Casey Family Build thread.... - Page 14 - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

Paul & Colin · 07-04-2012, 05:09 PM

Julie, you must get the B&L done first. Then the CHP and then BAR. In order for the B&L to be done the C*bra needs to be drivable. CHP is looking for stolen parts. BAR wants to make sure nothing from the engine is venting to the atmosphere. So yes the body needs to be on. The sequence above was started about a year ago.

Glad to see you are passing on the body buck.

Paul

QSL · 07-04-2012, 05:29 PM

paul, we are going to sign the body buck. sometime you should cruise up here and sign it too. Would be cool to find out where it ends up!

h82crash · 07-04-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul & Colin

Julie, you must get the B&L done first. Then the CHP and then BAR. In order for the B&L to be done the C*bra needs to be drivable. CHP is looking for stolen parts. BAR wants to make sure nothing from the engine is venting to the atmosphere. So yes the body needs to be on. The sequence above was started about a year ago.

Glad to see you are passing on the body buck.

Paul

I just got done with this, but I guess I'm wrong..

cobrajj · 07-04-2012, 09:08 PM

I stand corrected. I found my paperwork during the Calif. SPCNS & SB-100 registration and inspection process---Did my CHP VIN on 11/18/2010, B&L on 12/3/2010, and the BAR on 2/7/2011. The CHP officer I made the appointment with, said that if I was going to drive it there, be sure that ALL light systems are working properly, in case I was stopped by law inforcement on the way.It's a bit confusing, having to do three different inspections , then back to the DMV for final completion.Jim

Mark Reid · 07-05-2012, 05:31 PM

Something like this, Julie. They sell it at Lowes (just snapped this picture this morning while picking up a new hose) and there are various sizes depending on how you want to install it (sorry Mike). I love how it has "10 levels of stimulation"

:

MRSQSL · 07-05-2012, 05:35 PM

LOL! I think Mike's neck might be too thick for that one. May have to bump it up to large dog training collar.

MRSQSL · 07-09-2012, 01:47 AM

Week 29

At 5 o'clock, it was 95 degrees in the garage. That's after I finally convinced Mike shutting the side door would cool it down (which it did). Ugh! I'm not a fan of summer.

It was nice having two Saturdays this week. I guess Wednesday was technically Wednesday, but we are fortunate enough to work for a company that gives us holidays off. I'm gonna see if I can get Arbor Day too.

Things started off on the right foot. My memory is foggy (not from celebrating with alcohol as Mike never took me out -grrrr). Alyssa and I found we weren't really qualified to do any of the things currently needing to be accomplished, so we opted (were forced) to start on the emergency brake. I know, right? This is probably one of the most important safety features and WE were going to fiddle with it.

Steve put grommets in the battery box and changed out the ground wire on the battery. Mike was probably sitting on the sofa drinking beer. I took a survey, but nobody here can recall his contribution. Sorry!

Anyway, Aly and I got it all together after carefully laying out all the parts exactly like the picture in the instructions. We only needed Mike to help screw the blingy handle in. The book instructions said to use Wd40, but the paper instructions included in the box were identical except for the part about WD40. We figured there must be a reason, so Mike worked his magic and jammed it into submission. Steve also painted the contraption after Aly taped it up. Yay!

Yay until we tried to use the cables though. The configuration was wrong. I don't know where they came from, but the short parts were too short and the long parts were too long and there was no way of altering them to work. Anybody want to buy some amazing and incredibly useful ebrake cables?

I called around to find replacements and found only Napa didn't ask me stupid questions. It's not going on a Mustang, so stop asking me about engine size and color and how many bumper stickers are currently affixed to the rear bumper. Maybe the questions weren't that bad but I'm sure you've all had the experience and know what I'm talking about. Auto Zone ordered me some and I went Thursday to get them. Looked good until I handed them to Inspector Husband. I have no idea how I didn't notice one was new and one was used or that the ends were different. Sigh. I called this morning and "Heather" told me she'd order two more. Fingers crossed at least one will be new and correct. Mike says he will get them tomorrow so I don't have to drive all that way again. I think he wants to meet Heather.

