Details 121....

After having to work last weekend to make up time lost for serving on the Grand Jury, I made a bit of progress this weekend. After a little project for the dealership, I formed the mounting bracket for the transmission cooler and then mounted the cooler to confirm everything.

Looks like I may need to relocate the AC ambient temperature switch a bit to clear the cooler mounting hardware.

After locating all my jack stands to use in pulling the tires off my Fairlane wagon, I spent the remainder of the day dressing the welds on one of the flexible exhaust pipes.

Next weekend I'll begin wiping down the underside of the car to remove all the exhaust soot and any of the chassis lube and errant grease from the suspension components in preparation for setting the Torino back down on the ground.

Stay tuned.....

ZEBRA 3 OUT

Details 120...

Today was a mock up day. Made cardboard templates of brackets I need to get made to hang my dual Dynamax sirens (only had on at the shop)...

as well as mounting the auxiliary transmission cooler...

while I waited on another local restorer. He stopped by and had a look at the Torino and will get in touch next week with some numbers.

Still waiting for Aaron from Adkins Body Shop to stop in with his head body man for their inspection and estimate and then I can determine who will be the lucky shop to do the final paint and bodywork on the Tomato!

Getting closer.....

ZEBRA 3 OUT

Details 119...

Somewhat productive the last couple weekends...

Last weekend, John from American Classic Restorations stopped in on his way to the World Of Wheels to have a good look at the Tomato and took several pictures. I had stopped at their booth the night before and they said they would have him stop by on his way to the show the following morning. He said they would put together a proposal to do the final bodywork and paint on the car and get back with me later on in the week. Once I have the numbers and they are favorable, I'll ask to do a first hand inspection of a few of their past builds and speak with the owners to see how things went.

After John left, a couple old friends dropped by to see me. Was really great visiting with them for a bit and I got a little emotional while they were there talking about the good ole days.

Once all my company for the day had gone, I removed the spark plugs for cleaning. MAN, no wonder the engine ran so rough... those plugs were all covered in soot!

Took them downstairs, blasted them clean...

and then reinstalled them in the engine. Roared back to life as before, but I shut her down after a minute or two to prevent too much build up on the plugs until I can get the carb adjusted and the engine timing set.

 

This weekend, a tad bit more progress. Installed one of my AC condensers...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

so I could finish verifying the location of the Dynamax speakers as well as designing new brackets to mount the auxiliary transmission oil cooler. I also dropped the exhaust cutout assemblies so I could take the flex portions in and get the collector reducers welded on. While I had them on the bench, I tried out the band clamps to see how well they fit the tubing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also installed a new latch on the sandblast cabinet to replace the original clamp that broke. Used a Jeep style rubber hood latch in place of the metal clamp style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next weekend I'll make a cardboard template of my transmission mount and see if my idea works before fabricating the bracket out if sheet metal.

 

I also have another body man stopping by to have a look at the car and get another estimate on the paint ands body work and the dealer principal at the dealership said he may know a guy who may be interested in doing the car as well. Hopefully between all these interested parties, a qualified shop with a realistic number can be found and get the next phase of this project underway!

 

Until next time....

 

ZEBRA 3 OUT

Exhausting... part 1

Fairly productive Saturday. My flex pipes arrived from Summit Racing this week, so I mocked up the cutouts to the collectors to see what style hanger I was going to need to get things hung properly.

While I was under the car I noticed the underside of the floor was covered with soot from the engine running so rich, so I'll need to get that all cleaned off once I get the carb adjusted just right.

I also finished lubing all the new front suspension parts as well as the front and rear polyurethane sway bar bushings. Put the battery charger on the battery to get it fully charged up for next week and also discovered a source for a very minute coolant leak. An unused bolt hole in the water pump was ever so slightly seeping coolant, so I ran a bolt into it to see if that would stem the flow. I think I'm finally getting all the coolant leaks sealed up!

Next weekend, I do a bit more measuring to determine exactly which hangers to order from Summit and then turn my attention back to the engine. I think I'll pull the plugs and clean them since she has been running so rich and tweaking the carb a bit to dial back the fuel and getting her timed a bit more accurately.

Still haven't locked in a body shop to wrap up her bodywork and paint just yet so that drama continues as well.

Until next time.....

ZEBRA 3 OUT

Details 118....

A wee bit of progress today on the Torino, I got the power steering system filled with fluid and I also policed the area a bit in preparation for setting her down on all fours for her pending trip to the bodyshop.

Also found I'm getting about 15 minutes to the gallon idling..... LOL. I could tell when she was about to run out of gas because she started increasing in rpm's and running smoother as she leaned out prior to dying.

Aaron from Adkins Body Shop in Proctorville, OH stopped by for a look at the Tomato today. He will be back next weekend with his primary bodyman for his input and then Aaron will give me some numbers on them doing the project.

Fingers crossed!!!!

ZEBRA 3 OUT

Details 117....

Well the sheet metal is now all rehung...

and now the quest begins to find a craftsman who can finesse the body and get her into her final colors. A few more minor tasks to complete, but she's basically ready to go!

Until next time....

ZEBRA 3 OUT

Details 116....

A bit more progress today... got the radiator hose sealed, ran the transmission thru the gears and installed the headlight bucket brackets.

I also finished blueing the deck lid springs. Next weekend I'll fill the power steering system and then get things ready to set the ole girl back down on terra-firma. Now to find a quality body shop.

Stay tuned....

ZEBRA 3 OUT