What did you do to your Monte Carlo today?

[jft69z]

Looks great, Seth and just know, plenty of pictures and detailed write-ups are always a good thing around here.

We'll see you in a little more than a week at Syracuse!

[FrankOC]

3 hours ago, jft69z said:

Looks great, Seth and just know, plenty of pictures and detailed write-ups are always a good thing around here.

We'll see you in a little more than a week at Syracuse!

Agreed,  quality work on a beautiful car.  

[S.Maug]

Got my Sin City out of the garage the other day, the accelerator pedal fell off. looks like a broken retainer spring on the pin. Ill ask Dennis if he's got one. then thought let's drive down our 1/2-mile lane to the mailbox, the banging noise started at 10mph. found the tread on the left front tire tread has completely released itself from the core shell. ugh, wanted to replace them anyway and the rims too. the 30 plus year old Cragar's were very rusty from sitting. so, what to do. hate to put new rims and tires on a car that will sit for at least another year while I'm in Florida again in 2 weeks for more cancer repairs. and really guys the reality with my situation is that I may not get to come back home, and my sons will inherit Sin City.  Just not sure of what to do.  again, probably in the wrong forum for this kind of conversation.  not sure. as my days are spent anymore with more of a planning for everyone when I'm gone. amazing how the important things in life change in an instant.  should give kudos on everyone's great jobs done. You have all given Steve a fantastic window to the world to be able to enjoy, even in my shape. until a year ago I was constantly busy. now just an old bag of bones. But thanking you all for the friendship this club brings, even if just virtual.   with all my heart and sincerity. Steve

[FrankOC]

Steve,  sorry to hear it’s wearing on you.   We are all thinking of you and hoping for the best.    Planning is good and a nice diversion and it sounds like the wheels and tires are do for a serious upgrade.   

[S.Maug]

thank you frank. pricing new rubber and rims as we speak. again thank you

[S.Maug]

thank you too Willie my friend

[willie]

Steve be happy the tire didn't rip the fender!!  lol always looking for the positive!!!   

[S.Maug]

let my wife drive it one time   😂

[Marks71]

Hoping the best for you Steve. Glad you found the club and its forums. It seems that, if only temporary, it gives you a place to go to get away from it all. That’s what’s so cool about this hobby. Camaraderie with people you’ve never met but can be referred to as friends. So are you going to stay with Cragars, (timeless) or go with  something different?

[DragCat]

11 hours ago, Sids Monte said:

Hey everyone.  I don't typically post much but figured I'd try to post up my latest modifications.  I intended to keep it short but I got out of hand.  Sorry.   After overheating at Carlisle and some additional testing, I decided to eliminate my ECM from controlling the cooling fans and I bought the same fan module Steve (Dragcat) has.  The car must be reliable so I'm better off dealing with the issues then not drive the car due to reliability concerns.  Knowing this was gonna be quite the job, I add the following to the list.  My goal is to be ready for the Syracuse nationals. We'll see.  I'm hoping for a lot more good progress today. 

• Fan module.  This will eliminate ECM fan signal to start the fans.
• Move my ECM.  I have a gremlin with my TPS (throttle position sensor) and it'll creeps up randomly impacting drivability.  This is my BIGGEST issue to date.  After many attempts to address the issue and based on feedback from the Edelbrock Forum, I'm told I need to relocate my ECM which I mounted inside on the firewall.  It's right behind the coil and MSD box on my firewall.  I'm told that EMI is likely my issue and moving the ECM and isolating the power and ignition feed will fix.  I'm quite certain I can get the the studs but being tucked behind my vintage air make it a rough.  What was I thinking trying to make my firewall look nice and clean.
• Upsizing alternator to battery feed from 6ga. to 4ga. and increased alternator ground to 4 ga. as well.  This has been border line size wise with the battery in trunk.  I'm also wiring it through my on/off switch so that works as intended.  
• Upsize the feed wire to 4 ga. that is coming from my battery to my main power distribution block in the trunk.
• Upsize starter wire.  I recently had to replace my starter and discovered I have too larger a voltage drop when cranking. (<11.0V during cranking).  After more digging and testing, I discover I had only run 2ga. wire back in 2018 from the trunk to the starter.  I ran 1 ga. for the ground and recall adding the ground later in the build.  At any rate, to my amazement, I was able to feed a 1/0 cable through my frame and up to the starter.  Due to the way I had installed the original cable, its not going anywhere so I might just double up on the positive cable.  I'll upsize the ground at a later date as needed.  I'm also adding Melvin racing connectors for where the main power and ground go through my trunk vs. dealing with exact wire lengths and grommets.  Nice quick release feature and clean look.
• Ignition relay to starter.  My ignition feed voltage was also low when cranking (11.0V) so I'm adding a relay to ensure the feed to the starter solenoid has no/little voltage drop.
• Cruise control.  I'm running a speed signal wire from my Dakota digital module to the cruise  control module.  This is in an effort to get my cruise control working.  I'm not getting the speed signal from the GPS module as I expected.
• Blinker reminder.  Might as well.  I'm adding some wires so my Dakota digital dash will remind me to turn off my blinkers if I don't do it.

I think that about covers it.  Sorry for the novel and I'll try to post up so progress picks and final results.  I never seem to find/make the time for this.

2ga. vs. 1/0ga.

If your making cables, spend the $40 on Amazon and get a crimper.  Worth every penny.  Some of my previous connections were suspect and this eliminates any issue.

 

 

When I replaced the battery to starter cable I had my friend solder it, I can't solder to save my live 🤣 I got the painless kit so I could custom run the cables. 

