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Date: 12-11-06 10:51
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga 
Subject: Re: The road to Phoenix  
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** 12.11.06 Update is at the bottom of page 1 **
| J.E.2002 wrote: | ANy possibility of you making some wiring looms for the rest of us?
Thanks!
J.E. |
Sorry JE, I just noticed this.
I dont know about making Wiring Looms myself... I probably could, but I'd be more inclined to do so once I have the car back together. The one I'm using in my car probably took me about 15 hours total to get it where I wanted it. The red ends on all of the wires have numbers written on them that correspond to the wiring diagram I'm using, so thats what took the most effort. I'm sure I could do them, but I have no idea what I'd charge...
Also, I'm going to be printing my large wiring diagrams soon for fellow FAQ-ers. The one I made was around 7' wide and 3' tall, and really helped me out when I needed a reference. There's a shot of it above next to my wiring diagram, and here's a preview:
 _________________ 
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 2-5-07 02:46
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Random Junk...
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Small update... I've been spending most of my time sandblasting, wire-wheeling, plating and painting parts... I have a nice, big pile of new shiny stuff, but very little of it actually bolted together...
Also, I thought I had taken more pictures than this before (and these are the good ones... ugh) but i had a thoroughly terrible day in the shop over the weekend, and didnt feel much like taking any more pictures.
Some highlights: I sprayed some primer in the trunk but forgot to move my sockets and wrenches, so they have a nice grey-green coating of etching primer on them... I dropped a metal broom handle into the side of the car which left a scratch I can only hope to buff out (I left the shop after that gem)... I got black overspray on the nose of the car when touching up a piece on the nose... and I spilled a cup of water INTO the cardboard box that has my carpet kit in it...
Anyhow, here's the pictures I did manage to take:
I stripped the Valve cover for a coat of Crinkle-finish paint. The paint that was on there came off easily enough, but I had to strip it a second time after I thoroughly botched the first coat ("Thick Paint," as the can instructs, does NOT mean running down the side of your valve cover) The second coat went much better, and i'll be posting shots of it on the engine as soon as its done.
With the help of a fellow '02-er, I finally got the steering box apart. I wire-wheeled the outside down, then let the whole thing sit in some mineral spirits to clean out the sludge inside. After that, it got a coat of dull aluminum, and new seals. I'm still waiting for the input shaft seal and the output shaft locking washer, so it won't be going back together until I get those parts in.
My rank pedalbox is rank no more! All parts have been replated, and the difference in the new bushings is amazing... I can't wait to see how it feels once I get it in the car...
Front subframe was stripped and dipped, and new bushings / replated parts started going in also. I still have a few pieces of hardware to replate/replace so this project is ALSO in limbo, awaiting some more pieces before being finally put together.
Random plated and painted bits going back on the engine. I do NOT recommend opening up the Carb side of the intake manifold with a Dremel tool... It works, but you'll be there doing it for about a week.
Finally, the rust holes on the passenger side floorboard have been welded in. These got a coat of primer and paint that I forgot to take a picture of before I left for the day. The entire rest of the interior is Dyna-matted, so once I get this section done I can run wires and put the carpet in!
I actually have gotten a good bit more finished than this, but don't have any pictures of it... So hopefully i'll remember to do that the next time i'm out there.
I had meant to jack the rear end up to remove the rear subframe, but with the front on jackstands, everything just felt waaaaay too unstable. Right now, I think I'm going to rebuild the front subframe, and rebuild a spare rear that I've scavenged off of another car. Once the new front goes on, I'll jack out the rear and swap the old with the rebuilt. For clarification, I can remove the CV's, diff, and swaybar without having to emove the rear subframe, correct? I'm thinking the more I take off of it, the easier it will be to remove when I need to get to it. _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 2-6-07 01:28
From: TMK-001 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Subject: Re: Random Junk...
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Looks good mate! Nice work! Keep it up. How long are you thinking before it hits the road?
Todd _________________ 
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Date: 4-2-07 08:58
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Dumpster Diving!
