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Well, finally got off my @#$ and have started on the Lemans
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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah, I was planning on the bulkhead even before the fuel cell. Guess it is a left over concern from my Mustang/Pinto days. Shocked
I'm debating with myself about going out there right now. I just know I will be soaked in 10 minutes though. I need to clean up the garage a bit since the old parts are gone. Currently I have like a 2 foot wide path down the middle of it to walk. Not really good.

for about the first time in my life, I am actually looking forward to fall.
I always lived for the summer.


Thanks,
Russ
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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 7:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

well, I actually made some progress that shows.
Got a good start on the false floor that will be covering the electrical stuff and a stereo amp sooner or later. The frame and the lid is pretty much done, although I have to get a piano hinge yet. It will all be covered with carpet once i am done. So all the imperfections won't show. When doing something with what stuff you have laying around things tend not to be pretty. Embarassed

I also got the package tray piece cut and fitted. Not too bad, although I really need to get new blades for my electric metal shears. I am not good with tin snips. I had a pattern for this one. This too will be covered. You can see the damage in the picture, but that is why I was able to buy the wheel tub kit for $25 at Summit on clearance. Decided to use that metal for this and the rest of the bulkhead, I doubt if I will have the energy to try to do the partial tub like I was thinking. Plus, with the damage on this it would have been difficult to get it to work.

Think I am going to have to buy a divider panel to use as a pattern for the main bulkhead.

Thanks,

Russ
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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

well, no progress on working on the car, but I do have some new parts. The guy who sold me the new body decided to put a Corvette front suspension on his car. Asked me if I wanted his Pontiac stuff, which is all brand new, been mounted but never driven. I said sure if I had the cash. Well, he said I could just add the price to the body and make payments until it is payed off.He didn't want to deal with people trying to wheel and deal with him. $250 for new complete disc brakes, tie rods, center link, bushings installed in the arms, coils, shocks. Rebuilt steering box as well. the spindles and the arms I believe are used, but hey, who cares. Very Happy

I do have the frame on the tilter that the other body was on. I had it on my jackstands, but I needed them for my Explorer so I can replace the brake lines on it and get it back on the road. I did have to add some outboard braces to it with the frame tilted. It doesn't have enough weight to keep it upright safely. It wants to roll back down if it is bumped. So a couple of left over bits from the tilter and it is not going anywhere unless I want it too. Now if the stupid humidity would just drop I really want to finish the frame derusting now. Of course I started on the rear, and have new front stuff, and the front of the frame isn't done. I don't even have the last lower control arm off yet. Embarassed

Russ
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Larry
Site Admin


Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:59 am    Post subject: Progress Reply with quote

Looking again at those body pictures, what an improvement over what you started with. And now the front end parts. Seems like things just keep falling into place.

I agree with the weather thing. Down here in Florida I refuse to work on my '69 when it would be nothing but misery. This is supposed to be an enjoyable (though sometimes frustrating) hobby. In another couple weeks I'll be back at work on my project. Only difference here is I'll never have to shovel a path to the garage to work on it.

Keep on keepin' on!

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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, got a lot to report.

I got the rear seat bulkhead cut and fitted, just need to do the final install. I ended up buying a couple pieces of large craft paper at Walmart and managed to make a good pattern. Guess I have learned a few things over the years. Surprised

Also got the passenger seat fully mounted. Made a couple of front brackets from angle I had laying around. Banging on them with a sledge to get the angle I needed to match the seats bracket was fun. Twisted Evil
I have gotten maybe 3/4 of the frame painted. But not the way I wanted. Both of my grinders died, so I ended up just painting over some rust.

The fuel cell has been cancelled, I am waiting on a refund. It is probably for the best, but I really wanted that thing. The seller is in the hospital, or worse, not sure at this point, been talking with his brother.

Bought a whole lot of stuff. And I am in deep doo-doo about that. Shocked

Bought a sump for the stock repro tank, good thing no-one wanted to buy it when I was trying to sell it.

Also bought a used Mallory 140 electric pump and a canister type filter, $41 shipped. A new filter was close to that alone. I've already found rebuild kits for the pump if needed, but it is supposed to work fine.

Rear disc brake conversion brackets from Scarebird. The rotors I need I bought from Rock Auto, and I told them I heard about them from this site.

Cheapy poly body mounts off ebay. Although they weren't that cheap.

Body mount bolts and washers from OPG. Through Summit.

I am gettting a pair of rear differential housing upper control arm bushings. Free. But I bought the guy a long water pump bolt and washer that he said he needed instead of paying for shipping.

Seems like there is something else, but I am drawing a blank right now.

