Well… The last post was somewhat of a time capsule, covering a span of roughly nineteen years. As one can gather from the pictures, I’ve spent some time, cash, and energy on efforts to improve upon my initial purchase. At some point I’ll try to calculate the expenses… Doing this shit – and doing it right – ain’t cheap. The sobering fact is that all the work thus far (completed over a leisurely nineteen year time span) will pale in comparison to the work and expenses I face between this moment and the launch of HRPT 2014. This fact is what all this is about… Hustling to prepare a ride on a deadline. The Power Tour is gonna be a fucking riot, but is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. What lies below the waterline is most impressive… My buddy, Gordy (in the midst of an email exchange we shared while he built my transmission) exclaimed, with the excitement of a kid, “I love doing this shit!” Well, I love doing this shit too! A fact not lost on those of us who build our rides…
So… As a matter of disclosure… Here is a list (offered in no particular order) of the tasks, purchases, considerations, and such which are part of what I will encounter on The Road Ahead… Holy Fuck.
ELECTRICAL
NEW FUSE PANEL AND WIRE HARNESS – American Autowire Highway 22 Wiring Harness Kit – 500695
POWER WINDOWS – HARNESSES, MOTORS / SWITCHES
HEADLIGHT UPGRADE
INTERIOR
INSTALL DOOR PANELS, ETC.
WEATHER STRIPPING, ETC.
DOME LIGHT – BASE and LENS
REPLACE SIDE WINDOWS / WINDOW TINT – Mother’s, Austin
HEADLINER, REAR SEAT – Winslow’s Trim Shop, Dallas
SPEEDOMETER SWAP
HURST SHIFTER – COMPLETE INSTALL
REPLACE STEERING COLUMN > MANUAL / FLOOR – ebay find!
STEREO INSTALL
DIFFERENTIAL / GEARS
3.42 RING and PINION – RICHMOND
LIMITED SLIP CARRIER – AUBURN GEAR
CLEAN / DETAIL / PAINT HOUSING
W-27 DIFFERENTIAL COVER
DOC INSTALL > HOUSING
REAR SUSPENSION
SPRINGS, SHOCKS, TRAILING ARMS
IGNITION
MSD PRO-BILLET 8566 / MSD 6AL BOX
FRAME CLEAN-UP / PAINT
RE-PAINT
FRONT SUSPENSION / CLEAN-UP PAINT
RE-PAINT, NEW SHOCKS, SPRINGS, BUSHINGS
BRAKES
FRONT DISC CONVERSION – WILWOOD # WIL-140-10996-ZR – Summit Racing
REAR DRUM RE-BUILD
ENGINE BUILD (OLDS 455)
SHORT BLOCK – BLAINE’S MOTOR SUPPLY, DALLAS TX…
CAM and LIFTER KIT
TIMING SET – CLOYES
CRANK
RODS
PISTONS
TOP END:
EDELBROCK CYLINDER HEADS #60519
EDELBROCK INTAKE MANIFOLD #7551
EDELBROCK CARBURETOR – ELECTRIC CHOKE?
ROCKER ARMS, 7/16″ STUDS, PUSH RODS
ETC:
FUEL PUMP
WATER PUMP
OIL PAN – 7 QT.
VALVE COVERS – MT?
ENGINE PAINT
EXHAUST:
HOOKER COMPETITION DARKSIDE CERAMIC COATED HEADERS
FLOWMASTER AMERICAN THUNDER 40 SERIES HEADER BACK SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION
TH350 REBUILD – GORDSTER PERFORMANCE, BRAHAM MN.
COOLER?
REMOVE ENGINE and TRANSMISSION
PULL 350 AND TRANS
ENGINE BAY
DETAIL, FRAME PAINT
COOLING
4-ROW RADIATOR
AIR CONDITIONING
VINTAGE AIR GEN IV
BODY / TRIM
BUMPERS
FRONT GRILLES – INSTALL
HOOD
STRIPES
HURST EQUIPPED BADGES
There it is… The list. Right out there for scrutiny… for the record. I like making a commitment signed in blood. If a dude pledges to complete a project, he better damn well follow through. Failure means facing one’s pals in shame. I’m not too keen on the latter. Back to work… I love doing this shit.
Next post: Current goings on
