YAY, SCOTT
We're back! Been going through withdrawals for sure.
One thing I've learned is I need to keep a copy of important posts on my computer so I can reference them if the site or the internet is down.
Got good news and not so good news.
I bought a Tremec aftermarket T5 off of CL locally for $600.
Here's the info for it.
1352-251 A/M 79-93 330 2.95 1.94 1.34 1.1 0.63 - 2.76
Won't know for sure until I use it, but from the bench checks I could do without opening it, it seems ok.
Actually bought it the Sunday the site went down. Seller has a Fox Mustang he is having a monster engine built and knew the T5 can't hold it.
I started to put the front end together, and went to mount the spindles, and realized I didn't have the castle nuts for the upper ball joints. These were the ones I bought at a swap meet here a few years ago for the 74 orginally. I guess I just never paid attention if the nuts were there. I had to order some off of Amazon, got them but haven't been able to get back to the car since I received them.
I did finally get the hatch lift supports (along with the body mounts) installed. Nice. The hatch opens by itself now, and I don't have to hold it up anymore.
I sold the Miata seats. Took my usual bath on them, I took $75 for them, had them listed for $125. Guy is on disability. Why not. Needed them gone more than I needed the extra money. He was the only one interested in them.
Bought a HF engine stand (new, with 20% coupon)from HF.
Also a bag full of Taylor wire loom T's of different sizes cheap off of CL. I have several factory harnesses from different cars for the actual looms, but not many connectors/T's. And I found out they aren't cheap brand new.
Figured out how I am going to install the dash. More or less, need to decide on details. But I am basically going to cut the ends off of it by about 4 or so inches. Don't want to cut too close to the VIN. Don't want to draw attention any more than I have to. Yeah, full cage. That won't draw attention.
That is one of the decisions yet. That way the main part can still be installed/removed normally in between the cage. I will permanently mount the ends (at least that is the thinking right now). One thought I just had is to leave the top of the dash alone, and cut just the face. Might be able to angle the main part in, but I have to remember normally there will be a windshield there. Got to play around with it some more.
But at least I do have 1 solution that will work for sure.
This was a vacation week for me, and I didn't get much done. Did go to a new doctor as my previous one moved to a group I can't go to with my insurance. He has some concerns, some of which are affecting my get up and go. Hopefully we can get some of it improved. Got another week vacation in a month I think. Or two months, I can't remember right now. It's either the end of March into April, or end of April into May.
Anyway, I am trying to be a good neighbor and not making noise outside after dark, which is the time I actually tend to want to get started. Just had an idea to not make noise at least while dropping things. Put a blanket or something under the work area.
I have plenty of good halogen work lights (bought off of Facebook I think, my wife actually found them for sale for me) so lighting isn't an issue.
Thanks,
Russ