Hey, guys - sorry about the lack of posting. That’s my fault.
The really good news is that the car is in Houston, and it’ll be completed down there. Right now, I’m trying to get the wiring harness installed and finished. If I were to list my level of expertise in the different areas needed to complete the car, engines would definitely be at the top, and electrical would absolutely be way down at the bottom. Given that, it’s extremely frustrating tying to get this electrical work done. As I’ve said on other occasions, electrical is voodoo science to me. I have a Ron Francis harness in the car that is supposed to be a generic harness, however while progressing through the installation process it’s becoming very obvious that the harness is heavily weighted toward using his headlight switch and ignition switch. Trying to use the Lucas toggles for lights and dimmer is posing all sorts of problems with the addition of multiple light relays, etc. This has quickly spiraled way over my head, so progress is extremely slow. It’ll get there; it’s just another challenge to overcome.
After the harness is done, I have to install the radiator, fans,
oil cooler and all the associated aluminum ductwork and shrouding needs to be fabricated. Jim has a metal bending tool, so I’ll try my hand at that. Way back when, I had Nick Acton make up a really neat bracket system that takes the upright Contemporary radiator out, and accepts a Fluidyne Cobra type radiator in the proper laid back position with the pusher fans, etc. After that’s all done, the floor mounted pedal box and lines, also a Nick Acton custom piece, need to be installed. Hopefully that’ll be a straight forward installation. Next comes the emergency brake installation. Jim had a spare handle lying around that we swapped a part for, so I’ll use that one. As far as the hookup goes, that’s a mystery at this point how it’s going to be done. After the electrical, that’s the one job that I think is going to be very difficult.
After that a fuel line and pump need to be run and installed, and some odds and ends sorted out. Then it’s on to powertrain and interior, and hopefully on the road. How long this will all take is anyone’s guess.
Health wise, I’m holding up ok. I just take it day by day. So far everything is going ok. Given the circumstances, that's the best I could ask for, and I'm thankful for what I have.
Getting the car here was a marathon, with Jim and Bill taking me along on a Houston to Michigan and back in 48 hours non-stop run. Whew, what a whirlwind that was. Perhaps the biggest trooper in all this is Jim’s wonderful wife. Her car has been relegated to the driveway to make room for mine, and she has to put up with me inhabiting her garage when I can get there. She and Jim, Bill, Rick Lake, DC Doug, Cobra Ed, FatBoy (Paul), and so, so many others have been absolutely incredible with all this. The car wouldn’t be in Houston without them and all of you who have done so much. Now it’s my job to get this car done, and it WILL get done. I absolutely want to have a chance to drive it, and I WILL drive it. Of that I have no doubt. Now, if I could just get through this darned electrical……….
I promise to make every attempt to do a better job of posting and keeping those of you who are interested up to date on the progress of the car. Thanks so much, once again and always, to each and every one of you.
Doug
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