Son of Godzilla update - 5/15/07

Do you have a leash for it? Has it had it's shots? Does it have it's liscense? Does YOUR dog know your bringing a new pet home?

 

I think we need more pictures!!

 

Not of the tumbleweed......

 

Aww, come on I bet it can model a t shirt with the best of them.

 

Take a deeeeeeeeppppppp breath,count to 10,then get back to work!I'd like to hear that bad boy when you get a fire built in it!!!!!

 

For pix of the tumbleweed, PM me for directions to a different 'site...
New Zilly pix should be up soon, according to Nate...
Missouri Minor - you might get to hear Lil Zilla roar at the next HAMB Drags. Until then, just go out and fire up YOUR hot rod Morris and smile...
Okay guys, I gotta panic - big day in the shop...

 

All hands to panic stations, all hands to panic stations............. This is not a drill..........

 

Right you are, Doc.
After finishing up the awesome top secret vent system for the new fuel system this morning, I had to run out to Berts Custom Engines (local "colorful legends") to retrieve my freshly dialed-in distributor - a drive of about 15 miles. Took my daily - slammed '66 VW. Got the dizzy (he said it was falling apart, so replaced springs and weights, had some weird gear on it with oversized pin holes causing sloppy fit, etc - but the reason it was there, was to get the right curve in it), then hopped in the car and - vapor lock! Doh! After an hour of cooling off (with hood up and fuel cap removed), I was back on the road. Stopped at Allin Specialties (I used to work there - home of fast street cars) to pick up new windage tray and pan stud kit, then ran out to the bug and - MORE vapor lock! Aaaarrrgghhh!!! Took advantage of the spare time to walk down to the fastener store and stock up on a few items, then finally got the little VD to fire and got home okay. Installed pan studs, pan baffle, crank wiper and windage tray and learned something:My new crank (Eagle 4340) is 1/2" less stroke than the old one, so I figured there'd be a lot of slop with the old crank scraper, but to my surprise, it was so tight that I had to deal with some interference issues! Turns out the aftermarket stuff uses more material on the counterweights and they're a little bigger than the old (longer stroke!) crank. Who knew? Anyway, now the oiling system is done.
Gotta work again, in a few hours, then Friday night is spoken for (after I pick up my tranny!), but I'll be back on it, Saturday morning. Thanks again you guys, for all of your support! It really does mean more to me than you'll ever know.
Scotty

 

Any more progress Scotty?I have a week and the front end is out of the A, still have to mount the replacement tire, finish the Cowl Rot Repairs,Door Panels and help Uncle Miles when the new H.E.I. goes in....piece of cake, right?...

 

Holy crap, House! There's no possible way you'll ever make it! That's just too much to do before Speedweek - weren't you supposed to leave like yesterday?! Okay, I'm comin' up there. Forget all that sheetmetal work and just focus on the front end. When I get there, I'll plug in the wire for the HEI and you should be on your way. I have to work today (14 hrs), pick up my tranny, pick up some parts that finally came in, meet a friend for dinner, THEN I'll head up to Vancouver - should be there around 4:30AM (NOT FM), figuring time for vapor lock. I'll be tired and hungry, so please have my dinner ready (the usual) and oh - I'll be wanting a shower, too. Then a teensy siesta and I'll be ready to rock, Jackson! Of course, you'll owe me - big time - but don't worry about that now. Let's just focus on getting you to the salt. Try to hang on man - I'll be there asap...

 

seems like your moving right along J
hang in there mate it'll all come good in the end

 

I dunno - this probably looks a lot better from Malta than it does from here. Still a long way to go. Got in 12 hours of uninterupted shop time yesterday and it feels like I didn't get anything done (I did, of course, but it was all baby step stuff, so I can't see any big difference - but all stuff that needed done though). Will get in a couple hours this morning, then I have domestic chores that can't be avoided any longer (dang it).
With the possible rainout of Speedweek, I'm wondering what the crowds will be like at World of Speed...Hopefully, that's a non-issue.......

 

BS!!! Lill Zilla should have to part the throngs of it's adoring fans (yeah, you too, I guess ) to get to the starting line. Cause at the rate you're goin' you should make it.

Oh yeah, what is left on the "LIST" anyhow? You do have one don't you? Not even in crayon on a napkin?

No, that's not an insult, I have had to engineer stuff at a restaurant before and they will always give you more napkins and some crayons, but they won't always loan you a pen. They do get a mite pissy though if they catch you sharpening them with one of their table knives (something about it clogs the filters in the dish washer? Or was it that it gets into the carpet? Gimme a break I was Drinkin' at the time!).

 

thanks for the advice Nex
ill remember that next time im in some posh joint with a great idea runnin round in my empty quarter

so go on J tell us whats left
cant be all that much


fingers crossed over here for weather and turnout BTW
does make typin difficult though

 

Its been like two days now, why hasnt my T shirt shown up here in Australia yet?? I WANT IT NOW!!

 

I thought I should clarify, those are PAPER napkins. I'm sure the resteraunt would get extra pissey if it's nice enough to have linnen and you were scribblin' on it.

 

Okay you guys, I'll tell you what's on the list, but this is just between us, allright? The competition would LOVE to know what I'm up to, so I'm trusting you mugs to keep this on the QT. Here's the stuff that hasn't been crossed off the list yet - remember, every item on the list represents about five other things that must be done first, that I always forget about until it's time to perform the task mentioned...

