73 Road Race Cuda

[70chall440]

Thanks Randy, it is moving the right direction (finally).

[70chall440]

Finally got back to the wiring and focused on the front end. I spent several hours trying to clean up the side market bulb receptacles only to find out that they are readily available online... got to love the internet..

[70chall440]

Things continue to move at glacier speed...  mainly due to indecision and missing parts, that said I was able to finally get my relay box built and reinstalled my remote oil filter.

I have been on somewhat of a tool buying binge as of late (happens sometime..); Thus far I have purchased the following;

a cordless soldering iron which seems to work pretty well
a hand tapper (always wanted one)
a 1 ton arbor press
1 3/8 rivet nut installer (works awesome, used it today)
a tip die set for my bead roller (always wanted that as well, haven't received it yet)
TIG tungsten grinder (new product from Eastwood, at $100 I couldn't pass it up)

Oh and I picked up a cabinet from a buddy, perfect for my plethora of fittings..

Still waiting on a few things for the actual car but things are moving to a degree

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Cool! I've never seen a rivnut installer like that. I have a big rivet-gun style one, for the tight spaces I have always gotten away with just a nut/bolt setup. I used many, many nutserts in my car, they're wonderful things.

[70chall440]

I completely agree, I used them for everything and anything (installed 3 today). If the factory used a sheet metal screw, I replaced it with a rivet nut in most cases. I have the typical pop rivet gun style installer for everything from #6 through 1/2" but 3/8" needed something specific to it and I found this one online. It works exceptionally well. Comes with the big hex handle and then you have to use a 1 1/16" wrench to tighten it. Its made by Hansen tools but I bought it off Amazon.

RT-L722-3716 L722-3/8-16 HAND WRENCH

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I completely agree, I used them for everything and anything (installed 3 today). If the factory used a sheet metal screw, I replaced it with a rivet nut in most cases. I have the typical pop rivet gun style installer for everything from #6 through 1/2" but 3/8" needed something specific to it and I found this one online. It works exceptionally well. Comes with the big hex handle and then you have to use a 1 1/16" wrench to tighten it. Its made by Hansen tools but I bought it off Amazon.

RT-L722-3716 L722-3/8-16 HAND WRENCH

Are you using drill bits, or annular cutters to make the holes? If you can find the right size annual cutter [Hougen] it makes much nicer holes in sheet metal.

[70chall440]

Normally I use drill bits, however I do have Blair Rotobroachs, but to be honest I do not use them often because they tend to breaks and are expensive. Normally I use step drills or in the case of yesterday, I drilled a pilot hole and then used a smooth tapered drill (step drill w/o the steps) to increase the size to where I needed it.

The Hougen annular bits look very nice but pretty expensive it appears. I have found that at least for me, I dont think I would use one outside of a press where I can keep everything perpendicular, but even then you break them (at least the Blair versions).

[70chall440]

The wiring continues, but it is progressing. I finally got my relay box wired up and now am running and terminating the front end wiring. I am making a front harness for the headlight, running lights and horn. I am using metri pack and packard 56 connectors depending on where there are. Everything in front of the radiator support are metri pack.

Also got my new dies for my bead roller 

[70chall440]

Wiring continues on... I got the front end harness built yesterday, took a very long time but I am happy with how it came out. I still have to put two plugs on the harness, but then it is done and goes in. After that, I can start sorting out the drivers side wiring (MSD, wiper, ignition, etc..).

[70chall440]

So I am looking at my fender tag and it came with a second tag; anyone know what this tag is? It is hard to read, the words on the far left appears to say FRAME, then the next 2 lines seem to be the same but very hard to read; it looks like "SOL"

[Cudaragtop]

Lookin good Mike!
More tools for my Amazon Tool list too. 

[70chall440]

Thanks Randy, its moving a long, just hope it all works. 

Got my oil lines built and installed, installed the newly made front harness and installed my fuel filter. I am waiting on a new VR pigtail as well as new side marker pigtails.

[70chall440]

I finally got the front end lights installed and connected. I had purchased the headlight bezels off eBay some time ago and never really looked at them too hard, well yesterday I had a good look at them and realized that the chrome plating is failing. I repainted the black and they look ok but I ordered some new ones.

[redo1973]

That is looking more and more fantastic with each picture.  I had a similar issue with my light bezels.  I bought new ones as well and had to return them for another set due to quality.  Now the bad news... I can't find them! I currently have my originals on the car but one was cracked which I can fix but the chrome is bubbled.  I'm hoping to find my replacements as I pull all my boxes apart.  I guess it's always something on this journey eh?

[70chall440]

Thanks, I am enjoying it becoming a real car again. Of course that will end when it doesnt work... 

Well we will see when they arrive. Now I am trying to figure out what size the screws that hold the bezels on are.