The Wayfarer Chronicles

1 Step Forward, & 2 Steps Back!

2009-07-02T07:22:00.002-04:00

I finally got the Master Cylinder bracket from ECI. With a little help from a drill press, it went right on. We had to temporarily remove some of the transmission linkage to get get the pedal on the new pivot point, but it all works well. We also finished plumbing the brakes. A few little leaks, only 1 big one. After a professional re-flare job by 29Sedanman (Tracy Turner), all the leaks we fixed!
Last night we bled the brakes and now have a real good pedal. So, down off the jack stands we go for a test drive...not so fast!
Do to a minor cosmetic issue, the copper fuel line was replaced, but we had not tried to start it since. When we hit the key we had a huge fuel leak. A few re-designs later by the Bubba Engineering Department, (Noodle & Earle), uh its still leaks. So back to the drawing board and we will make a new one. Also it was cranking slow, and the starter would not stay engaged, so off it came. I am taking it to Van's Auto Electric today for a rebuild job. Hopefully, a new fuel line, and a good as new starter, and we will be in business! Stay tuned!

Thats the brakes...

2009-06-18T15:49:00.003-04:00

Well it has been awhile with no update, so here goes. We have gotten a lot of little things done. We have done as much fine tuning as possible without driving it due to still no brakes. Got the linkage off, blasted and painted and put back on. Got the air cleaners, powdercoated, and brackets made to mount them. We figured out the license plate mount, and got it on, tightened up and lined up the doors.

After a long wait I finally got the correct bracket for the Master Cylinder from ECI. Last night we got it installed, got all the linkage and such on and tightened up and adjusted. We also bench bled the Master Cylinder, and got it on. The last brake line was bent flared and installed. A few leaks we found and all but one was fixed by tightening them up. I need to re-flare one line which I hope to get done next week. We should be able to go for a test drive next week! Keep your fingers crossed! Thanks for watching.

It Runs!!!

2009-05-21T09:08:00.006-04:00

Well , we finally got it fired up last night. It took a little tinkering with the injectors, and the usuall stuff, (timing, compression test, etc...) and it started up! As a matter of fact it ran like a top! Check out the video:

Got Copper?

2009-05-16T17:30:00.006-04:00

We got the fuel lines done today and almost got the linkage for the injectors done...

PICS!!!

2009-05-14T14:37:00.002-04:00

Oh Yeah, now we're talkin'!

2009-05-13T22:51:00.006-04:00

We had a very successful night at Bubba's working on "The Whale". Here is what we got done:

All the old ignition off
All of the throttle linkage off, blasted, painted and back on
Oil Fill tube, off, blasted, painted and back on
Spark Plug wire bracket, off, blasted, painted and back on
Got the head, cleaned painted
Heater system out, blasted, repainted. Not back in yet
Battery removed, battery box removed, blasted, painted, and re-installed, along with a new battery
Edmunds intake installed
Meteor Injectors installed
Mallory Distributor installed
All new spark plug wires ran and Raja tips installed
Coil mounted on firewall
Initial engineering done on linkage for the injectors and fuel line

We are getting real close! Thanks to everyone at Bubba's for the help and encouragement! More work to be done on Saturday. Stay tuned and let me know what you think!

See that?

2009-05-12T08:44:00.003-04:00

Thats the light at the end of the tunnel, and I am starting to see it. Got the car back from Scott at Mufflers & More, and it looks awesome!!! I will get pics up soon. I also dropped the car off at Bubba's so this Wednesday we can ty and get all the odds and end wrapped up and get it running! We still have to get the intake on, new Mallory distributor in, new plug wires, and try and clean up some of the wiring under the hood.
I got an email from the owner of ECI yesterday. He has a new bracket designed that he thinks will work. He says he should have one ready to ship to me in a week. If that works, it should bolt right on! Lots of pics to come in the next few days!

PS...I think it is now known as "The Whale"

Distributor!!!

2009-05-06T21:32:00.003-04:00

With some great help and instruction from Bubba, the distributor has been rebuilt. Disassembeled, cleaned, blasted, painted, polished, yada yada yada. We put er' back together and tested it, and set the dwell to specs and I works like new! Who would think it is 60 years old!

The car is going to the exhaist shop Friday. So the headers and exhaust will be all done! Then next Wednesday it will be going to Bubba's so we can start it up! Stay tuned!

Progress Update...1 step forward, and 2 steps back.

