Don's T back on the road

A few weeks ago we received the replacement C4 transmission and a brand new torque converter from TCI for my Son's T bucket. As much as I complained about them, I guess they did step up to the plate as much as could be expected, as we were well beyond the 90 day warranty. I think part of the reason they stood behind it is because they knew of similar problems they were having.........but whatever, they did take care of it.

Anyway, Don and I decided while the engine and tranny were out we would do some other little things that we rushed when we built the car. We took care of his dragging front brakes and fixed his electronic speedometer so it would work. He also went back to a front sump oil pan because of the way we installed the engine mount and that necessitated putting a new front timing cover on the engine so he could have a dipstick up there.

He works 5 days a week at his regular job and plays 6 nights a week, so he never has the time to work on it, so Dan and I pitched in and got the timing cover painted blue to match his engine, and we put the whole motor back together late last week. He thought he was coming to the shop today to put the motor together but was thrilled to find it ready to install. All we had to do today was drop it in and hook up all the disconnected stuff and fire it up.

We got it running about 7 tonight after Dan finished reconnecting all the wires we had to cut to the headlights and other stuff up front. We got to drive it probably 15 miles and the new transmission seems to work fine. Car idles at 180 and when he nails it no more death wobble. :D I think (I pray) we have solved that one for him. He's really happy to have it running again. This car has been plaqued with so many problems since we got it running in November. Hopefully that is all behind us now and he can start to enjoy it. It seems to handle fine now and he can one hand it going down the highway.

Now we just have to get Dans car done and we can take a little breather for a while. :D :D Here are some pictures from tonight.

Don

good to hear

Glad you got it back together. Hope it all works better. It sure is a good looking car.

Did you get your wobble problem fixed?

Mike

Thanks guys. Yeah Mike, I feel pretty good about the handling problems being gone. We really went back to square one and remeasured and realigned everything on the car. The new Wilwood brakes seem to have helped too, being as light as they are, lots less rotating mass.

But I rode with him half way tonight, and then followed them home in Dans car while Dan rode with him, and it still scared me when he speeds up. I keep expecting the front end to start dancing around at any minute. I guess the confidence will come a little more each time he drives it if he has no more problems.

Don

Don, you and your son's make it sound so easy, and the pictures speak for them self.

Richard

Congrats Dons(pleural). Car looks great as ever. It must be hard for him, being so busy and having a few toys to choose from!:3dSMILE: I imagine the corvette was a nice distraction, but nothing like a roadster to go on a family run for the weekend. You guys now can gang up on Dan to get his done!:eek: :LOL: :eek: :D

Now there better be 3 cars from the DDD (Don, Don, & Dan)Hotrod garage for me to see at the Turkey Run.
BradC

Thanks guys.

Richard, I have to keep reminding ourselves that this is the hobby we have chosen, so when things go wrong it is just part of the game. I do occasionally apologize to the guys for not being a golfer-Dad though. :LOL: :LOL:

Steve, yeah Don really has very little time to himself, but he seems to like the hectic work schedule. Dan and I don't know how he keeps up the pace, and he keeps saying he is going to cut down pretty soon. Been hearing that for 2 years now.:rolleyes:

Brad, I can tell you even if one or two of the cars have to be on the end of a towrope, there will be three there this year. It is really sneaking up on us though, only 6 months to go and so much work to do on Dans car.

Don

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I keep expecting the front end to start dancing around at any minute. I guess the confidence will come a little more each time he drives it if he has no more problems.

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Don,

I know where you're coming from. The first time my partner put a full pass on our Super Comp altered (8.80/173), I'm thinking . . . hey! I built that chassis. What did I forget? Did I tighten all the bolts? Lug nuts? What about the locks on the U-joints?

I'm still a little goosy about driving my 34 too hard or too fast. It's not that I don't have confidence in what I do. I just realize that anyone can forget something, and that little something can have real consequenses.

Looks like you've got it handled, though.

"......I have to keep reminding ourselves that this is the hobby we have chosen, so when things go wrong it is just part of the game....."

".....I'm still a little goosy about driving my 34 too hard or too fast....."

I think everyone who has built one or more knows the feeling. Once you have done a few you realise just how much there is that can go wrong. :eek:

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Originally Posted by Mike P

I think everyone who has built one or more knows the feeling. Once you have done a few you realise just how much there is that can go wrong. :eek:

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How true! I usually "sneak up" on higher and higher speeds after I first put a car on the road. When you think about it though, do you trust yourself as much as the guy on the assembly line who may be hung over from a wild weekend? We think nothing of jumping in a factory-built ride and hitting the interstate at 80 mph. Makes ya stop & think now, doesn't it?:HMMM: :LOL: :LOL:

Part of it is that, at our age, we've finally realized we're not bulletproof . . . like we were when we were 20 . . .

i dont bounce as good as i use to . :D

You guys called it right. Another thing is that we have seen a rash of hot rods getting bent up recently, more than I can remember in a long time. Some of the accidents were caused by the rod or the rodder driving it, and some were caused by normal passenger cars crashing into them. A few of these accidents have resulted in the driver dying. It makes you think.