Saturday should've been a fun day, but my Coupe ride was postponed (no problem at all, just more anticipation). We are thinking about building Coupey to go along with Scoopy, but I wanted to sit in one first since it'd be my car. Anyway, we bounded out to the garage bright eyed and bushy tailed. Six hours later, we dragged back into the house frustrated and slightly depressed. An oil change had been needed which Mike and Alyssa performed. With the oil no longer overflowing with gas odors, Mike said we needed to adjust the timing. Let's just say I am TDC master. Found it three times that day. Oh, yeah! Anyone need help? I'm available for a small fee. Okay, don't ask why we had to find it so many times and it's not like Mike didn't do most of the work. We discovered that the distributor hadn't been able to turn enough (something turns?) because it has love handles or a muffin top. The lumpies on the side were hitting the intake. We took off all the plug wires, fiddled with the gear and plopped it back in. I got my first lesson in firing order which I passed with flying colors (cheat sheet in engine instructions). Fired it back up and the car sounded great. Great to me that is. I have an untrained ear which also usually has a finger jammed in it for that added safety factor. Mike said it was better, but not right. Long story turned epic saga, there is gas in the oil again and there seems to be no way to get the timing to a safe level and lean out the carbs enough. The oil changing pan is full, so no more changing until we can find a place to dump it. That means no more engine running. Mike will talk to the Weber man tomorrow and hopefully get it situated. I'm so incredibly sick of smelling exhaust.

This morning was MY morning. We drove down to San Diego to see Scott and his coupe. Yay! It's a pretty car and I was surprisingly skittish when it came time to sit in it. I sank down into the Kirkey and immediately felt like I'd found a new best cuddle buddy. Scott said the seat was too big for me, but that's probably because he wasn't the one being hugged by the sides. Imagine my terror, though when he got the keys and told me to flip some switches, check if it was in neutral and pump the gas. Eeeeeep! But it might start!!!! I didn't actually say that out loud, but I think my face was pretty clear. Sure enough, it fired right up. Hey, that's not so loud!

I was starting to feel a little sad though. If he was starting it with me in the driver's seat, he probably wasn't going to offer me a ride. I wouldn't normally expect an excursion, but he had said we'd go in an earlier discussion. Sad face.

A few minutes later, he said the magic words. It was like the reaction I get from the dogs when I pull out leashes. My face lit up and I was bounding around. Hopefully I wasn't drooling. Yes please. I'd like very much to go. Didn't have to ask twice. I had slithered into the seat within milliseconds of Scott opening the door. The belts were more difficult and some assistance was required. It was at that point a neighbor walked over to chat. Totally understandable, but I was giddy with excitement. I'm sure the conversation was less than a minute, but I was overflowing with enthusiasm, so it was tough to wait.

Scott climbed in, buckled up and off we went. The smile was stuck instantly on my lips and I'm fairly certain I was giggling like the village idiot, but it was SO much fun. Scott handles the car extremely well, but I'll admit I had moments of absolute pure awesome joy mixed with moments of absolute pure terror. The car sticks to the ground. It's loud and fast and smells like exhaust and it's awesome. I definitely want one, although I told Mike after that I felt bad because I'd never be able to drive it like that. He assured me it would be okay as long as I enjoyed it. I have the best husband!

Back home, we resumed Scoopy building. Alyssa and I riveted in the passenger floor and side panels. Mike riveted in the upper trunk. He also cleaned the garage. Steve was there for moral support and to add an extra hand when needed. He also unbolted the trunk hinges so we can get those powder coated. This week had definite ups and downs. Sure hope we can figure out this timing/fuel mixture issue and super hope we haven't hurt the engine.

xlr8or · 07-09-2012, 03:19 AM

Glad you enjoyed the ride Julie.

Good thing I never got the pedal to the floor.

Like I said, I'll make you guys a special deal.... Mike can pull the trans and convert it to automatic, and drop the cam down a notch or two and make you a great cruiser without the wait for paint or registration hassles.

MRSQSL · 07-09-2012, 11:32 PM

Just received a call from a super nice gentleman at the Temecula DMV. At first my heart dropped. I thought he was going to tell me I had to give my number back.

Fortunately, he was letting me know Norco had transferred my plates and they were waiting patiently for me. I explained why I couldn't get them yet and he assured me they'd be there for at least two years. Yay!

Is it possible to hug the entire Temecula DMV?

Ray · 07-09-2012, 11:45 PM

No, but you can send a nice card to the Director of that Office and maybe some flowers for their break room.

Ray

Doug Meldrum · 07-09-2012, 11:54 PM

Sorry Ray, but flowers for the break room? No, talk to them in a language Government employees will understand. Send Donuts!

D

MRSQSL · 07-09-2012, 11:58 PM

Don't know anyone that delivers donuts, but I'll definitely send a card/letter. Good thinking, Ray! Since two out of three employees I've had contact with were men, I'm gonna guess flowers wouldn't be the best way to thank them. I don't think most men appreciate a pretty floral arrangement.

