Tunebuggery Day 9: wrapping it up

[drooartz]

Today was the final day of the Week of Tunebuggery; a day of cleaning and identifying the next set of projects. I pulled all my boxes of parts off the shelves, and went through them all looking for any bits that I'll need to complete the car. Any parts that I'll be using were left on the floor, grouped by assembly. A few of those pieces will need to be cleaned up and painted, so I put them aside so I won't forget to work on them.

<span style="font-style: italic">The next projects, ready to go (mostly)</span>

Once all the parts were organized, I spent some time going over the work still to do and put together a list, incomplete I'm sure, of all that's still to do. It's not too bad of a list, really. Some of it will get done this week, the rest will come soon. I'm still on track for starting up the motor in June.

In no particular order:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Finish front suspension/brakes once replacement shock arrives Finish front suspension/brakes once replacement shock arrives[*]Front tie rod ends[*]Front end alignment[*]Brake lines[*]Clutch line/slave cylinder[*]Transmission rebuild[*]Attach transmission to the engine[*]Paint pulley for the generator, and acquire a spacer[*]Clean/balance the drive shaft[*]Install fuel tank, lines, pump, and fuel gauge[*]Fix heater tap[*]Install parking brake split pins[*]Acquire fan belt[*]Tighten A-arm bolts once the engine is in place[*]Install engine/transmission[*]Get the headers coated and installed[*]Install exhaust and muffler[/list]
Tonight I'll spend some time going through this list and refining it. I'll also add details of each project so I can make sure that I've got all the parts I need, and make up a list of what needs to be ordered. There's not too much left to order, just a few last bits.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Summing it all up</span>

So was it all worth it, taking a week off to work on the Tunebug? Absolutely. Not only did I get a bunch of work done on the car, but I've also rekindled my motivation for getting this all done. For the first time in a long time I can envision driving the car in the near future. This last week has been a great jump-start, and now I just have to keep the efforts going.

I was able to get pretty much everything I had planned done this past week. The brake lines I messed up, and the leaking shock put me back a week or so, but those are minor things. I should have the front suspension done later this coming week, and with that I'll be able to have all four wheels back on. Really, these were just the sort of minor things that come up during any sort of restoration work. I'm really pleased with the progress I made -- now I just have to keep it going!

A huge thank you to everyone here for all the help and advice. Truly, I couldn't have done this without y'all. More questions to come, for sure!

 

[ralph_s]

What have you decided to do for cooling the BE. Are you upgrading the radiator? Adding any secondary fan cooling?

 

[drooartz]

I'll be using a re-cored original radiator with the stock 1275 plastic engine driven fan for now. If that proves insufficient, I'll switch to an electric fan and aluminum radiator. That will probably require moving to an alternator and positive ground, though, so that's a much larger project.

Mostly I'm hoping the stock 1275 setup will prove sufficient.

 

[Silverghost]

"Tunebuggery Day 9..."
"So was it all worth it, taking a week off..."

Hey Drew, where can I get a calendar with nine days to the week?? Mine only have seven....no wonder you got so much done on your car! Oh, wait....don't tell my manager OR my wife....please?!!! :laugh:

Great job on your car!! Keep the momentum going!

 

[drooartz]

5 week days plus 2 weekends at 2 days a piece = 9 days

Even better is that it was our spring break (I get 2 days off), so it only cost me 3 vacation days. My kind of math!

 

[aeronca65t]

I've been following your progres and it's been fun to read.

It will *really* all seem worthwhile when you realize that you have that neat little car sitting available to drive anytime you want!
(western weather permitting) :wink:

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I got the day "off" on Saturday. I rarely get an entire day off.
Anyway,

I...
pulled the bonnet off the ugly bug (and dented it ... but it doesn't matter)
pulled the radiator/engine/transmission
swapped the datsun adapter plate over to my rebuilt engine
swapped over: starter, distributor, alternator, supercharger, transmission, etc.
reinstalled the engine/transmission/radiator (I'm getting good at those transmission mount bolts)
reinstalled the bonnet
took a break to mow the grass
finished welding up my header
started welding up my new exhaust.
got frustrated put exhaust on hold
filled the fluids in the car
took a shower and went to bed.

I had to work most of the day Sunday so I didn't mess with the car.

I hope to get back on the exhaust today and maybe start the engine this weekend.

 

[drooartz]

That's quite the progress for one day, Trevor! You work much faster than I do.

Nial, I can't wait until I get to the point where I can be driving. That's the part I really want, especially since I've not really driven this car much (maybe 150 miles) since I bought it 3 years ago. Soon, soon...

 

[Trevor Jessie]

To put it in perspective... I've been thinking about doing it for months, so I had visualized doing it many times. I had EVERY thing I needed and knew exactly the order I was going to go through. Having said that, I wish I had been able to just start on it a few months ago and just take a week to work through it. However, I have pulled/installed more than a few spridget engines.

You too can do an engine swap in a weekend. The stumbling block you might experience is getting your exhaust header to fit through the body and exhaust hangers. But other than that yours is pretty much a straight swap.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

So Trevor, Trying to go even lower with a through the tunnel exhaust?

You need a setup like I've got with a pulley system and a jam cleat so you can pull the bonnet easily all by yourself. Hang main turning block from a ceiling beam and I can easily manage the bonnet without any other help. Pics of Bugsy befre painting or any body work.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I have hoist that I suspend from my lift, but I forgot to pad the ratchet mechanisms on my lashing straps. No big deal. Just a few more dents to fix when the time for bodywork comes along. Last time I lifted it on/off by myself by hand. I'm not as young as I used to be and my back hurt for weeks after that.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Trevor,

You are moving along quite nicely without any extra hands. And Drew back to your original post, great job in getting as much done during your week of Tunebuggery. The key to getting all of these projects done is planning and visualization. Planning in detail knowing what you need to accomplish, where all of the tools are, what parts are needed, before you walk into the garage. Even if you only have 15-20 minutes of spare time per day, lots can be accomplished in small time increments if you are organized and know exactly what is to be done in advance.

Drew's as well as Trevor's progress demonstrates what can get done in very short periods if you are detailed and organized in your planning. Congrats again guys on your progress.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

When the exhaust did not go as I had visualized. I moved on to something else that was simple and direct. I'm now going over in my mind how to make the exhaust work. NOT through the tunnel. I'm just trying to keep it simple so that repairs won't be difficult the next time I rip it off/crush it.

 

[drooartz]

The pre-planning and visualization was the key to me getting as much done as I did. Now I'm trying to get the next run of projects thought through so I can continue the good run.

Writing down all the steps of each project was very helpful.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Yes, That's the key, Beaking each on the subcomponent steps down into written detail and stap by step down to the torque bolts to 45 ft. lbs level.

Doing that in advance, so you know the steps and the gotchas and the dependencies, i.e. can't install the clutch without new SAE Grade 8 Bolts and lock washers. What do I need to do to get the bolts? Hardware store is 45 minutes away. A trip there and back blows most of the morning I set aside for the project. That's the dependencies that slow you down.

Until it all gets written down and you visualize in detail the step by step process you won't maximize your shop time. Yes it takes time but in the end will reduce the overall time spent on the project.

Can folks tell I've been spending the last few weeks studying for my Project Management Professional(PMP)Exam. Drew's and Trevor's Projects bring all of the theoretical back to the real world application of theory. Time to get back to studying exam is next week.

 

[drooartz]

Good luck on the exam, Jim. We could use a few in your profession here where I work!

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Hey Drew, believe me I'm looking right now. Telecom is not a fun place right now.