She's On Her Way

[CJ428CJ]

Chaplin and Ikestaa,

Like I said, I'm just a month or so ahead of you. Everything has gone together very well but here are a couple of things that will save you a little bit of time:

1. I had to remove the fuel tank to install the wire to the sending unit. No biggie but of course that also means disconnecting the fuel filler hose. After I finished the wiring, I reinstalled the fuel tank and the filler hose. Next I installed the trunk carpeting. I had expected the bottom mat to be trimmed around the fuel filler hose but it wasn't. Rather than trimming around the fuel filler hose which would have messed up the nice binding around the outside of the carpet, I chose to trim a hole in the middle of the carpet. So of course, that meant removing the fuel filler hose again. No biggie. Finished the carpet and reinstalled the fuel filler hose. Next came the rearend. I put it on a floor jack and started rolling it in from side of the car. It wouldn't clear the dolly wheels so guess what? Out came the fuel tank again to get a bit more room to maneuver the rearend. The moral of the story is, don't reinstall the fuel tank until you've installed the rearend, the carpet and the wiring.

2. I thought removing the fuel tank would give me enough room to install the rearend. I was wrong. The dolly wheels were in the way. I ended up placing the car on floor jacks and removing the dolly wheels. After the rear end was in, I replaced the dolly wheels but they wouldn't fit in the original location. I had to install them using the rear sway bar mounting wholes.

3. I installed all four badges. The side badges went on easily but I really struggled with the front and rear badge. They're installed using those really thin little push on type of nuts (I forget what they're called). But the fiberglass is relatively thick at that location on the hood and trunk and I couldn't get the push on nuts on. I struggled and struggled. I finally ran to the hardware store, bought a size 6-32 die for about $7 and threaded the posts on the badges. Threading them was a piece of cake and it allowed me to use a conventional nut and washer - way easier than those damn push on things that chewed up my fingers.

Tonight I'm working on the front suspension. Within a couple of weeks it should be time for the engine and tranny. Can't wait. If I have pointers after that, I'll let you know.

Chris

[ERA 626]

Chris,
Great Idea on the badges!!! I think I will remove those dumb ass push on things and do the same.
I did not have to remove my gas tank to get to the sender wiring though.

Chris,
Post pictures!

[Pete C]

Ikestaa,
I'm sure that it is all you have hoped for and more! Every time I look at my ERA I thank the gods for my good fortune. Enjoy but take your time and learn to handle her slowly and with great respect!

Cheers, Pete C

[Ikestaa]

Thank you guys for all of the complements. I was kind of unsure about the color, but I think it turned out great. Plus, pictures don't even do it justice. It was absolutely gorgeous when we were unloading it off of the truck. A semi won't fit in our neighborhood so we met Intercity lines at a local church parking lot to unload it. The sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky. People driving by literally stopped in the middle of the road to look at it. I will try and get some pictures of her in her new home plus some of the parts (the front brakes are as beautiful as the rest of the car) up tomorrow. Thanks againg for all of the complements, and thank you also to CJ428CJ for your insight.

[CJ428CJ]

Mike,

I'm out of town this coming week. I'll post some build update pictures after I get back. I got the spindles installed on both sides. I'll have the rotors and calipers installed soon. Almost time to install the tires and wheels. I've got the wheels. Time to go tire shopping I guess.

Regarding the fuel sending unit wire, the instruction manual implied that a jumper wire would already be on the sending unit. Mine didn't have it. I guess they forgot.

Chris
ERA 629

[Ikestaa]

Well, it was a good first day. We got the dash wired and installed. All of the weather stripping was installed. And the air vents were installed and adjusted. I think tomorrow we will finish the wiring and install the MSD box.

[Carroll DeWeese]

The car looks great. Sounds like you are getting close to driving it. When do you estimate that you will go out on your first drive?

[Jamo]

Ike--assolutely excellent color. Sounds like you're jumping right into it. Just have a ball!

[Ikestaa]

Originally posted by Carroll DeWeese


Sounds like you are getting close to driving it. When do you estimate that you will go out on your first drive?

We haven't even started talking about that yet. We did have a pretty good first weekend. The electrical, including MSD, is pretty much done. The only major snag was cracked paint on the top of the door. The doors fit pretty tight (I guess we need to adjust the strikers) and my dad was pushing on the middle of the door to close it and I think he cracked the paint when doing so. Oh well, the first scratch had to come some time.

It may take us a little longer, as I am away at school, and my dad promised to wait for me to help him with it. I couldn't ask for more!

[ERA 626]

when you install the Interior/carpet you will have to remove the doors either way. good luck keep us posted!!
Sorry about the paint

[Ikestaa]

How much of an ordeal is it to realign the doors and good. We marked where the brackets were with a marker, but I know that can be tricky.

[Turk]

Ikestaa,
You want the engine in place before you adjust the doors, I would think!
Door adjutments on an ERA is a piece of cake.

TURK

[Excaliber]

Love that color,,,,,,,,but I like stripes too!

Ernie