kahmann Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 I towed my 66 fastback to NorCal Motorsports in Sacramento 2 Mondays ago so that they could tie up all the loose ends of my restoration project and finally get this thing on the road. Anyway, I'll use this thread to catalog the final weeks of the project. There were a few classics in line before me, so they didn't actually get started on mine until today. They seam sealed the new floor pan edges, cleaned up the underbody, sprayed it with a textured coating, then painted it black. It looks infinitely better than it did 2 weeks ago. Now they can get the transmission installed and finish running the brake lines. Here's what the underside looked like this afternoon. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted May 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Here's a shot I grabbed today of the progress. It's moving along a lot slower than I'd like. The Ring Brothers fender and strut tower bolts are in (just dress up), as are the battery/alternator cables, engine hoses, and some other small parts. The Holley 650 I picked up doesn't have any provision for the vacuum hose, so it'll have to be run to the back of the intake, just below the carb. Next up, install the transmission and shifter, get the measurements for the aluminum driveshaft, install new export brace, finish engine and stereo wiring, and on and on... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted May 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 I took these shots on Thursday afternoon, after finding out that my headers and manual rack & pinion steering kit are NOT compatible with the original 4 speed toploader that they just installed. I was told that I'd need to spend $2k-$3k on a new 5 speed trans. I suggested a hydraulic clutch kit to resolve the interference with the mechanical linkage. So now we're all on the hunt for a kit. You'll see that the trans and bellhousing are installed, along with the Hedman long tube headers, Pertronix ignition box/digital rev limiter, custom e-brake assembly, and the rest of the stainless steel brake lines/fittings/brackets. I'm very happy with the work itself and the quicker pace. If I can get the clutch issue resolved without having to buy a new transmission, I'll be ecstatic. The guys at NorCal are telling me 1-2 weeks to get the car running, complete the high priority stuff, and adjust the ride height. After that, I'll still need them to complete the exhaust and install the subframe connectors. Once all of that is done, it's back to the paint shop for some repair work. My wallet and I are getting pretty tired of this project. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted May 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Rest of the photos from Thursday: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 I stopped by the shop this morning to drop off the new TCP monte carlo bar and truss braces for the TCP export brace. While I was there, I snagged a few photos of some of the recently completed work. It's been painfully slow going lately with this thing. A 2 week job is turning into a 2 month job pretty quickly. Ken Anyway, here are the pics: 1 - billet aluminum Lokar throttle pedal (I had already installed the clutch and brake pedals) 2 - Ford Racing 'Masterpiece Gauge Collection' with the JME brushed aluminum gauge bezel (the dash pad needs to be screwed down above the gauges) 3 - billet throttle pedal support on the firewall inside the engine bay 4 - throttle cable installed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckySnake Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Very nice! Looking forward to seeing more pix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted June 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Very nice! Looking forward to seeing more pix. Thanks a lot man.. It's been killing me lately. It seems like this just goes on forever and ever! The reason I didn't just finish the last 5% of the work myself is because I was tired of waiting to hear it run... But here I sit a month later. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted June 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 I just got these photos of my new TCP (Total Control Products) export brace, monte carlo bar, and truss braces installed. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT-C0056 Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 looking good Ken. I miss my 66 that i sold in April already!! Wife said it had to go if i bought the Shelby. I need to get the Mach 1 painted soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckySnake Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I just got these photos of my new TCP (Total Control Products) export brace, monte carlo bar, and truss braces installed. Ken Looking forward to hearing it run. Should be a blast to drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Looking forward to hearing it run. Should be a blast to drive. Me too and I hope so! I've got a good feeling that there will be lots of 'tweaking' and 'adjusting' for the first month or so. I just hope that I don't end up wanting to rip the thing apart again by this winter. My wife would kill me. Quick update - I'm still waiting on McLeod to ship my hydraulic throwout bearing to Autoworks International. Once they receive it, they'll ship the entire clutch kit to me. I'll then run it out to Nor-Cal and they can finally finish this thing up. Everything that's left to be done is on hold, till that hydraulic clutch kit arrives. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Bead blasted and black painted strut tower caps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svttim Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Looking very nice. I just picked up a 70 Fastback that i will be starting, hopefully, soon. Gave me some things to think about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08SGT1977 Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Looks great, Ken. Beautiful car. I love the grille and paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 Looking very nice. I just picked up a 70 Fastback that i will be starting, hopefully, soon. Gave me some things to think about Thanks guys! Tim, I'd love to see some pics of the 70 you picked up, if you get a chance. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 Looks great, Ken. Beautiful car. I love the grille and paint. Thanks man.. Here are some decent exterior pics I took awhile back. