10.14.2026

Jim has the ladder nearby to work on the car, because sometimes he needs to work from the top down and then from underneath...

Looking up from underneath, things are coming together - he has the power steering and starter assemblies all in place...

One of the last big things from underneath the car is hooking up the catalytic converter.  Jim bought those beautiful custom headers, but they require him to modify the catalytic converter - he has to cut off the end (where the has the tape marked) and then he'll have to weld it.  Sounds terrifying to me, but Jim is always up for a challenge!  Stay tuned!

 

High 61.9/Low 59.4 

10.13.2026

Continuing to put things together - clutch assembly done and new grommets on the stabilizer bar... 

Stabilizer bar in place...

He also got the air compressor installed.  Now everything is really tough to get at - Jim said it sure was easier when it was sitting on the engine stand!

High 61.3/Low 56.1 - on/off light rain

10.12.2026

Yesterday afternoon, Jim brought the transmission over to mate with the block.  But he worked all day and couldn't get the front transmission shaft to fit into the pilot bearing on the back of the crankshaft.  He's done this procedure twice before and while it's difficult because you can't see exactly what you are doing and you're working with these huge parts, but he just couldn't get it to mate.

Of course, Jim's middle name is perseverance so he was back down in the auto bay this morning.  He backed some parts out so that he could see what was happening and discovered that the throw out bearing had slipped and was in the way.  Once he got that back into position, he was able to get the transmission into place...yay!!

Transmission is off the jack and in place!

Now it's putting everything back together.  He's working on getting the clutch parts all in place...

Meanwhile, it's also ladybug day.  It's weird how one day there's none, and the next day looks like a horror movie.  Plenty of stink bugs and wasps flying around too...

10.11 - High 53.7/Low 39.6
10.12 - High 69.7/Low 49.3

10.10.2026

 Back underneath the car, getting things hooked back up...

Header bolts all torqued...

Attaching the newly-resurfaced flywheel...

He then put on the clutch disc and pressure plate before coming upstairs to clean up so we could head to church!

High 55.5/Low 38.2

10.9.2026

Jim got everything on the block as ready as possible today - the spark plugs in, the ignition coils in place...

So time to hook it up to the engine hoist!

Slowly getting it into place...

He had to get his scissor jack out to jack up the stabilizer bar...

Slowly lowering into the engine compartment...

Almost there...

It's in place!

Unfortunately, things went a bit slower from this point on, as Jim was running into some issues, but he always gets it done!

High 63.4/Low 43.5

10.8.2026

 Continuing to button up the wiring harness...

 Jim is also working on the best way to attach the chains that will allow him to move it into the engine compartment...

While the compartment is empty, Jim is going to replace the master cylinder for the clutch...

Working on removing the old cylinder...

High 65.1/Low 48.5

10.7.2026

Jim started tackling the daunting wiring harness today...

But - wow! - look at the progress!  Besides most of the wiring harness that goes on the block is done, header and alternator on, as well as the intake manifold.  

Jim stopped in the middle of the day to try one more time to make the Craigslist sale where the guy never showed.  Thankfully, the guy was in touch and apologetic and actually showed up this time!

 

High 62.5/Low 33.4 - first frost on the ground this morning!