CraigH

Shape has now been refined and a laser cut panel done in textured black plastic.



Am very happy with the look but am going to get Ralph to get a smooth satin black sheet to try one.

Its just a consistency thing, there is lots of textured finish in the console etc but all the text in the vette is on smooth surfaces.

We have tried to find a font as similar to those used in 71 on gauges and trim.

CraigH

All the cooler lines are now in for the transmission.

Flows Trans > New Cooler > Radiator Cooler > Trans

All done with Russell Twist-Lok

CraigH

The Upper A-Arms are now mounted as well.

New Rubber stops





The outer bracket is for the tower brace however Speed Direct must have sent me the wrong bar or end parts as they have different threads. Will ring customer support on Tuesday.

CraigH

Power steering pump can is back from being modified where the return line is now pointing to 11 O'Clock rather than down.

Test Fit and cut hose to length.





Now pulled apart, stripped and ready for paint.



So much simpler than the stock setup. Lets hope it drives nice.

CraigH

Power steering pump repainted and installed.

New seals in the two bolt holes and the pressure circuit.



Can painted.





Assembled and ready to go in.





Done



Had a slight leak fro behind the high pressure outlet bolt but after leaving it for a day and tightening and loosening it a bit it seems to have stopped.

CraigH

A few tidy up items needed up top.

Water outlet plug.



Booster vacuum.



Coil.





And valve cover gaskets and fitted.

JMS71VETTE

Craig: Ran across your post this a.m. and must say I'm very impressed!! Great job on all you have done. I own a 1971 Brandshatch Green coupe and your post is a inspiration for all who intend to wrench on their own vettes.Awesome pictures and text. My hats off to you!! Mike Stenseth,Rice Lake,Wisconsin

CraigH

Thanks Mike

CraigH

New Speedo Cable installed.

CraigH

Fuel in and return lines fitted.





Turned it over a few times and had a carb full of fuel.

I am using a remote starter to spin the motor to test belts pumps etc.

CraigH

Its getting close.

Need to mount the thermo fans up then just need plug wires and headers and I will kick it over with spark and see how it sounds.

CraigH

Probably is neater than original for sure.

I purchased a set of 64cc Fuelie heads today. (3927186) Cant help myself :-)

A project for later on to raise the compression up a bit and let it breath a bit better.

The 186 was used on 69 and 70 corvettes and Camaros and was one of the nicer heads of the day. Has accessory holes as well.

CraigH

I have been using a remote starter button to turn the motor over but once I put on the alternator rear brace and heat shield it became a bit difficult to attach the clips.

So I ran a lead up from the starter to the top of the firewall and used a weather proof plug.





Simple matter to plug in starter button and turn the engine over.

CraigH

The headers are now fitted.

Only tight clearance is one of the idler arm bolts is about a cm away.










Clearance where they pass towards the transmission is good.





Jethro I know you had issues so I am not sure why it is. There must be a difference with your manual car or your motor is sitting higher than mine. very strange.

CraigH

Put the last few spark plug leads, dipstick tube and stick and I was ready to fire it up.

Spun it over without spark once.

Then hit it with spark and it fired into life straight away and quickly settled to a nice idle. or at least as nice an idle as you can get with just headers on the engine.

Sounded great.

Let it heat up a bit and I ran into 2 problems.

1st one was just one valve cover was not tight enough and it dripped a little oil, tightened it up.

2nd once hot the radiator sprung a leak 3" in and 3" down from the top hose fitting. One of the cross tubes must have a hole - bugger.

Will have to drain it out and take it out again and down to the radiator shop.

Oh well it was great to hear it run anyway. :-)

CraigH

My radiator is now fixed, had one tube that was beyond repair so it is now isolated out.

Means it may have a limited life so i started looking for a backup radiator.

I like the DeWitts Aluminum ones ...

Can get a copper one cheaper but from what I have read the aluminum may be better.

Anyone have an opinion - silly question as I know everyone does :-)

CraigH

Finished the radiator fan brackets.



They have small threaded plated behind each bolt to allow easy removal.



I also modified the fan for the best clearance around the lower radiator hose.

CraigH

On to the next milestone, the front suspension.

A-Arms on and the Speed-Direct Coil Overs in place.



Spindle in and ball joints tightened up.

CraigH

Wiper Door actuator is back in.

CraigH

November 2011

Fitted up the dust shields, brake caliper bracket etc to complete assembly.