SC Saga  #5

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3/14/98-COOLING-What cooling? The trick Ron Davis radiator has sprung a leak. I switched BACK to the electric fans, whereupon the battery immediately died. I bit the bullet and installed a 200-amp alternator (how about arc welding, too?). I took the car to Young's Radiator and found that I apparently have an electrolysis problem that is perforating the radiator core. I'm sending the radiator back to Ron Davis for re-coring or whatever and some further advice on grounding, isolating, etc.

Took the Mustang SVO 28x18 brass unit in my garage and reinstalled that for now. Very little drilling was required to make it drop back in. Rewired the electric fans to isolate the grounds directly to the battery, and installed foam insulation beads to cut any side leakage around the fan shrouds. I'll work on getting some isolating bushings for the two top mounting screws to completely unground the radiator, and that should accomplish the proper isolation of the radiator.

ELECTRICAL- For now I ADDED a ground strap to the radiator, just in case.

I also added a #4 cable from battery to chassis ground, as the existing was only a #10.

Had an ignition failure a couple of weeks ago. The car just stopped. No spark. I replaced the coil, which was leaking oil and perforated through the case in two spots. NO spark. Changed the ignition module out. NO spark. Call MSD, who said to test for the magnetic trigger by doing this and that. Test showed defective trigger. Rep[laced trigger. NO spark. Hot wired it from the battery. SPARK. Made the jumper permanent through a relay, NO spark. Towed the car to Jennings Dyno, where they found a bad crimp on a source wire to the module inside the right kick panel inside the car. I had traced the wiring from the key, took off the master look disconnect, etc. in MY attempts.

I presume this wiring bad connection was a Mark Sanchez error. Had the car dynoed at 240 HP at the rear wheels, identical to the prior readings, and this time with the 206 degree ISKY cam. So the drop off point for street performance was 600 CFM and 206 degrees of cam.

EXHAUST-I can't help thinking the MAJORLY pinched exhaust headers are a source of restriction. Brad new owner of the muffler shop directly next to is willing and anxious to build a new set of headers for about $600. That is the NEXT step.

AC - I had water dripping in over both footwells from God knows what? The monster alternator also cut a monster nick in one of the AC lines. I safety wired them back away, but the AC is goofy now with fog blowing into the car, even on vent, so something ain't right there. Perhaps it's condensation?

REVISED OVERVIEW-The car has been running OK. With the new alternator, it starts reliably, and all functions are fine. Items remaining undone are:

-The dash lights on the AC control have gone out on 4 of 6 buttons

-The passenger seat switch/motor failed, and Robichau left the side panel apart, waiting for a switch that never came, now about 4 months old.

-The driver seat needs some help to make the motor work well.

-There are some loose gizmos in the front of the car (panels, light nacelles, etc.) that are not horrible, but annoying

-The powerless steering is as yet unsolved. Jeff at Pacific Coast Rebuiders has promised to cover Robichau's labor and Tommy Lee's work to correct. Waiting on Kevin Robichau to give me a schedule.

-The 8 AutoMeter gauges have not been installed, after sitting in the glove compartment for 4 months. Took a peek yesterday, revised some locations, and need some fittings and wire to make it happen. The trans temp gauge will require dropping the pan and welding a bung. The engine oil temp might be gotten by substituting a bung for a drain plug on the front of the pan. Getting the pan off this motor is a real bear.

-After 9 years, the car is ready for paint and interior refurbishing. It DOES look good when buffed, but it's time to remove all the minor dings, etc. and restore its glory.

The body work is scheduled, and paint could be done within a week if all goes well (but when does THAT happen?).

 

 

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