I'm not dead, really!

[JonB69FB]

I'm going to feed my ego by pretending that you guys actually missed me over the last few months, so play along!

To say things have been busy would be an understatement. Finished a software release, quit my job, bought a racecar, and basically ran out of time to do much of anything.

In the last few weeks I've finally been making progress on my Firebird.

The motor is all back together with the Cometic head gaskets that will stop the smoking I saw last time out at Streets of Willow.

Got the old rearend out:



And the new one in:



It's a Moser Ford 9" with a Detroit Trutrac (helical) diff, 3.70:1 gears, nodular iron centersection, and 31 spline axles.

I'm almost finished with my hydroboost project. I bought a kit from Hydratech, and I've been really impressed with it. The guys at Hydratech thought of everything (even extra long "nuts" to make bolting the thing to the firewall easier)!





I had to order a few more hose ends today (there are something like 16 of the damned things in the power steering/brake lines!!!), but all the hard lines are finished and basically ready to go.

My Lee Power steering dry pump showed up sometime late last year. I'm *still* waiting on the bracket to mount the tank but once it comes in I'll be able to finish everything off.





I had to use a 45deg fitting off the pump coupled with a 90deg hose end to clear the alternator. Even with them I had to do a little clearance grinding on the bottom of the alternator case.

So anyway, most of this stuff will be done this week. I need to order a new driveshaft before I can drive the thing, and fab up a new driveshaft loop (the one I had before didn't work after the TKO600 swap). Then I'm hoping to make it to a drag race in AZ in early April, and hopefully I'll be back on the road courses before too long.

[MrQuick]

Hey Jon, welcome back, it has been awhile. Car looks good how far from done,wondering if it will be ready for the upcoming run at Buttonwillow? word through the grapevine that we will try to have a get together in July. Love to see it run.

[JonB69FB]

Definately won't be done for the Buttonwillow event in March, and I think the April date conflicts with the big Pontiac drag race in AZ.

I'll be disappointed if it's not done by the end of March, but we'll have to see...

[alcino]

Glad to hear all is well. Wish you could make it out to the Buttonwillow on april 15. Seems like it might be a big turnout from here, but there will always be other events.

Anyway, what kind a race car did you get?

Alcino

[JonB69FB]

This kind of racecar:



It's an '83 RX-7, set up for the NASA Pro7 class. It's really a very nicely put together car, but it's been sitting on the side of the house since November waiting for me to have the time to get the new seat and harnesses installed (basically all it needs).