First Pics of ERA #795 - Page 5

lippy · #1 (**permalink**) 10-21-2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

A lessons learned I forgot to pass on - it's a bit of a pain prepping the oil pan for the oil temp gage sender after engine installation. I had to go shopping for a bushing for mine as the hole in the pan was too large for the ERA equipped plug. It may depend on the oil pan source. I found the bushing easy enough at Pep Boys.

Dan

What is the size of the ERA sender? I *think* the fitting in the pan is 1/2" NPT.

kevins2 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2013, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lippy

Kevin,
Wow, that looks great. Where did you mount the fuel pressure regulator? I don't see it.
Thanks.

Thanks Lippy. I'm using a Carter mechanical fuel pump that self-regulates at 5.5 to 7.5 psi so I don't believe I need an additional fuel pressure regulator. Hope I have that right!

Regards,

Kevin

kevins2 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2013, 05:23 PM

You are both correct. The pan is 1/2" NPT and the ERA sensor fitting is 3/8 so off to the hardware store I go...

DanEC · #4 (**permalink**) 10-21-2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevins2

You are both correct. The pan is 1/2" NPT and the ERA sensor fitting is 3/8 so off to the hardware store I go...

You beat me to it while I was trying to refresh my memory. 3/8 to 1/2 NPT is what I had to deal with. I found it in a blister pack on a rack of brass adaptors at Pep Boys so should be easy to find.

KevinW · #5 (**permalink**) 10-22-2013, 07:46 AM

Can I ask what oil pan that is?
Got the same problem with the oil sender, and no idea about american fittings.

great pics btw

kevins2 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-22-2013, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinW

Can I ask what oil pan that is?
Got the same problem with the oil sender, and no idea about american fittings.

great pics btw

Hi Kevin,

Mine is a Canton 15-820. Pipe fittings are measured based on the inside diameter of a pipe. You can do a Google search on NPT (National Pipe Threads) and find lots of information. However, as a simple rule of thumb, if you measure the thread diameter of a male pipe fitting and subtract 1/4", you'll have the fitting size (pipe walls are nominally about 1/8"). So, for example, the ERA fitting is 5/8" diameter, so it is a 3/8" fitting. The plug in the oil pan is 13/16 diameter (or nominally 3/4 - a bit of rounding is sometimes required), so that is a 1/2" fitting. So, I'll need a 3/8 to 1/2" adapter.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Kevin

kevins2 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2013, 02:01 PM

First start went well and I've put just over 36 miles on it. Had a couple of minor issues (blown fuse for cooling fans - covered in another thread) but am almost ready for inspection. I just need to fix a problem with the right turn signal, put the wipers on and mount the side view mirror and it will be ready to go.

Below are a couple photos of the finished cockpit. Well, finished except for installing the door pockets and aligning the doors. I've been focusing mostly on things necessary to pass inspection and hope to sneak that in before winter.

mrmustang · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2013, 03:28 PM

Looking good, let me know when you are ready for your inspection and I'll point you to someone "Cobra friendly"........

Bill S.

kevins2 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2013, 03:46 PM

Hi Bill,

A long time ago, you recommended a place in Pottstown and I've called them. Just need to get some help trailering the car up there (I have someone that is working on borrowing a trailer).

After speaking with them, I'm very comfortable that they are "Cobra friendly". Thanks much for the help. I also learned of a Cobra friendly tag agency so I'm hoping for an easy process.

Regards,

Kevin

DanEC · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2013, 03:54 PM

Kevin - looks great. Already have 36 miles down. I'm envious.

Dan

mrmustang · #11 (**permalink**) 11-03-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevins2

Hi Bill,

A long time ago, you recommended a place in Pottstown and I've called them. Just need to get some help trailering the car up there (I have someone that is working on borrowing a trailer).

After speaking with them, I'm very comfortable that they are "Cobra friendly". Thanks much for the help. I also learned of a Cobra friendly tag agency so I'm hoping for an easy process.

Regards,

Kevin

Sent you a PM

ERA Chas · #12 (**permalink**) 11-03-2013, 04:48 PM

I'd replace those 2" straps with 3" and put a clamp across the extinguisher so it doesn't become a projectile.

kevins2 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-04-2013, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

I'd replace those 2" straps with 3" and put a clamp across the extinguisher so it doesn't become a projectile.

