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Ken we should be down sometime in the next six months visiting relatives, depends on vacation approvals at work right now, but when I do I'll be sure to give you a call to see if we can hook up. Meanwhile if your up this way for any shows let me know.
I think I'm going to kidnap Ken and chain him up in My garage, make him work on my stuff............LOL That wiring is top shelf Ken, have a beer on me.
BradC
Ken, anything new going on with the highboy?
Mike
Mike,
Still wiring :eek: I don't know how many feet of wire is in this thing but I bought 1200 zip ties and I'm out ! :eek:
I relocated my door release handles, they come in the car but they were too low. I think it's Total Performance in Conn. makes a relocation kit. I bought that and then made my own release arm. It had to clear the stereo speakers.
All of the motor wiring is hidden under the manifold and out the back then down to the scatter shield to enter the car.
I am concerned that my exhaust hangers might get to hot because they are rubber. So I welded some A N washers on the mount to work as a little heat sink, I have know idea if it will work but it should cool it some.
ere is a shot of the inside of the fire wall, you can see all the connectors to make the harness removable. I'm using o.e.m. style water proof connectors.
Ken
It would only let me load 5 photo's. If you look at photo #3 at the top you can see a slot that is cut in the frame, that will be the exit for the air going threw the frame from the front. It will have a scoop that comes straight up then turns toward the muffler.
I know a lot of this looks ugly but it won't when I'm done.
Ken
Man Ken, that engine harness alone is major Brain work huh? I am really interested in all the modern conversions that are out there now, good stuff but complicated it seems. Nicely done on the loom work, do you use shrinkwrap or something where the wires may rub?
Holy Cow! I am just starting to do wiring and it is a real puzzle. The zip ties are a good idea but I am surprised you used so many and so close together. Any adverse comments on using fewer ties and then wrapping with tape?
Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder
Don,
Don't wrap with tape. It will just get sticky and gooey, then fall off.
Ken 1200 zip ties? yikes! Hope you got the bulk discount!:LOL:
That is a serious wiring job. I think you mentioned just about every electric accessory for this build! Are you going to use electric seats? Also what kind of alternator and battery set up are you going with? Your stereo wiring alone looks complexed, not to mention the stuff for that modern engine!:D Keep up the great work!
Ken, the wiring is coming along nicely, I noticed the use of the Deutsch connectors, I'm a big fan of Deutsch connectors myself, have used them for years on bike projects because they are so easy to build and disassemble, plus the resistance to water entering. I also noticed the opening in the frame rail and remembered from previous posts that you were going to be bringing air from the front, good idea to use it to help cool the muffler. Speaking of the muffler, what type of clamps are those that you're using for the muffler/pipe connection?
Mike
We buy them like you Ken, a bag of 1000 at a time, and they go REAL quick when you are wiring. Lots get wasted because you put them on temporarily to hold a bundle while adding wires and then you cut those off and toss them.
I found a little trick that cuts down on waste. If you put the wiretie together in it's normal fashion, the teeth bite in and it won't come back apart. BUT, if you turn it around and put it together inside out, the teeth are not grabbing but it will still hold temporarily due to friction. To remove it you simply slide it apart. I learned this trick a little late in the game when wiring my T, but used it on Don's T and we saved a lot of wasted ties that way. When you are ready to finally put the real ties in place you can then turn them the right way and the teeth hold them tight.
I also found a miniature set of side cut pliers at Sears that cuts the unneeded end off of the wire tie with no sharp edge. It cuts clean and close to the tie so it looks neat and won't cut your fingers when you go probing around up in there.
Ken, your car is looking great. What a complicated, sophisticated build. It hurts my head when I see all the high tech stuff guys like you incorporate into your builds, and you make it look so easy. An alternator is high tech for me.:o
Ken, have you considered building a car to compete in the GNRS? You really should. You could definitely pull it off.
