72-CLASSIC_RIDE

Waxed and Polished with more for tomorrow. I now have a few pic's of Gauge Pod to share. This is the finished product. Gauges are Auto Meter illuminated all electric and are 2 1/16" dia gauges. This is a prototype Gauge Pod designed for 70-72 Chevelle, El Camino & Monte Carlo. Have been working the past couple months with the guy who built it and based on a design for 68/70 Cutlass. We decided on a internal mounting design that holds Pod with 2 screws that secure clips to underside of dash so no visible external brackets/screws! This design allows Gauge Pod to be removed after initial installation by simply pulling forward releasing from clips and setting down. Reverse to install with no tools required. I left enough excess wiring so when removed, I can set Gauge Pod on passenger seat. After another modification to tighten up front to rear, it fits snug and no more gaps. This is the fine tuning in order for him to start producing for the year Make cars indicated above. You will be able to install it with a tape measure, Marker, drill/bit, 2 pre drilled holes in clips and a screw driver to secure clips. So easy and has a nice clean look when Gauge Pod is slipped into position. It also fits the décor of our Montes. This is before I added a couple stops inside Pod rear to keep wiring in cavity and unseen! Doug

If motor not tired, 140 to 160 compression at cylinders. Even 100 is doable but getting tired. Doug

Hey, this is a Family Site ya know! Gotta be careful...... Doug

Completed Gauge Pod installation by tightening up under dash fitment and glued a couple plastic 2" tall "L" brackets on rear inside base of Pod to hold wiring inside Pod. Don't want that pesky wiring escaping onto interior cabin floor! Forgot camera so no pic's. Sorry! Doug

Summit shows the more expensive set sold by Trim Parts and are a GM licensed product that adds to the cost as GM gets a residual from Trim Parts for using their name. Goodmark brand shown in second Summit link is not GM licensed and may have lesser quality requirements from manufacturer. I'm betting all are made somewhere in Asia and quality (fitment/finish) depending on Company (buyers) manufacturing specifications is a factor. I purchased new exterior door handles a couple years ago from OPGI and so far have shown no problems with fitment or finish. Don't know where OPGI purchased from! Trim Parts has a excellent warranty against defects albeit more expensive. Probably a good idea to do research to find best quality / lowest cost as price swings from sellers vary widely. I would refrain from eBAY as a selection as there are so many Box Store type operations where you have better recourse if there is a problem. Sticking with tried and true offers the best success. I know this didn't answer your question entirely but offers some guidance. Doug

Curious as to the purpose for the strap on spacer as shown on eBAY auction link provided. Is it designed to rest between lower Alternator & Block acting as a wedge to strengthen against stress on Alternator mounting bolt? My 402 CI uses just a long spacer and bolt to secure lower Alternator. Hadn't seen this design before and haven't had any issues with bolt breaking as yet! Is it possible the bolt used to secure lower Alternator mounting point was not designed for that purpose unable to handle stresses or possibly Alternator alignment skewed causing additional unequal stress at that point? Just a thought! Doug

Hey All, Thought I would point out something I just learned myself. When checking Super 8 Motel website I noticed they were offering a SPECIAL for a minimum 3 Day/3 Night stay or a 4 Day/4 Night stay starting 8/15/2013 through 8/18/2013 minimum stay or 8/15/2013 through 8/19/2013. The rate is $64.79 vs. $70.00 per night for a Single Queen Room (Doubles run a little over $80.00 per night for same deal). A little over $20.00 savings if you stay 4 days. The reservation has to be made On-Line and if you choose to change your current reservation, DON"T CANCEL your existing Reservation until the New One is verified in case there are no more vacancies available. The Room Must be PRE-PAID and with cancellation restrictions that are spelled out before you Reserve Room. If making Reservation (On Line Only) for special rate and New Reservation verified, then you contact Super 8 directly at 1-509-928-4888 and cancel earlier Reservation. Make note of new Reservation Confirmation Number for future reference but should receive a e-mail with new confirmation number also. Hope that wasn't to confusing . At any rate, go to Super 8's website found on 1st page of 2013 Western Meet Post and can click Super 8 prompt where you can get the particulars if you so choose. I changed mine just a short while ago! Hey! $20.00 is $20.00 Dollars saved possibly for a couple extra Adult Beverages !! Doug

Thanx for the Heads Up Scott. Doug

Doug

Attended a local Car Show today with one of our members registered for the event. I didn't stay to see how he fared for the judging but here are a few photos with Jack / his son Jacob and Jacks car at the show. Nice Car. Was a very nice day with a lot of spectators for a small show. But had a good time looking over the cars and visiting with Jack and his son. And I guess this is a poor mans Hearse? You be the Judge! Doug

