Back in Black! rpu build thread

Hi, I'm Dan's Dad and normally only lurk on the HAMB because this is the only forum Dan is on, and I leave it all to him without me embarrassing him. But Dan has been wanting to post an update of where he is on his rpu and has just been too buried between working 60 hour weeks and then staying at the shop until 2 and 3, trying to get his car done in time for Billetproof April the 9th. So I thought I would let you all know where he is on it as of now.

He mentioned the transmission problems, and the people who built it 4 years ago graciously offered to fix whatever is wrong at no charge. That was very good of them and the reason we have bought 4 transmissions from them in the past 5 or 6 years. But we weighed the time it would take to ship it back to Ohio and decided to just let a local shop fix it right here. I took the transmission in to them today and should have it back tomorrow or Wednesday.

Getting the transmission out required either pulling the engine and trans as a unit, or, we could remove the body and take the trans out all by itself. We chose door number 2 and pulled the body off. Dan was sweating bullets because he has put so much time and effort into trying to make it nice that he worried about damaging something, so we padded it with lots of towels and moving blankets and hoisted the body off last weekend. Dan was smart enough to install quick disconnects on everything, and that helped a lot. It only took us an hour and a half to get the body off, and one more hour to get the trans out and on the floor.

I'm posting a few pictures of us doing that. If the trans comes back on schedule we should be able to see it move under it's own power for the first time this coming weekend. I REALLY want that to happen as Dan has overcome a lot of issues with this build and has put so much time and effort into it.

BTW, as a Dad I would like to thank all of you who have been such good friends of Dan's throughout this build and during his membership time here. Your encouragement and nice compliments meant a lot to him and kept him going when things got tough. That means a lot to me too, thank you.

Don

Here it is all wrapped up, ready to pull the body off.



Body hoisted via our gantry.



Trans now exposed so we can unbolt it.



And finally out of the car.

 

YOU are the Man Don !

So we WILL see you guys at Billetproof now, right?

 

It's truely amazing how well made it is.

Let us know what is wrong with the tranny. It may help us TH350 owners down the road.

 

Hi Glenn. We SURE are trying to make it in time. If no more gremlins show up we hope to see it move under it's own power this weekend. If that happens there will only be some minor cosmetics to wrap up. I told Dan not to sweat not having the grille shell painted and stuff like that, but he's such a perfectionist. (He must take after his Mother )

We will still probably come even if the car doesn't. We love BP and seeing old friends like you, Greg, Bill, and the others.

DrJ, thanks, sure will let you know when we find out.........right now all bets are on bad front pump.

Don

 

Thanks for the update Don sure hope you and Dan can get it back together for BP. Good luck!!

 

If you bring the car, we will come! If not, I'm staying home! Gary

 

X2...kick butt guys!!!

 

Yes, hope everything goes well. Very much looking forward to seeing it completed.
A really stunning build.

 

Thanks guys. Dan is at work and the transmission shop just called. I promised I would let you know what they found, in case someone else ever runs into this problem.

It was the front pump. There are two tangs in there that engage the torque convertor and one was broken off and jammed up the pump gears. He said everything else looks good, so he just replaced the pump and we are good to go. I suspect that when we installed the torque convertor (B&M Holeshot) we didn't have it seated all the way into the pump. The other night we removed the three bolts holding the convertor to the flexplate and spun the TC until it dropped down into the pump. There was about 3/16 clearance between the TC and flexplate.

I called Mondello (They are big on Olds engines) and they said the right way to do it is to seat the convertor all the way in, then shim up between the TC and flexplate with grade 8 washers until you only have to pull the TC back out of the pump about 30 thousandths. I questioned them if that would be strong enough and he told me "That is how we do our 1200 HP drag car!" So I guess it is ok. He said there are so many different flexplates dimensionally that you have to do it this way to get a good fit. We figured since we had a B&M TC and B&M flexplate they would be matched, but I guess you still have to set the depth.

So today I'll pick up the transmission for Dan and tonight we can start putting things back together. This downtime gave Dan a chance to do some other stuff that is easier with the body off, so it is not all bad. We plan on running the car through the gears BEFORE the body goes on this time!

Thanks again for all the input and concern.

