Author Topic: My Tenth Anniv. (Read 42645 times)

roadking77 · « **Reply #400 on:** September 19, 2023, 12:33:29 PM »

2023-09-19_02-29-45 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
After a bit of a wait, this showed up today. Randy C did the resto. Looks beautiful, kinda goldish in the pic but thats just the bad lighting in my house.

b_hill_86 · « **Reply #401 on:** September 19, 2023, 01:45:55 PM »

Looks great! What was turnaround time? I have one I’m going to send eventually.

Jack · « **Reply #402 on:** September 24, 2023, 08:35:12 AM »

Kerry, I was hoping to hear the motor running in the car but see you made some progress. I need to catchup some more but that's a major milestone.

FormTA · « **Reply #403 on:** September 24, 2023, 05:11:51 PM »

Nice! Finally some bling!

roadking77 · « **Reply #404 on:** September 25, 2023, 06:32:31 AM »

2023-09-19_06-35-19 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Not appropriate, but I figured the tenth car was upscale so it should have had the dash upgraded a bit.

2023-09-25_08-25-00 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2023-09-25_08-25-09 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Sprayed things down with simple green and a rinse of clean water. This poor thing had 3 years of dust on it. Also got the new motor mounts installed. That was a bit of a pain in the ......... I used a magnetic pick up tool to hold the bolt then fished it through a small hole in the side of the a arm. This took a bit of finaggeling to get things aligned but worked ok with a bit of patience. Then onto the driver side and much to my chagrin there was no access hole. Had to do the same trick but up from the underneath. Turned out that side was a bit easier.

Ram Air sight says they have exhaust manifolds in stock. I am going to call today to confirm and if they do will place an order. I will put them on the motor before I do the install. I wanted to go with them all along and have been waiting since last august for a pair. Then when they were available I was under the impression they were sold out again and figured on using the stock mani's. I have waited this long a couple more weeks wont hurt at this point.

« **Reply #404 on:** September 25, 2023, 06:32:31 AM »

MNBob · « **Reply #405 on:** September 25, 2023, 08:04:10 AM »

Motor mounts and dash look great. I have wondered about installing those mounts with the limited access. It looks like it would be very difficult, but must be doable as people replace them.

roadking77 · « **Reply #406 on:** September 25, 2023, 01:12:38 PM »

I have a set still on the frame of my car that burnt that is behind my barn. The bolt heads are showing and I had a crazy idea that they may have been tapped into the cross member of some description. I tried to pull them off and the head just spun. The service manual shows them installed as I have done with the bolt coming up and the nut on the mount side, so thats how I did it. Then I noticed in the fine print is says 'direction optional'!
I would imagine without the wheels on, without the coils in place etc. it would be easy access. I was afraid I was going to have to take everything apart to get at them.

5th T/A · « **Reply #407 on:** September 25, 2023, 03:23:35 PM »

Kerry, dash bezel looks great, a good place to spend your money since that's something you see every time you're behind the wheel.

I removed and reinstalled my engine mounts from the bare subframe with the lower control arms removed, definitely the easiest way to do it. When I had issues with the shaker being slightly higher on the driver's side and cockeyed I swapped the mounts with the engine in the car. I had to lift the engine with a floor jack as high as it would go. The Ram Air manifolds are much larger than the log style and make it more difficult. If you were even remotely thinking about new mounts, now was the best time to replace them. Not to mention any 44 year old part with rubber should probably be replaced anyway. You will not regret having replaced the mounts now.

TATurbo · « **Reply #408 on:** September 25, 2023, 07:34:03 PM »

I really like the chrome bezels on the dash. It looks really nice. I agree that the dash IS one of the best places to spend money...Like 5th T/A said...You'll enjoy it every time you sit in the car. I put 70' Challenger TA gauge faces in my '11 Challenger. One of my favorite mods in any car.
Gettin' those engine mounts in is a nice milestone too. I've done them twice on this car in my life...I have no desire to do it a third time.
Congrats on the progress. Forgive me if I missed an update somewhere, but...Do you have a target date to get the engine dropped in? Getting excited for you!

roadking77 · « **Reply #409 on:** September 26, 2023, 05:17:07 AM »