I forgot that I still need a trans crossmember though. I looked online, those things are stupid expensive. Won't be getting a new one for sure, and I can't spend any more money for quite a while anyway. Crying or Very sad
But I have everything I have to have (once it all gets here) to put the suspension on front and back, and even mount the body if I am ready to. I wanted to have the engine and trans already on the frame first, but it isn't totally a have to be done thing. Just easier to work from above than below at this point in my life. Maybe I can come up with something for a crossmember. 2x4's maybe. Laughing

Speaking of wood, I also finally got a workbench built. Nothing great, just some 2x4s from one smaller workbench I had(2x2feet, if that) and a metal cabinet I found at Goodwill. But it is solid and will do the job I need. I even got my dinky vise mounted finally. I was really tired of trying to us it and having it move all over the place.

Thanks,
Russ
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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:10 am    Post subject: things have come to a halt for a while. Reply with quote

Had a heart attack a little over a week ago.
Lucky I guess, it was a plaque thing. No damage as a result.
I was in the middle of working on my Explorer when it happened. And I have to get back on that starting in another week or so, depending on how I feel and how the stupid weather is.
Russ
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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:32 am    Post subject: just a little done and a warning Reply with quote

got the 350 on the engine dolly my wife bought from Summit for Christmas.

The warning is that those aren't the best. Looks like the jig is off about a half inch or so for the brackets that bolt to the engine mount holes. Both sides of mine need to be re-drilled about that much towards the front. I have the engine sitting on it without those bolts, just the rear ones where the trans goes. I'll have to take it off again to drill them out once I go back to work.

Decided to go back to plan A for the electical, going to put the fuse box in the trunk like I had planned orginally before the fuel cell got in the mix. I need to run a cut off switch mounted back there as well in case I ever take this thing to the track.


Other than that just been working on cleaning up the garage. Ordered some needed garage door hardware from Amazon, need to get the door back on the garage. Too cold out to do much with it off.

Russ
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Larry
Site Admin


Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:56 pm    Post subject: GACK! Reply with quote

Hi Russ,

Sorry to have missed the news over the holidays. Sure hope you're felling, and doing, better. Like my trip to the hospital back in October, these sort of things scare the heck out of you, while also reminding you to take better care of oneself, and to get things done while you can. You never know what the future holds.

Take it slow as you get back up to speed. Perhaps the cold weather will make you mend up for a bit longer before going back out and maybe over do it. This plaque thing is nothing to mess with. We lost a very good, and very healthy (otherwise) friend that way suddenly a few years ago.

Take care,
Larry

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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 3:11 am    Post subject: this is what happens when I get bored Reply with quote

Made up a list of need to's and want to's.
Little longer than I had thought it would be, and I am sure I have missed some stuff.

Frame stuff I need for the Lemans to get on the road.
1.25 inch front sway bar mounts from UMI? ($100-price keeps going up)(already have the sway bar(used, $25 and some gas money))
Rear control arm reinforcing brackets, again UMI? ($125-price keeps going up)
Brake lines-do it yourself-get lines from autozone. ($30ish with ends)
Brake calipers for the scarebird kit-napa or pullapart ($100 or less if used)
mid 80's Chevy truck steering coupler-pullapart or craigslist ($25ish)
tires mounted on rims-Tom at work? ( case of beer or so)
Hose couplers from Lee's for power steering ($25)
Front and rear suspension-have all but above parts already, need to assemble
Radiator mount-have metal, need to do (free)
Once body is on, mount gas tank and then mount fuel pump and filter and do Gas lines-need 1/2 inch line and do it yourself-summit or jegs ($35ish with ends)

Parts I want to get for Lemans chassis but not absolutely necessary
Ford 9 inch rear end setup from Currie or other ($1500ish)(yes, not with a pumpkin, but I still have some Mustang connections, think I will be able to get a used 3.50-3.90ish fairly cheap)
Bigger rear tires. Something like P265-60 15s. Summit/NTSB/PepBoys? ($250-400?)(this is a must before serious driving)
Frame boxing kit ABC Performance ($175)

Engine stuff needed to get car on road
Finish putting together junkyard serpentine belt drive system-regardless of engine ($50-75 pullapart)
Finish intake work (water and exhaust crossovers removed already, needs cleaned up)
Find a decent running engine cheap (hahahaha)
Or do heads on current 350 and hope for the best(not the number one plan)

Engine stuff wanted
455 rotating assembly-various ($1000-2500 depending on luck finding used)
Heads done ($1000 maybe, not sure yet about pricing in 2013)
Block machining ($500-1000, again not sure of pricing)
Cam and lifters, want roller ($$$$$$$)
Misc. bearings,bolts, studs, etc ($500-1000)
Quadrajet carb instead of current Edelbrock
Port heads and intake

Body stuff needed
Tilt hinge setup from VFN ($200ish)
GTO grilles, turn signals, parking lights ($ who knows)
Windshield
Doors need stripped and checked, no idea of condition
Finish up a few welds (need mig gas for that)
Rebuild hinges
Hood-pin on fiberglass stock($300 ish if I can pick up, would prefer used)
Windshield stainless
Mount fiberglass trunk - plan is to mount onto the stock hinges(no torsion rods though) so it is easily useable.

