I can't wait to see the look on a corvette or mustang owners face when the tires go up in smoke as it passes them.

Better upgrade your rear view mirror than :biggthumpup:

Why thank ya Gunny :) yours is coming along pretty nicely as well :biggthumpup:

And yeah, a ride can def happen at DGRR :)

So HOLY CRAP! Today has felt like a very long day with the FD..

My day started out at about 6:30 with a text from one of the guys who works for me, asking about whether we're working today or not (due to the snow). 7:30 rolls around and, after bouncing back and forth on base opening/closing information it's finally determined that today will NOT, in fact, be a work day.

I go back to bed, happy to have a bit more sleep and looking forward to spending the day getting my FD all back together again and heat cycling. This weekend I *will* be taking the car up to Speed1 for it's break-in tune, and NOTHING is going to keep me from being totally ready!

Unfortunately my morning was consumed by work related items concerning the people I supervise, and errands with my wife. We went out to hit up some appointments she had for the day (mind you, most of the area is shut down due to a random snow storm) without her actually calling to confirm that they were still happening before we left... That was an easy 2-3 hours wasted, not a happy camper. Oh well..

I finally was able to start working on the FD around 3pm. Here's how she looked when I started:

The engine bay was pretty much ready to finish getting put together, all it needed was for me to finish cutting the upper Rad hose, trim down the two AST feed lines, then mount the AST/IC/Battery.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psd4c81e33.jpg

I found some long lost spare change under the drivers seat:

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps2566b16c.jpg

Here's a side-by-side of what WAS in there, with what WILL be in there:

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps07fb385d.jpg

The left is my original, 1994, leather seat. The right is a "passenger" seat that I purchased while living in England about 4 years ago. Since the UK "passenger" seat is our driver seat I think it should work out perfectly :)

Here's a bit closer of a look.

Out with the old:

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps7edc4200.jpg

In with the new:

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psd896ec6c.jpg

With that done it was time to attack the engine bay.

I mounted the AST up one last time to confirm how long the upper radiator hose needed to be cut.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psec498009.jpg

Then made that shit happen :)

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psd7c443a1.jpg

Next it was time to get those AST hoses sorted. Too easy right? Should only take about 5 min with the dremel to cut the hose down, then it's just fitting the hose ends on and we're moving on!!

The bottom hose got the memo, went smooth as you could want :biggthumpup:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...pscf69a68c.jpg


The upper one though... that fucker had other plans! :dunno: The upper one is/was attached to the rear iron at the port that (used to be) is normally used for the coolant bypass in the Throttle Body. That is the highest coolant point in the keg and should (naturally) be used to feed the AST since any air bubbles in the engine will rest there.

I decided, for the sake of saving time, that I would just cut that hose while still attached to the car. I didn't really feel like removing the UIM and digging through my fuel lines/engine harness to reach where it was mounted.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psca637303.jpg

The cutting went fine, bu while I was threading the second 90 degree -4 fitting disaster struck!

Right as I was tightening the fitting down it broke :(

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psa25623fd.jpg

The damned insert just sheared right in two!!! I had a hardcore rage-face moment because that was my only remaining -4 90 degree hose end, and a straight fitting would NOT work!

You can see the broken fitting, and the piece stuck inside the hose here.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps034d11ed.jpg

At this point I damn near called it for the night. A text was sent out to a couple of the guys who have helped out lot with this so far, that basically consisted of the above picture and the word "fuck" used in a manner that had it fit every part of speech. Think Boondock Saints..

I had a beer and, like any good Enlisted Sailor, hatched up a solution while throwing one back to sooth my nerves.

I had an idea, and only one chance to get this right.. I had one straight -4 hose end left, the 90 degree fitting currently attached to the hose, and just barely enough left over hose that I would be able to fashion a replacement line.

So off came the UIM and the existing AST hose, it was time for a swap.

Here's the hose that WAS on (on the bottom) and my last bit of -4 hosing that would either save, or ruin, my day.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psea191c73.jpg

Thankfully my idea worked perfectly!!

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps839fe535.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psa5f3e6b5.jpg

So at that point it was about 9pm and I was back on track (however I was also in the dog house, as dinner was ready at 8pm, and I ignored the woman for the car.)

Everything after this point went pretty smoothly...

