Plastic Fantastic 2

[SRountree]

Very nice work!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

these might end up as front signals




oh good grief

these are supposed to fit the C3 light bucket.


uh no


with that fail, time to fix the brakes

editedfirst trim the spacer down


tight without hanging the brakesedited


then finally hood pins

took way longer then it should have


but got a start on the steering column

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

back to glorious noise... still have to tune it, but it does sound adequate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYZMm7jmkao&feature=youtu.be

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Talked to Oracle today, it seems Corvette Mod is claiming that these lights fit and are specially made for them but aren't.edited I'll make them fit but as you will see when I do - it's not a small hole.
onto more pleasant stuff
new Fitech computer



back together

started on the steering column.edited I'm missing a piece that was broken... but it will work for now

first fun thing, the telescoping portion makes the ring compressor useless

see the bolt in the end of the telescoping piece? that's to lock it so I can use the compressor

Also, that tab with the white bit.... you need it and it will fall into the column... ask me how I know


if you wish to remove the key barrel, these are where you need to press

beside press the button on the barrel, you need to turn the ignition switch then figure out a way to pull it outedited

and time to fix the starter wiring (take the alarm and interlock out)

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

rubbers and wires
first wires
fans wired


and in even less excitement... rubber installation

if you want to know the best way to get good adhesion.... and to be sure you didn't put too much on...shut the door



and finally, all I have to trim is everything between the calipers... stupid Corvette Mods...edited

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

the tale of two suppliers.edited Where Corvette Mods was absolutely terrible, Genssi was exactly the opposite.edited Genssi acknowledged their mistake, they fixed the problem to my satisfaction, and just now, called to verbally apologize and be sure I had heard that they had resolved the problem.edited editedI look forward to ordering from them again.editededited

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

lights.
the first test is if it will even fit (depth). yes


according to CM, you just need to cut a small hole and a notch

there we go, small hole and a notch

bastards
but it's close, one of the stands is too tall but outside of that, I can make it work... whether I use cut up old housings or just lathe something new remains to be seen


and I got to practice my beer can welding


I spent some time tonight stacking interior parts and figuring out what I'm still missing

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

lights...
imagine the 'simple' task - all you do is cut 90% of the housing away and one stand.... fu Corvette mod

and yet, it's not like it was hard

the stand you have to cut


paint light holders

and viola


and outside under her own power... where I found that the fuel pump wasn't coming on and Powermaster still makes junk


but there could be light... just have to wire it... oh and the plug they wired.... not the same as GM wiring....edited
​​​​​​​

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

lights...
imagine the 'simple' task - all you do is cut 90% of the housing away and one stand....

and yet, it's not like it was hard

the stand you have to cut


paint light holders

and viola


and outside under her own power... where I found that the fuel pump wasn't coming on and Powermaster still makes junk


but there could be light... just have to wire it... oh and the plug they wired.... not the same as GM wiring....edited
​​​​​​​

 

[bobs77vet]

its good to move it under its own power, its looking good.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I'll probably put insurance on it tomorrow, while it's probably a month from 'drive' (presuming the last of the parts arrive).... I know me, and I've driven far less complete vehicles ... this one also wins my 'most stated value' car... they wouldn't insure it for less then 50k...

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I'm kind of waiting on parts so doing some misc. stuff.... like the console


​​​​​​​

paint the chrome



and glue on weather stripping

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

so this may go into hiatus for a week or two.edited I'm waiting on a bunch of parts, most notably is a plastic bit that goes in the steering column.edited Without it, I can't assemble much more.... it really isn't an issue with suppliers, apparently they're doing very well as people spend time on their projects - but that reduces inventory, Tomorrow I'll put the new starter on and see how far I can get beyond that.... and try to find the missing headliner. I found 1 of 2, so I guess I need to tear the shop apart to find that other bit....edited

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Time to install parts... things did start arriving, so I could carry on for a minute

