Digz's 65 panel

Lucky Man....

Stuffed this 79 firebird MC in this morning, is for 4 wheel manual disc brakes.

It is a little longer and boxier than the 2nd gen I had thought I was going to use, I had to trim off more of the mounting bracket and a wee bit more on the Rad support, also had to shorten the plunger rod from the brake arm.

This is what the eccentirc looks like in case anyone wants to know.

Brake sysytem is down to some minor plumbing and getting the E brake cable strung thru, Also have been woring on this, My buddy with the CAD plasma knocked out the guage panel, made a couple more and 1 with 4 holes in case I want to add a trans temp.


I think I can bolt the tunnel in for the last time now.

Not much worthy of a pic, Got the parking brake working, started the bleed on the brakes but have the "one hand clapping " thing going on right now. Got the guage wire harness made, Randy has been stripping paint and getting the rear and side doors in order, still waiting on the drive shaft and windshield. I got into the 2 trannys for the Hippy Van today, looks like the 2 speed would need to be rebuilt, so aiming at the 350 TH now that looks clean inside. Also have been working on our new service building at the gravel pit.

Gained some today, got the heater hoses on finally and put a drive shaft together , but it has to be shortened yet.
And Randy gave it a change of color today.


It was nice to see something other than etching primer.

We are going to take the 2 best panel doors from both vans to fill the gap.
It might not see color until next year. stiill a lot of stuff to deal with.

Wow looking good Joe. Always makes it look better in one color & Nice wheels & tires. If you need any drive shafts ,or part let me know(I think I got about 10-15 ???) How long do ya need??

Looking good Joe! Keep the pic's coming.....

I was at a local car show last weekend and a fellow had a real nice 76 Vette in " Flame Orange" think Im going in that direction with color. Tom, I think Im set on drive shafts (Unless I twist it in 2), but may need to hit you up for a couple good window doors for the side of the hippy van later on or next spring.

Messin' with wiring.

I got most of the stuff strung thru after this pic, but its gonna take some tidying up. Went to put the residual valves in and realized I had forgotten to get the adapters to the brake lines , Duh!

Looks good!
Hope your brakes go smooth!!

Still need the HEI circuit and the Trans switch circuit. I left the main harness plug in but will have to change that out ,, had trouble with the primary feed to the dash making good connection , not fried but not good either.

Got the residuals in.

Now to rebleed it all.

Did you stay with the Firebird master?

LOL Yeah so far I'm gonna stick with it to see what difference it makes with the resid's. Havent had time to get back to it yet this week. but if it doesnt act like its gonna do the job , the next step would be to go to a 1-1/8 bore master like you have.

Joe did you get the van moved yet??? Really want to see it @ Baker's this year

Not yet, we have been getting the building buttoned up for the winter,

Got the cieling insulated, and we need to get the mill and the lathe moved in yet before we get to crowded on the floor. Also my bro has gotten the floors painted. And we need to get a few more lights up.

I am really happy with the heating system so far, in floor radiant powered by a 440 3ph commercial water heater. Electricity is one thing we have lots of at the pit. Insulation being the key, even with the temps down near 10f it doesnt have to run alot.

Perhaps this week if the weather stays quiet I can think about getting it moved.

I have heard radiant heat is the way to go for pole barns. Looks like a nice building

The van sittin in its new work place ,,

Still shuffling tools and parts. the ol van looks tiny sittin by that 6 yr loader.

Got it running today !! Finally. Sounds good, has 55 lbs oil pressure at idle. have a couple bugs to take care of now, I didnt allow enough adjustment on the throttle linkage, wants to idle a bit to fast. easy fix there, I need a new radiatior cap, the high pressure one that will never be used, doesnt seal right I picked it out of a bin of take offs we had. and an issue with the fan switch , I used teflon tape as a sealant and I believe I am not getting a ground through it. Needs some mufflers behind the headers now . it scares the dog, lol

Good to hear you got it runing Joe ,Now you can take it out for a drive, Well as soon as the snow stops & all the snow meltsi

Tom we are getting a storm right now (as you are) he's going to need ski's to get to it

Yeah its not seeing the outside world for awhile yet. Worked out a couple snags today , got the glass packs and new fan switch coming in tomorrow.
Need some seats ! Also can start thinking about the doghouse now.

Putting some parts on to see what I need to get and check for fit. Got the gas tank lowered and the rear brackets in and temp mounted the bumpers,, I need some more bumper bolts yet.

I didnt like the POS screws they sent with the turn signal lights from Bros Truck so I took a 5/32 tap and threaded the holes and put some short stove bolts in the lenses, worked way better.

Spent some time straightening the bumpers they turned out okay , the chrome is quite scratched up but it'll do for now.

Loookkin good!