2009-05-04T21:49:00.004-04:00

Well, I recieved the 2nd master cylinder bracket from ECI last Thursday. Tried it out on Friday, and it did not fit. Not even close! So after much measuring, thinking, calculating, Tabb & I decided it would not work, and even if we cut up the bracket, we still might not be able to make it work. I called Bubba, and he told me I should call Tom Culbertson, which I did. He says he thinks he can make it work, so that maybe what I have to do. I called ECI Friday and told them it didnt work, and they said to take pics, or make a template and they would seee what they can do. I took pics:

So 1st thing this morning I sent them an email explaining what was wrong and why it doesnt fit to the best of my ability. About an hour later I got a call from the owner of ECI. We talked it over, he looked at the pics, and I think he understands. He said if I can put the original back on, and get a pic of it, he could make something that would work. So, that is what I am going to try and do. We will give them 1 more chance, then it will be off to Tom.

We also decided that we still need to move forward and make progress. So I talked to the exhaust guy and I am going to try and get it to them on Friday to get all the exhaust ran, so that is done. Once that is taken care of, it is off to Bubba's to install the intake and ignition and make er' run!

Wednesday night I will be rebuilding the new(old) Mallory distributor, just to clean it up a little.

We are getting closer....very slowly. Stay Tuned!!!!!

A New Master Cylinder Bracket and we are good to go.

2009-04-15T13:31:00.006-04:00

I called ECI 1st thing Monday morning and we have the master cylinder issue solved I hope. I apparently described the location wrong so they sent me the wrong one. I shipped the wrong one back and the correct one should be getting shipped any day. Hopefully will have it soon! Also xxxwelderxxx made me a deal I couldn't refuse on this:A damn near NOS Mallory Dual Point Distributor. Should be pretty cool! I cant wait to get it in and working!

Another good day!

2009-04-11T21:10:00.006-04:00

Well we dove in bright and early this morning. Here is what we got done:

All the old fuel line out

All new fuel line & filters ran, secured and plumbed

Gas tank cleaned and re-installed

Had to re-plumb the metering block in the front, had it wrong from last time

Wheels back on

Got the intake an exhaust manifold off

Now for the bad part:

New master cylinder bracket would not fit. I either asked for the wrong one or was shipped the wrong one, but it does not and cannot work. I will be on the phone 1st thing Monday to get the correct one. So we still need to the the master cylinder on, and plumbed and brakes bled.

We are getting closer!

2009-04-08T22:16:00.000-04:00

More Parts...

2009-04-05T09:39:00.004-04:00

Just a quick update. Got some more parts...

The new Master Cylinder and bracket/linkage in from ECI.
A new/old license plate braket, and a door striker.
Indy Powder Coating should is done with my wheels and Bubba is mounting the tires on them tonight.
All the fuel line, filters, clamps, etc.
New Filler hose and grommet.
Intake & Exhaust gaskets.

So this weekend we plan on getting:

the MC on and brakes bled.
All the fuel line ran and tank back on.
Getting all the underneath work done so it can be back on the ground.

The Wheels Fit!!!

2009-03-30T22:07:00.004-04:00

The new wheels got here today and fit like a glove! Tomorrow I will drop them off at Indy Powdercoating so they can work their magic! Thanks to WheelKid from the HAMB and Rally America.

Its Cold Outside!!!

2009-03-29T14:32:00.005-04:00

We got more work done today. We plumbed up the front brakes

Got the old master cylinder off, so now I can get the new one ordered. Got the gas tank down, and out and ready to be refinished.

We had to wait to re-seal it until it is above 60 (not even close today). We also got both of the rear fenders on, and all the bolts in and tight. We decided the fender welt looks...uh dumb, so we removed it and snugged the fenders up. The wheels from Rally America should be here tomorrow. If they fit, off to Indy Powder Coating they go and then on the car!

So next time here is whats on the agenda...

Get new Master Cylinder on

Get the brakes completely plumbed up, and working

Replace fuel line from pump to tank

Seal the tank and get it mounted back under the car and connected

Take off the intake and exhaust manifolds to get ready for the headers and Edmunds intake

Oh yeah, and if you are reding this, leave me a comment so I know someone is out there :)

Cool Stuff Update

2009-03-25T22:34:00.004-04:00

I have new wheels coming and that will hopefully solve the brake issues! Rally America is making new ones, which will look just like the originals!

Check this out...

How about a NOS set of Saaty Meteor 100 Fuel Injectors on loan from Bubba? How cool is that!!! Now if we can just get them to work...More to come.

Brakes!!!!

2009-03-08T21:25:00.005-04:00

The weather is warm so we got the car moved over to Tabb's. We tore into the brakes first. Got all the old stuff off oretty quickly and got the new Disc brakes on just as fast! Looks like I am going to have to find som different wheels as they are rubbing on the calipers. But so far so good!

