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Before the first start, I realized that the Tach in the car was a '72 unit that does not require the ballast resistor to condition the signal. Since the first run-in would be at constant 2000 RPM for 20 min, I wanted to ensure I had a good Tach that would work with the ballast resistor that was already installed on the engine relay panel and verified to work properly. Luckily, I found a correct '70E Tach in my stash and swapped it into the car. Since the lead wire to the cold start was not connected, I used some starting fluid sprayed into the injection stacks to help the start. With my wife working the key, and me at the rear with fire extinguisher ready, we fire it up. To my great joy, it started right up and after adjusting the hand throttle, ran smoothy with no noise or leaks for 20 min.
My only problem was that the battery was not charging showing only 12.5 V and the charge light on with the engine running. Since the alternator was rebuilt and the voltage regulator was an old unit that had not been tested, I checked the field wire from the regulator to the alternator and found no power. I had another regulator on in my stash. I swapped that in and now had 14.5 volts at the battery and the charge light off.
I did an oil and filter change and now ready to move on.
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5 Attachment(s)
Now it was time to move the car off the lift and see if it moved properly under it own power. I needed to move it to my center bay where I can do some finishing touches and get ready for the first drive. I had already adjusted the shifter linkage to make sure I could get all 5 gears and had tested, with the engine running, that the transmission shifted into all 5 gears and the clutch functioned properly. Since I had not yet installed the driver's seat I used a small flat top cooler as a temporary seat. I backed out of the bay with the lift and into my middle bay with no issues. Next up will be the driver's seat installation and a suspension alignment to get it ready to drive.
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3 Attachment(s)
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Excellent, Tom! Beautiful work-congratulations on the successful start.
Dho
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Congrats on the first start, very nice work
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Congratulations Tom! It really looks fantastic. I can’t wait to see it driving around the local roads.
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Fantastic work Tom and attention to detail. The work on the pan is really special given most were creosoted before being shipped and covered the original finish. I hope you enjoy showing it. Congratulations!
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Let's try again...cosmoline...creosote works better on telephone poles!
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Tom
Just an awesome project and thanks for all the photos and descriptions...
Let us know how the first drive goes.
Also many thanks for your assistance with my 71 !
Frank