Project 48 build thread

[DJ194950]

I guess the old saying- A Happy Wife= A Happy Life- applies here! 

 

Maybe if I had followed that??   Too late!

 

 

DJ

[Merle Coggins]

Do something like the new Polaris Slingshot. That'd be fun!!

I'd also like to see your progress on that project.

 

Merle

[falconvan]

Once I get rolling on it, I'll post it in the OT section and see if there is any interest. It'll be a few months; Im just gathering parts and doing some research on it now.

[falconvan]

_{Building inner fenderwells....}

[40plyrod]

Looks good, very clean.

[DJ194950]

Love the work as always! 

 

Wonder if the larger flat panel will make any popping noises as the exhaust heats them? Maybe roll a couple of beads in them if a roller is avail? 

 

See customs/rods all the time with the large flat panels, but do they drive em??

 

DJ

[littlemo]

Still here following along; looking great my friend !!  Cass, alias littlemo ...

Edited November 6, 2014 by littlemo

[falconvan]

Good idea, if I had bead roller with a deep enough throat, I'd do it.

[falconvan]

Got my fenderwells finished and painted today. I'm also building brackets to relocate the coils off of the valve covers and onto the fenderwells.

[falconvan]

Here they are installed; figuring out my coil mounts next.

[falconvan]

Anyone who has done the Cavalier rack-n-pinion conversion; can you share info/pictures of how you set up your power steering hoses and what hoses you used?

[Plymouthy Adams]

for one to do that he would also have to have used the exact engine, PS pump mounting...inner fender modifications and a host of other issues..and some even use a PS oil cooler..

[Bones35]

Great post,  it makes for good motivation.  Thanks

[falconvan]

Finished building my coil mounts and installed them on the fender wells along with getting several small parts bolted on the engine. I'm off work this week so I'm really hoping for a test fire next weekend but we'll have to see how the week goes. Lots to do before I get there.

[falconvan]

Got the fuel cell and pump mounted today along with lengthening the wiring for the coil packs. Hoping to get the fuel system plumbed over the next few days and a battery tray built for the trunk.

[falconvan]

I've been hitting it hard this week and am hoping for a test crank tomorrow. Wont have the cooling system piped yet but at least I can see if it will start. Got my battery box in and wired, fuel system finished, some temporary oil and temperature gauges hooked up plus lots of miscellaneous stuff done. Also bought these wheels from a late model Mustang. I think they'll look good although the fronts are hitting the tie rod ends so I'll have to figure out something there. Maybe some wheel spacers.

[falconvan]

It's alive! I didn't run it very long as I don't have the radiator hooked up yet and the float in my Holley was hanging up. But it fired up, built oil pressure, and sounded pretty darn good. This thing may get finished after all.

[littlemo]

Proud of you man; almost there !! Keep up a great build !!       Cass, alias littlemo...

[falconvan]

Thanks, Cass. You need to get your old beast on the road, too! What's going on with your project?

 

I took the carb back off today and started rebuilding, ordered a Spal cooling fan from Summit and started digging out parts I bought a while back. Once the carb is right and the cooling system plumbed, I'm going to start installing the wiring harness. I'd really like to have it pretty much mechanically done by mid summer. We'll see; I have some things to do to my 49 before the cruising season gets here and I have a pile of parts to start on my three wheeler project sitting here, too. Plus we still have our house on the market although we've been leaning toward staying where we are now. But, either way it feels good to see some progress on the 48 again.

[theMightyCasper]

Absolutely wonderful to read through this whole thread. Now I know what exactly you were referring to when you told me about all of the body work that you had to do to get to the point when I saw it in person. Incredible work all around! 

 

If you need another set of hands at any point, let me know and I'll see if I can make it out. Reading through this really makes me want to get out into the garage and work on my 49 Special Deluxe but both funding and time have been in short supply lately... Again, great job!

 

Jeff

[deathbound]

Hearing it run makes a HUGE difference on a project of this magnitude.....makes it seem that much closer to completion. Excellent work!

[falconvan]

Thanks, guys. Jeff, we'll have to get our 49s together and cruise a few shows this coming year.

[theMightyCasper]

Sounds like a plan. Just means that I need to start being productive soon in order to have it ready! 

[falconvan]

Got all the cooling piped today and the carb back on. Ran it for about half an hour with some makeshift wiring but she sounds great and all the vitals look good!

 

http://youtu.be/yt1jhwJGUPg

[falconvan]

Getting ready to start on the wiring and was looking at the gauges. The factory oil psi and water temp are mechanical so they should be OK. I found this fuel gauge on an Astrovan and it is the right resistance for the sending unit in the fuel cell. I'm going to try and mount the 48 gauge face on it, paint the needle white, and make a bracket to mount it in the gauge cluster. They are both about the same size so i think it'll work.