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
Had some free time this afternoon to finally get a detailed mocking of the center console panel done. Need to remember to move the cutout for the switch panel up an 1/8 of an inch when I eventually get around to cutting everything up.
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.
Finally got around to pulling out the cluster and replacing everything with a set of SpeedHut gauges. Plan is to also install a AFR pod to the left of the cluster in the cubby spot on the dash and run a set of wires down to the analog clock/switch panel for lighting control.
Still need to work on wiring up everything, but that’ll involve buying a molex connector which I don’t have.
Good news is all of this only took one blood sacrifice.
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...
Took some more measurements and mocked everything up in cardboard this time.
The switch panel came in so it gave me an opportunity to verify everything is going to fit. A couple of leds on the panel didn’t want to cooperate so the company is going to send me a replacement.
If I get time this weekend I will probably try my first attempt at making the face plate out of the fiberboard I got.
Still need to buy the head unit I want, plus wire everything up.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Finally got a chance to get back to things now that I think I'm going to commit to the Vintage in May. Cleared out all of the things I had in the trunk and laid it all out on my dining room table to get a good sense of what still needs to be done.
Also took a good half hour or so to start grinding out the cracks in the dash. Still not sure of the method of filling them yet but the expanding foam/epoxy route may be the way to go since the dash is getting a new leather cover when its a
Not much of an update. Ship schedule is still nuts (I’ll be out to sea for 6 of the next 8 weeks), but we did finally get the new house set up.
Got the garage cleared out to the point where I could get the car out of the storage unit.
Its nice to have her home.
Finally made it back to land yesterday so I've been going through all of the photos on my phone. Came across the time when my car was used for an episode of Destination America's A Haunting
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.
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.
Decided to make some new side panels as the original ones had fallen apart completely. All in all not a bad project- I even got to play with nearly all my tools: jigsaw, orbital sander, drill press, rotozip, router.
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.
Out of town this weekend for a football game but the shop had a display set up for the autoshow- Kyle asked if he could take my car and since I wouldn’t be using it I had no objections.
Car is just about complete - all that remains is to put on the new rear bumper and resolve an odd ground with one of my turn signals
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
It is satisfying to see everything come together, even if I'm not there to see it in person. Shouldn't be long before it is back on the road.
Of note, those are the original headlights that are back in the car for fitment - I'm replacing them with LED switchback lights. Headliner should be replaced late this week or early next week as well.
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.