I refuse to use Powermaster, I'm not really a fan of knockoffs, but these weren't $1,000... for a 3.1 hp starter

looks just like a tilton

gratuitous engine shot (for those who only have a small block)

in other news... the glow gauges work-ish.edited well, all except oil pressure and the wideband o2.edited I also tested the tach, and it needs a new board.editededited
so I ordered a Dakota Digital dash


I hesitated because I still can't get the clock to work in my '40, but outside of that - it's been very reliable... this should also future proof the gauges.edited I'm still not convinced I'm going to keep this car (unlike the FJ40 which can be sold in my estate).... so putting gauge in that are plug and play with anything is a good idea and they look good too.... the best part is I won't worry about the tach dying.edited PF1 had 2 boards during its tenancy here...edited

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

the last time I put anything in this was 20 years ago... still not through it all

though it is getting thinner


why, you ask? because I needed 4 pop rivetsedited


yesterday, installed the spoiler


and started on the rear access panel

did I need to put a seam around the edge? absolutely, I needed to play with my bead roller....


not exciting stuff, waiting on parts from pretty much everyone... of course, some was supposed to arrive today, but they sent it via FedUp... so nope.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

what a useless day.... first
I quite nearly took this out on the street but it wasn't running right then tonight when I went to put it away, the starter wouldn't turn the motor over... battery wasn't topped off, but at 70% with a 3 hp starter... it should have started.

however

the bad news is... why one wheel?edited maybe dirt was on the fringe and it does look kind of like it spun... anyway, that was just the start
​​​​​​​
I bought a lift kit for my Colorado DD pickup.... and 2 very major parts didn't arrive.... and I didn't realize that until I had it apart....
the lower cross shafts are mia.... which means I'm driving my suburban ... and tonight its starter started acting up....

thankfully, I still have the '40 - but even that needs more time spent tuning....

 

[rtj]

One wheel? Could be positraction slipping too much. Need a diff expert to weigh in. I know my c3’s typically never did that. Car looks good, must feel great.

Edit:
Of course they are trying to sell a new rear end...

“ In addition to multiple gear ratios, Camaro owners also have a wide choice of differential options, depending on how they’ll be driving the car. “The factory clutch style limited slip differential does a marginal job of torque biasing in situations of unequal traction,” Capek explains.”

https://www.lsxmag.com/tech-stories/drivetrain/strange-solution-5th-gen-camaro-rearend-woes/

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

One wheel? Could be positraction slipping too much. Need a diff expert to weigh in. I know my c3’s typically never did that. Car looks good, must feel great.

Edit:
Of course they are trying to sell a new rear end...

“ In addition to multiple gear ratios, Camaro owners also have a wide choice of differential options, depending on how they’ll be driving the car. “The factory clutch style limited slip differential does a marginal job of torque biasing in situations of unequal traction,” Capek explains.”

https://www.lsxmag.com/tech-stories/drivetrain/strange-solution-5th-gen-camaro-rearend-woes/

my warning radar goes up when a magazine article doesn't start with the whole truth.

here's the rest of what they didn't mention.... first, the SS rear is different from the 'regular' Camaro rear, second, the differential was developed from GM's experience with the GTO (Holden), and it is functionally the same as the G8 GT - granted it isn't the mack-daddy ZL1 (love their admission that the ZL1 could be better than theirs).

Most especially the limited slip. One huge problem with the C3 rear differential is the use of the drive shaft as its upper control arm. The clutches rely on spring pressure to put just enough friction on the side gears to make them limited slip... then the Corvette goes around a corner and the inner tire is dragging the clutches apart (those who don't believe cast iron flexes, it does).

