Casey Family Build thread....

[MRSQSL]

Make sure you show a lot of cleavage and smile a ton when you take the wheels in. Hee, hee. Just kidding. They were very friendly even though I wasn't wearing any makeup and I probably had Chihuahua fur all over me.

I wouldn't go so far as to say I can weld. I can make metal bond to other metal, but it is far from show quality. I was welding a socket to a wrench in order to make a tool to extract the spark plugs from the depths of the engine. I can honestly say that I believe anyone can weld. It is a skill and a talent to be able to do it well, but if you just want to mush two pieces of metal together, anyone can do it.

[sneasle]

I second the Garage Journal site, lots of very nice and useful information there.

For lifts, the Atlas line offered by Greg Smith Equipment seems to be very highly thought of, although I don't have any personal experience with them.

We have a two post lift at the in-laws, it is very nice to work under. Any work involving wheels/suspension is easier on a 2 post, although I have seen 'accessories' for a 4 post that are supposed to make it just as easy as a 2 post for that kind of work.

The GregSmith website has a nice set of comparison between the various kinds of lifts. Worth the time to read through it I think, even if you don't plan on buying one of theirs.

Vehicle Lift Comparison | Greg Smith Equipment Sales, Inc.

[CraigS]

Thanks sneasle. Look what I found there
Atlas MR-06 Portable Midrise Lift
I am thinking a couple of 2x12s bolted to the floor for the tires to drive on to raise the FFR enough to drive over this. I just upgraded my Christmas list.

[sneasle]

Originally Posted by CraigS

Thanks sneasle. Look what I found there
Atlas MR-06 Portable Midrise Lift
I am thinking a couple of 2x12s bolted to the floor for the tires to drive on to raise the FFR enough to drive over this. I just upgraded my Christmas list.

Happy to be of some help

[QSL]

This weeks pics. Probably cant tell much from them, but we did do a lot!!! LOL

Julie to follow with details.

[MRSQSL]

Week 41:

Three steps forward, two steps back. Mike didn't do much during the week (that is not a complaint even if it sounds like one), so despite what he says, I don't have that much to report (won't stop me from blathering on though). Packages arrived nearly every day, so I know he's been up to something.

I got the wheel weights reinstalled on Monday and I believe Mike installed the side mirrors and set the fire extinguisher inside the car. That was the extent of the work until this weekend. We need to agree on a spot and a way to mount the extinguisher, but I suppose that'll wait until next week.

As much as I really, really, REALLY wanted to do the breakfast/work on David's car thing in Upland, we haven't been to a gun show in a long time and were getting low on ammo, targets, cleaning supplies, etc. The choice was to go to Del Mar this weekend or go to Ontario next weekend. The problem with next weekend is the Serpents in the Garden show. We hoped to be done with the car in time, but alas it wasn't meant to be. We still want to go and visit though. So we went down to the show in Del Mar to restock and then off to Mission Bay to do some waverunning. Excellent weather for that and we had a blast. I have to admit that saltwater in the eyes is pretty uncomfortable though. We did happen to see a Cobra driving on the 15, but it wasn't a Factory Five. I don't know how Mike could tell as it was going the opposite way and we only caught a quick glimpse. All I noticed was that it was a Cobra and it was red. I have finely honed powers of observation as you can tell.

Okay, so Sunday morning we got up and started working on the car. First order of business was to remove the pipes and throw on some wedges. The passenger side needed to go out and the driver's side needed to angle in. I was again named "tool monkey" and therefore held, retrieved, fetched, cleaned, etc. When I started getting frustrated because I had to stand up 30 seconds after sitting down for the 6th time straight, I remembered that I should be happy because I'm not actually doing the hard work on the car. I still felt it necessary to remind Mike that I am an extremely valuable team member as his job is infinitely easier because I'm doing all the running around.

