Mach1Mark's '65 coupe restomod

[Mach1Mark]

Fab number two was the fuse panel bracket. I found out this week that American Autowire has revised the kit I bought a year ago to mount the fuse panel where I am mounting mine which was originally designed to be mounted to the firewall above the trans tunnel. It says right on the instructions that the fuse panel should not be anywhere else except above the trans tunnel, NOT for use with air conditioning. I still need to rivet the sides to the back and drill some mounting holes. Some primer and paint too.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Today I continued to fab the fuse panel mounting bracket (drilled mounting holes, riveted side supports, primered) and fabbed a copper jumper for the Mega fuses.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Drilled a couple of holes and painted the bracket, fabbed a 6 Ga wire.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Last weekend I worked on mounting the new fuse block bracket. I ran into a problem so I thought about a solution this week. Today I drilled a couple of access holes in the kick panel to give me a way to put nuts on the back of the bolts that would fasten the fuse block bracket to the panel. Also had to mod the bracket a little bit. Got the bracket and the fuse panel mounted.

 

[Horseplay]

I take it you are not planning on using the fresh air vent at all, huh? Sticking it up there does give you a nice place for it up out of the way.

 

[Mach1Mark]

I take it you are not planning on using the fresh air vent at all, huh? Sticking it up there does give you a nice place for it up out of the way.

It was the solution I deemed the best. The other choice was in the glovebox. I figure with my spiffy new A/C system I can do without the vent. Im looking forward to riding around with my arm on the top of the door like I used to.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Work on my rear body harness has been slow (I need to be twins) but I should be done with it next weekend. Fuel pump, relay wiring and inertia switch wiring should be done soon as well.

 

[Horseplay]

Slow and steady...as they say. Never rush the electrical stuff.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Slow and steady...as they say. Never rush the electrical stuff.

Absolutely!! I'm soldering the connections. Very time consuming. I bought some solder sleeves. Should speed things along. Pix this weekend.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Minor milestone this weekend: I finished the rear body wiring harness connections !! I also discovered that there were no bulbs in the back-up light fixtures. Try finding these bulbs at your local parts store. Still need to connect the fuel pump leads to the power and ground wires going toward the front. Next week.

 

[Midlife]

Scotch Locks? Nooooo!

 

[Mach1Mark]

Scotch Locks? Nooooo!

I got a package of them with my MSD module . . . how wrong can using them be if MSD GIVES them to me ?? The trunk mat looks good though, right??

 

[Midlife]

Scotch locks are on par with wire nuts when used in cars. They will vibrate loose and cannot transmit decent levels of current. Look at 5:50 in this video:
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2018/08/08/diy-advanced-soldering

 

[Mach1Mark]

Today finished wiring the fuel pump power and ground. Also began pulling the wires through the firewall to the engine compartment. This task would be a LOT easier with a helper. As it is I was in and out of the cabin a LOT today.

 

[Horseplay]

This task would be a LOT easier with a helper.

Maybe if you were a bit more personable people wouldn't mind spending time with you, Mark.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Maybe if you were a bit more personable people wouldn't mind spending time with you, Mark.

You know . . . you'd b surprised how many times I hear that . . . moments like yesterday make me feel like Im getting the workout I would be getting in the gym if I went more.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Good news !! After more than six months away from finishing my coupe in order to care for my wife during a health crisis I began assessing what needs to be done to make my coupe drivable. Including getting the registration and classic car insurance.

 

[Horseplay]

Glad to hear things are working out and you are back to the car. now get it DONE. Or maybe I should say on the road.

 

[Mach1Mark]

Sunday I managed to pull more wires through the firewall and unattach the wire connectors from the steering column wires (AAW provides a GM-style connector to go on the end of the 8 wires from the column).

I paid the past due property taxes so now I can submit my registration to the state and should be able to use the Year of Manufacture license plate I bought. I love seeing vintage cars with period correct plates. They add a nice detail touch.

 

[66TotalPerf]

I know it's been a while since the soldering, but I've used the Wirefy Heat Shrink Butt Connectors, found on Amazon, for a bunch of '66 Mustang projects and been happy with the results. Don't cheap out though, buy a quality heat gun; I initially tried used a cig lighter and that was really inconsistent.