Ok that would have been cool. I wouldn't have covered mine then. heh.

Well it's all done with now, though I'm still not happy with the carpet..

 

That looks pretty good there.
Carbon-kevlar? Holy schnike, that stuff is pricey eh? Out of curiosity, what were you using it for?

Ryan - are you in Calgary now, or did your bro find out about the cracked springs? Does the car sag now, or are just the ends cracked off a few inches from the end? Mine did that.
Don't buy used springs, they'd be worn out. It's like going to the JY for brake discs or shocks, it's a wear part (albeit slowly).

Moog 5662 (stock replacement), or 5664 (HEAVY DUTY), are $80 from crappy tire, special ordered through keystone. Or parts source, etc.
They're a ****** to replace though, if your brother wants some help, just shout. I STILL have no job, so i'm just cleaning house to keep myself from going insane from boredom.

Oh, I put together the rear with an open carrier, and installed it today. I'll take it off the jackstands tommorow morning and find out if I did it right... It seemed overly tight, but torque to turn it over via the pinion was about right... *shrug*, we'll find out.
----------
and my line lock doesn't work, for whatever strange reason. The solenoid clicks, but when I hold the brakes, then engage it, then let go, the car just keeps rolling...?

 

Making a new body for a 67 Cooper S vintage SCCA race car.

 

Really?!?
Yours? Man, that's... Difficult. Using old panels as the mould? Vacuum bagging sorta thing, or just wet the stuff out and roll it on to get rid of as much resin as possible? (epoxy resin I guess?)

 

Wow Chris, that sounds like some pretty heavy duty work there.. And if it was annoying enough to make that little box, I can't imagine making a full body. Yikes.

Jay, I'm in Vancouver but my brother took the car to the Fountain Tire I used to work at to have the summer rims and tires put back on and they noticed it. And yeah, about ten minutes after posting I realized that used springs would be a bad idea. So I found the Moog springs on Summit, as well as a set of 1" drop springs for like 150. I'm trying to convince them to go with those..

Do you have a spring compressor? 'Cause actually, when Evan was bitching about the labor costs I suggested that you might be able to do it for some cash. So if you'd be able to do that, then great. My parents were open to the idea and wanted me to ask you about it.

Oh, and the car doesn't sag, so it must be just the ends that broke or something? I guess it probably happened pretty recently too, because I sure as hell never noticed that..

 

No, not mine. Used original panels to make molds in fiberglass, then laid in the carbon fiber and vacuum bagged it. In the end you get a car body you can lift with one hand.

 

Holy cow... That's a lot of work, vacuum bagging and whatnot. They did that with the formula car at UofC and I thought "man, that's a PITA". Needless to say I didn't help with that...
But yea, that's really cool! I guess the carbon fiber would still be really strong vs fiberglass too, especially when done right (vac bagging).

Ryan - I wouldn't pay $150 to get drop springs if it were me, i'd just cut half a coil off moog springs, much cheaper and same effect. You don't have to get those big heavy springs shipped through summit, they'd be stocked here in calgary.
I didn't use a spring compressor, they're kinda sketchy. I just used the GM method, of leaving the balljoint connection attached at the outer end of the A arm, as the pivot, then disconnecting the inner ends, lowering it, and removing the springs, then putting in the new springs.

I think it's a PITA to do alone, but I could do it I imagine. I could certainly help him do it for sure, he can pass wrenches
Moog 5662 is the stock one, but if you want it a little stiffer moog 5664 is what was stock on the '90s Convertibles. 750lb/in. I like them. It's not skateboard rough, but it keeps the car nice and rigid.

 

Alright, fair enough. Cutting springs is kinda frowned upon on a 240 but then again, the springs are shaped differently. Now to call around and get a price/avail..

Oh and good call on not using a spring compressor. I hate those things too. Even the hand ones for valve springs scare me. I once had one shoot out of my hand and almost hit a window.

Were the rear springs fairly easy? I guess dropping the axle.. hmm. Because I think they're gonna want the rears replaced as well. Pretty sure anyway.

But yeah if you want the work great, if not that's ok too. I just wish I was coming home and then I could actually help..


Hey Chris, you know about any summer engineering jobs in vancouver? :P

 

Nothing mechanical. Could've got you one in Salmon Arm, but it's filled now.

 

haha, you know of any mechanical ones in Calgary? Man, it's crazy i'm having such a hard time finding a job here...