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Well, I got bumped to page 2 due to the lack of updates. I have been working on the car, as much as my recent work schedule allows (which, to be honest, isn't terribly much) But I have tried to document it as best as possible. The past two months have seen:
- final repairs to any and all floorboard rust holes in the cabin (theres still a small one to be addressed near the gas tank area)
- 95% of soundproofing finished in cabin area
- refinishing of wheel wells
- sandblasting & replating of nearly every single washer, nut and bolt that I could possibly take off the car (these will be picked up this week)
- Refinishing of underside of car
- a rather successful trip to the junkyard...
Can anyone give me a good reason to put these back on? Most restorations I see don't have them, and I've heard rumours that these are asbestos-filled. I'm planning on leaving them out, unless they're a necessary heat shield. Thoughts?
More of the subcomponents are coming together. Its going to be fun when I can FINALLY bolt all this stuff back in
The problem with Krinkle paint is that, once you get the hang of it, you start looking for all other kinds of things that "need" to be textured.
My driving lights are actually situated behind the grilles, but I thought this looked cool, and the plastic was faded and oversprayed anyways.
Maybe i'll go with the Red one. I have a W&N Strut Brace, and with all the red suspension components, it may look good together. I just dont want it to look too "rice"
Cue Red Suspension components. My anti-sway bars were actually a metallic gold when I got to them. That, and the rust, needed to go. Please ignore the pink bike and the dirty matress. Neither of those are mine...
Soundproofing about 95% done. Just some small spots and bubbles to check for. Sorry for the crappy pic, the flash is dead on my digital camera.
Wheel Wells were wire-wheeled down on all loose and rusty spots, shot with zinc primer, and treated to a coating of Herculiner. If this doesnt guard against rock chips and rusting, nothing will.
I scored a 5-speed transmission off a 320i (I'm 99% sure this is the right one, can a Getrag Guru look at these pics and tell me I'm correct on that??) with 150k on the clock. Spins very nicely, no grinding, and no chips or metal shavings in the fluid, so I'm pretty confident in my $42 transmission.
I also got a rebuilt starter that was sitting on a 320is with a giant hole in cylinder #3. Haven't tested it yet, but its the smaller M3 variant, and it cost me $12.
Lastly, I yanked the EFI manifold from the very same 320, for a Megasquirt project I may or may not do in the near future. My plans right now are to get the car running with EDIS and a 38/38, then upgrade to Megasquirt after I'm familiar with everything and have all the kinks worked out.
Did I mention I'm running out of places to put all this crap?!
 _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 4-2-07 04:14
From: oz_tom in Melbourne - Australia
Subject: Re: Dumpster Diving!
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Nice mate! You've got alot of parts there!
I think i prefer the black spackle valve cover but i think the red would look great with the red strut bar... ah decisions! _________________ 
72tii - Whitey
74 - Blacky
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Date: 4-3-07 06:25
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Re: Dumpster Diving!
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| carrosene wrote: | The car is looking really good. Its odd how similar our lives seem. We both live in Atlanta, we are both graphic designers, it sounds like we about the same age from your story, and I still have my classic thunderbird from when I was 16. Sadly the work I have been doing to my thunderbird lately has been to get it ready to sell. I will miss that car when it is gone. Luckily I am looking to replace it with a 2002. If I can ever find a decent one in Georgia.
Oh yeah. I have also done work for your company before. Such a small world. |
No kidding? I never mentioned my company, so its probably my last name thats giving it away (not many "Krix's" running about) Funny thing, there's a little shady body shop on the street where I work, and a verona 1970 popped up there randomly last week. I was wondering if its anyone on here.
Shoot me an email if you're looking for a good car. I may know of a few guys who could track one down for you. If a car goes for sale in Georgia, these two know about it!
hkrix at teamgo dot com _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 4-3-07 07:36
From: powelli in Fairfax Station, VA 
Subject: Re: Random Junk...
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Looking good....
I was shooting to have mine back together by May. That completion date will likely slip as well.
I really wish that I had sent my bolts/washers/etc. out for plating. Looks so nice and clean when it goes back on the car. _________________ 74 2002tii - m20 powered - Under re-construction
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Date: 4-4-07 09:13
From: oz_tom in Melbourne - Australia
Subject: Re: Bling!
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Looks like you struck GOLD! Haha...
Things moved pretty quickly for me in the past month - headlining, dash, insulation, stereo, engine, heaterbox refurb so with solid work I think you'll have her on the road soon! Do you have an ETA in mind yet?