I don't know Aaron! You might just have to drive all 3 of yours so we have a record. Doug

Looks sweet Aaron. You keep beatifying her, you will have to up the price! I used a toothbrush recently to clean the Grates and tried to picture how it would look if I painted those grates black. I likey! Doug

General cleaning of engine bay today and some more cabin interior cleaning. Just tidying up! Doug

If the Engine specs call for a 195 degree thermostat then typically that is what you should use. I'm no techno geek but the engine performance in part is based on that engine temp in simple terms. I don't have the idiot light in my car so wasn't aware of at what temp it would trigger the light. As Wallaby indicated, 230 degrees triggers it then it's time to shut er down and figure out why. As Wallaby described, Was the water boiling or was it just flushing back to over flow? If expansion of heated water caused what you thought was boiling but merely forced from radiator into overflow, then your Temp is probably in correct range. Because water expands with heat and contracts when cold, keeping the radiator full requires the use of the overflow. Otherwise, when the water expands it gets pushed out and your radiator is never full. Just one last thought. You can put the thermostat in upside down and then you have a problem. Doug

When I replaced my 350 CI with a 402, I purchased a Temp Sensor from a local Auto Supply and found it did not read the correct Temp. I discovered thru a thread here that the newer sensors don't function well with our later model cars. I ended up using a heat sensor infrared gun at different points on engine to confirm false reading. Replaced Temp Sensor with earlier model design and reads correctly ever since. Been awhile back but found what I was looking for by either a web search or someone here directed me to it. Before you make a Temp Sensor change, verify the thermostat is functioning correctly. Even new ones can be faulty! If access to a infrared Heat Sensor gun, check engine temp at different locations. Not sure at what temp your warning light should activate. Also, how is your anti-freeze mix. Should be a 50 50 mix. Anti-Freeze boils at higher temp than water and you may think that engine was to hot. Last but not least, if sensor and thermostat check out, the culprit could be a restricted Cooling System such as clogged radiator. That's all I got! Doug

Went to a local car show yesterday and Monteman1972 had his car entered. We talked awhile and considered we both attend another local show next week end. So, no wrench turning today! Spent the day detailing interior, washing exterior and cleaning all the grates in the grill. No expectations for the car show but need to start getting ready for the WM. Doug

Shown is a MP3 player Jack with Zune plugged into it. Comes in handy for those low/no radio signal frequencies. Doug

Seems like a good time of year to sell Aaron. Plenty of Summer left with most car shows still ahead. Both likely will stimulate some good interest. It's priced right to boot. That being said and I might be a little biased here but the 72? For real? Doug

Had to figure out how to recover pic's from camera to upload finished project, so here is a pic wiring threaded through firewall and attached to gauges then installed with gauges operational. Whew!! Now to clean up the mess made to the interior. Doug

Finished installing gauges today Turned into a larger project than had anticipated but all gauges now fully functional. Nice to be able to read actual oil pressure Pic's another day. I am exhausted and ready for a cool shower. 89 degrees today Doug

Spent Sunday plumbing the ole girl for gauges. What a pain. You could not make a move without something in the way. Was very frustrating! Took Monday off to recover! Today strung the sender wiring from engine bay into cabin. Again, very frustrating due to lack of workable space! Tomorrow I should have wired and functional. Studying instructions tonight and design a plan to make for a final seamless install. Yeah, Right! But when it's done I just need to get over the nightmares from tackling this project! Doug

Saw the For Sale sign on the 72 Aaron and she did not look happy Remember The Movie "Christine" Just sayin.............................. Doug

Don't spend to much time babying this one Aaron. Going to make the other two jealous! Nice having all that documentation. Doug

Send a PM (Private Message) to monte70car inquiring about the one he has available or look in For Sale / Wanted under Subject Hood. Same guy, same Hood! Doug

I should mention that I did not do the actual construction. I just helped figuring the dimensions, provided technical input for the final design. The guy I convinced to build the Gauge Pod was making them exclusively for 68 / 70 Cutlasses. He also did custom Pod Housings for Radio's etc. I thought what he made for the Cutlass was so 1st Gen Monte Carlo looking, he should consider expanding to include our cars as both Chevelle and El Camino share the same Dash Configuration. Pretty large market for those that like Old School! This Gauge Pod is the result! Thanx for the Props. I really like it!! And as of today, I can say its a one of a kind! Doug