The SS differential is functionally the same design, but since it's not trying to keep the tires upright on corners, it can do what it needs to do under all circumstance. That said, the plan always has been for a trutrac. I had one in my GTO, and it really was the only good thing about that car. The biggest hesitation continues to be whether or not the 3.27 gearing is correct for the motor. I like my 4 speed and I'm using brute power and a wide torque curve to mask that I'm "deficient" in the gear selection department... with that said, I need it to hustle off the line - and the cam I selected gives up some torque for hp.... and the other side of that is this transmission has the lower (numerically) first gear but there's even a deeper one that comes from similar vintage Camaros.

also, the tl;dr is I may need to put a friction modifier in... redline claims no, but it wouldn't be the first time that kind of advice wasn't exactly right.... also, I've found limited slips need a few miles on them to start working right - this rear hasn't been powered in at minimum 3 years and perhaps even much longer.... it came out of a 30k car, so it's possible that it could have been sitting since 2012.... we'll see, but the biggest questions - vibration and burnout have been answered.... now to figure out what the starter's problem is....

 

[rtj]

SS rear, ok. I looked for a while and you’ve done so much, I could not find that detail.

Right, the C3 is an old time setup. No argument there.

One other thing, you are probably making way more torque than the original motor.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

SS rear, ok. I looked for a while and you’ve done so much, I could not find that detail.

Right, the C3 is an old time setup. No argument there.

One other thing, you are probably making way more torque than the original motor.

700hp/525.... you know, something nice and reasonable :hunter:

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

well, back to this.... got most of the parts in - still waiting on window motors, but outside of that.... I think I have everything

I convinced myself this car was worth a Dakota Digital package... which almost didn't happen courtesy of that company we called FedUp



in other news, I wonder at why I had all sorts of pressure when I built this and very low pressure now...

well, if the distributor moves up....


yep, God was watching over me
and oil pressure

locked in place.. forever.. just like before


in other news, I have shaft rockers for this - and the rockers seem a bit loose
​​​​​​​

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Onward
a lot of tonight was change the oil and cut the filter.... it looks okay - no big chunks and about normal for a first-fire oil change
then remove the other gauge stuff for the new gauges
​​​​​​​
then install gauges in the bezels
old


new... and more breakage.

new

and the center stack

new headlight switch

pw switches

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

switches AND wiring installed

and steering wheel

 

[bobs77vet]

nice wheel, i cant wait to see the gauges installed

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

mirror, minus light


how to wire the doors

use picks to press in on the outside of the brass ferule

pull out to get loose of housing

note the silver mark - I mark the wire and its attendant hole so they don't get mixed up going back together

remove the housing

remove from the wire guard

there is a hole that lines up with the hole in the door... feed into the door jamb

feed the wire through the guard then into the door

snap the wires back into the housing

and then install the dust block



then onto wrapping sidepipes...edited


the stainless is growing on me


I used DEI wrap, then used two exhaust pipe clamps to hold either end.... that ain't goin' nowhere lol

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

time to show the result.

the metal band is over the DEI wrap

right next to it is 215 degrees

I had to adjust the front band to be sure it wasn't touching the bit that's 379 degrees - because heat does travel... that said, I may still paint "HOT" as a stencil ... stylistically I won't like it but I don't want to see someone get a nasty burn
to be clear, the point of the wrap is to prevent me or a passenger from getting burned getting in or out


then I worked on the power window motor... it's toast

note the step where the brushes ride...


hopefully the new motors will arrive soon - been patient because Zip was a lot cheaper... but time's up.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

and a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o21nLogupk&feature=youtu.be

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

lights.... work



now to wire the linear actuators... there's a possibility that I'll either be buying more actuators or that they "only adjusted at the factory" means "only adjusted at the factory unless it goes to Aaron"
in other news, starting to get the interior sealed up as well

​​​​​​​

 

[bobs77vet]

nice work on the lights, thats really impressive wrap to bring the heat down like that on the side pipes

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Installed rear bulkhead

carpet

old stuff makes a good pattern but smells terrible



glue new pieces together

yum, fresh carpet smell

lots of fitting



also got the plexiglass rear window