Cant wait!
Tom _________________
72tii - Whitey
74 - Blacky
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Date: 4-23-07 07:11
From: oz_tom in Melbourne - Australia
Subject: Re: 4.23.07
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Now thats some eye candy! Seems a shame you have to put it back under the car! _________________
72tii - Whitey
74 - Blacky
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Date: 5-29-07 12:18
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Memorial Day: X
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Man I'm pissed.
I was looking forward to getting a full three days of work in on the car. Subframe ready to go in, struts finally re-assembled, brakes (sort of) ready for the front, pedalbox waiting to go in, booster assembly set to go...
And I get called into my office at 3pm on Saturday afternoon. 12 hour day on Sunday, another 12 hour day Monday. Did I mention I'm salary, and I dont get any overtime or bonus because of this?
Yeah. Pissed.
Subframe is currently sitting on some jackstands, about 3" below the frame rails. Struts are in the car, currently hanging by the strut bearings (I hope this won't have an adverse effect on the bearings sitting this way for a week or so)
I'll have my usual array of half-assed pics in a bit. Man, I hate my job... _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 6-27-07 02:07
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Re: Memorial Day: X
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Follow-up to the Memorial Day weekend:
I have gotten a lot more work finished (front brakes, finding out my wheels don't fit....) but here's some shots of things I was working on during memorial day weekend...
I realize its a rattle-can engine bay, but some of the cracks in the paint here (done at the body shop, not by me) were really starting to tick me off. So i sanded out everything in here flat and started over. Most of this is hidden under decals and the like anyways, but at least there's a flat surface to work with now.
So, here are my springs. "JAMEX" brand. Who knows? they fit, and drop the car waaaaay low, so i'm all for it!
Jamex + Billy's = Fresh, VERY stiff struts!
Subframe install...This is how I left things on Memorial day before I went in to work. Its all in and buttoned up (except for the safety wire on the struts) so as soon as I figure out how to get my damn wheels to fit, we'll be ground-ward bound!
Yes, its krinkle red. It actually looks pretty cool with the krinkle black valvecover. I'm undecided whether or not i'll keep this though...
More to come, I just need to take more pictures of all this stuff i'm doing. _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 6-27-07 06:40
From: oz_tom in Melbourne - Australia
Subject: Re: Memorial Day: X
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Ive heard of Jamex before. There was a tii strut, jamex shock and spring setup on UK ebay not long ago.
Cant wait to see her on the ground! _________________
72tii - Whitey
74 - Blacky
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Date: 6-29-07 08:44
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Shopping Spree
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Odered today:
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1 x GM Closed Element CLT / IAT Sensor with Pigtail (CLTIATwPiggy) = $16.50
1 x MegaSquirt Relay Board - UnAssembled Kit (MSRelay-K) = $64.00
1 x GM Open Element IAT Sensor with Pigtail (IATwPiggy) = $21.00
1 x MegaSquirt Stimulator v2.2 - UnAssembled Kit (MSStim22-K) = $45.00
1 x MegaSquirt-I or II Relay Cable (MSRelayCable) = $70.00
1 x MegaSquirt-II Programmable EFI System PCB3.0 - Kit w/ BLACK CASE (MS230-K_BL) = $253.00
4 x Fuel Injector Pigtails - Bosch (InjPiggy-Bos) = $22.00
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& also some 24# injectors and a TPS off eBay
Many thanks to Finkbuilt, Zenon & johnhup for the extensive documentation on their builds. The info provided there was a huge help in deciding what components to purchase.
I cant wait to start soldering this stuff together! _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 6-29-07 10:20
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Re: Shopping Spree
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Date: 7-5-07 12:22
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Re: Shopping Spree
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So, since my OZs won't fit (dammit) i've been looking at other alternatives.
I don't want to go the BBS route... a big hell-no to bottlecaps (no offense to those that have them)... Can't go back to 13" stocks because of the Volvo brakes.
I found these while wandering around online:
15x7, et 35. I'm going to be running some pretty short springs, but nothing like bent struts or coil-overs. If I went with a 195 tire and possibly a 5mm spacer, I'm thinking these could fit pretty well. They're available in Gold, Red and Silver (above) which is what I'll probaly go with.
