Doug The Dog's 73 Convertible Restomod

[Doug The Dog]

Spent most of the day cleaning and installing the wire harness. Long tedious work, but I'm enjoying it. I'll have it wrapped up tomorrow (actually, today, as it's 2:15 Sunday morning. After the electrical is done, I'll finish up the brake hydraulics, bleed the system and will hopefully have brakes. If all goes according to plan, I'll start on the engine Monday. Yippee!!!!!

 

[Totalled]

Very nice. Did you replace your fender and engine compartment fasteners, or are they good condition originals? If you replaced them, did you get a master kit or..?

If you wouldn't mind, would you take some pics of the wire routing along the inner fender, across the core support, and at through to the headlights? I could use it when I put mine back together.

 

[Doug The Dog]

Very nice. Did you replace your fender and engine compartment fasteners, or are they good condition originals? If you replaced them, did you get a master kit or..?

If you wouldn't mind, would you take some pics of the wire routing along the inner fender, across the core support, and at through to the headlights? I could use it when I put mine back together.

I bought the AMK master body kit, under hood kit and interior kit, as most of the old hardware was rusted. The kits are great, except not all of the nuts and bolts you need are included, and, when you go the route I did, you wind up with duplicates. I don't mind though, as I am finding uses for the extras.

I should be wrapping the wiring up this afternoon and I'll take better pictures and post them for you! If I don't post one you need, let me know.

-Travis (AKA Doug The Dog)

 

[sdstang]

Travis,

I was debating about the master fastener kits. I was worried about spending that much money and finding the hardware inferior or as you mentioned, incomplete. Can I get your thoughts as I also have 73 vert. I thought there was also a chassis without there too.

Jim

 

[Doug The Dog]

Travis,

I was debating about the master fastener kits. I was worried about spending that much money and finding the hardware inferior or as you mentioned, incomplete. Can I get your thoughts as I also have 73 vert. I thought there was also a chassis without there too.

Jim

Jim:

The quality is definitely not inferior. I just think that some of the hardware I needed, is what is not usually replaced.

-Travis

 

[Steven Harris]

I found this picture this afternoon. This was the day 1 of the restoration 22 years ago. It's come a long way and is close to the finish line, but 22 years? Damn......

Impressive - now that is commitment. Inspiring!

I too like the steering wheel choice.

 

[Doug The Dog]

Installed the brake proportioning valve today, the final piece of the brake puzzle. Bled the system till I got a "good pedal". Had a bad leak on the right rear. Turned out to be a faulty crush washer for the brake hose at the caliper. Replaced both washers and that solved that! I'm running a little behind schedule, but I still should be able to start on the engine some time later today. Gotta get the garage cleaned up and get some sleep.

 

[Doug The Dog]

I've been dreading it, but I started on the engine tonight. I was afraid of what I would find. I rebuilt this engine 20 years ago. It has less than 1 hour run time. While the car was at the original body shop, the body man left the car outside in a Colorado July thunderstorm. The engine was full of water. I quickly changed the oil twice and ran it. When I pulled the heads tonight, I fully expected to find a lot of rust and damage. Much to my surprise, there was only a little in the #3 and #7 ports. Easily cleanable. I'm going to pull the oil pan off tomorrow night, but I'm not expecting any surprises. I think I'll replace all the lifters, valve seals, rear main seal and gaskets. I think it will be a good idea to replace the water pump and fuel pump, as they've been unused for so long. This looks like it's going to be easier than I originally planned. (Famous last words).

 

[73vertproject]

Lookin' great, Travis! Careful with those famous last words, now.

 

[jbojo]

Travis,

That motor looks pretty good for sitting that long. Not sure if I asked you before, are you going to use the cast iron manifolds or going with headers? BTW can you give me the height from the base of the distributor to the top of the cap?

-jbojo

 

[Doug The Dog]

Travis,

That motor looks pretty good for sitting that long. Not sure if I asked you before, are you going to use the cast iron manifolds or going with headers? BTW can you give me the height from the base of the distributor to the top of the cap?

-jbojo

The base of the distributor where it mounts to the block to the top of the cap is 6 1/8".

I'm still toying with the idea of headers. I've been Jones'n on the Sanderson Shorty headers. I remember what a PITA full legnth headers were with a manual trans on my Mach1.

Lookin' great, Travis! Careful with those famous last words, now.

Thanks Doc! Feels good knowing it's finally coming together!

 

[Doug The Dog]

Sigh...... The story of my life. I drove 40 miles to pick up my new gasket set (only set in town), got home and opened them up only to find that the box had been dropped and both head gaskets are damaged.

Now I'll have to return them tomorrow and order a new set. that will take an additional 2 days, I'm sure..... Good thing I'm going on vacation next week. I need a break!!!

 

[Doug The Dog]

Well, I got the engine cleaned up and put back together. I think it turned out good. ("I think" are the key words here). A friend of mine is going to stop by tomorrow to help me take the hood off the car and Saturday I will install it. Who am I kidding? I'll install it tomorrow night!! I just hope the old SOB runs! The finish line is getting closer!!

-Travis

 

[jbojo]

Well, I got the engine cleaned up and put back together. I think it turned out good. ("I think" are the key words here). A friend of mine is going to stop by tomorrow to help me take the hood off the car and Saturday I will install it. Who am I kidding? I'll install it tomorrow night!! I just hope the old SOB runs! The finish line is getting closer!!

-Travis

Looking good Travis, did you degree the cam? When do you anticipate starting it?

-jbojo

 

[Doug The Dog]

Well, I got the engine cleaned up and put back together. I think it turned out good. ("I think" are the key words here). A friend of mine is going to stop by tomorrow to help me take the hood off the car and Saturday I will install it. Who am I kidding? I'll install it tomorrow night!! I just hope the old SOB runs! The finish line is getting closer!!

-Travis

Looking good Travis, did you degree the cam? When do you anticipate starting it?

-jbojo

I degreed it. It's 2 degrees advanced. I'm good with that. I think the reason it was so flat when I first drove it when I first built it, was a combination of a short ratio toploader and it was running incredibly rich. When I took the valves out to replace the seals, they had a lot of carbon on them. I'll be making some changes this time around. I'm going with a wide ratio trans, which will be more streetable, an Edelbrock performer intake and Holley carb. The jury is still out on the headers, though...

 

[Doug The Dog]

The engine is officially in! After a little midnight mayhem with the motor mounts, I finally got everything in place. I'm really pleased with the way the cars stance is. Once I get the transmission and all of the rest of the components installed, I think the front will drop between 1/2"-1" more. That should be just about perfect!



I still have a long way to go before I'm done, but right now, I'm a happy camper!!!

 

[sdstang]

Looks great Travis!

 

[jbojo]

Looking really good Travis. I like the stance that you have, the additional weight will make it awesome. What are the tire sizes that you have on?

-john

 

[Doug The Dog]

I have P245/60-14's on the rear, and P235/60-14's on the front.

 

[jeff8877]

Looking good Travis...that's a pretty big step. When do you try and fire it up?

Jeff