HM2017 Build

[Greg K]

I was just about the to post the same thing...sounds like you're not the only one having issues.

[FFR428]

It seems to be a 50/50 mix good/bad. I know a few other builders who are in the same boat. Lance is no longer on FB not it seems. Build related issues. This is where honesty and communication prevail. That said I do hope things work out for the best! And please keep us updated.

[Bob Worley]

Does anyone else have an engine on order with Craft Performance Engines?  I received some parts back from them yesterday that I originally sent to them to install on my engine.  No explanation provided.  Now they aren't answering their phone.  Makes me think something is going on.  Plus they're still holding my deposit.  Just wondering if anyone has heard anything.  Thanks.

Lance got off FB and all social last summer. Too much political bs, he said.   And they were having major supply chain challenges during the pandy, like everyone else.  He is usually at the Texas Cobra Club spring meet.   I just sent him a personal text msg checking in, havent heard back yet.

[Bob Worley]

Craft Performance Engines has closed up shop and filing bankruptcy.     

https://craftperformanceengines.com/

[Jeff K]

Bob, thanks for the post and thanks everyone for your comments.

[Jeff K]

After looking at my options, I ended up placing an order for a 425 hp, 408 ci Blueprint crate engine.  I should receive it in about 6 weeks.  I think I'll be more than happy with this engine.  I guess I should have done this 16 months ago and saved myself a lot of grief.  Live and learn.

[Bruce N]

After looking at my options, I ended up placing an order for a 425 hp, 408 ci Blueprint crate engine.  I should receive it in about 6 weeks.  I think I'll be more than happy with this engine.  I guess I should have done this 16 months ago and saved myself a lot of grief.  Live and learn.

Think you'll be happy. I've bought 5 engines from them now. No problems with any of them except one blew a compression ring. Which I think was my fault for not having the timing right while setting up a sniper for the first time. They bent over backwards to take care of getting it fixed. Set up all shipping for pick up and ended up getting a 540hp 427 in place of a 430hp 383. And it actually dyno'd at 576hp! I wont buy from anyone else now. Cant beat their warranty or their service

[Jeff K]

I was running out of projects while I waited for an engine so I decided to cover my dash and install the gauges.  I used the 3M 90 hi-strength spray adhesive others have used on the forum.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  I made the dash removable, again as others have done.  I do have to remove the speedometer and lower switches first though because the cutouts in the lower bar aren't very deep.

[Jeff K]

I wasn't thrilled with the two-piece gas filler and gas cap arrangement supplied with our cars.  So, I splurged and bought a one-piece gas cap/filler.  While I haven't heard of any complaints with the supplied setup, I think this new gas cap will make fill ups less dramatic.

After temporarily installing the gas cap, I test fit the filler pipe.  It fit better than I expected considering I changed the position of the tank some and altered the gas cap height.

[Paul Proefrock]

Jeff
Curious where you found the one-piece unit?

Paul

[Jeff K]

I bought it from Speedway.  It was about $150 with tax although I see the price is higher now.  Here's a link.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Large-Cobra-Style-Fuel-Filler-Neck-Gas-Cap,53672.html

[Greg K]

I also picked up the same filler cap from Speedway last year for mine as well.
I did consider this part that Vintage wheels had that would work with the top provided with kit but was sold out.

[Redstang69]

The dash looks like it turned out nice. Did you run into any unexpected hurdles?
Did you cut the lip off the top all the way across? The way the body cuts back to roll into the doors it looks like only a foot or so from the center each way would be right against the dash.

[Jeff K]

Ben, considering I had never done anything like that, I'm pleased with the results.  The cover installation actually worked out better than I thought it would.  I'm not sure if the cover is leather or faux leather but it's easier to work with than vinyl.  I glued down half at a time and stretched the material a little when gluing down to make sure there were no wrinkles.  I'm curious to see if the glue holds after the car has been sitting in the sun a while.

I cut the top off the dash the whole length except the end ~6" on each side.  I wanted to make sure I could take the dash out after the body was installed.  Like you said, you probably don't have to remove that much material to make the dash removable but on my car the body was contacting the top of the dash on the passenger side.  I ended up cutting the dash down to the top of the curved metal upper frame piece.  I suspect the body on my car sits lower than others.  Because I removed that much material, the gauge positions didn't look right anymore so I sectioned my dash to lower the gauges.

[Redstang69]

Good info Jeff, thanks for the feedback. I may have to hold off on at least gluing the top to the back of the dash until I can skip my body back on and see if it hits the top as yours did.