With the exhaust replaced and angling more appropriately, we could then move onto horn installation. I pulled both horns from the boxes and handed them to Mike. After searching for 15 minutes, I found where the kids hid the extra wire and solder and then Mike was able to connect all the important pieces and parts. Unfortunately, we didn't have screws that would work and needed to go to the store. We decided we would work on the elephant ears first and then go to the store. The problem, as usual, is that it was over 100 degrees and now it was nearing 1:00 when the garage really starts to heat up. My patience was wearing thin and Mike admitted he didn't feel well. I knew something was up all day, but I didn't realize how bad he felt until he raced into the house, took more aspirin and plopped on the sofa. He promptly fell asleep and slept for about three hours. I think the crazy waverunner driving from the day before probably messed up his neck a little and those herniated discs were flaring which caused a massive headache and eventually an upset stomach as well. If you know my husband, you know he can't sit still. As soon as he woke up, he hopped off the sofa and announced he hadn't been productive and therefore we needed to go to the store so he could meet the goals he had set for the day.

Once back home, he was feeling much better (more aspirin, an energy drink which I frown upon but he drinks anyway and some time driving the Jeep seemed to be the cure). I have a helpful tip for anyone who thinks they are low on rivets and decides to buy more. Don't buy them from Home Depot. HD only has white rivets in the 1/8 size and the white ones are total garbage. They won't go in or stay in and the paint chips off. Fortunately, we just had enough of the FF ones to make it through all the riveting for the day. The splash guards look great!

Mike decided to test the horns to make sure the polarity was correct. I held the trunk while he gingerly touched wires to the battery. I was smart enough to hold the trunk with my elbow so I could smush both fingers in my ears, but Mike jumped (hilariously I might add) when the first noise erupted. He managed to get them installed, but not without some issues. Stupid screws that were too long. I would also like to mention that I got some custom ear plugs at the gun show and hope they work really well for riding in the car. I should've tested them with the horn, but I didn't know what he was doing until it was too late. If anyone has tried this option, I'd like to hear your opinion.

Night had fallen and we were all hungry and grumpy, but Mike and Aly got the wheels on while I cleaned up and took a shower. I came back out to find Scoopy back on all four feet and looking snazzy. High fives all around and then Mike made a statement which he probably wishes now that he hadn't. He declared he wanted to sit in the car and see how the mirrors looked. Ummmmm...now? It's almost 8 and we haven't eaten and wah, wah, wah. Fine. He waltzed over to the driver's side door and grabbed the handle thing. Nothing. No matter what he did, the door would not open. He finally had to get out a screwdriver and undo the door opener box thing. Guess all the warnings he had read about those things malfunctioning were true and maybe he should've listened. Sigh. One step back. As Mike headed back around the car to lock up for the night, he pointed out that the headlight on that same side was really wobbly and we'd need to take things apart to figure that one out. Another step back. I'm not really complaining. I mean of all the things that could go wrong, these are very minor issues. Just tough when we are SO close to being able to take it out of the garage and get it inspected and be able to drive it. I WANT TO GO FOR A RIDE!!!!!!!!

[MDR]

Did I see Mr. QSL on Auction hunters?

[h82crash]

Originally Posted by MRSQSL

Week 41:

Packages arrived nearly every day, so I know he's been up to something.

He's probably buying back the models he sold.

The car is beautiful, keep pushing on.

[QSL]

Originally Posted by MDR

Did I see Mr. QSL on Auction hunters?

that was me....

[MDR]

that was me....

Cool, one of my favorite shows.

[MRSQSL]

I'm sorry! I totally forgot to put Mike's big television debut on the update. Wednesday night at 10pm he was on Auction Hunters on Spike TV. If you missed it, I'm pretty sure you can go online and see it. He did an awesome job. Unfortunately, they cut most of what he said. He was absolutely hilarious and had everyone on the set laughing (except me because I couldn't hear anything he was saying since I didn't have the special audio equipment everyone else had but they were nice enough to fill me in when it was especially hilarious). Thanks for reminding me!!

[MRSQSL]

Originally Posted by h82crash

He's probably buying back the models he sold.

Don't say things like that!!!!!!

