CFD's Build Thread

[CFD]

Originally Posted by hammdo

That is going to be something!

Good luck on rehab... sucks getting old ;o)

-Don

Getting old isn't a problem, being to stupid to acknowledge it and still acting like a youngster is.

[hammdo]

Guilty here...

-Don

[CFD]

Altenator came in so I worked on the mount. Typically I would program it on the CNC but all the controls are overhead and out of my reach so I cut them out on a bandsaw. I have a few small things to do cosmetically but it is basically done so now I'll figure out the water pump pulleys.

[CFD]

Had a chance to finish the altenator mount, radiused the corners, put a small counterbore for the bolts to sit in to maximize belt clearance and came up with all the needed hardware to do the final install. I'll finish the wiring tomorrow while I wait on a pulley I ordered for the water pump.

[CFD]

Didn't have much time today but did get a little done. Made up the small mounts for the plug wires and made the coil mount. Tomorrow I should be able to finish up the wiring.

[CFD]

Finished the wiring to the engine. Tomorrow I will set up the distributor and run the plug wires. From there I will be moving on to cooling hoses, fuel and trans. lines.

[CFD]

Got the plug wires and holders trimmed and fitted. Tomorrow I will work on mounting the radiator so I can route coolant hoses and trans. lines.

[CFD]

Got the front end back on to position the radiator support. Took some measurements and ordered a fan set up. Even with the motor set back 3 inches it's still tight because instead of the radiator being mounted in the support it will be mounted in front of it. I did this to allow for the widest radiator possible. I'm hoping to have it all mounted and start finding hoses for it by the week end.

[CFD]

Got a bit more done on the Buick. Made the gas tank straps and mounted it. The fan and shroud came in so I got it mounted to the radiator and set in place. When I first set everything up I didn't know I was going with the front distributor so I had clearance for the stock water pump and a low profile mechanical fan. Because of the width of the timing cover and real long water pump all the room disappeared. If it wasn't for an electric fan I'd be in trouble. As you can see in the picture there is minimal clearance. I then fabricated a couple of mounts for the radiator. They allow the bottom to sit in a mount and the top secures it. Clean, simple and strong. Tomorrow I'll get it back in place, make the bottom mount and the radiator support will come out one more time for final welding and paint.

[tstodii]

Looks awesome! Amazed at all the great work you are accomplishing, even while recovering. Inspiring to say the least! Cheers.

[CFD]

Originally Posted by tstodii

Looks awesome! Amazed at all the great work you are accomplishing, even while recovering. Inspiring to say the least! Cheers.

Thanks. I'm still getting work done but it's very slow. Today I was hoping to have all the radiator mounts done but I hit a snag, I couldn't get the radiator assembly in and out for fitment. I had to wait until help arrived. It's hard to believe how much I still can't do with my arm, doing anything close to shoulder height or above is nearly impossible.. Once I did get it out I also pulled the radiator support. I made the bungs for the top mounts and got them welded in place. Now I can make the bottom mounts on the bench, no way I could do it on the ground.
I'll tackle the bottom mounts tomorrow then I still have to weld the radiator support so I can paint it. It's a lot of welding but it's time to get it done.

[h018871]

Radiator mounting is really nice, great job.

I may have missed it, but how are you driving the water pump? Long snout crank pulley with an idler?

[CFD]

Originally Posted by h018871

Radiator mounting is really nice, great job.

I may have missed it, but how are you driving the water pump? Long snout crank pulley with an idler?

I haven't committed to the belt/pulley combo but I'm leaning towards a serpentine stretch to fit so there will be no idler or adjustment.

Didn't have much time today but I did machine the bungs for the lower mounts, drilled the holes and made a template for the mount. I decided to make it bolt on so in the event changes are ever warranted it will be easy rather tan cutting and welding brackets.

[CFD]

Got the bottom mounts cut out, I'll make the pockets for the rubber grommets after I assemble it one more time just to verify fitment. I also finished boxing in the radiator support, filled all the holes previously used to mount the radiator and finished the welding. Tomorrow I will clean it up, get it painted and then I will do the final installation.