Yea, rear springs are stupidly easy, 10 minute job there.
Ok cool, let me know if Evan wants a hand then, i'm going to glue up my headliner tonight, and go get another speedo cable tommorow, found out mine burned up on the headers

 

Ah, no worries. I need to stay in Vancouver anyway. Any idea when you're gonna come down here again? We should help some nice establishment clear out some beer..

Jay - Really? You'd think it would be pretty easy to get a job right now. That sucks. Actually, my dad works with quite a few engineering companies. He's using his ties to try to get me a job here, but I'll tell him to keep an eye out in Calgary too.

Ok glad the rears are easy.. It's been too long, I can't remember how they go in! My mom has said she'll pay you to do it but she just got hit by the tax man so it'd have to wait a few weeks I think. I got a nice return on my taxes so I told her she could use some of that but I don't know if she will.

 

Probably within the next two weeks, and again in June.

Our Controls group is looking for someone permanent right now, but they want a few years of experience with motion control and PLCs.

 

Ugh, PLC's, I did my fourth year engg project on a distributed mechatronics control system. Somehow control systems sneaked into the mechanical curriculum as well as electrical *shudder*. I hated that stuff.

Yea, you'd *think* it would be easy to get a job eh? I want to do design work, and apparently that's rare. I'm ready to take just about anything by now though... Most companies are hiring for 5+ years experience in just about everything, I guess the new hires were hired in February or so, to start in may

Ok, let me know about the springs then.

 

There's an expression, "Any idiot can tighten a nut with a pencil". We prefer to let other companies weed out the idiots are before we put them to work drawing pictures of multi-million dollar machines.

 

Any idiot can tighten a nut with a pencil?

 

You can draw the nut anywhere you want, but if you can't fit a wrench on it when you try to build it, then what good is it?

 

lol. We heard that one last year in the manufacturing class. Which was also called "how not to design a $10,000 doorknob".

..I actually enjoy the PLC/electrical control systems stuff.

 

At best you end up with a $10,000 doorknob. At worst, you end up with something like the badly drawn nut that killed 114 people in the Kansas City Hyatt Regency in 1981.

If you enjoy it that much, then we'll talk after you graduate.

 

oh ok, I get it. Yea, they didn't really mention that at all in Engg, that was one thing that really irked me. I always mention that in interviews, I think a good engineer should be well rounded, and should have experience on the shop floor, so he understands the manufacturing process from the assembler/machinist point of view. I always use an example from when I worked at a shop in SE calgary, and how a fresh engineer was trying to get a....
*just got a phone call for an interview here, go figure...*
yea, a fresh engineer was trying to get the prototyping guy (30+ yrs experience) to make this part, that was impossible to do with the pipe bending stuff that we had. The proto guy kept saying "god damn engineers!" and laughing at this guy, and the guy kept saying "but I drew it up in solidworks, so it must work"!
hahah...

 

It goes both ways. There are fabricators who insist on doing everything their own way because they think their hands-on experience means they know more than engineers. The problem in either case is a result of a lack of humility and the arrogance to believe that one's own experience is more valuable than someone else's.

 

Haha, i like that one!

"You can draw the nut anywhere you want, but if you can't fit a wrench on it when you try to build it, then what good is it?"


Working on some of our core drills can be a real challenge when some **** drew his bolt somewhere that only a $50,000 purpose built machine can get into, then you try to get at it with a $5 wrench!!!

 

Off topic: Look, I found a JDM KITT!

 

That's.... I don't even know what that is...

My rear end works though! Booyea! I can drive the car again, finally! This is part of the 50 or so days a year the car is driveable, better enjoy it while it lasts! Oh, and I got a new speedo cable (and cluster, but that's because I wasn't sure what was broken), and now I also have a working speedometer!
Now on to the trip odometer, wiper sprayer, etc etc...

 

Haha, I tested the mileage, I know I get 20MPG highway, if I drive like I want good mileage (still, barely enough to get from town to town with this itty bitty 12 or something gallon tank), but I tested my city mileage. I know it's bogus, because it's mostly cold starting, short trips, idling, burning rubber, etc, but I got 8.4mpg. Stellar.
Man I need to tune up this carb a bit... And get that distributor... and a posi.
Actually, my brother is probably going to give me one of those things as a grad present....Rock on.

Has anyone here successfully taken apart our speedo head to fix the trip odometer?