- set valves and install stud girdle
- install valve cover spacers and gaskets
- mock up intake and set distributor at 12 degrees (fab dist hold down), mark intake, disassemble
- rebuild two Holley 650s, clean intake, change thermostat
- grind down bolts on back of water pump to clear timing cover
- go to DMV and renew expired tags/ reinstate insurance
- install new pan and dipstick tube on trans
- install flexplate, converter and trans to engine
- patch burnt and cut wiring in engine compartment (run new alternator power wire to battery) (new harness will have to wait)
- contact stock car racer neighbor guy and borrow cherry picker
- buy new motor mounts
- install drivetrain
- hook everything up (this takes a really long time, as everything is a very tight squeeze)
- flush fab debris (chips) out of new fuel tank with gas - check for leaks
- fill new tank with gas (can't wait to find out how much it holds!!)
- fire and break in cam (sounds simple, eh?)
- change oil and filter, drive directly to super secret test road, proceed testing
Then "the other stuff":
- install new guages (fab new dash for different tach, fab guage panels)
- fab mount and install fire extinguisher
- new padding for seat
- double check brake system and front end alignment (okay, I'll probably do this before testing)
- rob bank - buy new helmet, pants and neck support
- fix any bugs that pop up (there BETTER not be any cooling or charging problems this time around!)
- drag test (play with jetting, timing, etc)
If car survives drag test:
- change pumpkin from 3.91 spool to 2.76 limited slip
- find "Salt Items" stashed around house - tarp, awning, etc
- rob convenient store - buy oil, extra ignition module, sunscreen, food, drinks, etc
- pack everything into wagon
- kiss Ms. Jangle goodbye
- "Grab your ankles America! Bonneville, here we come!!!"

Oh and I have to go to work, eat, sleep, etc, too (which I find to be very unfair)...

 

hmm
thats a big list

sounds like fun though
so git to it!!

best of luck mate
and may murphy keep his big nose outta your business

 

I knew I could count on you guys for support - thanks! Funny - when I wrote out that list, it seemed SHORTER than I thought it'd be. Anyway, it is what it is. I gotta go to work now - hope to get back on track tomorrow...

 

Some would tell you its to let trapped air escape from under the car... thats bullshit. Those of us "in the know" can spot a spaghetti proportioning device. Each hole is enough pasta for 5.
What'd I win?

Oh yeah, pic #6 is insane! Nice car!

 

Umm, isn't Jangledog actually 'Duke' from the Bush's baked beans commercials in disguise?

 

That is an outrageous accusation and is totally and wholly unfounded. I deny any affiliation whatsoever with the Duke character, it's creator at the advertising agency and the entire Bush family - I'm not even a Republican!
(You can't see my tail wag on here, can you?)

 

Not THAT Bush family.

 

Hey janglemaster - better panic!!!!! it's getting close

oh man - startin to stress here - got a zillion things to do to get ready- but after seeing your list mine seems more manageable

sounds kinda bad, but meant as a compliment. You are an animal!!

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got a little sumthin up the sleeve for ole Zilla MUAAAAHhhahahahahaha
Hope the old original head gasket stays together

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The wagon????? are you towing????? for round two we gotta race tow rigs HAHAHAHAHA

keep thrashin - we are gonna have a ball!!!

 

Still waiting for you to get here and plug the HEI wire in....I`m glad you think your list is short--I`m down to the last 5 things on mine but the farther down the list you get, the slower things go, the more problems you get and the more time it takes...I theorize that it`s kind of an hourglass in reverse effect...

 

Kind of like the theory that time is so distorted in a black hole that if you fell in you would never actually reach moment of your demise?

 

Oh good - I always fancied myself closer to the Duke character from Doonesbury, anyway...

 

I got somethin' up my sleeve for you, as well - my PANTS sleeve, that is! And no, I'm not towing - the wagon will carry all the fuel and tools, etc that won't fit in the Morris. But if you wanna run it with your truck - YOU'RE ON!!This is war.........

 

J, your drivin that thing to the salt?
how far away are you?
you must have some big faith in a newly built car to drive all that way the give it some stick and drive it back

dont forget the towbar btw


and no i dont know anything more than you do

 

Oosp! I forgot all about plugging in that wire (been kinda busy here)! Okay, I'll try to get up there after work tomorrow. Time is tight, so I'll have to fly up. Will contact you with my arrival info asap, so you can have a limo standing by. No need to worry about luggage, as all I need to bring is my titanium briefcase with my carbon fiber right hand glove inside - the one I use for plugging in HEI wires. I'll have the pilot keep it idling (while re-fueling), so I can hop in after the wiring job and head back asap (Tuesday nights is when I alphabetize my wrestling card collection and you know how I get if I miss that). Try to hang on for one more day, House! Help is on the way!

Today it occured to me that I MAY have gotten the thrust bearing pre-load proceedure backwards while setting the crank in my engine. You know the rest: Tear it back down and check it out. Turns out, it was wrong. I re-set it and buttoned the engine back up, cleaning up a few things as I went, right? Took my time and did a pretty nice job. Then when I went to set the valves, I felt a funny "tight spot" that wasn't there before - DOH! After turning it over a few hundred times, it started feeling a little better (God only knows what horrible shrapnel I was busting loose in there as it "self-clearanced"). Hope I can sleep tonight...Took care of a few other little chores while I was out there today...Meanwhile, time is marching on...
House, I hope you make it - I happen to know how bad you need (and deserve) a vacation...Hope we both make it.....