You know it will leak somewhere. Just know it's like a newborn and be ready to diaper it and snuggle down hose clamps, nuts, bolts and cinches until it's snoring contently. We're all anxious for baby's first words!
I can feel the excitement, tension, anticipation... Its been fun following along. Best of luck to yall!
Happy for you, Jay. Confident congratulations. Can hardly wait. Edit: "Jay"? Sorry. Congratulations, Joe. So cool.
Go man go! Tips! - be hydrated and eat a good breakfast. You’re gonna freak out. Don’t need those endorphins getting you light headed. -make sure your seat and steering column support are tight. Lug nuts. It’s the stupid obvious stuff you miss. - grab a tool roll or small bag or bucket and throw a couple open end wrench’s and screw drivers in there. Maybe a vice grip. The last time we got a new motor in the 46 we stopped every few blocks and ****ed with something real quick. Having the hood off and the tools in hand ment we didn’t need to keep going back to the garage and could just keep motoring -make sure EVERYONE knows that they need to be filming it landscape and for at minimum 30 seconds. We are ALL going to want to see this and celebrate with you and if it’s filmed in portrait or shorter than 30 seconds the video won’t embed in the post from you tube. - and finally, it’s ok to puke from excitement. **** this is exciting!
Brakes are of primary importance, push the pedal numerous times like you would in a panic stop. Does your emergency brake work? That has always been my first concern when building a new hot rod. I live in a very steep neighborhood and have always been apprehensive on the first drive. Once you're confident that the brakes work have a great time on your first drive. It will be memorable. Best wishes!
This is always an exciting moment...and the culmination of years of work! The night before I fire one up for the first time, I like to put gas in the tank and distilled water in the radiator. Let those sit over night to make sure we don't have leaks...or if you do you can deal with them before you are ready for the first fire up. I do run 50/50 antifreeze in my flatheads, but always fire them with just distilled water. Because you inevitably need to drain the coolant for some reason or another. Leaky water pump, bad throw-out bearing, or something...my luck has me pulling the radiator and/or engine for some reason.
exciting news....actually fantastic.... pointers... take your brother with you (ride along) so you have help, that in the event you actually need to, push the car out of harms way I personally don't drive a car anymore that doesn't have a functional e brake a roll of electrical tape and tie (bailing) wire....Ford script of course a couple of gallons of water, in gallon jugs, along with some clean rags to clean the bugs off the windshield right off the get go, I would try a few brake applications....increasing brake petal pressure each time to make sure the car doesn't dart one way or the other....gaining confidence each time it slows down and doesn't act like a video game then just drive to gain confidence....stopping from time to time to look things over, stepping back in disbelief and joy...knowing you are the lucky duck that made this happen Happy Motoring ......and if it was me, celebrate the maiden run with the proper beverage....rootbeer float....
You’ll have to fly him in for the NorCal Roadster run this summer as well… that way he gets to see what it is all about
Congrats, you will be nervous and excited all at the same time. It's a hell of a feeling. Enjoy what you have built.
Congratulations Joey...BIG smilestone coming up...I think you and your budds are pretty detail oriented. I'm thinking most of your tools will remain idle. You will inevitably have to tweak a few things like headlight aim and carb adjustments but otherwise it'll be similar to what you've already experienced but more power and differences in stopping and handling. Always a break in period even if it's just non mechanically related... Have a blast!!
Congratulations on what you and your brother are about to accomplish! Make sure you have the correct spare tire on board, if you plan to go further than a mile away from your section of town! Go for it!
I've been posting advice on your thread for years. At this point, I would say Have a plan worked out ahead of time for issues. Fire being the big one. Talk over what each person's duties are. Key, throttle, looking under for leaks, gauge readings, etc. Talk to each other during this if it's not too loud. Figure hand signals if it is loud. Thumbs up, slash across throat, hand tilting for rev it up, etc. Above all, this is NOT required to be a driver for work the next day. You haven't rushed any of it so far, don't shortcut now. Celebrating liquids are for AFTER.
You know we’re all gonna be looking for a report afterwards. Good luck to you guys and hope it all goes well.
Congrats and best of luck. Lots of good advice fromHambers. Sounds like you're well prepared. Keep us posted.
There’s nothing like the sounds and smells of the first light off. Wishing you guys all the best this weekend. Can’t wait to see it under its own steam……
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