[Leghome]

Ole Red is up and running really sounding healthy. Had a header to head leak fixed now a leak at the collector. Ordered new thicker flange as the present one is bent and new gaskets again. Now to find a shop to cut the pipes so old flanges can be replaced and reweld everything. Boy this header job turned into an avalanche but such has my luck been this year one step forward and five backwards 

[S.Maug]

Sin city gets Cragar's . she looks good in them.  just hate that they don't get road for another year.  putting it together. haven't had to buy rims in a few years. not clear on 15x7 or 8 and backspace. these are old rims  going to figure it out. researching our files 

[cny first gen 71]

Probably 15x7 with 4.5 backspace some have put 8 inch on back with 5 inch backspace 

[Sids Monte]

2 hours ago, DragCat said:

When I replaced the battery to starter cable I had my friend solder it, I can't solder to save my live 🤣 I got the painless kit so I could custom run the cables. 

I found my original crimp was pretty crappy but I bought custom cables with one end already installed.   I jusrt bought a cheap  hydraulic crimp tool off amazon.  Less them $50.  I should have bought one before I built the car.  Works aweome!  

[SPLATT71MC]

Got the rear axle back in and made some wooden stands to set it back down on. I really need to get a lift.

[madmatt9471]

38 minutes ago, SPLATT71MC said:

Got the rear axle back in and made some wooden stands to set it back down on. I really need to get a lift.

Wow! Really like the rear disc brakes. 

Those are on my list of things to do 

Thanks, Matt 

[SPLATT71MC]

38 minutes ago, madmatt9471 said:

Wow! Really like the rear disc brakes. 

Those are on my list of things to do 

Thanks, Matt 

Those are Baer Brakes classic line designed to work with 15" wheels. I went with them to be able to run my rallys as well.

[madmatt9471]

11 minutes ago, SPLATT71MC said:

Those are Baer Brakes classic line designed to work with 15" wheels. I went with them to be able to run my rallys as well.

Niiiice! Thank you for the additional info too, much appreciated. 

Thanks, Matt 

[Leghome]

6 hours ago, SPLATT71MC said:

Those are Baer Brakes classic line designed to work with 15" wheels. I went with them to be able to run my rallys as well.

I hope you better luck than my son in-laws dad had with Baer brakes. On the  Cuda he is building his bleeders will not seal and when tightened to stop the leaking they have rounded off and vice grips had to be used to get them out. Bought replacements and the same scenario

[Sids Monte]

On 7/7/2024 at 8:26 AM, jft69z said:

Looks great, Seth and just know, plenty of pictures and detailed write-ups are always a good thing around here.

We'll see you in a little more than a week at Syracuse!

I'll be there with or without the car!

[jft69z]

2 hours ago, Sids Monte said:

I'll be there with or without the car!

Look for our tents, we'll be in the same place as last year, hopefully. 

[RON T]

Have a great time in Syracuse!!. 
Today, in the Heat! 🥵, replaced the ugly clamp on the power steering hose with a nice shark bite pex clamp, copper.. also got the intake ready to put in a part that was missing.. Heater core shut off valve. Heat in the heater box and AC on doesn’t mix well.. part is on the way!!. Thanks to Canuck for enlightening me .. He notices those kind of things. 

[Sids Monte]

Re-wiring progress update from Sunday:  I got myself into a project alright.  Syracuse nationals may be a stretch but I'm making good progress and it gives me a good target.  It does make it harder when you want to keep it clean and tight.  I ordered more parts and pieces late last night and can't imagine I wont think of something else.

It's been at least 3+ years since I wired and fired it up.  Overall my wiring didn't look too bad when I really tore into it but I've also learned a lot since then.  The two issues I did find are:

1. The frame from my back seat was pinching my fuel pump power wire.  Oops.  Good to find now and fix now.

2. I noticed some heat/discoloration on the power feed for FAN 1 which failed or didn't start at Carlisle (cause of overheating).  The fans were previously fed from my fuse panel.  I used an M&H updated OEM type harness that came with ATO fuses and some spaces for extra circuits for my build and I used the 2 - 30amp spare spots for the FAN power originally.  I'm now running an 8ga. wire to feed my fan module directly from the trunk/battery and will use one of the existing extra circuits for my ignition to starter solenoid.   

Back seat out and carpet moved to access power wires.    

My pinched fuel pump power wire.  Didn't seem to impact anything but I'm glad I found it.

Out with the steering column.  The only way to really get into it.  Ugh!

There it is.  My ECM is now out.  Now where to put it.  I had de-pinned and re-pinned the EFI harnesses during my original install to keep the firewall holes as small as I could. I only have so much cable to move it was bundled some.

Burnt/hot FAN1 wire found during disassembly.  Never popped a fuse either.

I got lucky this snap bushing fits the previous alternator wire hole in the firewall and will allow for the larger alternator wire.  I'm trying to avoid any new mounting holes, etc....

Some of whats been removed thus far.  Original fan relays, old Alternator feed wire.  Spare wires never used.

The best part is I'm using all the toys/tools I have like this label maker.

Last one:  Next up is to get the Alternator wire run and ignition relay mounted and wired up.  Figure out plan for new ECM location.  Fan relay is ready to install.  Just waiting for new Mandrel for rivnut tool that I broke. 

I'll try to keep the updates coming so you can all see the progress.

 

 

[jft69z]

Yeah, you opened up a can of worms there Seth, but it's all good stuff, for sure.

See if Brady offers heat shrink tubing cartridges for your labeler. I have a few of the 'Brother' labeling units, and a bunch of the H-S cartridges for them. Prints the info on the tube, you slip it over the wire, then heat it up to fit it tight to the wire. Really nice, clean touch, and makes it easy to ID wires/circuits, and also good when you remove wires for servicing something.

[cny first gen 71]

Yea that's a can of worms for sure, the snowball effect we all know and hate. Good luck with it.