Baldrick's Winter Makeover

[IanF]

Our plan is to replace the entire intake with a pair of SU's in the near future, so we'd rather not put money into the Z-S for a manual choke conversion (~$130 from various sources?). However, a bit of time to take apart, clean, lube and reassemble I might be able to swing.

 

[DrEntropy]

I'd forgotten your SU conversion plan. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

 

[Jerseygirl]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread.

Ian has finally started working on Baldrick again and promises me that he'll finish the wiring stuff up by the end of the month. We still need to make the new dashboard, but I guess that will be next winter. :frown:

Anyway, he finally figured out why the dashboard lights didn't work... He never actually finished connecting their wiring... At least it was an easy fix.

Still need to get the stereo and heated seats up and running, but at least there has finally been some progress.

 

[IanF]

Anyway, he finally figured out why the dashboard lights didn't work... He never actually finished connecting their wiring... At least it was an easy fix.

See what happens when you rush things?

FWIW, for anyone considering a aftermarket harness replacement, but sure to take all the time you need to do the job neatly. Right now I'm fighting with an utter rat's nest of wiring under the dash because I had to rush to get the car finished... :frown:

I'm hoping that when we replace the dash panels I might have time to clean things up a bit.

 

[Jerseygirl]

See what happens when you rush things?

More like, see what happens when you sit around doing nothing on the car for the whole summer and then rush to finish it under threat of death in time for the Jim Thorpe Run in September...

 

[DrEntropy]

Now, children... fight <span style="font-style: italic">nice</span>.

Glad to learn the wiring quandary over the lighting was sorted. The things can be a branebender. 'specially when you're starting with all new harness. :thumbsup:


<span style="font-style: italic">EDIT: BTW, I'm sittin' here in my Nittany Lions sweatshirt.</span> :laugh:

 

[Jerseygirl]

We are... Penn State!!!

Crossing my fingers that the non-functional heated seats are also just a matter of Ian not connecting the wires.

 

[DrEntropy]

We are... Penn State!!!

I know. I saw the sweatpants. :wink:

As to the ~heated~ seats: Just get some of them fake dead sheep seatcovers and press on! Ya don't need bun warmers to make the thing RUN. :smirk:

 

[Jerseygirl]

You're right. I drove the car all last fall without them (complete with multiple layers, scarf, gloves, and earmuffs) so it's not that I won't, but they're in there, I spent the money for them, and I want them to work. :wink:

 

[John_Mc]

I always enjoy looking at your progress, Robyn. Both Baldrick and your Volvo are works of art. Makes me want to look into Volvo's as well! Speaking of works of art, I also checked out your cool <span style="color: #FF0000">Bag Lady</span> link! Nice work! Let us know when you add TR6s to your list. Might you consider VW Vanagon Westfalias as well? Keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

 

[TR4]

So are there any new photos of the progress. Alway nice to follow a great restoration.

 

[Jerseygirl]

Thanks, but Baldrick looks much better in pictures than he does in person.

I actually have loads of car pictures that we've taken at shows. Just haven't had time to generate the designs for the embroidery machine yet. I did a really cool Morris Minor as a Christmas gift for a friend's brother last year. Came out great, but I wasn't smart enough to take a picture before I mailed it off.

Anyway, no new pics of Baldrick since what Ian's been working on has been strictly wiring fixes. Once he finishes mounting the amp, I can finally get back to carpeting the rest of the trunk. Then there will be something picture worthy again.

 

[equiprx]

Is that Baldrick as in "I have a cunning plan"?

 

[Jerseygirl]

Is that Baldrick as in "I have a cunning plan"?

One and the same.

 

[IanF]

I made some progress this evening... spent the morning installing a suspension on a MINI... The stereo wiring is completed and I think I have the rough template for the trunk panel finished. I'll trace it on plywood and cut it out tomorrow.

Getting closer... :smirk:

 

[TR3sharon]

Poor, neglected Baldrick. What do you do in your spare time?

 

[IanF]

Poor, neglected Baldrick. What do you do in your spare time?

Hmm... got that exhaust on the TR3 yet? ...or dug the '80 Z out of the garage lately? :wink: I'm still finding it hard to believe I've worked on 5 different MINI's over the past 4 weekends... ...at least Easter this w/e means I'll have to take a mandatory break.

The amp panel is cut out and mounting holes drilled... I'm finalizing some of the wiring requirements and then it'll be time for carpeting.

 

[IanF]

Baldrick now has TUNES!

The amp and panel are mounted in the trunk and wired up. I have to say I'm pretty pleased with how it looks. We'll try to get some pictures posted soon.

Now... the heated seats... I naturally saved the most difficult for last... Right now I'm at a loss... Everything has power... and I get continuity accross the element connectors... but still no warm butt...

I have an extra kit as I had thought about putting seat heaters in my truck (have since decided that its cloth seats don't need them), so I'm going to try plugging in un-installed heaters and see what happens.

 

[IanF]

well... I have good news and bad news...

The good news: I wired everything correctly. :smirk:

The bad news: the seats heaters simply ****. :madder:

Let me put it this way... heaters on high for 10 minutes... and the elements are marginally warmer than rubbing your hands together really fast and then sticking them under your butt to warm it up...

 

[Brosky]

I really hate to bring up a potentially sensitive subject, but did one of you break your camera over the winter????

What's up with the audio, but no video portions to the updates?