Parts, Parts & More Parts

2009-02-02T21:59:00.004-05:00

Here's just a few things I have come across:

Vintage Edmunds Custom 2x1 Intake (Thanks Scooby!)
Matched set of Rochester B's for the intake (Thanks Bubba!)
Cast Iron Headers
ECI Disc Brakes/Dual MC
Few other Vintage Edmunds Custom bits and pieces

More info to come as I get to work. I will post pics!

What a long time!

2008-12-15T14:33:00.003-05:00

It has been a long time since I posted. Here's the scoop:
After my last update I took the Wayfarer on its 1st journey. It was about a 100 mile round trip drive to Browsburg and back. I went to my buddy Thom's shop (Godspeed Rides) for Friday night Hot Rods & Haircuts. Me and a few guys got alot done. Got the bumpers on, Taillights in and working, seatbelts in, and a few other small things. All was great with the world! After a few cold ones it was dark and tim to head home. I hadnt even made it out of Browsburg when I lost BOTH headlights. They wouldnt work for anything...and I tried it all. So Tabb who was following me got in front and I followed him closely. About 2 miles from my house I had to stop for a stop light and the brakes werent very good all of a sudden. No worries, only 1 more stop light to go then I would be home! It was green, whew! When I tried to slow down to turn into my neighborhood, I had NO brakes. Oh yeah, and it quit running.

So here is a quick diagnosis:

Lights: bad ground I hope.
Bakes: Who knows, but there are no leaks, so that leads me to believe it is the Master Cylinder.
Carb: On the way home I stopped and filled up with gas. I just wonder if I didnt stir up a bunch of crap in the tank and suck some into the carb....

I was not very happy it made it 99 and 9/10ths of the 100 mile trip and had to be pushed into the garage.

So needless to say the Wayfarer and I have not been on speaking terms. But, this weekend we made up and I am back on track. I am working on rounding up some parts and buddies to help and we will get it back on the road and hopefully very reliable but spring!

Its Back!!!

2008-04-30T19:57:00.004-04:00

You see that glare...that's right, its new GLASS!!!

New windshields, and drivers glass, and the rear is in also. The guys (Steve) at Safety Auto Glass did a great job and are very Hot Rod Friendly! Also, I got the exhaust installed today...complete with Smithy's Mufflers...now it sounds like a Hot Rod and it wont asphyxiate you! Only a few things left and it will be road worthy! Let me know what you think!

Finally

2008-04-15T23:02:00.001-04:00

Well today I took the car to the Glass Shop. Hoefully it will be back soon, so it can go off to the exhaust shop! Progress, slow but sure....

Parts, Parts, and more Parts...

2008-03-20T21:42:00.000-04:00

The weather has not been to good, so I have not been able to work on the Dodge much, but I have ordered a few parts. I ordered:

Taillight (Was missing one)
Window Rubber Seals for front and rear glass.
HEI electronic ignition
Battery Tender
1951 YOM Indiana Licence Plate
Authentic Handmade Mexican Upholstery

I also contacted my buddy Lance at Showtyme Hot Rod Center and ordered a Painless Wiring Kit and everything I need to re-wire it and convert it from 6v to 12v.

I have also contacted a guy to get the glass installed...hopefully it will happen soon.

I made arrangements to have the exhaust work done.

So, as soon as the glass is in, I will get the exhaust work done. Then, we can do the wiring!

Progress...

2008-03-20T21:39:00.000-04:00

When the weather is nice I try and work on the car a little at a time when I can. I have decided I am going to run it in Red Oxide Primer for the summer. So, I have been sanding and priming a little here and there.

When it all began...March 2nd

2008-03-20T21:20:00.000-04:00

He is the beginging. March 2nd, Tabb and I made a trip to Lansing, Michigan to pick up my new car. Above is how it looked when we got there...except alot more snow!!! After a thorough once over and a quick and cold trip around the block we paid the guy and loaded it up. Did I mention I got a damn $115 speeding ticket on the way there...oh yeah, I did.

So we got it unloaded, took it for a spin around the block and sat in the driveway and stared at it for a while.

And after a little clean up...man was it dirty...

Such a kool car, I cant believe its mine, and it is home. I put it to bed for the night....

New Hot Rod!!!

2008-03-20T21:17:00.000-04:00

Hello! I decided to create this blog to document the progress on my new Hot Rod. As I work on it and make progress, I will post pics and info. Please fell free to let me know what you think!