[SN65]

Hi All,

Entries for the graphics contest are rolling in. You only have 14 days left. A lot of good ideas are coming in.

I am looking forward to seeing yours.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

I just realized that I did not show you any of the pictures of the finished cowl areas (the areas under the fenders). I am pretty happy with the way they came out. There was a lot of custom forming and fabrication to get the different years to fit together. It seems a shame to cover all this up with the fenders. :-)

Also, you can see the WW setup. The system had better last a while because it is now hermetically sealed.

So without further adieu.....

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2116

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2117

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

This weekend, we installed the Apten aux cooling kit for the blown 4.7. And while the kit looks like it will perform as advertised (improve cooling on the #7 & #8 cylinders) there are a couple of items that could stand a bit of improvement.

When installed, the kit adds another path for the hot water trapped at the back of the driver’s side cylinder head. The kit is comprised of a length of hose, 4 hose clamps, a PVC barbed "T" fitting, a set of instructions and the fitting (the same Ford item located at the back of the passenger side cylinder head) which connects the drivers side head to the passenger side head (see the photo).

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2129

Before I get into the specific areas of improvement, I just though I would state the following. I was told by Apten that this kit could be installed while the engine was in the car, but the trans would have to be removed. I guess it could be done, but I would not want to fight with the installation of this kit while the engine was in the car. If you doubt me on this one, just look at your engine and imagine attempting to remove the freeze plug at the back of the driver’s side head while the engine is in the car. It can be done, but I imagine it would be quite an ordeal. Also, the aluminum heads are quite soft and nicking the inner race while removing the plug is a real possibility.

As far as the actual kit, the first area of improvement would be the assembly instructions. They are very "sparse" giving you the minimum amount of info necessary to complete the job. For example, the molded fitting you have to cut for the insertion of the barbed “T” has a small flow restrictor crimped inside. There is no mention of this item in the instructions and we just disposed of it when we made our cuts. This is just one minor item, but the instructions leave a lot of room for interpretation in many areas. I know that most who will attempt the installation of this kit will have the skills to install it, even if no instructions were included. After all, who reads the instructions anyway?

The second area of improvement would be replacing the PVC barbed "T" fitting with one more suitable for the job. THIS IS BY FAR MY GREATEST CONCERN WITH THE KIT. Schedule 80 PVC is only recommended for service up to 140 degrees F and the engine will reach temps of at least 180 or more. This does not mean that the fitting will fail at 140 degrees, but its life expectancy will be greatly reduced. The material will soften over time and suffer from stress fractures, etc... Also, a single barb instead of the multiple barb fitting supplied will be less prone to leaking in this type of application. We replaced the PVC fitting (about $1.00) with a 316 SS fitting. There were other options. CPVC is good up to 180 (about $2.00). PVDF is good above 200 (about $12.00). Aluminum is available (about $18.00). But we went the indestructible route with the 316SS at $27.00. The 316SS is a bit pricy, but we thought it was money well spent. Especially when considering what you would have to go through if you ever needed to replace this item.

The third area of improvement is in the "Ford" fitting supplied with the kit. It is designed for the passenger side of the car. While it is true that you could install the item just as described in the kit, we made two minor modifications that just seemed to make sense to us. We drilled a hole in the fitting to allow the re-installation of a bracket and also to positively seat the fitting and keep it from possibly working its way free in the future. We then ground off some of the unnecessary area of the tab just because it looked like a more professional installation.

Also, you are going to have to make a modification to your EGR connection. The SS line runs right over the new fitting and is also extremely close to the rubber hose connected at the top. The instructions state to "bend" this line for clearance. We have not "bent" ours yet, because there is a lot of debate as to the best way to do this. I will be posting photos when we complete this section of the installation.

If you make these (or similar) modifications, I am sure you will be happy with the installation. While I think that a company like Apten would supply a more thoroughly engineered product. The peace of mind I now have knowing that I have improved one of my engines problem areas is priceless.

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

Well, until I get the car back from the media blaster, I figure I will post some info on areas I have not covered in the past.

I am sure I told you that we had to eliminate the drip rails. I am also sure that I did not fill you in on what we had planned.

