Here are the supports I use to hold the front of the transmission until the engine is installed. The material is 1/8" X 1.25" aluminum bar stock.
Thanks Royce ,that way looks so convenient.
I spent most of the day today adjusting the hood and hinges and the hood latch. The factory spec calls for .120" +/- .060" at the cowl to hood gap. I ended up with .125" at each end which made the center .160".
This was where I started, looking from the passenger side across the cowl.
The side to side gap was way off even using all the adjustment available in the hood hinges. The LH side had the hood 1/8" shy of aligning with the hood, while the RH side was off the same exact amount in the other direction.
A single factory style shim from the AMK hood hinge kit under one of the LH hood hinge bolts fixed it.
Royce, what was your approach with determining which AMK bolt/fastener kit to buy? Did you buy the complete set from them?
Your car is looking great by the way!
I bought all the complete kits that they offered.
Yesterday was spent installing the front fenders and grille. Lots of work! We started by test fitting the fenders so that a pattern for the butyl rubber seal strips could be determined. Then the rubber caulk was laid in place where it is supposed to be. This product started out as 5/16" diameter, we used a piece about 18" long and stretched it for the length of the fender. As a result it ended up about 3/16" diameter before getting squished by the fender lip.
With the hood already properly aligned we just needed to get the gaps recommended by the factory shop manual. Door to fender is 3/16", fender to hood (or cowl) is 1/8".
It’s starting to look like we might get done soon! Here is the finished gap, and what the squeezed out seam sealer looks like.
Very nice alignment!
Setback yesterday. I got the grilles installed and then fit the bumper brackets so I could reinstall the anti - squeak pads on the outer bars. When I unwrapped the front bumper it had a spot where the chrome had lifted. It went back to the plater’s shop to be plated again.
Meanwhile I don’t have the dash bezel, still waiting for it to return from Instrument Specialties. I spoke to them yesterday and it seems the chrome lifted when the unmasked it after final painting the black.
I still have an electrical issue that appears to be caused by a bad headlight switch. No power to the instrument backlighting circuit. Going to try jumpering the connections at the headlamp switch to see if that is it.
Down to maybe 20 items left on my list.
Too bad your Cougar wasn’t ready for the Cobra Jet celebration last year Royce - it would have been perfect for display at Carlisle.
Do you plan to bring it to any shows this year?
- Phillip
I would like to take it to All Ford Carlisle if I can get it inside one of the buildings.
I think most if not all of the spots are taken this year, but I will check with my contact.
If not this year, we can start planning early for next year.
I know that this year we will also have a dedicated tent for some Eliminators, since this is their 50th anniversary.
Your '68 CJ does of an “Eliminator” connection, being an ex-Don Nicholson car.
- Phillip
This morning it was a beautiful 65 degrees and clear skies. We got the car out for it’s first test drive. Alignment is by eye, so we won’t be going far. The car will be getting a bath later today to remove all the dust.
What a glorious day! Congrats!
Here we are back from the test drive. Mercifully the transmission is 100%. The car stops and steers well. Brakes need a bit more bleeding. Overall very satisfying!
Awesome! That had to feel good. The question is, did you step on it? 