Don
I second the motion for Ken to do a car for the GNRS!:D :D How about this one? It certainly has the design details...;) :cool:
Good grief! What a can of worms!:eek: :eek: Headlights, taillights, alternator, starter, and conventional gauges are no problem, but that system is a real puzzle. Ken, I commend you for your perseverence and your intelligence. I would never even attempt to try wiring all that modern electronic stuff...:whacked:
I third that motion, matter moved foward by popular consent. It's even in Pomona CA Ken. I'll even volunteer to wash and wax it and deliver it clean and sparkling!:3dSMILE: :LOL:
Seriously Ken, I think you should go for it!
Only 1200 ties, Ken?? Your wiring is looking good!! Since I have been doing mine now with lot of other chassis and body projects for over two months and am still at about 80% can understand how those ties "disappear". With a heluva lot fewer wires since the most exotic piece I have is a full MSD/carb setup, I've probably used well over 500 - and probably still have another 250 or more to go and am out of the small blacks. I do use some good electrical tape, (Scotch #33) inside my few lengths of convoluted tubing , but am well aware that it will eventually get gummy.
Henry Rifle, I know what you mean. I found some spiral plastic tube that is probably better.
Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder
try using velcro tape strips until you have all the wires then do the wrappiong
brickman-I use one and sometimes two layers of shrink wrap when I am splitting the harness. Then when it goes into the frame I will either weld tubing inside the frame and slip the wiring in it this giant thick shrink wrap. This stuff is brutal :eek:
Don- I use lots of tie wraps because I think it makes it look neat and tidy. I never use electrical tape to cover the wiring. My thinking is, let everything as exposed as possible in case you need to chase something down. But if you are in an area that needs protection use shrink wrap and radius all the sharp corners.
Henry Rifle- Yep I agree.
Steve- No electric seats, I'm using a 1500 series Odyssey battery and a 140 amp alternator. Thanks Steve I think we will be done with the wiring this week. I hope :whacked:
Mike52- I use these gasket less clamps. The tapered rings are steel and the clamp is stainless. You just put it together and slip in your tubing from both ends line everything up where you want it and tack the rings on, then take it apart and finish welding.
Don- That is a great idea, thanks! I have done that before by accident and never thought of using it as a temporary. I don't think I would do well at the GNRS, there isn't enough billet on it :D
J.Robinson-Thanks for the kind words, O.K. I will enter this one in the show :LOL:
Steve- O.K. but I'm going to enter it in your name so I won't be embarrassed :LOL:
IC2- I think there is a tie wrap monster in the garage :LOL:
jerry clayton- There is another good idea!
Ken
Ken, I just noticed you dash treatment, very cool. I like that rib that runs between the gauges and curves down on the ends.........very art deco kinda. How did you do that?
Don
It's just a piece of aluminum with a machined groove in it. The idea is to run similar strips in a big arc threw the doors, just to break the interior up a little.
Ken
Ken, I believe you could enter GNRS, your work is out standing. If you do enter I will come out there to help, you know get coffee.
BradC
Don't encourage him Ken, he will REALLY SHOW UP!! :p :LOL: :LOL:
Don
I Thought you guys were kidding about the GNRS, but after reading your post again, maybe you aren't. If you are than the joke is on me, if not, then that's probably the greatest compliment one could get.
This is the reality on entering that show. I would have to re do all the chrome and anything that is already polished. The paint and interior will be that kind of quality already so I wouldn't have to do anything else there. To make the wheels up to par is something I have already decided to do. We are going to make new outer bands for them and eliminate the valve stem on the outside, put it on the inside, then have them chromed. Once I put a few miles on it and blow it apart, it couldn't be driven again till after the show. It has to start and be driven in to the show, that's the rules. Honestly, it would cost an additional $10,000 to $15,000, that's if we build our own display for it at work.
I think it would be very memorable and fun to do this, but I have to really think this threw. There is still time to send in my entry, but I don't know the process on accepting a car in this category. To go from the suede palace to building #4, I didn't win anything there I sure don't believe I would win anything over there, but just the experience of doing it would be fun.
