green, from the car I got it from. I then painted ALL these pieces, Black. Inside the tail lamp housing, I used a spray can of Aluminum paint.

The paint I am using is Chassis Black from Eastwood Co.. I like this paint for a few reasons. 1) The paint, in quart size, is prethinned for spraygun application. 2) The more coats you apply the more glossy it gets. Pending the number of coats, you can have a flat finish, then a matt, then semi-gloss, and finally a real glossy finish. Needless to say, all my parts came out GREAT!

I then started to assemble the rear bumper. Installed the new license pocket molding with the license plate holder, new plate lamp assy., and tail lamp assemblies. Called it a day!!

July 15, 2000

This morning, I was able to get the rear bumper mounted to the car. Then I connected all the wiring harnesses. Spent the rest of the day cleaning and polishing more chrome. I was able to get all the molding on around the vinyl top. I Also finished polishing the chrome molding for the gutters and A pillar's and then mounted them.

July 16, 2000

FIRED HER UP!!!

Today was the day, after NOT running for 16 years!!!

I installed my new "aftermarket" Sears Diehard Silver Battery. The battery cables are also "aftermarket", but they use the top post of the battery. I removed the old plugs and then cranked the motor and got the oil pressure up to around 40psi. I did this a few times and then let it sit.

In the meantime, my kids watched me add 5 gallons of gas to the new tank. No Leaks!! So far so Good!! I connected a piece of clear tubing on the gas line, near the fuel pump, and sucked the new fuel up to the pump. Then connected the fuel line to the pump. Still, with the plugs out, I cranked the motor to prime and fill the carburator. Manually tried the throttle plates and saw the gas squirt into the primaries. Here we go!! I then gapped the plugs to .35 and installed. Boy, is it easy to put plugs in this car!!

With my wife standing by with a fire extinguisher, I turned the key! She fired right up. That sound was AWESOME!!! running open headers!!! She was missing just a bit. Shut her down and connected the timing light and dwell meter. Fired her up again, and adjusted the timing. The dwell was right on the money at 30'. Once I got her to 9' BTDC, she smoothed right out. I only made one other adjustment. I like the motor to idle around 900rpm's.

Reved the motor up a couple times!! LOVE it!! Now I am waiting for my Flowmaster exhaust!

This Car sounds like it is ready for Talladega!!! Lookout Dale Earnhardt Sr.!!!

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