[QSL]

Originally Posted by h82crash

He's probably buying back the models he sold.

The car is beautiful, keep pushing on.

Thanks!!! I cant wait to get her done so we can go cruising with ya! We are in a small rut right now because everything is so critical and specialized that the kids and julie dont want to do projects on their own anymore. But we will get it there.

The dream is comming together!!!!!!!!!!

[MRSQSL]

Originally Posted by QSL

We are in a small rut right now because everything is so critical and specialized that the kids and julie dont want to do projects on their own anymore.

I think this just proves who has been doing all the work up until now. Ahem.

[Bill Lohmiller]

Do this to BOTH of the latches: Wade's Cobra Build! 2001

Do some aspect of this: Headlights rattle

I like the thicker clips, not the silicon thing -- but whatever floats your boat.....

BTW, I have a Caster/Camber setup from Longacre waiting for you as promised -- suggest we wait for a break in the temps though before tackling that?

Best regards,
Bill

[QSL]

thanks Bill, i am stopping on the way home to get the bolts and such. I was honestly shocked it happened, but knew the exact problem when it did from reading the forum. I guess you could just say i thought i was above the law. LOL, it was not the case.....

I am going to admit something... David H, told me to do that mod when he was helping one day... I was in too much of a rush to do it. Oh, I mean, the headlights are just mocked up right now until i do it... Yea, thats it!!!

Definatley when its cooler out. I have plenty of other things to do now anyway.

Thanks again bill!

[QSL]

did the mod on the door latch tonight. Pretty easy to do. My latches are a bit different then the ones in the tutorial, but it still worked the same. Seems like one of those things FF would just do before sending them out. It is honestly a design flaw and i dont see how they could NOT fail...

[Tennessee Tim]

Originally Posted by QSL

did the mod on the door latch tonight. Pretty easy to do. My latches are a bit different then the ones in the tutorial, but it still worked the same. Seems like one of those things FF would just do before sending them out. It is honestly a design flaw and i dont see how they could NOT fail...

One of mine failed on the first use. What a terrible design. At least it's an easy fix.

It's stuff like this that really makes me scratch my head about FFR. I'm sure they're well aware of the problem, but they do nothing about it. Best I can tell, this has been a known issue for years.

Tim

[jolsen42]

It's not FF's fault. An besides, it gives us something to do.

John O

Originally Posted by Tennessee Tim

One of mine failed on the first use. What a terrible design. At least it's an easy fix.

It's stuff like this that really makes me scratch my head about FFR. I'm sure they're well aware of the problem, but they do nothing about it. Best I can tell, this has been a known issue for years.

Tim

[Big Blocker]

You guys need to remember that FFR only supplies the parts, it's up to you to make them fit / work on your car . . . FFR can't possibly "remanufacture" every part used by us builders, they'd have to work on steering gears, gauges, seats, wheels, brakes . . . the list goes on forever.
The door latches are from the 1800's, once used on horse drawn coaches.
My personal thought is: it give you something to brag about when you can say, "I fixed all the little things to work better then originally designed". LOL

FWIW, it took six years before mine needed the mod . . . it's all in the alignment / adjustment (and lubrication).

Doc

[QSL]

I certainly understand that these are just kits, but I think that FF wants to put off the best impression possible of their kits and this is such an easy fix that it seems like they would just do it or at minumum document how to do it in the book. Its one of those little things that would really dissapoint a new builder, especially one that does not read the forums.

I love this kit they put together. I am VERY impressed, but these little details would just make it that much nicer.

[AC Bill]

Originally Posted by Big Blocker

You guys need to remember that FFR only supplies the parts, ....The door latches are from the 1800's, once used on horse drawn coaches.

Yup, so FFR supplies the 1800's designed door latches,..and you have to fix them so they don't fall apart..lol..
Still seems wrong they can't upgrade them, prior to selling them, if this is an inherent fault. Maybe with a gate latch, or something..

