HM-2037 Build Thread

[Redstang69]

What's everyone been doing? Been pretty quiet on here.
Finished my headlight wiring tonight. That makes all lights and turn signals complete minus the license plate light. Time to start firing panels I suppose.

[Redstang69]

I've been working at the panel fitment. It's a pretty slow and tedious process, for me at least. I started with the trunk lid so I could get the license plate light mounted and wired in preparation for inspection. Edges needed trimmed as expected. I ended up having to slot the holes in the triangle plate of the hinge to try to get the lid further forward. Fit is still fair at best. It seems like the curve of the trunk is different than the curve of the body so it's going to take a decent amount of body work to get everything blended.
I moved on to the doors. Passenger door fits really nice, it took some trimming but nothing extensive. The driver's door is a different story. It took a lot more trimming and massaging to get a decent fit. I had to slot the holes in the hinge where it mounts to the upper frame to allow the door to move toward the center of the car more.
I started on the license plate light and latch and it turned into a slight mess. I drilled the holes based on the license plate light and not the plate bracket. The plate bracket doesn't fit in the lid indent very well so I'm not sure exactly how I'll resolve that. Went to drill the trunk latch handle and noticed it isn't centered with the lid/license plate.
Not a lot picture worthy really.

[Greg K]

You need to get rid of some of that mold putty you got there and that yellow tape reminding you that it's yours...  

[Redstang69]

I had a chance to get the hood fitted over the weekend. It was a little challenging due to working by myself and the size and his home location. I started by going all the way around the bottom side and smoothing up the edge. The edge had some high spots from the mold or whatever. I'm still getting a slight bit of drag at the front when opening that I'll trim and get worked out.
A couple tips that worked for me. If you raise the hood all the way up it seems balanced just right so that side to side movement/adjustment is nearly effortless. With the hood about halfway up provided probably the best access to the front lip for trimming. I used a drum sanding bit for a die grinder. Worked well for the right space there is.
Also, I'll need to trim the radiator cover slots because the triangle part is the hinge is impacting it pretty bad on both sides.

[Redstang69]

One more of the hood.
I'll still need to go over each panel to get the gaps all correct and even.

[Redstang69]

Been chipping away at things. Got the hood latches mounted, didn't have the large cams or the firewall brackets so I had to order the cams and make brackets.
Also had to make the door striker brackets. Thankfully Greg traced one of his before installing and sent me a template. Had about 5 hours wrapped up in cutting those all out. They're installed and the doors close and latch really well.
Also, got the wheels and tires, what a change in the lol of the car. Got them through Richard at North race cars, he was very helpful and thorough with helping me get and check measurements. I picked a little less offset than the coyote hurricane and they fit well.
Got the rear view and side mirrors installed as well as my wiper.
For Ohio you must have bumpers so I scrounged up some old ones and put on, rear is off a 37 Ford and actually fits nearly perfect and looks right for the car somewhat.
Finally, I ran into some carb issues last week. Car barely would start and wouldn't idle. I finally noticed the fuel level way too high in the primary bowl. Took the carb bowls off and apart and found a bunch of sandy looking stuff in them. Not sure what it is or where it came from but after taking the online filter apart it doesn't match what the filter stopped.
I went for my inspection today but they couldn't pass it since it wouldn't run well enough to do a couple driving tests that I wasn't aware were needed. I've gotta sort that out somehow and go back in two weeks for try number two. I'm honestly pretty burnt out from it at this point.

[Redstang69]

Couple pics from the carb.

[Bass And Hot Rods]

Man I hate to say it but that looks like someone vandalized it.

[Paul Proefrock]

sat for an extended period of time with some ethanol fuel in the bowls

[FFR428]

https://www.jegs.com/p/Driven-Racing-Oil/Driven-Carb-Defender-Fuel-Additive/2848856/10002/-1

Take a look at some of those products. They may help. End result take that puppy apart and throw a rebuild kit at it. It's a mess. Ethanol sucks.

[Redstang69]

I've been doing little things on the car. I still can't explain the carb thing. It only has gas in it for about a month and a half. I know ethanol is bad stuff but I run the same stuff in the mustang I have and it'll sit all winter and I've never had anything problems like that.
I did take the car up the road and back and all I can say is what a blast. The thing just feels like a monster waiting to go crazy.
It ran strong and shifted really smooth.
I noticed my speedometer wasn't working. I dug into that and found the was no gear on the end of the cable in the trans. I got a gear but it still didn't work. I finally realized the 90 adapter that hurricane provides was not inverting the cable rotation direction. You can take the adapter apart and flip the shaft and then it will invert the rotation. Speedometer works now.

[Redstang69]

Successfully passed inspection yesterday, got my VIN, title and plates. I'm fully road legal now.
For anyone who's wonders about inspection at the Ohio Cambridge location, you definitely have to have bumpers and wipers. I used a hand wiper, the guy questioned it but called someone and they "Ok'd" it.
He checked all lights and horn. Also asked about various parts like seat belts and wiring harness but since it came from hurricane I didn't need to provide any documentation on it. I also had to set the parking brake and attempt to move the car and he just listened for the engine to lug down.
I heard him mention windshield washers and backup lights.
Let the driving begin now.

[Greg K]

Now get out there and drive. Good job!

[Kamal]

Congratulations! Let us know how it drives that first time. Mine was a shocker lol. For my car, between the softer rear springs, the new heims by FK as suggested by Aaron, faster steering rack, and softer front springs that have yet to go in, I think that it's going to finally be a nice smooth ride and responsive steering.

[Redstang69]

Thanks guys, weather finally broke and got decent here. Did a short 20 mile drive last night. Felt great. About 70°, just before sunset, was really nice. Loving the power the car has. It was really obvious how bad my rough alignment was so today I worked on that a little. Got the camber close with a cheapo harbor freight angle gauge and set up the strings and got toe much better. Both were way off. Got a cheap caster camber gauge that might be here tomorrow so I'll try to get the caster right and then check the other settings again
Biggest complaint right now is the ridiculous amount of noise from the rear suspension.Probably going to bite the bullet and get the FK heims.
I'm indifferent on the ride softness right now. It is a little stiff but I'm a way I kind of like the race car feel that it gives. So far I bet this thing would be an absolute blast to drive on a track.
When I get in an antique I'm used to my 69 mustang which probably needs all new steering and front suspension components, so this thing feels much better than that haha.