Thread: Project Special K

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Your doing good Steve, and Tiva looks like he is doing well also.

Richard

I'd go with the Air Gap, anything that lowers the temp of the mixture before the cylinders is good!

Steve that sure looks great . I am a BBF fan thru and thru and that will be nice between the fenders of the truck . Sure looks shiny also with the toppings on it

A couple of quick plugs in order. After my timing cover crisis, I just recieved to new front seals in the mail today, the Dorman tech service guy rocks(though a little too late , but it is the thought that counts, Thank you Dorman guy! Also summit went out of their way to help me identify the seal for the Dorman cover, even when I didn't buy it from them ! Great folks!
Lastly The guy who I bought all my new glass from for the truck, off Ebay, who took a huge hit from Hurricane Ike and lost half his buisness not to mention a pet and damage to his home, made good today with a deliverly 6 weeks after original purchase, buisness up and running again. Thank you glass guy for restoring my faith and trust in people not to mention your hard work in hard times to stand by what you do!
Any thoughts to the best way to plug all of those factory fire wall holes where it will look good when done?

here is a picture of what I am talking about

Too funny today! Some times sharing the stupid things is fun. I filled my engine with oil and went to prime the oil pump. I hadn't blocked off any vacuum or water holes on the intake, because the engine is still on the stand, and not being hooked up to start. I had noticed a hole in the back on top of the block, behind the intake. I even took a leap figuring it must be for the oil pressure transducer on Friday when I was assembling everything.. So you can guess what happened when I started priming the oil pump....geyserville!
Good thing I was using the cordless Makita! It stops fast! So note to self get new pressure transducer and mount asap!

For the smaller ones, a piece of brass for a backer and start welding them shot. For the larger ones, some tin cut to fit, more welding and grinding....

Cheap backer for welding holes is to take a piece of copper pipe, like 1/2 or 3/4, then flatten one end and bend an angle to suit. The tube will remain relatively cool so you can just hold it in place while using the mig to weld the hole closed. More grinding...

Cheap backer for welding holes is to take a piece of copper pipe, like 1/2 or 3/4, then flatten one end and bend an angle to suit. The tube will remain relatively cool so you can just hold it in place while using the mig to weld the hole closed. More grinding...

Thanks for the tip. Problem is reaching around the dash and welding on the firewall is a long reach. I like the idea of using a long copper pipe. I have one or two lying around!

Worked on patching 40 plus small holes today. I decided to do a little research to see if I could find plugs for the hole, as my welding skills suck so the least amount of welding is better for the finished look in my case!
I found these plastic plugs at Ace hardware and they were great for filling the small holes. I lined each hole with black silicone gasket seal to help keep them in place and plug air leaks better. In all I think it worked out great, saved lots of time, and left only a few big holes to fill. Best part is I can always pop the out and use the holes for whatever whenever.
Here are a few shots. They came out looking like rivets!

Should work fine, if your not going for the glossy paint, buffed and shined look on the firewall and fenderwells those little plugs will work fine and be a huge time saver!!!!!

Steve, sometimes guys will use knock out plugs from electrical boxes if the holes are close.

The motor looks really good. Would you be interested in a trade for a slightly worn flathead that needs pushing to start but after that it runs great? It would be a more period correct motor for the truck. Just kidding I would have to have little cash for the trade. You’re doing great, glad someone is making progress. I guess in my case you’re never too old to get sc-ewed I could put up with the body but when they won’t start it’s another story.

Richard

Richard - a flat head would have been cool. But alas I'm into the 460 now!
Today I welded up the holes in the firewall with small metal plates. I putty filled the front side and gave it a quick sand before the sun went down. I then hit it with a coat of flat black to see how well it looked. I'll be doing a little touch up but not a lot. It's not a show car, and the firewall is far from perfect. I saw a guy selling diamond plate cutouts that roughly fit the opening. I may try the same when I'm done. I also frankensteined in a patch plate to my passenger floor panel. the flat piece that was there flexed too much, so I welded a piece I had off a donor car with beads stamped in the metal. It isn't pretty by any means, but it sure shores up the floor. Finally I taped threads into my timing cover for the timing pointer, and started to install the new harmonic balancer. I got it on to about a half inch of where it needs to go but it doesn't want to go further, and instead of fighting it, I took the night off!

Steve, you’re doing a good job. In my opinion a driver is more fun. I had show cars, and I was always being watchful full that they get scratched or fingerprints!!

I thought I had a driver now but so far it's a pusher.

Keep up the good work; just don't make it too nice.

Richard