I got a lot accomplished on my days off over the holidays.

The shifter is on and the linkage is finally worked out. I wound up fabbing the long link out of ½” steel tubing, since the all-thread Lokar provides wasn’t stiff enough when bent to clear the brake pedal.

The engine and trans are together and in the frame.
The alternator is back together and installed on the engine. Same with the fan, pulleys and belt.

I reprimed the oil pump (just to be sure), reinstalled the distributor and retimed the engine to 10 degrees BTDC.
The body had to be dropped back on (temporarily) to check the routing of the spark plug wires around the steering shaft. I had to make up a couple of mounts for the Made For You looms I’m using, but the wires tuck in nice under the headers AND clear the steering.

The fuel pump and filter unit went back on with all of the plumbing. I made up the braided hose that runs from the regulator to the fuel manifold on the engine. I’m using a regulator because these 2G’s don’t need more than 4-4½ PSI. I also drilled the rear of the fuel manifold and installed a fuel pressure gauge.

After running the hard line from the tank to the pump, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to pull the tank with the body on. I had to add a coupling so that the upper bend could be removed.


The trans cooler lines are back on and the transmission throttle valve cable (Lokar) is installed. I got lucky because the trans cable stud on the throttle arm was pretty close to where it needs to be for a 700R4. If you’ve never used a 700 before, you need to know that the location of that stud is very important. It needs to follow a specific radius as the throttle is opened or you can burn your trans up. That info can be found here:

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sum...o/700R4p1.html

The driveshaft is assembled, installed and the pinion angle is set. On the front I set the caster angle at 6 degrees.

The emergency brake cables are hooked up and partially adjusted. I left them a little loose for now because the handle needs to be straight up for the body to go on. When the body is bolted on, I’ll give it the final adjustment.


I also moved the body to a location in the shop where I can get started on the sanding and body work. If the weather permits next week, I may start on some of that. I can always work on the frame while it’s cold, but the paint likes the weather a little warmer.

Because I tend to work slower than Christmas, I have hesitated to set a firm time goal for getting this thing on the road, but there are two shows in March that I would really like to take it to. I figure I can make it pretty easily, but I’m going to have to paint when I can. Might not have any interior, though.

When my off time ran out, I was working on final fitment of the radiator, shell and plumbing.

Mike