Body stuff wanted
Paint ($$$$$$$$$$$$$)

Interior stuff needed
Install driver's seat (free, just need to get to that side of body
Custom dash that will hold 4 gauges-in process,need some abs plastic and a gas gauge as well as a tach. Not sure if stock speedo or aftermarket yet. there is an aftermarket dash panel for almost $300 that is where I got the idea. I don't have $300 for this part.
Finish rear metalwork and cover with carpet (black, of course)
Headliner-need to measure Lemans and go to pullapart and see what one piece newer ones will fit if any
Hand e-brake handle install-finally got one, need to figure out how to work it with console
Re-install steering column, brake and gas pedals, dash

Interior stuff wanted
8 point cage from summit racing ($200, I can pick it up at the Tallmadge store, no shipping)
Recaro seats (hey, why not?)

Electrical
Wire car-battery, solenoid, fuse box/power distribution box from Explorer all in trunk. Stereo amp under metal where rear seat bottom used to be. Stereo head who knows at this point, supposed to go into the shell of an old 8track player, but think I bought too small of one. Don't have stereo yet either.
Wire dash for lights for gauges(mechanical) and maybe stereo stuff
Overhead console for control switches (headlights, starter, others)
Wire to steering column for turn signals
Distribution block up on/near firewall for starter/headlights/fan/HEI etc
Wire brake and taillights
Wire horn, starter, headlights, HEI, fan, etc. Headlights need to have a disconnect for when front end is off car
Wire hidden kill switch
Wire speakers-they will be in the rear where the rear seat back used to be. going to have a box for regular speakers and subs, removable in case of racing.
Wire power antenna. Not sure yet what kind or where to mount.

Electrical wanted
Nothing really, this is one area for sure I am doing the way I want it to be.
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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, got something done finally. I put the front suspension on the frame. Frame isn't done being painted, but I got impatient. I just had to get something assembled or I was going to scream.

Also, I am getting a 9inch Ford rearend setup for an A body (71 lemans in fact) complete for $600. Yay tax refund, if it ever gets here. Although it is coming with a mini spool, which will have to be changed out.But the gears are just what I wanted, 3.90's. Hope I get overdrive soon. Twisted Evil And it has drum brakes, I wanted disk, but I can always do that later on.

And I will be spending around $1200 or so at Summit on most of my need/wish list. Hoping to have the frame rolling by end of Feb. Need to run brake and fuel lines, which thinking about it may be tricky for the gas lines without the body being on since I have to custom make those. Suppose I should just step up and buy premade brake lines, that way I can run all of those with the body off.

Hope this plan actually happens. My plans always seem to get blown out of the water.

Russ
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russosborne



Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Posts: 117
Location: Warren Ohio USA

1970 Lemans

PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:26 pm    Post subject: well, something happened Reply with quote

but at least it didn't take up all of the tax refund. I had to buy tires for the daily driver. So that ate up $600 of the total. So I had to cut back on what I wanted to order. I got pretty much everything needed to get the chassis done, engine/trans mounted(so I can do the exhaust and driveshaft), fuel lines ( I forgot about brake lines) and getting the body back on and doing the interior and electrical stuff.

Ended up ordering a speedometer, tach, fuel level gauge, trans crossmember, 1/2 inch aluminum fuel line, and some misc. from Summit. Then I ordered adjustable lower rear control arms, rear 1inch sway bar, rear control arm reinforcing brackets, and front 1.25 inch sway bar mounts from UMI Performance. Worked out to just about $600 from each place. Got the Summit stuff already, the UMI stuff has a week delay before shipping.

So, am I going to get to drive this car this year? Likely not. No money to do the engine. I might just bolt the heads back on the 350 and see what happens if I get everything else done.

Going on a road trip tomorrow to pick up the Ford 9inch rear end. Had hoped to have some extra money to take, buying it from this guy's dad. He has several tons (literally) of Pontiac parts he is looking to get rid of. It's only Exclamation a four hour drive each way. Maybe if I get some extra cash down the road.

Russ
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