If I do it I want to see all those volunteers show up :LOL:
Ken
I've got news for you bud, we WEREN'T kidding! :) Your builds are in a whole different league than most, and certainly good enough to compete with the best. We don't want to push you into something you don't want to do, but.............:D :D
Don
Yeah! What Don said!:D :D Also, maybe this car could be a contender for the Ridler award at Detroit..?:cool:
We are serious, and Brad will show up, I'd even try to be there!:D
Yeah, you NEVER know where Brad is going to show up.........he's like the Travelocity Gnome! :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Don
It's not like I haven't drove 15hrs just to see a car or a large car show. Ken your work is top notch whether you enter or not. You can count on me to help if you do enter.
BradC
Don- I have taken your suggestion seriously and have contacted them for an entry form. They E mailed it to me and I am now staring at it a couple times a day. They consider 12 cars for that class, so they ask for 3 photo's of what you have and pick what they think would be the best to represent the class.
I think I can get it finished on time, there is one small problem :eek: I'm going out of the country on Jan 16 and won't return until the 4th of Feb. The show is Jan. 23rd to the 25th. I have good friends who will take it there and do what is required at the show. It's always something :LOL:
J. Robinson-Thank you for the vote of confidence, but I have to tell you I'm building this thing to drive, one of these shows would be one to many, I think.
Steve- I believe you would, thank you.
BradC-From what everyone is saying I believe you would be there too, I think it would be worth it just to meet some of you.
Ken
We are still wiring this thing, 7th week :eek: . There are so many challenges so many things to figure out. But I love it, it's what makes it interesting.
One of the things I wanted was to have an electric cowl vent opening and a electric license plate opener to fill my gas tank. I bought two of these cowl vent kits that are programable, I can't remember the name of the company but they look to be good quality. The cowl was straight forward I just had to make my own hinge mechanism because of all the junk I have under the cowl door. The license plate opening and closing was a whole different story. The first thing was I didn't like the way the license plate looked on the rear panel. It was just to big, and when I added some trim around it, it just didn't look right. So I cut a one inch strip all around the plate, now it fit the back panel. So then we frenched it to that size. I made a sketch of the new size and took it over to a friends shop that has a Lazar cutter and he cut out this miniature frame for me. I have an employee who is a great machinist and a friend, he has been with me for 8 years. I explained what I wanted to do and needed a miniature hinge set and a driver for this flex cable I bought from Mcmaster Carr. This is why I'm able to do some of the things that are done on this car, I have a lot of help. There is a button in my seat riser to open them.
I took the doors and had the inside powder coated, to insure of no rust later. The complete interior of the car will be done when I blow it apart.
One of the problems in the wiring was trying to hide the wires to the headlights, fan, horns, and the map air sensor that is in the air inlet tube. I decided to cut a hole in the air inlet tube and weld a 1/2" piece of tubing the length of the tube inside and run all the wires inside of it.
Ken
Actually Ken, we enticed you to do the GNRS thing for selfish reasons. Every forum should have at least one celebrity, now we can brag one of our members has a car in the most prestigious car show in the country! :D :D
This is going to be very cool, all kidding aside. I mean, how many rodders in the country can say they even attempted to get a car into that show? Even if for some reason you don't get it done in time or whatever, just the fact you are considering it is great. We're behind you 100 percent, and if there was ever a car worthy, it is this Deuce of yours.
Don
In addition...............