 

Ahh, blew my motor.... Ran the sucker out of oil until it was knocking on the highway. Funny thing is, the speedo stopped working, and about 1 minute later the knock started... hmm...
Also, no change in oil pressure or anything. Damn. Oh well, 3 weeks running in one summer is almost like spoiling me

 

Holy **** that sucks! How'd it run so low on oil? ....I should go check my oil right now. Havent done so in a couple weeks.


So what happened? Spun a bearing I guess? I wonder if you could get away with just replacing bearings/rings/cam and see what happens..

 

Yea, I had a slow leak, since I usually drive the car maybe 30kms a week, I check it once a week or every second week and add some. I drove it 300kms in 3 days or so, and was still checking the oil every week or two eh? So I guess it leaks faster when I drive, compared to when i'm parked, so it started to knock on highway one halfway to banff. On acceleration only. So I pulled over and checked it, no oil left
Got it towed home. I'm mulling over my options here. Not sure if I can get away with just adding oil. I don't plan on replacing rings and cam though, man, that would be the suck.

 

Yeah that would suck. I guess the first step is to try adding oil and see what happens though. *hopes for the best*

 

Yea, I just got a 1 piece oil pan gasket, and a crapload of oil. Here's hoping for the best.

 

Hmm, the old gasket came off looking like it had conformed to the pan nicely, and was in all the right places. But it was soaked in oil all over it. Felpro perma torque dry 1 piece rubber gasket ($54 at parts source) going back in now. I love working in the rain. And the cold. Booyea.

 

Hmm. Be extra careful torquing it? I wonder if maybe it was warped or something before you put it on...

 

Yea, I think it was tweaked when I got it first. That's the only thing I reused on that motor as far as sheet metal - it has new valve covers, new timing chain, but I stupidly reused this old dented up oil pan (WTF eh?)
So yea, I just snugged up the bolts now, i'll go up and retighten them to spec tommorow, then button it up and find out.
Man this freaked me out, but based on my thread in tech general engine it seems like its not that big of a deal. My brother says the same thing.

 

Oh, I didn't see that thread. Well hopefully she does ok. At least you caught it quick and didn't have the music up or something. It would have sucked to find out when the engine seized..

 

Well... i bet you guys didnt see this one coming.

But i sold my car. Yeah, i did. Well, he hasnt given me the money yet (my roomate) so if i find someone else that will take it i will just sell it to them. Everything included. Nitrous, cam, gear drives, stereo system, all that **** (perfect dash pad too ) which is usually unheard of. I just got sick of going to work (mechanic) and coming home to fix the car. So i went out and bought a Chev Avalanche. I love the thing. And one day when im done paying for it, I will probably buy another camaro. So thats my story. this is now vehicle #10 for me... lol. But yeah. She is conditionally sold. Never thought i would.... but i did....

 

leave you with some pictures of my baby

 

aw, maaaan. well at least you're staying GM.. you should keep your nitrous setup for the truck though.

 

haha and blow up a brand new truck.... **** that haha... not happening lol

 

haha, that sucks! But yea, being a mechanic by trade, it's a little tough to have that as a fun hobby eh? That's why I didn't become a mechanic, I wanted to keep my (extremely expensive) hobby!

I still have to put the top end back on my car, boy am I ever lazy... I found a job though, so i'm pretty busy lately. I'll do it this weekend
Well, is your roommate cool? ie, will he race me in the thing?

 

I will be racing you in it. lol. i finnished putting it back together today and started her up, after having the timing 180 lol. BANG BANG BANG. i ran it open headers

 

You found a job Jay? Congrats! What will you be doing?

I just found a job as a contractor for the summer.. doing 3d modeling. Should be cool.

 

oh man, I was hoping to get a job doing 3d modelling!
I work for Enerflex, well technically their service division, Pamco Jiro Technical services. I'll be doing vibration analysis on natural gas compressor stations. Going out to compressor stations, checking where the vibes are, what frequency, suggesting fixes, etc.

haha, i'm about to try to fire up my car, but I always get spooked and put it off.... I'm worried i'll have the distributor in backwards (I seem to do that more often than 50% of the time too...)
Plus the thunder clouds above spook me a bit. Oh, and I have a fast leaking diff cover, so i'll get some more gear oil and try to seal that up again too

My paper gasket didn't work, on my initial buildup of this car, then I used a full on RTV gasket and it worked, but since I blew up the posi my newest RTV gasket didn't work this time ? I guess i'll just make sure it's super clean this time.

 

Woah, missed your reply. Sorry.