Don

 

That's great! Sounds like it's all going to come together now.

 

Man, I was bummed to read about the bad trans and I'm stoked to hear that it's been fixed. This is one of my favorite builds on the HAMB right now.

Nice work fellas.

 

Well Pops, while it would have been ideal if you guys didn't have to go down this road, as lessons go this one turned out to be not too painful. But then, that's easy for me to say.............

 

On a scale of one to ten, this one was only a five, Bob. Dan doesn't like me saying we are out of the woods yet, in case it jinx's us, but I'm not supersticious.

Don

 

Where's the "Burn out" video?????

 

What's up guys? I want to thank you all for your support & concern, it REALLY means a lot!

Well me & pops are getting this back together, so don't count us out yet! Billetproof still could happen.

Tonight after work we got a ton done. We got the tranny back in, the rear axles, backing plates, brakes, & wheels back on it after switching out the 9" center section. Got some little stuff like the kick-down re-installed. Got the overflow tank installed, etc.

Really good night. Our goal is to have the body back on after work on Friday night. With some luck we can spend the full day & night on Saturday wrapping up the loose ends, and, GULP, actually try to drive it for the 1st time..........................

Thanks again everybody. Sorry for my lack of posting. Just been working like a madman to try & make our goal.

Dan

 

Go Dan Go !

 

glad you figured it out and it wasn't too bad of a fix. I have fixed a few cars where someone changed the trans and broke the pump like that.

Looking at the torque monster motor, light weight and rear tires, I think you may have a traction problem!

 

I think it's awesome that you, your brother, and your dad hang out and build hot rods together in your free time! Very cool!

 

Go Dan Go!

We wanna see this thing!!

 

We are trying so hard Glenn!

Yeah, it was stupid mistake on my part-bet I won't do that again though

I heard that the Firestone 7.50 will hook up 100% of the time. That is correct, right??

That is by far the best part of it. Sure, the hot rod build is good, but I never will be able to beat the time with family doing it, truly a win-win situation

Thanks man! Me & pop's have a busy weekend ahead. I am really excited, & really want to make it. Look forward to seeing everybody for sure

 

Good to hear DnD!!!! I think we're all on the edge of our seats now!

 

Still watching from afar. Glad you got back on the horse. Good luck this weekend.

Reading your dad's posts above, you're lucky to have him. My car's been done 18 months and my dad hasn't seen it finished yet.

Appreciate him.

Pete

 

OK... now it's time to see your burn out video!!!!!

With your tires I'll wager that your video will have more smoke!

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7Yl7wGsVL5A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Thanks man. Of course, I still have to get the damn grille finished. It will be the death of me

Thanks Pete. I only was able to stay off the horse for about 48 hours
You are 100% correct, I wouldn't trade pops for anything. Wow, I didn't realize that your car has already been done for 18 months!

Mark, I think I am FINALLY close to that.....I think my tires should hook up like a 10" slick Cool video. I still love the one of your roadster when somebody was driving next to you & you nailed it-it pulled great.

 

Have to get a shot or yours scootin away!

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/h29PGmIeTzk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Well me & pops got a TON done after work last night. We got the body back on. Got the drive shaft installed.

Today should be a great day. I am off form work today & tomorrow. My & dad hope to actually be able to DRIVE the rpu today Pretty surreal to me, it still hasn't really sunk in.

Gotta put the rear-end fluid in. We had to swap out the 3rd member. Mine was a rebuilt posi center section, but it was leaking.

The builder stood behind it & swapped mine out. So we got the new center section painted & installed. HOPEFULLY the new one is good to go with no leaks. It is a 4.11 set-up, can't wait to see how it pulls, should see today!

Gotta bleed the brakes today. I tried the SpeedBleeders, I am anxious to see how these work.

Maybe with some luck I will have a Youtube late tonight of this thing moving for the first time! I a REALLY excited about this. I'll keep you postaed after I get hope tonight. Thanks guys

Dan

 

Ha that's the one! I love that video Mark, probably watched it a million times!

Maybe with some luck I'll have my own version soon!

 

Go get'm Dan!!
Good luck and have fun!!

 

Well .....

PACO

 

I need to read the last 3-4 pages. Good to hear things are working out!