MRSQSL · 07-16-2012, 03:00 AM

Week 30

Deck the halls with boughs of holly! Felt like Christmas in the Casey household this week. If Santa had brought the goodies instead of ups, USPS and FedEx, it would've all been FREE. The Kirkey seats arrived as well as seat heaters, cup holders, jets, insulation, roll bars and maybe other stuff. Now I know how to get Mike to come home from work on time.

Learned a valuable lesson this week. Sadly, I'm not the only one who learned the hard way. The ends of the pipes are extremely sharp. Alyssa and I were in the garage wearing flip flops (I know, I know) and we both managed to insert the pipe into the flesh of our feet. Steve is the only one still injury free.

Saturday morning was exciting. A friend of our neighbor came by to weld up the roll bars. I really want to learn to weld, but I couldn't convince Mike to let me take a stab with the roll bars. Where's his sense of adventure? This guy did an outstanding job. His welds look great and seem strong. Yay! We don't have the body to get the full effect, but I think they look much better. Mike is going to get them polished soon.

The next step for me was drilling, siliconing and riveting the rear cockpit panels. Unfortunately, our downstairs tv decided it didn't like it's forever home anymore and bit the dust. We didn't get too much time out in the garage because we had to go find a replacement. Finished that up this morning and then went back out to work on the car more. Mike started making a dead pedal while I worked on the panels. Aly installed some aluminum Mike cut for the sides of the upper trunk (started to type rear trunk snicker, snicker). What else? Honestly, I spent a bunch of time on the forum and on the Factory Five website. I think I might have an addiction. Can't understand a good chunk of the more technical stuff, but I'm learning a ton. I can even answer some of the questions even though I'd NEVER actually post them since my auto knowledge is still pretty basic.

It got up to 108 this week, so not exactly enjoyable weather,but we have a deadline. I think I'm going to have to start working on Scoopy after work in the evenings. It's just too hot!!

We've been having engine issues and the saga continues. At the beginning of the week, we changed the oil AGAIN. We may not be able to afford to feed ourselves if we change the oil once a week. Anyway, Mike changed the jets for the Webers while Aly and I dumped in the oil. We didn't spill a drop. Yay! So, Mike started it up and suddenly the pipes were spewing out bluish whitish grayish smoke. It was so bad I had to leave the area. Oh, before this we also put the timing back to 17. Anyway, it was a terrible night. Mike barely slept. I figured if it was blue, it was oil and that couldn't be good. If it was white, it was water and that could mean a cracked cylinder so that seemed even worse. I did a bunch of research, but Mike was able to knock down all my theories. He ended up calling Ford first thing the next morning and they said it was too much oil (guess the instructions lie when they say 9 quarts) and also that we needed to hook up the PCV because of crank case pressure. Drained a little oil, Mike temporarily rigged the pcv and it quit smoking. Yay! There may have been another oil change in there. My memory sometimes gets confused with my pretend memories. Something is still wrong with the Webers and needs to be fixed. At least I'm no longer worried the engine is going to blow up and throw flaming bits and pieces at me.

If we did anything else, I can't remember. I'm going to do my best to go in the garage each night and at least do a small task. That's easy to say as I sit in my jammies after a refreshing shower. I feel much more motivated because I know what I need to do and I shouldn't need any help doing it. Yay!

j.miller · 07-16-2012, 12:51 PM

...................PAINT UPDATE!..................not painted yet.................

MRSQSL · 07-16-2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.miller

...................PAINT UPDATE!..................not painted yet.................

Yay!

xlr8or · 07-16-2012, 02:28 PM

Batman that's just cruel.

QSL · 07-16-2012, 04:36 PM

So i guess i owe pics for the last two updates. Here are a few!!!

breeze rollbars look and fit great! Very nice addition!

I am still trying to work out some engine issues. The regulator is not reducing the fuel pressure enough, so i had to order some more goodies from summit. Hope to get that worked out this week.

QSL · 07-16-2012, 04:38 PM

more

Presto51 · 07-17-2012, 01:52 AM

How come I don't see Mike working in any of those new pictures, just sitting

QSL · 07-17-2012, 02:09 AM

i work, but i am so efficient that for every minute i work, i can sit for five and still be ahead of the game

skjsming · 07-17-2012, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QSL

more

Mike - looking good, the car not you... I just returned my FF Roll bars today and waiting for Mark to get back from vacation so I can place an order for DS & PS Breeze Roll bars!!!!

QSL · 07-17-2012, 02:59 AM

you will be very happy with them!

thanks for the kind comment!