Ken, I just got done watching Hot Rod TV, and this week it was coincidently about the GNRS. I just wanted to say to you that I hope we haven't pressured you into considering something that you had not intended in the beginning. We realize that the most of the cars at that show are purpose-built from the very first piece of steel that is cut, all the way until the last drop of wax goes on. We know you did not have that in mind when you started your car, you simply wanted to build your vision of a very outstanding Deuce, and from all the pictures you have provided so far, you have more than exceeded that goal.............your car is going to be stunning when done. But what I am trying to say is, we don't want you to change directions and put a time crunch on yourself just because we have thrown this idea at you. All we were trying to say in the beginning is that we are in awe of the craftsmanship you are putting into this car, and just wanted to let you know that. Even if you don't do the GNRS thing, we all can't wait to see each update, and to see the final product. Besides, I found out they don't even let you take that trophy home with you!! What kind of car show is THAT??? LOL
Ken I'm glad your doing this. #1 it shows a lot of folks that only buy these kind of cars, that home hot rodders can do it too, and better! Your attention to detail is inspiring. I too worry along with Don about the time limit thing, but like everything else in life, if it works out that you are finished in that time frame then it would be great to see you there, but if not, what the hey, the car still is going to be truely spectacular!
On a scale of magnitude ten times less, when I started my truck I hoped to have it road worthy by time the Salute to American graffiti show was this year(missed that one by a long shot, then for Hot August nights, missed again). Now I'm shooting for road worthy status by next spring, and maybe refined and painted by two years from now(all due to free time and budget constraints!) So with that said I hope this doesn't add tension to your build, for some of us deadlines are a good thing , to others not!
I am excited that you are doing this. I'll be happy to go to the show and brag off the car to the hoards! :LOL: :3dSMILE:
Ken with you being out of town at the time of the show, kind of takes the fun out of your win........(a testament to your quality of your work). What do you mean you don't get to take the trophy home.
BradC
Don-I appreciate all your nice comments, thank you again. Don't worry, no one could talk me into this, I have till December 1st to get the entry in. I'm going to see where I am next month, then make the decision.
Steve-It's comments like yours and several others that pushes me harder, I like dead lines and time tables :eek: This has really been fun to share this build here. If it wouldn't have been for a nudge by someone here, (Don), I wouldn't of done it. It's fun to read about you, and you project, when you get new parts and the excitement you share when you work on your truck :3dSMILE:
BRADC-Actually I wouldn't mind not being here, for the show. I'm pretty much an introvert. I don't do well in crowds, I'm the guy in the corner at party's. When I take one of my cars to a local show I just walk away from it. So I would be off to the side somewhere watching to make sure someone doesn't key it :LOL: Isn't that something, you can't take that thing home, you just get your name on it, but you do get a nice jacket!
Ken
One of the things that has bugged me on previous '32's that I have built is the after market hoods and side panels and hinges. That is one of the reason's I have built my own hing mechanism.
So this friend of mine is here visiting from England. He happens to be a master metal man that works restoring Ferrari's. They have done all the tourist stuff and he looked really bored :3dSMILE:
So, I said John would you be interested and throwing together a hood and side panels for me? He said sure!
I told him all I wanted was a hood and side panels with a inner structure that wouldn't flex when I opened my hood. So he wiped these out for me, his wife is still not talking to me :3dSMILE: :LOL:
I have to make the Little pockets that go around the upper control arm mount, but I can handle that.
Boy are they heavy !!
Ken
Brilliant!! That should eliminate any bending or flexing.
Hey does he need to tour any wine country up north? I have a spare bedroom and a truck to tinker with!:LOL:
Nice work. I'm working on a way to stiffen up one floor panel, and my front hood as well!
39Deluxe-Thanks, I think it will do the trick. I'm going to get the inside pieces powder coated then spot weld the inner panel to the outer, then tig the outside.
Steve-I'll ask him, I know he likes wine :LOL:
Ken
I'm 95% there, on the wiring, I thought I would share. The two wires hanging down in the truck photo is the plug in for a trickle charger. The second shot there is a black wire rolled up sitting on top of the stereo head that is for a mp3 player.
Ken
Ken, the wiring is coming along very nicely. Are those Deutsch connectors you're using in the main harness in the 3rd pic?
Mike
I want to be the saleman to sell Ken all those zip ties...........LOL. I luv how you kept everything so tight.
BradC