Hi Chas,

I was considering adding a submarine belt - upgrading to wider shoulder straps would be a good upgrade as well. And, you're right about the extinguisher bracket. I'll either weld a couple quick-release clamps on to replace the rubber bungies or, more likely, just get a vehicle-rated bracket. Want it black anyway...

As you can imagine, getting the car this close to finished is going to make for a long winter. These will be good winter projects, thanks for the suggestions.

Regards,

Kevin

patrickt · #14 (**permalink**) 11-04-2013, 05:43 AM

... and upgrade the cockpit unit to a Halotron extinguisher. I have the old fashioned white powder unit strapped to the roll bar in the trunk and the Halotron unit between the seats. That way, if it's Chas's car that's on fire I use the messy white powder unit, but if it's mine, I use the Halotron.

kevins2 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-04-2013, 06:35 AM

Mine is a Cold Fire unit so, although everyone has their own favorite, Cold Fire is just fine. Hope I never have the opportunity to actually use it...

lippy · #16 (**permalink**) 11-04-2013, 09:46 AM

The car looks incredible. Great job.

I have a portable bottle of Halotron and am trying to decide whether to mount it where you did, or toward the front of the tunnel, behind the vertical tubes. If it is on the tunnel, people may be less tempted to screw with it when parked.

patrickt · #17 (**permalink**) 11-04-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lippy

The car looks incredible. Great job.

I have a portable bottle of Halotron and am trying to decide whether to mount it where you did, or toward the front of the tunnel, behind the vertical tubes. If it is on the tunnel, people may be less tempted to screw with it when parked.

Put it between the seats, on top of the tunnel, right under your elbow. It makes for a perfect arm rest with your palm on the shifter. <seriously>

lippy · #18 (**permalink**) 11-04-2013, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Put it between the seats, on top of the tunnel, right under your elbow. It makes for a perfect arm rest with your palm on the shifter. <seriously>

Sounds like a good suggestion. Maybe I would aim the nozzle toward the passenger though

kevins2 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-04-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lippy

The car looks incredible. Great job.

I have a portable bottle of Halotron and am trying to decide whether to mount it where you did, or toward the front of the tunnel, behind the vertical tubes. If it is on the tunnel, people may be less tempted to screw with it when parked.

Hi Lippy,

Thanks, much appreciated. I've seen extinguishers mounted under the dash but I have a heater so not an option for me.

Regards,

Kevin

kevins2 · #20 (**permalink**) 11-28-2013, 09:51 PM

Update on the car:

When I installed the engine, it was possible to move it forward and back a bit in the slotted chassis mounts to get the side pipes centered in the body opening. Had it looking good but after driving it a bit, the engine found its own sweet spot and the driver's side was a bit closer to the back of the body cut-out and ever so slightly singed the paint (you can see in the first photo where it singed the paint on the upper portion of the trailing edge of the opening). After consulting with ERA, the recommended procedure is to enlarge the opening. I enlarged it about 1/4 inch and managed to make a nice straight, clean edge with no damage to the paint. I then touched up the inside edge with primer and paint and it came out perfectly. The first photo shows the opening taped off where I wanted to enlarge it, the second shows it cut out up to the tape and the third shows the result.

The next milestone was the inspection, which was uneventful. The car passed and the paperwork has been submitted to the State so I'm now waiting to receive the VIN plate and tag.

I'm currently dealing with a couple of setbacks. One is an oil leak at the back of the intake manifold. This was discussed in another thread but essentially, I'm trying to stop the leak with ultra-gray RTV. Tried "Right Stuff" but that didn't stop the leak. I'll report more on this once I have time to work on it.

The second setback is a bad bearing in the rearend assembly where the half-shaft connects to the differential. There is supposed to be a bit of play at the hub, but the inner end of the shaft shouldn't have any play at all. In the short video below, you can see the problem. It is easiest to see by watching the play in the brake rotor.

Rear loose - YouTube

So, I've removed the gas tank and rear assembly and then removed the half-shaft, lower coil-over mounts and brake caliper to get to the inner bearing assembly. Either the bearing was defective or the nut that secures it was not torqued properly by the vendor that assembled it for ERA. The nut is still secured with the retaining ring, so it hasn't moved. Regardless, I've shipped this back to ERA and they will rebuild it for me.
Below is a photo of the offending bearing.

Although I'm not happy about this since I bought the car with the rear assembled and installed, there is a bright side. I've learned a lot about this part of the car so when it's all done I'll be pleased to have gained the knowledge and experience. And, as they always do, ERA is doing everything possible to help me through this so I appreciate that.

Kevin