Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Thanks everybody. I am going to build my wiring harness from scratch. I already did one, but changed my mind on using it because it all went under the dash, and I've determined there is almost no way to get back under there to install it due to the size of that area. A '23 has the smallest underdash area I have ever seen, which is why everybody else puts their wiring and switches under the seat. That is what I am going to now do too.

I've never used a commercial wiring harness like a Painless or Ron Francis because I was able to buy marine grade wiring cheap, being in that business. But now that I no longer am, I may use a kit next time on the other cars. Don just bought a kit for his T, and it is really pretty impressive. Each wire is marked with it's destination and all the circuits are loomed into groups. I had never really looked at them, but it sure looks like the way to go.

As for a video.........you betcha!! I'll do another YouTube, but am going to have to refrain from any smokey burnouts. I don't want to break anything before Daytona, so I'll have to baby it for a while.

Don

Gotta give us one little burnout Don.
Brad

Just a little show won't hurt Don!! She is looking like she wants to just find a
winding road and go Boogie!!
I would say just an 8 fuse harness would be more than enough wiring harness for a roadster right?

No Burn Out :cry:

OUCH!!

Bad thing's usually happen when the camera is rolling.

Yep, Neosporin and bandaids to the rescue again. The funny part is that Dan singed his hair on the other header just minutes before, doing the same undercar check. Don thought it was funny, so when his head got burned Dan lost it.

It's just a little burn and will heal, but I had to make him an icepack to hold on it for a while. We told him we were going to tape the icebag on his head with 3M green tape. A few celebration beers were involved with that whole situation.........can't mix beer and hot exhaust headers.

Don

You darn guys are having too much fun----

Hey Don
I did a quick search for speedway on the net, but was unable to come up with an address that sold gas tanks. Is that a local chain in Florida or an online parts place? Thanks, Steve.

Hey Don. I am a relative newbie, just got started last fall (Nov '06). Got my 17 yr old Grandson working on it with me! And like everybody before me, I badly underestimated everything! Costs, Work, Time, Effort, Costs, Time, Tools, Costs---------etc. etc. But I just knew that I could do it faster, cheaper, easier than the others! So, we were going to have this thing ready for cruise-ins for this summer '07-------------HAH. Reality hit HARD. Here it is near November a year later and --------------- well, I'm sure you all know where we're at. Underfunded, underexperienced, underknowledgeable, and on and on. But, one thing I have learned is patience to work with my Grandson and that quality time with him is invaluable! I don't care if it is never finished as long as we continue to share the time and the experiences. But one thing you can never pass on Don, and others, is the unique ability to turn a DEAL. I have never, NEVER got a bargain, never a freeby, never a deal! I always take a beating. Seems my life story is BUY HIGH, SELL LOW. I am so glad to see this thread, how a REAL person can build something Po' Folk could imitate. To say nothing of the education of how to shop (cheaply). Many thanks. Perley

Originally Posted by oldrodder43

Hey Don. I am a relative newbie, just got started last fall (Nov '06). Got my 17 yr old Grandson working on it with me! And like everybody before me, I badly underestimated everything! Costs, Work, Time, Effort, Costs, Time, Tools, Costs---------etc. etc. But I just knew that I could do it faster, cheaper, easier than the others! So, we were going to have this thing ready for cruise-ins for this summer '07-------------HAH. Reality hit HARD. Here it is near November a year later and --------------- well, I'm sure you all know where we're at. Underfunded, underexperienced, underknowledgeable, and on and on. But, one thing I have learned is patience to work with my Grandson and that quality time with him is invaluable! I don't care if it is never finished as long as we continue to share the time and the experiences. But one thing you can never pass on Don, and others, is the unique ability to turn a DEAL. I have never, NEVER got a bargain, never a freeby, never a deal! I always take a beating. Seems my life story is BUY HIGH, SELL LOW. I am so glad to see this thread, how a REAL person can build something Po' Folk could imitate. To say nothing of the education of how to shop (cheaply). Many thanks. Perley

Hey Perley, sorry I missed your post. Larry M was nice enough to call my attention to it........thanks Larry. First off, welcome to the forum. I try to answer any posts, but somehow missed yours (I've been getting home 2ish in the AM, so I'm a little foggy then )

You sound like the rest of us, especially in the underfunded part. Surprising what this little hobby can cost us, huh? Once again yesterday I stopped at the hardware store for some fasteners for Don's T and got a little bag of various bolts, nuts, etc, and it came to $ 70.00. It seems like I have made that same trip 20 or 30 times so far in the two builds.

I bet your Grandson is having a blast doing this with you, and you are right about the time spent together being invaluable. He will learn lessons from this that will be with him the rest of his life. (and a few choice words when he hits his thumb with a hammer )

Throw some pictures in here of your project, we'd love to see them. I think it is an Essex if I remember correctly?


Jack, I too am falling out of love with Holley pumps. They are all I have used for years, but I think there may be better ones now available. This one leaked right out of the box.

Brad, I may do that and paint the box on the floor. It sure worked better than the method I used to use, triangulating the frame . I feel we got a very accurate alignment doing it this way. I am going to wheel my T over it and recheck the alignment too. BTW, supposedly Don's body is going to be done tomorrow, but even if it isn't done til next week they still are on target timewise. We are pretty anxious too.

Don

Yesterday and today I got to work on my T for a change, Don is working. I got a whole lot of little things done. Mounted the Lokar dipstick to the firewall, found a place on the front of my engine to mount my coil, painted the entire interior with another coat of truck bed liner, and started wiring the car.

I originally was planning on everything going under the dash, and even made a wiring harness a while back and stored it away for this day. However, I started to realize why everybody puts the wiring components under the seat on these little '23 T's..............there is no room under the dash to get even your hand in there when it is time to install the wires. It actually took me over 2 hours to get 3 simple gauges installed because I had to work with a trouble light and mirror and think backwards.

Finally got the three gauges and my ignition switch installed and wired after laying upside down and every other way. I decided to at least put the ignition switch in the dash as I hate fumbling for the keyhole in the dark if you put it under the seat. I built an aluminum switch panel to hold 5 lighted switches under the seat though. I had them there on my '27 and got used to what switch was what by feel.

I also got my fuse box and other components mounted. Dan stopped by and is hellbent on me having turn signals, so he is going to give me his Ron Francis turn signal setup to install. I was going to be happy with hand signals, but he thought otherwise.

Might get to drive it around the block by Sunday PM, depending on how much time Don has to work on his. We will spend time on his if he can break a gig he had scheduled for Sunday.

Here are some pictures of my wiring that I got done so far, and the bed liner paint job.

Don

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/ Try this address.-It fooled me the first time too.

That's the ticket, Thanks, Brian.

Don,

I know you have told us this before but what is your rear end?

Thanks,
Z