Hi Tom, I have been meaning to send you a note to see how your car was doing.
I had planned on getting the motor installed a month ago, then realized the mounts were wrong. Then the plan was to install this past weekend after I got the new mounts in place. NOW, I have decided to go with upgraded exhaust manifolds so I will wait until I can get them bolted to the motor before I install. At the beginning of the summer my plan was to have the car ready for Hershey, which is next week!! I wont make that deadline

I figure at this point with winter closing in I realistically wont have it on the road until spring so I may as well wait for the correct parts and do it right the first time.

ryeguy2006a · « **Reply #410 on:** September 26, 2023, 06:13:26 AM »

Looks fantastic Kerry!

roadking77 · « **Reply #411 on:** October 31, 2023, 06:03:07 AM »

Need to get my Oct post before it slips away. Hard to believe November will be here in a few hours. I had planned on having my car ready for the Hershey show the first week in Oct. and still have not gotten any closer than I was about 6 months ago.
Oct was busy for me, both work and off work. Should have plenty of time coming up though. We did get the motor kinda put into place this past weekend. Didnt have any real problems getting it set in place, however we had a hard time getting the mounts to align. Fooled with it for a bit then decided to step back and take a break. Planned on hitting it Sunday but things got in the way, hopefully will be able to get it buttoned up sometime in the next few days. Then the wiring and vacuum lines

2023-10-31_07-41-41 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

On my recent trip I did pick up these parts. One of the few things I did not have with my car.

2023-10-31_07-37-18 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

5th T/A · « **Reply #412 on:** October 31, 2023, 07:10:49 PM »

Kerry, congratulations, it has a new heart and only a matter of time before it will be beating.

That space saver spare looks brand new. I wonder how many people actual tried using them.

roadking77 · « **Reply #413 on:** November 01, 2023, 05:47:57 AM »

3/4 of the way in

The tire is near perfect with great lettering. From what I understand this was found in a junk yard with the tire being well preserved but the side of the rim that was laying on the floor rusted through in a couple of places right on the outer rim. I do think someone repainted it at one point. It looks good from 5 ft but I plan on stripping it back down and doing some bondo repair to the edge (never plan on using it) to make it look a bit better. I have been kinda looking for one of these as its one of the last pieces I need to have a 'complete' car. I was able to pick it up from a friend on my recent trip so that saved a bit on shipping.

rkellerjr · « **Reply #414 on:** November 01, 2023, 06:53:06 AM »

Love to see the project moving forward, even if slowly. Keep at it my friend!

« **Reply #414 on:** November 01, 2023, 06:53:06 AM »

ryeguy2006a · « **Reply #415 on:** November 01, 2023, 10:52:02 AM »

Congrats on getting the motor installed Kerry! Huge step forward.

Nexus · « **Reply #416 on:** November 04, 2023, 08:25:23 PM »

Engine looks good in there!!

TATurbo · « **Reply #417 on:** November 07, 2023, 09:09:39 PM »

Congrats on the engine install! That's a big one. You're practically finished, now. Right?

Looking good.

roadking77 · « **Reply #418 on:** November 08, 2023, 06:57:56 AM »

I said the engine was in 3/4! That thing fought me as hard as it could but I finally won. Had one side bolted in, fought off and on for the last week to get the dr. side mount to bolt up. Got the trans mount in last night and the trans cross member installed. So as far as I know I will call the motor installed!!

I ordered a new wiring harness for the motor only as the front harness is pretty good. Its supposed to be here today. I can go forward with getting the fuel line hooked up, and start the dreaded task of vacuum lines, which I am not looking forward to. I tend to look at things with rose coloured specs but I think being realistic at this point I am setting the first of the year as a goal to get it started and running.

roadking77 · « **Reply #419 on:** November 13, 2023, 08:02:16 AM »

2023-11-13_08-55-55 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2023-11-13_08-55-32 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2023-11-13_08-55-40 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
New wiring harness. Got it from Summit as they offered immediate shipping. Ames had a note that they come directly from the supplier and will have additional shipping time.
It looked good, but I do say I was a bit disappointed that nothing was labled. For the cost I dont think it would be that hard to day what wire goes where. I suppose they figure anyone doing this work is not a numbskull such as myself and knows where things go. With the help of what 'Wheels 78' posted in another thread I was able to decipher things quickly.

Old block came right out, and new one plugged in pretty easy.