I have seen cars with the drip rails removed and, to be totally honest, I really did not like the flat, smoothed, non-descript approach that most people take. What we are doing is a bit different. When the drip rails are removed, there is a formed bead in the surrounding roof and pillar areas. Instead of eliminating this bead, we have actually added material to it in an attempt to simulate the bead that is found around the "C" pillar vents. The bead is just under 1/2" wide and just over 1/8" high. Hopefully, when complete, these details will mirror each other, giving the appearance of an original factory detail.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2130

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2131

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

Just 7 more days till the end of the design contest. Hope you have your ideas ready to go. Some really great ideas have been rolling in.

Also, the date for the get together / open house is fast approaching. Look forward to seeing you there Sat April 2nd.

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

Here is a photo I forgot I took. This was taken as we were getting ready to load the car on the trailer to send off to media blasting.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2132

That is my brother Wayne standing next to the car. The car dosen't look to low, does it? Maybe we went a bit to far. :-)

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

Just talked to the media blaster and we can pick the car up Monday.

Woo Hoo!!!

We will blow the media out, and mount the beast on the rotisserie. We should have the car in primer in time for the Saturday open house / get-2-gether. If we are lucky, we may have the chassis and the interior painted ready for assembly to begin.

I am excited about the open house / get-2-gether. We are looking forward to finally meeting a lot of the people we have made friends with over the past 6 months.

Hope to see you there.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

Just got back fron the media blaster. I could go on and on, but as they say, a picture's worth a thousand words....

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2135

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2136

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

The graphic design contest ends tomorrow, so if you have any ideas, get them to me ASAP.

Thanks

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

PS: See you at the open house this Saturday. Open at 8... Close??? Food and drink will be supplied. We will have some other cars on display. There may even be a “concourse gold” 69 GT350.

[SN65]

Hi All,

This afternoon I will be posting photos of the car on the rotisserie. We should be able to get some really good shots of the chassis at that point.

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

PS: See you at the open house this Saturday. Open at 8... Close??? Food and drink will be supplied. We will have some other cars on display. There may even be a “concourse gold” 69 GT350.

[SN65]

Hi All,

Sorry I couldn't post these images yesterday, but the computer tech here at work had the network down for upgrading the server.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2138

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2139

Anyway...

Yesterday, we mounted the car on the rotisserie and got our first real good look at the chassis. I have a bit of clean-up work on some of the upside down welds we laid, but all in all, everything looks pretty good. The painter’s staid late last night and "E" coated the entire chassis / body assembly. I will post photos later today showing the days progress.

Also, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE DESIGN CONTEST. I know I said that it was ending yesterday, but I forgot that March had 31 days. So, get your ideas in to me by midnight.

Catch you later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

PS: See you at the open house this Saturday. Open at 8... Close ??? Food and drink will be supplied. We will have some other cars on display. There may even be a “concourse gold” 69 GT350.

[SN65]

Hi All,

I look forward to meeting those of you who are coming to tomorrows get together. I just detailed my 65 fastback and others have said they are bringing their Stangs. I will be in the shop at about 7AM and opening the doors at 8AM. Feel free to show up as your schedule allows.

See you tomorrow.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

I am currently reviewing all the entries in the design contest. I have to say that there are some really good ideas. I wish I could use them all. In fact, they are all so good that I am considering building a car for each of them. :-)

I am working up a few sketches of some of the "verbal" entries. It will take me about a week to review all the entries and come to a decision.

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

I would like to thank all those who made it to our little get together this weekend. I enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. It is nice to put a face to those I have been corresponding with over the past 6 months or so. I really enjoyed discussing the project with you.

On another note, I was also impressed with the really fine Stangs you drive. I would be proud to own any one of them.

I look forward to the "big" unveiling when the car is finally done. We will have a great time taking the car out for quick spins around the block. I will be interested in everyone’s impression during the "test" drives.

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

[SN65]

Hi All,

This weekend we worked on detailing the chassis. Lots of sanding, grinding, skim coat, sand, repeat...

Here are some photos of the WIP. We should be done with this (and have it all in primer again) by the middle of the week.

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2142

http://www.horsepowered.com/forums/a...achmentid=2143

It is funny. We were looking at the car this morning and Earl said "You know… if I had not seen first hand all the work that went into this car, I never would have believed that it took 6 months to get it to this point. It looks as if all we did was sandblast the car and spray on a coat of primer." I said, “That is exactly why it took us 6 months to do it.” That is exactly the response we are trying to generate. We want people to look at this car and not see all the work that went into it. And, except for the two braces that come from the firewall to the top of the shock towers, I think we have hidden all the modifications quite well.

Catch you all later.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/