Has anyone else noticed time is slipping away?

rficalora · June 09, 2015, 11:38:55 PM

I'm 1/2 way done making a bumper with son #2 for his jeep... And have to replace his evaporator too (entire dash has to be removed (or mostly removed and twisted out of the way - what was Chrysler thinking?). Then I can get to my pre-Inch list...

1. Figure out why my heater valve isn't closing (seems to be a common problem with Vintage Air selenoid heater valves; might figure out a way to simply bypass it with a manual valve for the summers) so my AC is effective again.
2. Make & install a steering cowl
3. Finish making my center console
4. Finish making a piece for my trunk to hold my stereo amp
5. Make & wrap panels for the outboard sides of the footwels -- including speaker pods.
6. Install my stereo.
7. Swap my intake (going back to an RPM style to try and regain some of the HP/torque I lost going to the 0erformer 289)
8. Refurbish a hard top
9. Install my Innovate wideband O2 sensor & gauge
10. Possibly re-do my exhaust with different mufflers (need to figure out if the dynomax ones will fit behind the IRS along the sides of the fuel tank)
11. Install my new headlights (will require a new relay to cut the parking lights when the turn signals come on - they have a halo ring for park and use 1/2 the halo for turn)

None of it is necessary but it's all been on the list since Colorado Springs! The only item I knocked off the list was re-doing my fuel filler so I can now fill the tank like normal. Used to have to fill really (and I mean REEEAAAALLLLLY) slow or I'd get splash back.

1 down, 12 to go. TIC TOCK.

Jim Stabe · June 10, 2015, 02:29:36 AM

I don't have a water valve in my heater circuit, just turn on the heater fan when I want heat - seems to work fine because I don't have an outside air feed into the heater.

If you keep your exhaust loud you don't have to worry about #4, #5 or #6.

BlownMGB-V8 · June 10, 2015, 10:24:35 AM

Yeah. I've noticed. And decided I don't have a deadline.
Things to do?
Put in a new fuel pump and adjust pressure
Re-tune the idle
Re-tune the map at stationary
Finish connecting up the last few wires on the MegaShift
Continuity and voltage check the MShift jumper pins
Ask Lance to modify the program
Buy #3 and #4 JIC fittings including bulkheads for the hydraulics and air lines (a bunch of them)
Replace the two JIC#2 hydraulic lines for the hood with 1/4" and re-plumb
Pull the pump back out, disassemble, and bench set the pressures for 1300#
Call KSE and check progress on the new hood cylinders
Acquire power and bleed connectors for my Wabro air pump
Run 3/16" hard line to the front and connect the air bags
Acquire switch for air pump
Install gage and switch in the console
Plumb gage and wire switch, wire power to the pump
Get 5/16" & 3/4" heim joints (at least 8, 2 or maybe 3 sizes)
Make towers and lower attachments for the lower wing cylinders and install
Make attachments for the upper wing cylinders
Make tank for the wing cylinder and mount it
Anodize tank
Plumb wing cylinders and test
Get and install longer lug studs for the right front wheel
Pull intake bolts and add sealant, probably will have to remove the blower and intake, enlarge the manifold bolt holes, and reinstall

That's all before putting it back on the road and beginning final tune of the engine and tranny controllers. It's daunting. I try to do something every day but these last couple of weeks I've not been able to do much. The list isn't that long to read but the work behind those tasks is considerable and I don't move as fast as I used to. A decade ago I'd figure on having most of it done in a long weekend.

Jim

roverman · June 10, 2015, 07:20:15 PM

"Time keeps on slippin/slippin/slippin, into the future"....

rficalora · June 10, 2015, 07:32:19 PM

Was wondering how long it'd take someone to reply with that... Or Chicago's 'Does anyone really know what time it is'

kstevusa · June 11, 2015, 07:18:20 AM

Maybe, The Stones, "Time is on my Side" ? Yes it is! Hey, lets go with others?

?

MGBV8 · June 11, 2015, 09:29:13 AM

Amateurs.

JWD · June 11, 2015, 01:40:17 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUODdPpnxcA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6te_t4n5NU

RMO 699F · June 11, 2015, 02:45:30 PM

The only reason we even have time is to make sure everything does not happen at once...

MGBV8 · June 14, 2015, 11:58:21 AM

But it really does.....