5th T/A · « **Reply #420 on:** November 13, 2023, 08:23:22 AM »

Great investment Kerry. Especially when you consider the condition of the original harness.

roadking77 · « **Reply #421 on:** November 13, 2023, 10:09:22 AM »

The good/bad part is the other harness' look fine. It would be nice to put all new in considering how nice these look, however the cost of the new stuff for a couple feet of wire is ridiculous!! I suppose the front harness was never really touched but over the years the engine stuff surely was mucked with and took a beating. As typical found a couple more small parts I have placed on order.

ryeguy2006a · « **Reply #422 on:** January 23, 2024, 07:15:33 AM »

Any updates Kerry?

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #423 on:** January 23, 2024, 07:21:54 AM »

What he said

wheels78ta · « **Reply #424 on:** January 23, 2024, 10:17:09 AM »

What they said......

« **Reply #424 on:** January 23, 2024, 10:17:09 AM »

5th T/A · « **Reply #425 on:** January 23, 2024, 04:47:19 PM »

Kerry, I will give you a pass for not updating. Between the weather, holidays and running a business it is probably safe to say you are not sitting on your hands.

roadking77 · « **Reply #426 on:** January 24, 2024, 06:33:19 AM »

Sorry for the dead air. List of excuses: First I was having a hard time logging on to the site. I had to switch to ffox which I did not like, but for some reason the old way is back and working fine. So I should be on here more often now, arent you guys lucky

2nd-I really havent had that much time in the shop as of late. Work has been busy and I lost a bit of motivation to go out into a cold shop for a couple of hours of work.
C-As much as I hate to admit, I am a huge football fan so Sundays in the early winter are pretty much me sitting in front of the tube all day. All that will be coming to an end soon so I will face the depression of no football

and boredom which should give me some more shop time.

Progress update: Not really sure where I left off, but the wiring is complete, I picked up some parts to get some of the vaccum lines hooked up. I used a ebrock alum manifold (against my better judgement) and when I went to hook up the new throttle cable I bought realized there was nothing to attach it to the manifold? I looked at pics of the part when I dropped it off to the shop a year+ ago and lo and behold there is the bracket. No surprise, after calling the shop they had no idea where that part was and would call if they found it. I had to order an aftermarket bracket from ames at over $100 so not too happy about that. Its installed and I plan on getting the cable in soon. My plan now is to get the fuel line hooked up, finish the electrical (battery, starter connections) and see if I can get the motor to fire up. I think if I put my mind to it I can have this car running by late spring.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #427 on:** January 24, 2024, 07:35:47 PM »

Great to see you've had some time with it. I know what you mean about football Sunday's.

I've gotten too lazy lately but just started working on some things.

I just picked up my engine today. Pics tomorrow.

That engine is looking good for how far you've gone as far as the install. Can't wait to see more progress.....when you get the time.

roadking77 · « **Reply #428 on:** February 05, 2024, 07:01:00 AM »

Got a little more done over the weekend. I had a few loose bolts from the install so I went back and made sure everything was socked down good and tight. I got a new pair of 'correct' battery cables and got those installed. I was going to get those from napa but they have let me down with parts as of late so I chickened out and spent the big bucks

I think at this point all of the electrical connections are done

I am getting a grasp on the vacuum crap. Still looking for a few parts for that. Fuel lines hooked up. Refinished the gas pedal and got a new cable installed. Need to place another order for some more parts, probably wont be in until the end of the week. I am planning on going to the AACA convention towards the end of the week so I wont get much accomplished.

5th T/A · « **Reply #429 on:** February 05, 2024, 05:08:11 PM »

Kerry, good to see you making progress. Hope you enjoy the AACA convention!

FormTA · « **Reply #430 on:** February 05, 2024, 08:19:13 PM »

Kerry, any time you can do something to the car it's progress. Eventually it will all add up to a finished car. Have fun at the AACA!