[CraigS]

Also, the door latch has two springs. One is a compression spring that is inside a channel cast into the housing. The other is a stretch spring. Remove the stretch spring and toss it. This reduces the effort needed to open the latch so reduces the chance of brakeage or bending the lever.

[MRSQSL]

Week 42:

"This weekend felt more like a lunch break" is what Mike said to me this morning as we were both preparing for the day. I have to admit he's correct. What was supposed to be a normal work week with the weekend off turned into an insanely busy week with no time off. Mike and I ended up having to go to Bakersfield Friday (we work for the same company). We left at 5am and got home at 9pm. We were exhausted!!!!!! Unfortunately, stuff came up and we ended up working over the weekend as well. We even made the kids come in and help. I'm not used to so much manual labor. In case there was any question, I'm totally out of shape. The worst part about it, though, was that we missed Serpents in the Garden. We had really been looking forward to the event. Super sad face.

Not much was actually done on the car. My only accomplishment was thread locking the bolts/screws that hold the side mirrors to the wind wings and the ones holding the wind wings to the windshield mount. Mike was slightly more productive. He took off the rear wheels (poor Scoopy up in the air again) and started wiring the tail lights and turn signals. He installed the battery disconnect switch which I think looks super snazzy. Mike also installed the fire extinguisher. Yay! Unfortunately, he also discovered a leak in a brake line, a possible tiny trans leak and a possible tiny rear end leak. I told him to grab some duct tape and then stop looking at things that could potentially leak. I'm pretty sure I received the biggest eye roll to date. That's it. That's the entire update on the car. Hopefully work will leave us alone next weekend and we can really get stuff done. The weather is cooling down (even supposed to rain later this week), so it's the perfect time to be in the garage.

I am working on a top secret side project. Have been for about a month. I'm hoping to finish it this week and then I'll beg Mike to take a picture and put it on the update. You guys won't be impressed, but I'm hoping a wife or two will understand the amount of work involved.

This just seems too short. Hmmmmmm... I know. I was sitting in the car helping Mike install the battery disconnect switch when I realized how much I love the door panels by Herb and I don't think I said much about them. They really look nice. I'm super glad we went with the carbon fiber. He does awesome work and they are worth every penny. If you've ever though about ordering them, this is the time. I saw he even has a sale right now.

Still a ton to do on Scoopy. I noticed Mike had taken the bezel off the headlight, so I'm hopeful he is getting ready to fix that. He'll have to check the leaks to see if they are real or not. He informed me that he wants to add the fifth point to the seat belt set up, so I'll have to unbolt the seats again. Not thrilled, but if it's for safety, I guess I can suck it up. We still need to get the roll bars chromed or polished or whatever they are going to be. Finish the wiring. Weld the bar for the help handle. Install hangers for the exhaust. Put in rear splash guards, license plate holder, windshield wipers, plumb the heater, seat heaters, switches, fix the door latch on the passenger side so it doesn't stop working, change out the overflow tank thing, switch the dipstick and then go through all the inspections. There could be other stuff, but that's all I can think of at the moment. Can't wait to go for a drive. It has been too long!!!!!

[QSL]

really busy weekend at work and it looks like its going to get even worse over the next couple months...

Sad to say, not much done like julie said, but i am trying to knock that list down. It will be nice to be able to get it to driving condition again. I am forgetting how she sounds...

[Nels Prario]

Just a beautiful build and incredible coverage of your build. I was at your place when you first got the kit. Really GREAT job! Oh and your wife is like crazy great on this stuff.

[QSL]

thanks! she makes me proud! Its been an amazing journey so far and i cant wait for the adventures that we will have with the car after completion.

It seems like it was just a couple months ago we had that welcoming party. It was a great day for us and very over stimulating. The support from all the members here was really humbling as we were just new on the forum, nobody knew who we were, but yet we had a great turnout with lots of welcomes and support. We will remember that day for the rest of our life and you were part of that!!!

[h82crash]

Originally Posted by QSL

did the mod on the door latch tonight. Pretty easy to do. My latches are a bit different then the ones in the tutorial, but it still worked the same. Seems like one of those things FF would just do before sending them out. It is honestly a design flaw and i dont see how they could NOT fail...

