More Progress

Last week was productive. Clutch line is done, steering rack is ready for installation and gas, brake and clutch pedals are in and tight. Waiting on some hardware from "Pegasus" and "Air Craft Spruce".

Decals

It's starting to come together. But, as with everything else, it sure has taken a lot longer to accomplished.

I'm changing the route the left rear brake line takes. The old line went around the radiator cooling line(photo). The new line will stay along the tub, hoping this stays out of the way of parts, down the road. I purchased the car as a roller, so I have not photos of the car complete in this area.

Fuel cells and lines.

This week has been fairly productive. I did have to make a small adjustment to the front brake lines. I forgot the square radiator cooling lines run down the same channel as the brake lines and had to move the lines to the side. No big deal but still took a couple of hours. Before I tackle the rear lines I’ll take a real close look at my photos of this section and try to get it right the first time.
As you can see the fuel cells are installed. As mention in a earlier blog, make small modifications to the tub to accept the new cells. But they went right in on the first try, and fit perfect.

Brake Lines

Didn't think I would have anytime today for the car, but found about a hour and got the front brake lines done.

Brake Calipers and more.

Nothing like a rainy weekend to focus on the car. The parts for the brake calipers have been waiting for me, but are now assembled and finished. Also installed the clutch and brake pedals. Mounted the rebuilt master brake and clutch cylinders. Started on the brake line replacement and would like to have this done by weeks end.

Brakes & Decals

Finishing the final preparation of the master cylinder parts and pedal assemble. A lot of time goes into cleaning. Hope to have the master cylinders mounted by weeks end. Then I can start to run the new lines.

Just got back the decals, the shop did a fantastic job.

Looks just like the originals.

Reproduction Decals

I need two decals reproduced. One I had taken to a graphics shop "AUTOMOTIVE CHEMICALS" a while back, but they did a lousy job. The other is the 10" wide red, white, blue, yellow stripe. I'm trying a different shop. There taking a different approach and guarantee they will come out prefect. Find out next week.

Master Cylinders

Received the rebuilding kits for the master cylinders and clutch cylinder today. They didn't look to good coming off the car, but they cleaned up real nice and the bores look good. Hooked up the rest of the gear shift linkage, goes a lot faster when you know the procedure ahead of time.

Shift Linkage

Finally, starting to install parts on the tub. What looked like a 15 min. job turned into 2 hrs. The parts where all nickel plated and as you can see the shift linkage has to slide through spherical bearings. So anywhere there is a tight fit, it had to be lightly sanded and polished, and that also included where the linkage connects. This is definitely an area you don't want binding.

I had weighted a radius rod before and after plating, and it had gain 12 grams, so I guess the nickel plating it just slightly thicker then the original.

Watkins Glen F5000 Race

It was a great race weekend at the Glen. This year the rain was no where in site for the F5000 events. Graham McRae was in attendance to see one of his McRae GM1 race machines win overall. The autograph sessions where packed, the fans really enjoyed this part of the F5000 celebration. I have more videos and photos on the myf5000.com site.

Seb Coppola who runs the F5000 Drivers Association, says he has more plans for next year. Can't wait to get the car on the track and enjoy the festivity's from the drivers seat.

Progress on hold.

Work has kept me out of the shop this week and next weekend is the Vintage races at Watkins Glen. So I really don't expect to get back to the car until Mid-September. Boy, the summer just flew by.
There's two Lola T192's on the entry list for WG next week. One is Seb's T192 HU29, I have a many photos of this one. Number two is Mead's T192 HU22, this one I have never seen. Really looking forward to next weekend. I'll report when I return.

Gearbox is back!

Good old "Hewland DG300-59" is back. Rolled in about 5am this morning from the Mid-West and set the alarm for 7am, can't miss the F1 race. Picked it up just west of Indy, it sure looks nice. Mark did a great job.

All the parts in the photo where replaced. He said the case was in excellent condition, it almost looked like it was only used once or twice, but needed updating. However, many parts had surface rust. I guess that 's what happens, sitting in a warehouse for 30+ years.

Paint's done.

I had hoped to complete the painting by the end of the summer. It's done. As for retaining history, most decals where removed and sanding had already started at the end of the race season in 1975. But I was able to save one thing, the #13 on the air intake scoop(as seen in Long Beach in 1975), it's painted and not a decal. In a week or so it's back to the tub, fuel cells, brake hardware.

Nose completed

Worked on the car a little over the weekend. Polished the nose, that's done. Polishing the body now, that will be done today. Also will shoot the clear today on the misc. parts, air intake etc.