The UIM went back on

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psfb1cf1f1.jpg

Then the IC went in (finally)

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psf28514c9.jpg

The battery went in and here's how she looked at the end of the night:

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...psb70f57ae.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps21d85ab0.jpg

I closed up at about 10pm, all I have left to do tomorrow (hopefully) is hook up the IC piping, install my new drivers seat, and start those heat cycles!! :willy_nilly:

ANNND... eat humble pie to get out of the doghouse.

sweet build and awesome pick up of the seat. I love FD leather seats when they are in good condition like that. Sadly.. i've never actually see a good condition leather one in person.

I just realized how similar our fuel rail setups are. Needless to say, i like it. And thanks for the hint on how to run the lines under the car and mounting the filter. Looks like much less of a daunting task then I was expecting.

Can't wait for more progress!

I see the bolt holding the seat beat finally decided to break loose! Looking good Levi.

Did you find the hardware for the PS bracket?

Cheers Mitch. Yeah, snagging that seat while I was there was a good bit of foresight, lol!

Yeah, that bastard was in there GOOD!! It ended up coming out after several days of being hit with liquid wrench/PB Blaster, then I got fed up and went out to get 10" extension for my 1/2" breaker bar and it slowly started coming loose.

Yeah, I gave Ray Crowe a call and he gathered up the stuff I needed.

Pussy..... torch that shit!

A torch with a really hot flame on the end in Levi's hands not for sexual favours? How might that be a good combo?

I wanted to save the hotness, and the wax, as a surprise for when Brian came back down :dunno:

So a quick weekend update:

After fixing a sticking throttle, some fuel leaks, a small oil leak, a flooded engine and fouled plugs we got my car fired up on Saturday. Having her start up, run, and hold temperature well was an awesome feeling after fighting with the car on Friday night, and all the work put in on it during the week..

So we towed the FD up to Speed1 for a break-in tune. We got a late start and didn't arrive to Speed1 until later in the evening. Once we arrived (with beer and coffee beans) there was a bit of bullshitting and some minor work then it was time for pulling the car of the trailer... Much to my dismay we realized that my clutch master cylinder was toast :( ... So the work stopped and that was pretty much the end of it for the weekend.

I just called up Ray Crowe (my phone had him ranked higher than my parents on my "favorites" list! Lol) and will have a new clutch MC sent up to S1. I'll drive back up on Friday and Brian and I will bench bleed/install the new MC then pick up where last weekend left of.

I'm starting to feel like Odysseus, and the FD is my Odyssey.

:lol: The siren song of Mo'Powa!

FD's are not know for financial disasters for nothing! Glad you got it running!

This is very true, and I'm well aware of it, lol! Yeah, thanks... I'm def stoked that it's (otherwise) hunky dory as well.

Let me know if you need a driver/rider this weekend.:sifone:

I think I may be leaving work early on Friday and running up with Bianca in the Miata. I'll let you know if it looks like that's gunna fall through though.

Great build up, just read the whole thing!

I think it would wise to bring Jack instead of Bianca
Jack would want to hang around and see the doings and help. Bianca would want to turn tail and leave.... what happens if there is something else wrong with the clutch and you need a ride back to VA?
Assumption is the mother of all fuckups...

Are you asking me on a date? :o16:

She'll stick around. She's got a book to read, class exercises to make, and if all else fails, she can do some needlework (I'm not being a chauvinist, she actually does that shit and likes it! lol).

The reason I was going to go with Bianca is because she's got nothing else going on Friday, and I'd like to leave around noon-2pm. Not sure if Jack's schedule will permit that.

If he ain't than I will :naughty:

I am usually done around twoish. So I could be "available" :auto:

Hmmm... That might potentially work than.. Still gunna likely bug Bianca if I just ditch and leave her at home. The bimmer started fucking up this week and is now throwing a CEL (I'm thinking a coil shit the bed) so I don't really want to take that... Was gunna get new tires, and an alignment, on the Miata and take that up..

Thanks! :001_302: I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

Got a shotgun for the BMW? Sounds like it needs to be put out to pasture....


Dude I wouldn't want you to ditch her! I know that for sure wouldn't be cool.

I think I might just aimlessly drive it through DC this weekend.. I figure it'll either get stolen or wrecked/totalled if I don't actively try to stop that from happening, lol.


Yeah, not really. The other option was to take my motorcycle up, if the weather is nice, but that's a LONG fucking ride!!!

Yeah, I know, seen her do it....

Well, ya can't really be @ the shop hanging around before 5:30 anyway...... just saying.....

I keep a .40 @ the shop..... but could bring a shotty, a .308 or a .45 on Friday..... just saying....


:rofl:

And the bike would need to be outside..... I'm getting crap for shit....

