Progress: four wheels on again!

[drooartz]

I got the new shock in from the vendor on Thursday, so I set aside this morning for finishing up the front end. It feels good to have the suspension and brake work completed -- well, mostly. There's still a few little details left and of course the brake lines still need to be done. Still, it's one more thing off the list.

Adding the old brake line brackets made the difference in the bolt lengths -- they don't drag on the discs anymore. I haven't bent over the locking tabs yet, as I'm still hoping to find a set of the proper brackets. As an aside, I'm putting all these little unfinished details on a marker board in the garage so that I won't forget to do them at some point.

<span style="font-style: italic">Calipers and front springs installed</span>

As a final job for the morning I installed the front wheels. This is the first time in over a year that all four wheels have been on the car. It's a sign of some real progress. I still have the tie rod ends to do, but they're waiting in case I have to pull the steering rack in order to fit the new brake lines.

<span style="font-style: italic">Look ma, all the wheels are on!</span>

Next up is tackling the transmission and figuring out what I want to do for fuel lines and a fuel pump. I've also got to call about getting my exhaust header coated. That's Monday's job, got to keep the process going.

 

[leecreek]

Outstanding, Drew. You are rolling now.....

 

[jlaird]

The rack does not need pulled to install brake lines hard or soft.

 

[Whitephrog]

I had to pull my rack in order to install the driver side brake line.

 

[drooartz]

That's the line I'm thinking about, Ray. I left the rack in place while I tried to bend a new line for that run, and that's the line I wound up breaking. I'm thinking that pulling the rack will greatly simplify this.

 

[ralph_s]

Drew,
I'm light years behind you and am just in the strip down/collecting parts phase. Can't tell from the photo's did you paint or powder coat components. I'm most likely going to paint and would appreciate any tips/hints for prep and finish.
Also what did you finalize on for brake line tubing ...Moss or other.
Thanks

 

[drooartz]

I used paint (either Rustoleum or high temp engine paint depending on the application) for the bits that I painted. I had the shocks, A-arms and kingpins rebuilt by PeterC, and they came back already finished so I'm not sure what the finish is. I don't have easy access to powder coating, so I would have used paint had I done them myself.

My painting is pretty rudimentary. I cleaned the parts by hand with acetone, a wire wheel/drill, and scotchbrite pads. A final wipe down with acetone to get rid of any grease, then I just followed the instructions on the paint cans. I painted the parts outside. They came out fine, especially since they'll be mostly unseen behind the wheels. Good enough for me.

For the hard brake and clutch lines, I've ordered a set of tubes from Classic Tube in stainless steel. They should be arriving in a couple weeks.