Vibration analysis, eh? I can only imagine the jokes you guys circulate. :P

After being in my job for a while, it's pretty cool. I'm on site a lot, walking around as if I deserve to be there or something. I'm designing stuff for a major apartment building/business complex. Small stuff like floor grates and staircases and awnings, but it's fun. And I've been offered part time work while I am in school and unofficially offered a full time job when I graduate. Score.

Oh and it's amazing how much better I am at Inventor now. Still need to learn Solidworks though..



I've bought almost everyhting I need for the turbo build. I am taking the last week of August off to put it all together. It'll be sweet.

Also coming home the august long weekend. It's gonna be busy though. The brother has a list of things to do to the TA. Can you believe the spoiler rusted right off the hatch? It's only held on by a couple of the clips that hold it to the glass now. What the hell am I going to do about that?

 

Inventor eh? That's an autocad thing right? That's what Enerflex uses I think... They wish they had Solidworks, but I guess it's too expensive for most companies... That $8000 license really needs to become realistic for them to take over a larger market share...

Hmm, awnings don't sound too exciting, but I guess the more you do there, the more exciting projects you'll get to work on. Not much of the stuff you'd design there *moves* though does it? It's gotta move for a mechanical engineer!

Oh, you're serious about putting the turbo kit into that car? What's in the kit? Intercooled?

hahaha, the spoiler rusted off?!? Oh, the mounting holes rusted right? The spoiler is... rubber? Fiberglass and short strand fiberglass filler man, that's what its all about.

I got my car running the other night... *crosses fingers* here's hoping it stays that way...
I've still gotta;
-glue the headliner back up
-get the line lock working
-dyno it (tweak carb)
-seal air cleaner to hood
-finish sub box
-Get my cd player mounted more securely....
-Weld in my LCARB's
-Put in my new A-arm bushings
Then I can start on the bodywork... hmm, that'll be in about 3 years I guess..

 

Yeah inventor is made by autodesk. It's nice because you can import/expost stuff between the two programs real easy. Oh and inventor's only like a grand less...

Yeah, nothing I design moves. Yet. But on the bright side, the first project I did, start to finish, got approved with no problems today. That made me happy.


Hell yeah I'm serious about this turbo stuff! You should see my pile of parts. Heh.

Yeah the hatch deck is actually fine on the t/a, it's just the studs that come out of the rubber that are rusted out. It's weird.

You still haven't finished that sub box yet? Wow. ..Well, I guess you've had other things to worry about. :P

 

Yea, damn straight... Ran it low on oil, lifted engine to replace oil pan... Then all of a sudden pushrods started breaking, had to remove heads and drill out slots and get SA rockers... Then all of a sudden coolant starting getting into the oil... Replaced intake manifold gasket and dumped in stop leak. There was virtually no run time between all those problems, yet they aren't really related... Geez!

I tweaked the carb last night and got back to the sweet spot. Now i'm just going to glue up the headliner, then finish the subbox. I desperately need to get that Kicker 1200.1 working!

 

Hello All.

I'm new to the boards and just picked up a 91 Formula a few weeks back. Is there an f body group stationed in calgary? I have been trying to find one with little luck. Are there any shops you recommend? (body / paint, welding, exhaust, rims, parts..)

I've been doing my reading so I won't have to ask which sfc's, wonder bars, and headers to buy

Thanks

 

There aren't any very active f-body groups in town. nosaint might point you to another forum here, which is mostly for western canada though.

I'm not into the ***** stuff, so I can't comment on any RIIIIMMMMS shops. Exhaust, i'd recommend Carlise (?sp?), just near Marlborough C-train station. It's a chain, I think it's Carlisle, but the main guy working there actually knew how to weld up custom exhaust, without putting me into the poor house. It's not a perfect job, but other shops wouldn't even touch my car.

Got any engine plans for it, or mostly bolt ons? We're going to have to race to get a baseline here eh? As soon as I tie up a few last loose ends on my car.... So... How's February look for ya?

 

Google up the calgary firebird club. It's a start..

 

Sonix: Thanks for the pointers. I am always up for some friendly competition. Secret street would work well. Feb? Looks good if ya wanted to do it in California My car will be hidding in the garage till it warms up (during winter).

As for the future of the car, well there is the dream and the reality. Short term it is getting sfc's, exhaust and a set of headers this winter.

Long term I would like to throw the Spohn catalogue at the car and follow it up with a forced induction 383 or a LSX swap. The 383 would probably be alot easier.

Do you have any experience with an 8 point cage in an fbody?

 

Ummm.. Yeah. So. I am megasquirting the 240. I am using some info here to help me.