Wallington · « **Reply #431 on:** February 06, 2024, 01:08:13 AM »

I'm not sure if they suggest anything in the harness kits but way want to mask up the ends of the wires/firewall and spray some underbody type thick sealant into those terminal backs to seal. Otherwise it will collect moisture and lead to electrical issues long-term.

roadking77 · « **Reply #432 on:** February 06, 2024, 06:56:43 AM »

Thanks for the advice. They gave some contact gel for the install, but I didnt think of putting anything on top. It was quite a mess when I took the old off, I know thats what that crap was. Hate to put goop on a nice shiny new part but I know it will be worth it in the long run.

roadking77 · « **Reply #433 on:** February 18, 2024, 09:29:20 AM »

Got a few hours in the shop yesterday, hope to get a couple more today. I think all of the vacuum stuff is done. I have a couple of loose ends but the routing is all figured out at this point, which to me was the biggest hurdle. My builder put a single port to hook up the br. booster. Ames had a carb vac tree but its not correct. I got it and had to rig it up. It looks fine but not 100% correct. I found the right one and hopefully it will be here towards the end of the week. I looked everywhere but could not seem to find the right vac switches. Ended up finding some stuff from Franks. I got the power steering hoses hooked up -again got stuff from ames and its not right! They have been my go to forever but Im starting to see a theme here

At this point just about everything is ready for a start. Just a couple of minor bits to take care of first. Enclosed is a few pics of some of the ports I got and cleaned up. Once everything is together as best as I can I will post an overall shot of the motor.

20231127_100543 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20231127_100935 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Switch for the air cleaner. Not repro'd. Had to find used. Still looking for the clip that holds it in place.

20240122_135221 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240122_150227 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240122_140348 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

Throttle kick down, cleaned up a bit and reinstalled.

20240216_145951 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240217_125102 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240217_125706 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
3 port switch (broke) that was on my motor, the one I found from Franks then cleaned up. This mounts in the head at the pass side. Differs between auto trans and manual. I had one for auto, Go figure.

20240202_110502 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240202_110506 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240202_133639 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240202_134334 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Gas pedal cleaned and painted. I took the metal trim off and polished it, cleaned the rubber pad between each rib with a nail to get all of the grime out. I did this awhile ago when I was waiting for parts. I find taking care of little things like this (minnie restoration) keeps the momentum going and helps mentally knowing that at least something is getting finished.

Today is the 45 anniv. to the day of the official intro of the Tenth Anniv. T/A.

tajoe · « **Reply #434 on:** February 18, 2024, 10:37:10 AM »

Wow. Talk about your details. looks like you're honing in on the finished product. Should be an enjoyable spring.

5th T/A · « **Reply #435 on:** February 18, 2024, 01:43:08 PM »

Nice work Kerry. All those little details add up on the finished car. It takes a lot of perseverance to take a basket case and turn it into a a car. Especially when you have missing pieces.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #436 on:** February 18, 2024, 09:04:44 PM »

Keep at it when you get the chance. I'm rebuilding the distributor and carburetor right now. Soon I'll be installing the transmission and engine.

It'll be great to see your engine and everything hooked up and ready to run.

roadking77 · « **Reply #437 on:** February 28, 2024, 04:47:52 PM »

20240224_143723 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Had this part on an old rusty air cleaner can I had. Cleaned it up and was even able to reuse the original band clamp.

20240224_153128 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240224_153536 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240224_154112 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

roadking77 · « **Reply #438 on:** February 28, 2024, 04:54:55 PM »

My motor builder is more about making a motor run and a bit less about the details

I have been trying to get everything tidied up the best I can. I have spent way too long on getting all of the vacuum stuff in place but I think that is behind me for now. He originally just had a single fitting to run the hose to the brake booster. After pulling it out I found it was nothing more than a hardware store air hose fitting

I ordered a carb vac tree from Ames. I found they do not sell the right part for the '79 carb so I had to do a bit of finaggelling to make it work. Still kinda hack and I wasnt happy. SO the search started for the correct part. I found one and ordered it without the hard line, then the next day I found THE right one with the hard line so I picked it up, cleaned and installed. Looks much better than what was on there.

20240223_132740 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240223_135505 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

Before with the Ames part and then the correct one.

20240223_135538 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240223_141432 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

20240221_174845 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Had to order a new radiator shroud, will be ready to install this asap.

b_hill_86 · « **Reply #439 on:** February 28, 2024, 07:10:47 PM »

Wow.ive got my dash half apart trying to clean up several years of “don’t get it right (pretty)just get it running” wiring I’ve installed for various reasons. Now you’re gonna make me pull my accelerator pedal and paint it while I’m there too lol. Mine looks like your “before” picture.

I like that throttle cable bracket. Simple yet effective and better looking than the universal one I’m using. Say, do you have an original style on your 77? I’d love to see a pic if so.

« **Reply #439 on:** February 28, 2024, 07:10:47 PM »

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Author Topic: My Tenth Anniv. (Read 42645 times)