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About this blog

Following the journey of my 76

Entries in this blog

Fuse Block Upgrade

Following the guidelines in a recent forum post, I decided to jump on the ATC fuse block upgrade train.          Thing you need: Fuse Box at Amazon Adapter File from https://www.thingiverse.com/   Or get it from here: ATO_ATC_Fuse_Box_Adapter.zip   Wiring Diagram: wiring.pdf

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The Rabbit Hole of AC

Been thinking of going down the AC route for some time. Bought the HobieDave bracket and have it sitting on the shelf.   As far as systems go - I'm looking towards the RestoMod AIr Bantam II Ultra Compact system ; https://www.restomodair.com/shopproducts/bantam-ii-ultra-compact-custom-air-conditioning-system/   As luck would have it, you can buy/rent a mock-up box to test fit. Just sent in my payment and once it arrives I'll have 30 days to see if it'll work. More to follow.

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I got a lift!

After searching for months and resigning I’d have to buy new and pay for installation, I managed to find a local guy selling a four post lift for a great price. Rather than disassemble it, I had a hauling company pick it up at his house and drop it off in my driveway.     

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Photo Dump of Progress

After finally coming home from an impromptu 3 month underway, I actually have a chance to upload photos that have been on my phone. While grateful for my wife snagging some progress shots, I had all of the early progress stuck on my phone with me while out at sea. Enjoy.  

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Thoughts on a center console

Beginning to sketch out some ideas for the center console project.    I want a double DIN radio. At least I think I do. I’ve also got the E36 clock/cubby and have finally sourced an illuminated switch panel I can use with toggle switches.    Fitment will be tight, but I think it’ll work.  

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Trunk Opener/Light Kit

Finally got around to installing Cal’s trunk opener and light kit.    First things first - Cal, you have made a hell of a kit. From the packaging to the instructions, this thing is top quality.    Installing is incredibly straight forward. Definitely take the time to clean your old latch system. I spent a few days soaking it in degreaser, carb cleaner, and then wire brushing it. A bit of lithium grease at the back end should keep it in great working order.    Ininst

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Minor Updates

Since I'm still out to sea with no return in sight - there has been no pressure to get the car done. I guess this is a good thing as the shop has time to ensure everything is done to perfection. Car is back from the upholstery shop and I'm digging the new black headliner. Can't wait to be home and see everything in person.

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Views from below

Picking up the car today - touch up work from the Restoration is complete, new strut mounts are in, steering box has new seals, doors have been worked to take the IE aluminum panels. More importantly the custom exhaust is installed. 

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Full heater box rebuild

Wrapped up a full heater box rebuild to include making new bowden cables.    Core was pressure tested and came back great. Replaced all the seals, installed a new plastic fan, fixed all the broken plastic, added a new valve bracket, re-riveted all the holes.    Got to the end and had the square bit of the valve break off when I went to attach the new valve arm.    Son. Of. A. B...

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No Joy

got Around to fiddling with the RestoMod Air mock up box and it doesn’t look like it’ll work. The box is just a bit too tall - I can get it into the right spot but it’s too close to the metal support of the dash to actually hook up any supply lines.    Time to finally get around to refitting the heater core and controls. I’ve certainly put that off long enough. 

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Off for a Headliner

Car is on its way to a local shop to get the new headliner put in. Once it comes back the remaining trim and glass will go in, followed by a full polish of the paint and detail of the interior.  

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A funny thing happened at The Vintage

So, while the Vintage itself was a blast, the trip also served as a multi day shakedown cruise of the car. Discovered a handful of issues that need to be addressed:   Swap bowden cables on left - controlling opposite, no real impact    Bowden cable to heater valve - off? Certainly doesn’t open the valve   Heater valve- leaking, need to look into that   Why am I running so damn hot? Does fan turn on with engine running? Do I need a New water pump? Might as

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Growth Work

It wouldn't be a restoration without growth work. At the recommendation of the shop - I decided to drop out the engine and front subframe for painting. This allowed us to dive into the front body work and see their full state. Turns out the front valence wasn't attached in a few spots and there were some other questionable previous metal work spots, nothing some welding can't fix.

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Edit- Delivery Day (approaches)

Figured I’d update this post since I haven’t picked up the car yet. Turns out there were some weather delays that kept a few of the final bits from arriving on time. That combined with a wiring issue and Christmas vacation led to delivery being pushed to mid January.    Either way, it gave me a chance to finally order the 123 Distributor with Bluetooth which I just dropped off to the shop yesterday. Should be put in today before the snow arrives and pick up should be early next week. 

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Teaser shots

On my local 02 FB page I saw some shots of the car at the last cars and coffee. Still some work to do but it is all coming together.    

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Short update - gauge testing

Home for about a week before another month long underway.    Still workjng on the heater core update (need to figure out why my defrost flaps are hard to open/close). So I bought a 5/8 brace barbed splice and bypassed the heater core so I could finally get around to starting the car up to test the gauges.    After some quick programming of the tach (and verifying measurements against my 123app) everything was looking good. Oil pressure was high to start but decreased over tim

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Air & Auto Classic 8

I was really hoping the car would make its debut at the PCA Air and Auto Classic 8 show today in Virginia Beach. Some last minute rain delayed finishing work and my restoration guy (who was taking the car on my behalf) decided to opt out. I can't fault him for that.   Since I'd paid for the registration, my wife went to the show and enjoyed the sites. She was kind enough to send these to me - looks like quite a few 2002s made it out, which is always a good sign.

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Paint Progress

I may be out to sea, but my wife was kind enough to stop by the shop and send some progress photos. Things are coming along nicely. Still a lot of color sanding to do.    

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Strutting

Working with Brian Kinports out of FL to replicate his gas strut mounts for the trunk and hood. He was kind enough to put together measurements and a prototype kit and send it my way to see how it all worked. I’m happy to report the fit is great    I had to borrow a rivnut tool from a friend, but it went together easily. I may end up putting on some stronger struts for the trunk so that when I press my trunk release button it raises under its own power without needing a nudge up. 

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Years of Enjoyment

Between the time that I purchased the 2002 and when I decided to start the restoration, I enjoyed making minor modifications and taking it to various car shows. One of the first things I did was get a custom license plate, which should be a requirement for all owners. I ended up choosing BTR 02 ("beater") as I wasn't sure I was ever going to embark on a full restoration job and while the car was far from falling apart, the term "beater" seemed appropriate. Next up were window motors an

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Replacing the fuel pump

Received the pump yesterday from Blunt as well as a new filter off of amazon. Took some time this morning to replace it. Longest part was scraping off the old gasket.   

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