Charles · June 14, 2015, 10:52:31 PM

Rob & Jim B, If I had a list like that I would have a nervous break down. All of my list only have one thing to do. Sometimes I either complete the list or lose it and start over.
My list now is to install a Volvo fan on the B, I think the same as yours.

rficalora · June 15, 2015, 12:10:44 AM

Well, Charles, if my whole list had to be done, I probably would be having a breakdown. Reality is the only thing I have to do is the headlights (the ones I have shine about 2 1/2 feet - can't see anything at night). The rest are all want to do's.

BlownMGB-V8 · June 15, 2015, 10:30:46 AM

My list is just to get it back on the street. After that there is more. Fortunately I do not have a deadline.

It'd be fair to say that I bit off a big one this time. Then feature creep set in. I think it's almost always better to do a conversion in small bites. Just the engine, just the transmission, just the axle, etc. That didn't happen here. I also feel it is almost always better to have the new parts ready to install before disabling the car. Again, that didn't happen. And one of the absolute worst things you can do is say, "Oh, since the car is down anyway, why not go ahead and..." Just about as bad, is to start a swap not knowing if the engine can even be made to fit the car without serious and considerable modifications to the car itself. On this most recent re-power I've been guilty of every one of those things. So of course it's taken a long time.

Jim

ex-tyke · June 15, 2015, 12:17:20 PM

Having said all that, Jim, can we expect you to at least trailer it to Indy and do some parking lot burnouts?

Dan B · June 15, 2015, 01:51:49 PM

I like Carl's

Charles · June 15, 2015, 06:17:15 PM

Rob, I am with you on the headlight thing. I was caught the other night between Nags Head and Elizabeth City, NC in the rain and dark, on a newly paved road with no lines. I would have loved 2 1/5 feet. I could not see good enough to find a place to pull off. Like you ,that will be corrected before Indy.I am thinking two 10 kw lamps with a 20 kw generator in a trailer.

kstevusa · June 15, 2015, 06:39:36 PM

Maybe like Jim Croce, catch the "Time in a Bottle" and it won't "Slip Away" Clarence Carter. Later Last Century song and artists? Remember?

rficalora · June 15, 2015, 06:42:06 PM

I remember Jim Croce... But it was from my dad's 8-tracks, not mine

kstevusa · June 15, 2015, 06:46:40 PM

Well Rob, that was FM radio and early cassettes if memory is correct. Maybe even late AM and WLS from Chicago. Dick Beonde was DJ and ads were for Mr. Norm's and Nickey Chevrolet. Drag Racing at US 30 Dragstrip! Late 1960's I guess. Time has slipped away.

Dan B · June 15, 2015, 11:57:15 PM

Funny how time slips away!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEpSWK6WE8c

mowog1 · June 25, 2015, 11:37:24 AM

Procrastination takes all of the worry out of the formula.

MGBV8 · June 25, 2015, 02:11:53 PM

Yep, til you wake up & wonder where it went.

302GT · June 28, 2015, 05:05:52 PM

I find the key to accomplishing projects is not to plan. Planning just makes it obvious how long it will take and that is so discouraging it is hard to start. A few weeks ago I finally began another car restoration/renovation project. The first step is removing all the undercoating from the underside. I do not have a rotisserie so it is an extraordinarily miserable and time consuming job. Thinking about the work involved caused a 2 year start delay, but now that it is going I can deal with it. Of course, rebuilding and painting the suspension and braking system is part of this stage. My goal is to get the car back on its wheels before winter. I am not even thinking about the rest of the work that needs to be done...

Jim Stabe · June 28, 2015, 09:22:11 PM

Larry, you could have built a rotisserie in the 2 years you were thinking about it. One of the best tools I ever built. I really miss it now that I have fluids in the car and can't spin it upside down.

MGBV8 · June 29, 2015, 09:18:30 AM

I agree sometimes it may be better to just start working on it, no promises, just go piddle a while. Next thing ya know you are full into it.

I have to use this psychology when I really don't want to go on that 3 mile run. I think, not 3 just get out the door & go a 1/2 a mile. By then, I am ready for a bit more. Next thing you know, I had a great 3 mile run.

I really need to change my head gaskets, but I am afraid it will turn into too long of a project. I will start by just going out to the garage, turning on the radio, & thinking I will just pull the carb. Got that, hmm, yank that intake will yer at it. Next thing ya know, I'll be holding one of the heads. Maybe after Indy.