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT-C0056 Posted July 5, 2009 Report Share Posted July 5, 2009 Looking very nice. I just picked up a 70 Fastback that i will be starting, hopefully, soon. Gave me some things to think about I am also working on a 70 Mach 1. I am at the point to make it either a modified or return it back to stock. Dont know what to do... Before After Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2009 I am also working on a 70 Mach 1. I am at the point to make it either a modified or return it back to stock. Dont know what to do... Hey Louis, now that's a muscle car! Looking good man. That's a tough call though for sure. I had the same battle over my fastback, only because it's a hard to find A-code, which is the only engine originally equipped with a 4 barrel carb aside from the coveted K-code of course. In the end, however, I decided to build it my way. There are already some things that I want to change about it, but for the most part, this is the 66 that I want to drive. Good luck with whichever direction you choose. She'll be a beauty either way! Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08SGT1977 Posted July 5, 2009 Report Share Posted July 5, 2009 Thanks man.. Here are some decent exterior pics I took awhile back. Ken b-b-b-b-b-bad to the bone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Finally, the hydraulic clutch kit arrived from Autoworks. Here's a pic of it out of the box. The reservoirs still haven't shipped, but are scheduled to depart Monday. Regardless, this hydraulic throwout bearing will allow the guys at NorCal MS to wrap up my car once and for all. This has been holding up the entire show. With this, they can get the transmission and headers back in, get the driveshaft cut/installed, and weld in the Summit x-pipe and Bassani race mufflers. There's no reason they shouldn't be done by Friday. Hopefully I'll have good news to report by the middle of the week! Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 :koolaid: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTIMID8 Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT-C0056 Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 Ken, Other than working on the Mach 1, here is my Vert.....I imagine you like the color Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Ken, Other than working on the Mach 1, here is my Vert.....I imagine you like the color That's a very nice blue Louis. :happy feet: I stopped by NorCal Motorsports today to check on the progress of my 66 and to meet the guy from Gold River to get a quote for the minor paint repair needed. Well he must have gotten lost because we all waited around for over an hour and he never showed or called. <_< Regardless of that, it was nice to get a chance to catch up with Gary and Jason. I felt pretty bad that they waited around all night for a dude that never showed up. Aside from that, I snagged a few photos of the newly corrected ride height. They lopped 1/2 coil off of each front spring and installed lowering blocks to the rear leaf springs. The exterior appearance is night/day different in a very good way now that it's sitting so much lower. The interior is basically finished. All that's left is for them to button the console down and install the shifter, once they can get the tranny back in. The steering setup and gauges look brilliant, IMO. The engine bay is 99% there also. Just a few last minute touch ups necessary. I'm chomping at the bit to hear them fire her up for the first time. We're all waiting on Autoworks again. They shipped the hydraulic throwout bearing kit, minus the reservoir (after MONTHS of waiting). I've been told dozens of times that it was 'shipping today'. It's getting pretty irritating. Also, they shipped the wrong sized piston with the kit, so we're waiting on the correct piston to ship directly from McLeod. Once they have that, they can finish the clutch kit, re-install the transmission, wrap up the exhaust, and install the new aluminum driveshaft. They mentioned that if they see the correct piston by Monday, this thing could be done by Friday. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dans07SGT Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Ken, that is a thing of beauty for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 Ken, that is a thing of beauty for sure! Thanks Dan! Yesterday was the first time in a long time that I've been happy to see the old fastback. It's been one issue after the other with this restoration, but I'm finally now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. And it sure is purdy. Hopefully I'll have some video of it fired up this week. :happy feet: Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 The reservoir for the clutch kit finally showed up today and my wife didn't tell me till a few minutes ago! I can almost hear that 331 stroker running now... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Well they tried firing it up today, but had no oil pressure. It turned out that the machine shop forgot to add the oil pump pickup and screen to the pump itself. After taking the pan off, they found what appeared to be shot peen left over inside of the block. I called the machine shop and they said they don't even have a shot peen machine and that they use acid to clean the block. Now we're all left scratching our heads. We came to the weary decision that the metal shavings must be left over from when they bored the cylinders out or re-tapped the holes for the main cap threads in the block. They also found gobs and gobs of assembly lube, more than any of us have ever seen used in any engine. The plan now is to flush the hell out of the engine with a whole lot of oil, run it, flush with oil, check the filters for metal, flush with oil, run it again, and flush with oil. I'm crossing my fingers that we're not about to grenade this brand new engine. I'm the one giving the green light on all this, so I'll have no one to blame but myself. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahmann Posted July 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Well they tried firing it up today, but had no oil pressure. It turned out that the machine shop forgot to add the oil pump pickup and screen to the pump itself. After taking the pan off, they found what appeared to be shot peen left over inside of the block. I called the machine shop and they said they don't even have a shot peen machine and that they use acid to clean the block. Now we're all left scratching our heads. We came to the weary decision that the metal shavings must be left over from when they bored the cylinders out or re-tapped the holes for the main cap threads in the block. They also found gobs and gobs of assembly lube, more than any of us have ever seen used in any engine. The plan now is to flush the hell out of the engine with a whole lot of oil, run it, flush with oil, check the filters for metal, flush with oil, run it again, and flush with oil. I'm crossing my fingers that we're not about to grenade this brand new engine. I'm the one giving the green light on all this, so I'll have no one to blame but myself. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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