Funny, my latch just came apart yesterday! I reassembled and peened it again. Guess I need to get some fasteners.

[MRSQSL]

Week 43:

1.5 goals accomplished by me. Well, maybe 1.25. First off, I finished the side project except I need to weave in some ends. I decided I wanted to make a blanket that would look nice with the car. I am somewhat new to crocheting, but I decided to take a stab at a ripple pattern. I went with two stripes instead of one. It's really soft and I'm happy with how it came out (except for the ends I didn't finish off, but should only take about an hour). Mike didn't seem terribly interested until I threw it on him the other night and he realized how nice it is. Now he wants one, but his will be without the ripple pattern and with one large Scoopy stripe rather than two. Mike was supposed to take a picture of mine last night, so hopefully he'll post soon.

The other goal I wanted to achieve was installing the check straps. I successfully crammed one on, but didn't quite have time for the other. "I'm hungry" wailed my family. "Can we go yet?". Fine. I plan to implant the driver's side strap tonight, but then I have lots of plans. We'll see. Things were going pretty smoothly in the beginning. I had everything ready to go and had Alyssa holding the hose so it wouldn't hit the car as I riveted. I grabbed the rivet, shoved it in place and squeezed the trigger. It didn't cut the little stem. I hefted my index finger back for another squish and not only did it work this time, but it was like I instantly became a muscled beast. I've never jammed that rivet gun so quickly or strongly before in my life. I shrieked as I watched the metal end careening towards the new paint (in slow motion). Fortunately, the tip slammed into the door hinge rather than the door itself. Talk about an adrenaline rush. I'm thinking that's why I was still wide awake at 11:00 last night while everyone else snoozed. It was an impressive kick. I was then, of course, terrified to rivet anything else, but had one more to go before drilling. Big breath in, squeeze eyes shut, pull the trigger. Exact same scenario as before. Mike was eyeing me from across the room. My squealing gave away that I was probably still having issues. I quickly touched up the hinge with black paint and continued on with the process. I was truly horrified at the prospect of drilling into the frame so close to already completed items such as paint, carpet, etc. I was eventually able to get it all secure, but the rivets were grumpy and didn't want to go in correctly. I'm hoping tonight goes more smoothly as the air compressor is on the driver's side and I won't have to pull the hose quite so far or so twistily.

We had planned to work on the car all day Sunday, so we didn't do anything with it Saturday. We ended up having some friends over and therefore only had about an hour to work Sunday (which was fine because we don't spend enough time being social creatures and this was good for us). Mike was doing something, but I was busy risking life and limb to install the straps and I'm not sure what he worked on. I know he added some padding to the seats. Earlier in the week, he got the rear lights working. Those are BRIGHT when the brake is pressed!!!!!! He installed the bulb seal on the rear splash guards, but last I saw they were still unattached to the car. The headlight bezel is still on the floor and the back of the car is still jacked up, so I'm fairly certain he didn't fix the light and didn't complete whatever he was doing in the rear.

Completely unrelated to the car, we decided to play tennis as a family (the association we live in gives us access to courts). Don't get in your head that we are like Venus and Serena Williams. It is comical how pitiful we are, but it's a great family activity. We laugh, we run (except for Mike who says we have to hit the ball within a 5 foot radius of him), we look pitiful. I'm hoping it's something we continue to do although every muscle in my body is currently unhappy with the choice and it does take away from building time which isn't good since we are showing so little progress.

Okay, enough rambling. That was our weekend and our feeble attempt at completing Scoopy. I'm done promising next week will be better. I have no clue what the future holds. We are still motivated, just inching along at turtle speeds. I can ALMOST guarantee the check straps will be done by the next update though. Hee, hee.

[CraigS]

Mrs. you crack me up. I enjoy the FFR tech stuff and all the other family stuff too. Sure hope you guys don't slow down too much on the posts after the car is "done".