Not to mention they're only $150/wheel! _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 7-5-07 01:17
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: Re: Shopping Spree
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They're called "OG-San" - a wheel made by Axis:
http://www.axiswheels.com/
This is the best price i've found on them. They seem to sell everywhere for about $150-ish, with tire & wheel packages going for around $800. Not a bad price.
http://wheelstudio.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1_3/products_id/11849?osCsid=19f5124039a5129fe97b186bdf7de7ac
There's also another wheel, ET 35 (i think) but only available in 15x8. Would be good for people w/ Turbo flares. They're called the "Oldskool" 4x100 bolt pattern, 3" lip! These come in gold, white, and black/polished. Pretty neat rims, and everything I've read about them says they're good quality for the price.
I think once I scrounge up $600, I'll pick up a set. They sure look badass, and as per regulation with any cool wheel, will definately be a bitch to clean. _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 7-9-07 01:37
From: H_Krix in Atlanta, Ga
Subject: 7.7.07
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Another Holiday weekend... Why do I always feel like I didn't get shit done when I look at my pictures? Probably because I always forget to take pics...
Not shown:
- Finished assembling my Megasquirt, Stim board, and Relay board
- Installed Heater box, and got REALLY pissed off when I immediately dropped a screw inside the damn thing no more than 5 minutes of it being in the car. Per regulations, this became lodged into the vent flaps, completley immobilizing them. Horray.
- Took out heaterbox agression on my Escort EDIS pulley. The wood-wedge and sledge-hammer did the trick, and now my 36-1 wheel is free of its Ford counterpart.
- Stripped Gastank (outside) and flushed inside with MEK. I have a re-sealant kit coming from POR-15, so that will get wrapped up this weekend.
- Ran 318i rear battery cable to trunk
And now the (few) pictures I did take:
What would you do if you found this on a car? Call it ghetto? Laugh uncontrollably? Yeah, probably me too... but my old bypass pipe was rusted beyond belief, and I didn't feel like buying a new one or play roulette with the scrapyard. Yes, thats 3/4" household copper pipe. New water bypass pipe = $4
With possible Intercooler piping as well as Oil Cooler piping in my future, I took the opportunity with the engine out to open the nose up a little bit. Of course, this means more painting.
Pedalbox/booster mounted. You can see here the flex that my steering guibo is under, which is the suspected cause of my steering box leakage...
Of course, brakes are in the car, minus new lines and brake pads. Oh, and wheels that fit. I'm still ticked about that.
TPS Adapter plate made from Aluminum plate. Works well, looks... well, decent. The TPS hides the clamp-scars fairly well... I'm using a 325i throttle body with a variable-resistance TPS I bought off Ebay.
Oh, after my genius idea with the copper pipe, I decided to try another homebrew concoction. A spray-paint cap looks like its just about the right size to fit over the heaterbox blower motos and keep out rain moisture. Sounds like a great idea, right?
Hell, that almost looks factory, doesn't it? Suuuuuure it does. Then you get the thing in the car, bolt it up, and find out it hits the hood lock-down bar right in the middle and makes turning the lever feel like an arm-wrestling competetion.
But you dont want to take the heaterbox back out, so you get an x-acto and cut away the cap while the box is still in the car. No problem. Then you go and remove that little 8mm nut there at the top... and THATs when you get to take the box out again, since its now blocking the vent flaps, because your dumb ass dropped it right into the heaterbox. Man, i felt like a winner when that happened.
Finally, an obligatory shot of my engine, since it seems to change in every single post I do.
 _________________
click signature above for my resto blog
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Date: 7-9-07 06:24
From: oz_tom in Melbourne - Australia
Subject: Re: 7.7.07
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Mate, you've been busy - all looks like top notch work. Im really enjoying your thread. Keep it up!
Oh, and that red spackle looks nuts! I love it.
Tom _________________
72tii - Whitey
74 - Blacky
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Date: 7-9-07 08:47
From: esty
Subject: Re: 7.7.07
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harrison....this is the 1st time i've read your thread here...i should visit this section more often...you're doing some beautiful work...i love the intake and valve cover....
i consider myself bless'd now that i have a part of your dream on my car....
keep up the good work _________________  Portrait of a Deadbeat
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