August 2002 - Stalker V6
It’s August already!This months plans include fitting the water system and firing up the engine for the first time. This will quickly be followed by a trail run around the yard, then a rush for registration, so road trials can begin.
The overall plan, heat and time willing, is to have it on the road by the end of the month…
Impossible? Maybe
But a good goal nonetheless.
Fitted vibration damper and crankshaft pulley.
Fiited water pump pulley.
Fitted fuel sender to tank, and replaced as much foam as possible.
Fitted earth wires to tank filler rim and sender.
Fitted tank into place and attached filter and pump.
Fitted and adjusted parking brake and cable.
Welded together alternator bracket - fitted alternator.
Started construction of idler pulley bracket.
Fitted heater bypass hose.
Bought rocker cover breathers, horn, thermostat, more hoses.
Ordered a nice braided hose for clutch - from Orme Brothers.
Ordered new water outlet / thermostat housing.
Finished alternator bracket and pulley bracket.
Fitted serp belt - 335K6 - 6 groove, 33.5 inches long
Fitted thermostat housing
Finished second header - all welded and fitted
Tensioned belt
Test fitted radiator, upper and lower hoses
Test fitted electric cooling fan
Installed carb
Installed battery
Fitted oil pressure senders.
Constructed baffles for exhaust system.
Fitted water temperature senders.
Fitted bungs to all spare holes and blocked all vaccumm ports on carb.
Put in temporary wiring system for test firing, including alternator.
Added all fluids
Pre-oiled engine with spare distributor shaft.
Fitted distributor, coil and plug wires.
Fired up engine!!!!!!!
It ran in fine - rings sealed after a couple of minutes of smoke, then clear. The temperature rose a little - needs more coolant and running it at 2000-4000 rpm didnt help. Otherwise a good first run.
Ordered headlights from JC Whitney
Fitted remote reservoirs for clutch and brakes to firewall.
Fitted new braided line and bled clutch - nice - smooth - and light!
Cleaned out garage - found where the car was hiding…
Made a special tool for access to rear bleed nipples - (welded 8mm socket to steel rod)
Bled brakes and finally managed to tighten away all seeping
Cut holes in dash for gauges - fitted all 6
Cut new panel for driver tunnel foot area - old one wont fit now with pedals / slave
Bought new wing mirrors
Removed driver tunnel pieces, firewall, reservoirs, and started again - much better outcome - more foot room
Fitted passenger footwell plates, battery and battery hold-down.
Fitted firewall back on and replaced reservoirs.
Fitted gas pedal and linkage to carb
Removed adapter from loose baffle, and welded on replacement - tapped it into exhaust - nice and snug.
Found one small brake seep when under very heavy pedal pressure… will continue to fight that one!
Bought black material for trim.
Started the long, long process of wiring
Finished fitting the loom to front and back sections.
Made and painted two new panels for the footwell to hide wires, gearshift, etc.
Fitted switches, lock and starter button to dash.
Fitted horn button, flasher switch and warning lights to dash.
Should have wiring finished over next couple of days, in time for springs / shocks to arrive
This will give me a chance to drive about the yard!
Baffled?
Oooh…
When in doubt, weld a new bracket…
Just whack it into shape…
Spaghetti-Central-to-be
Remote reservoirs for easy filling
I am SO pleased…
Hides all the wiring
Its not pretty back there
And the red one goes to…