MRSQSL · 07-17-2012, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presto51

How come I don't see Mike working in any of those new pictures, just sitting

Excellent question which I've asked many, many times. There seems to be a direct correlation between the number of beers leaving the fridge and the length of time between "efficient" work spurts.

Mike told me if we decide to get a coupe kit, I have to build it all by myself while he supervises. He swears it'll be a piece of cake for me since I've gotten all this experience with the roadster. I tried to point out it requires muscle to do many things. His response was that I'd better start working out. I think he should install ac out in that doghouse.

CraigS · 07-17-2012, 11:53 AM

If that is a two car garage a 12000 btu window unit will make a big difference. I have a 10000 unit in mine and it's a big help. I went to check on something bigger and it seems that 12000 is about as big as you can get and still run it on 115Volts. The larger units have 220V plugs. So I didn't bother to upgrade cause I thought the improvement wouldn't be justified. I start my AC about 9AM and I also have a fan on a stand so I can direct the cold air around a little bit. Not saying it will get it down to 72 but even 80-85 would be a big help.

GT-Tom · 07-17-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigS

If that is a two car garage a 12000 btu window unit will make a big difference. I have a 10000 unit in mine and it's a big help. I went to check on something bigger and it seems that 12000 is about as big as you can get and still run it on 115Volts. The larger units have 220V plugs. So I didn't bother to upgrade cause I thought the improvement wouldn't be justified. I start my AC about 9AM and I also have a fan on a stand so I can direct the cold air around a little bit. Not saying it will get it down to 72 but even 80-85 would be a big help.

Same here. I have a two car garage (that's insulated) and use 6000 BTU window airconditioner cause that's all I had around. It will keep the garage at about 75 - 78 in 90 degree heat. My neighbors thinks I'm spoiled.

Tom

MRSQSL · 07-17-2012, 05:18 PM

Ours is actually a three car garage. I'm sure they make something that would help. So far, working at night has made a huge difference. I was out there before Mike got home yesterday and it was pleasant (not because Mike wasn't home). I'm hoping it'll stay cool enough to be tolerable this week. Last week was super hot. We get weeks like that every so often in the summer. It's not uncommon for it to get over 100. Fortunately it doesn't last for more than a few days in a row though.

bansheekev · 07-17-2012, 05:51 PM

Easy fix - work on the car from 9pm to 2am like me. Then again I have younger kids that are sleeping and my wife isn't into cars. Besides, I have to work on stuff during the day for my wife to keep her happy (I am building a barn now for the rabbits and goats). This keeps my car bills stampted 'approved'.

Also helps that I live in the country and can make as much noise as I want and not bother anyone except my neighbor's horse who is watching me across the fence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRSQSL

Ours is actually a three car garage. I'm sure they make something that would help. So far, working at night has made a huge difference. I was out there before Mike got home yesterday and it was pleasant (not because Mike wasn't home). I'm hoping it'll stay cool enough to be tolerable this week. Last week was super hot. We get weeks like that every so often in the summer. It's not uncommon for it to get over 100. Fortunately it doesn't last for more than a few days in a row though.

MRSQSL · 07-17-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bansheekev

Easy fix - work on the car from 9pm to 2am like me. Then again I have younger kids that are sleeping and my wife isn't into cars. Besides, I have to work on stuff during the day for my wife to keep her happy (I am building a barn now for the rabbits and goats). This keeps my car bills stampted 'approved'.

When do you sleep???? I have to work from 8-5. I've never been a night owl. In fact, the toughest times I can remember were when the kids were infants and weren't sleeping through the night. I NEVER want to go through that again.

bansheekev · 07-17-2012, 06:48 PM

I can do 1-2 nights per week an still function on 4 hours sleep. Luckily the beer fridge is in the bbq island not in the garage. If it was, I would never make any progress

The barn is slowing me down seeing I am physically tired after working on it. It decided to be 100 degrees the day I dug and framed the foundation. This is supposed to be NORCAL, not SOCAL! I am almost done though. Then payback, I get to order brakes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRSQSL

When do you sleep???? I have to work from 8-5. I've never been a night owl. In fact, the toughest times I can remember were when the kids were infants and weren't sleeping through the night. I NEVER want to go through that again.

MRSQSL · 07-17-2012, 08:29 PM

You must be like 20 if you can survive on 4 hours sleep.

Seems like a whole lot of work in order to get brakes. Maybe try bribery rather than manual labor. Mike could get away with almost anything if he sent me on a cruise. There must be something your wife wants (other than a barn).