benT
Active Member
Well after screwing off all winter working on my house, I finally got some quality time back on my '27. It was finished last year and made its inaugural run on the PowerTour. That was a good shakedown, and once I put it up for the winter, I've been tweaking and fixing a few things. Here's a quick update:
First off, I had to shorten my panhard bracket on the axle after a large bump caused it to puncture the trunk floor (ouch). That one hurt a bit. It was an easy fix once I dropped the axle, tanks, suspension, and so on. Got the floor repaired, bracket shortened and once the carpet was put back, everything was good again.
Secondly, I needed to do something about the steering wheel proximity to the column and turn signal stick. I am using a flat bell-style steering wheel, but during mock-up, I used an old GM wheel. I didn't take into account the lack of dish in the new wheel, and thus the wheel was farther away from me than expected and there was a clearance issue with the turn signal. Fortunately since buying my column, Flaming River has come out with a tapered adapter that is a few inches longer than the Grant one and was made for the 3 bolt style flat wheels. It was not cheap ($90), but I didn't have too many other options, so I bit the bullet. Luckily it all turned out good and I am very happy with the new wheel location and look.
The most frustrating repair was a fuel delivery problem. On the tour, I was confronted with a randomly surging engine and poor fuel pressure. Not wanting to believe that it was the new fuel pump, I first modified my fuel pickup tube in the tank and installed a baffle to make sure the fuel foam wasn't impeding the pickup. After reinstalling and running I realized that it was something else. I next checked the fuel filter which was leaking slightly. I decided against re-using it as it was a real paint to change the filter, so I replumbed my hard line and used an Earl's AN barrel-type filter instead. I also wisely decided to install a fuel shutoff valve as I overlooked doing so when initally plumbing the car. I would recommend anyone building a car to do so as it makes working on the fuel system much easier and cleaner. Well the fuel filter was not the problem and I was only left with the fuel pump. I ordered a new one which was slightly different (and physically smaller for additional room). Low and behold, when I removed the pump, the spring was not even on the pump arm. How I got any fuel pressure I don't know. I did recover the original spring and installed a new pump. Well of coarse the inlet/outlet were just enough different that my flexible SS hose whip was not long enough, so I was back to remaking a hose with slightly different ends. After all of that, I finally got it all back together today and fired it up for the first time this year. Well it was a success! I now have a solid 6lbs of pressure and it is much more responsive that it ever has been. I also feel better because I went back thought the fuel system and am confident that it will be even more reliable than originally built.
I am now ready for the obligatory spring detailed cleaning of the car and heading out to some shows. I do have a few more little items to address, but for now, I want to do some cruising!!!
Here are a few pics of the issues and fixes. Not sure why I'm posting them, but I like looking at others photos, so whatever. Don't give me too much crap cause the quality of the photos or how the car is filthy!
First off, I had to shorten my panhard bracket on the axle after a large bump caused it to puncture the trunk floor (ouch). That one hurt a bit. It was an easy fix once I dropped the axle, tanks, suspension, and so on. Got the floor repaired, bracket shortened and once the carpet was put back, everything was good again.
Secondly, I needed to do something about the steering wheel proximity to the column and turn signal stick. I am using a flat bell-style steering wheel, but during mock-up, I used an old GM wheel. I didn't take into account the lack of dish in the new wheel, and thus the wheel was farther away from me than expected and there was a clearance issue with the turn signal. Fortunately since buying my column, Flaming River has come out with a tapered adapter that is a few inches longer than the Grant one and was made for the 3 bolt style flat wheels. It was not cheap ($90), but I didn't have too many other options, so I bit the bullet. Luckily it all turned out good and I am very happy with the new wheel location and look.
The most frustrating repair was a fuel delivery problem. On the tour, I was confronted with a randomly surging engine and poor fuel pressure. Not wanting to believe that it was the new fuel pump, I first modified my fuel pickup tube in the tank and installed a baffle to make sure the fuel foam wasn't impeding the pickup. After reinstalling and running I realized that it was something else. I next checked the fuel filter which was leaking slightly. I decided against re-using it as it was a real paint to change the filter, so I replumbed my hard line and used an Earl's AN barrel-type filter instead. I also wisely decided to install a fuel shutoff valve as I overlooked doing so when initally plumbing the car. I would recommend anyone building a car to do so as it makes working on the fuel system much easier and cleaner. Well the fuel filter was not the problem and I was only left with the fuel pump. I ordered a new one which was slightly different (and physically smaller for additional room). Low and behold, when I removed the pump, the spring was not even on the pump arm. How I got any fuel pressure I don't know. I did recover the original spring and installed a new pump. Well of coarse the inlet/outlet were just enough different that my flexible SS hose whip was not long enough, so I was back to remaking a hose with slightly different ends. After all of that, I finally got it all back together today and fired it up for the first time this year. Well it was a success! I now have a solid 6lbs of pressure and it is much more responsive that it ever has been. I also feel better because I went back thought the fuel system and am confident that it will be even more reliable than originally built.
I am now ready for the obligatory spring detailed cleaning of the car and heading out to some shows. I do have a few more little items to address, but for now, I want to do some cruising!!!
Here are a few pics of the issues and fixes. Not sure why I'm posting them, but I like looking at others photos, so whatever. Don't give me too much crap cause the quality of the photos or how the car is filthy!