I know, but if I don't leave the DC area before that point than I won't be getting ANYWHERE until 7pm... And I don't want to be getting there at 11pm again!

You're getting crap for my car being there?

Yeah,.,.... well, we have to be done gone shop shutdown buy 22:30..... and I need to finish the 8 or at least put it back together... I want.... no... I need to take that fucker with me to RI... if I drive that Jeep and it gives me any shit... I will shoot someone....

There is a diner and a bar within 1.2miles of the shop and triple that with distance.... plus RedRobin and 5Guys 10 miles away... get out of dodge to beat the traffic... it's a hurry up and wait kinda thing sadly.....

Questions were asked....

Fun fun =(

I figured it would be a hurry up and wait kinda thing, I was thinking that we could/would actually get north of Frederick than stop for an hour or three to go hiking or do something along those lines.

Yeah, I was kinda worried about that. Nothing too pointed/terrible I hope..

It will be if I can get the 8 back together.... Maggie is in no rush to get her jeep back so i'll put off swapping the tranny until a different week.

Hiking for 3 hours? When are you planning on leaving? 11? I would plan to be @ the shop by 5-5:30.... txt me when you get off the highway, if it's safe.. IE wilburs gone, swing on by... if not... give it a few minutes.... homegirl hasn't been here till 5 since I can remember...

No.... just a wtf? and whytf? I've already got a jeep, an 8 and a 'vert here... soooo yeah :rofl:

Potentially hiking that long, lol! But no, not likely to *actually* be that long, hehe.

I'll let you know when I hit H'burg, how about that? At the least I could pack a fishing pole and go fishing inside Cabela's :rofl:

Hmm, well I'm hoping that a simple "he came up for a road tune, but the MC was fucked" sufficed... And speaking of the MC... if it didn't arrive today than it should be there tomorrow. I forgot to specify that it needed to be addressed to you though, so Ray may have sent it to S1 c/o me.. I also got some replacement plastic screw tab things for where the bumper attaches to the fender.

Oh yeah.... I've been ignoring my phone all fucking day.... got your txt tonight... I was gonna send you a pic saying, I got a present for you too! but I was on ..... well... lets just say I'm still seeing red and I should've been outt ahere a while ago and blah blah blha.... yeah... hit me up in h-burg.... people generally scoot early on Friday, but I may need help pushing cars around blah blah blah....
I dunno if it sufficed or not.... i haven't heard anything from it.... I mentioned $320 cash in the desk an people started to care less so :fawk: them

Lol, sounds good.

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Here are some from the weekend. Now if Mr. Murphy will stay away from this car!

I like Brian's "serious" face.

What's the verdict on the break-in? What were the issues and what did it make while spinning the rollers?

The break-in started awesome last night. The engine was super smooth and took the 200 mile drive home like a champ.

After 100 miles of driving around today my car got a bit of an attitude this evening... I'm not sure (yet) of if I just ran a bit to low on fuel, if a spark plug stopped working, if an injector pigtail got disconnected, or if an injector is blocked...

Long story short I was driving home from dropping Jack off and heading up a hill when I got some breakup and then, while going down hill, my AFRs leaned WAY out before dying half way down the hill. It didn't really want to start up afterwards and when it did it was very unhappy. I threw a couple gallons of fuel into it hoping that would fix it... Then I just got a tow home. I'll pull/clean the injectors in the morning, deflood the engine, pull the UIM to check the injectors/connectors, etc., etc..

Yay for trouble shooting!

So it turns out that all the car needed was a good nights rest...

I went down to work on the car this afternoon and, before tearing into the engine bay, decided to give just starting it another try.

Lo and behold, she fired right up! The idle was a bit unsteady but that was because my PFC was reading 3 degrees C for both air and water, the AFRs were where they were supposed to be so I kept it running. Once the car got up to 15c it was idling a bit better, and by 30c it was smoothing out more and would idle fine without any assistance. As she warmed up to, and past, 60c she really began purring.

I'm SOOOO happy that it was simply a matter of me running low on fuel. Gotta remember that the FD doesn't get 25mpg+ and that when I start getting to the 200 mile mark in a tank I better get more gas and/or avoid sharp turns and steep hills! lol

So I went ahead and picked up another 3 gallons of fuel while I was running an errand in the DD. I put that in (along with a generous helping of premix) for a total of 6 gallons, plus whatever was left in the tank, and I'll top it off tomorrow while I'm at work.


Vid of it being alive!!

That's good news Levi!