I had a hard time relaxing on the way to Billetproof or back home because I kept seeing trailer trucks and other vehicles whizzing by my side a few feet from my head, and in most cases their tires were taller than my car. :eek: It has made me come to the conclusion that my T is great for around town driving but I really need to get the pickup done for long distance travel.......more steel around me.

We just get smarter as we get older, I guess. There was a time in my life where I was bulletproof, but I've learned a few times that isn't necessarily true.

Don

The T is looking good Don, I hope that it gives your boy alot of pleasure from here on out, someone who works that hard deserves it.

I am the same way, I still haven't ran my 48 flat out, not really interested in how fast she'll go. I am more interested in seeing how long she will last! I enjoy it tremendously the way it is.

Don we noticed Don Jr. is getting a little thin on top!:) :LOL:
You might have to loan him some of your sun block!:LOL:
Have you or dan given any thoughts to paint on your projects? I know by now, Purple/ Pink is probably out of the question, but I'm curious what Dan will come up with? Are you guys considering flames. With all the flame threads going right now, I could just see Dan's rpu with black body and yellow flames licking back! I'm sure they'll look great whatever you come up with!:3dSMILE:

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

You guys called it right. Another thing is that we have seen a rash of hot rods getting bent up recently, more than I can remember in a long time. Some of the accidents were caused by the rod or the rodder driving it, and some were caused by normal passenger cars crashing into them. A few of these accidents have resulted in the driver dying. It makes you think.
Don

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I'v seen a couple around here too.. and some big oopsies of driver error.. in a local restorer's lot just outside his building, there is a big ditch near the road... evidently the person in whom he had JUST restored a '65 Mustang ragtop for.. backed it into the big ditch. when I passed, he had his wrecker, pulling it out with the winches.. and they were pushing on it :rolleyes: I know he just restored the car, I saw him working on it in there from time to time. didn't look like it got hurt much, but I'm sure somthing happened

[QUOTE=stovens]Don we noticed Don Jr. is getting a little thin on top!:) :LOL:
You might have to loan him some of your sun block!:LOL:


Tell you what Steve, post up a picture of yourself and we'll see what flaws we can find to remind you of. :rolleyes:

Don

Sorry about that Don, I really didn't mean to offend you. My appologies, Steve.
And I have many flaws, including saying dumb comments that offend people, when that wasn't my intent. I appreciate all your helpfull advice.

No problem Steve, thanks for the apology. I knew it was simply one of the man-jabs we guys do to one another, and I take this sort of ribbing in the spirit it was intended usually, but as you can tell, I am pretty protective of my Kids.

I consider you one of my close friends on here, and appreciate your apology. It's forgotten. :) :)

Don

Stevie always was subtle, even as a kid..............




;)

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

No problem Steve, thanks for the apology. I knew it was simply one of the man-jabs we guys do to one another, and I take this sort of ribbing in the spirit it was intended usually, but as you can tell, I am pretty protective of my Kids.

I consider you one of my close friends on here, and appreciate your apology. It's forgotten. :) :)

Don

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Don, I have always said you should be really proud of your relation that you have with your son’s. If I had a son, or two I would hope that they were clean cut like Don jr. and Dan. I have three grandson’s and my wife, and I want them to grow up to be clean cut young men, they get hair cuts suited for young boys when they visit us. I was living in the hippie era but it didn’t suit me, I think clean is the way to go. You get two thumbs up for the way your son’s turned out. I think more parents should get a pat on the back when they do a good job.

Richard

Don, when all is done, you, Dan and Don are going to have a stable of some really sweet looking rides. :cool: :cool: I know Dan's RPU will be everybit as nice as yours and Don's already are.

I can appreciate your apprehension about interstate driving with all of the big rigs. Everybody wants to go flat out and many can't really handled it, mentally or physically. I don't often look at other cars when I drive, but I do try to look at driver's faces. If I see something that bothers me, I try to move away from them. My luck one of those will be near me in an emergency, and the result won't be pretty. My cars have sufficient power and suspensions to run with all, but the really fast cars, but I prefer a more leisurely (amd cautious) approach. That's why I try to avoid the interstates when I travel.

When I travel in Florida, I try to avoid the likes of I 75, I 95, and I4 as if they were plagued. We like driving quick, but we also like to arrive alive.:D And using any of those roads, reduces your chances of that.:LOL: :LOL:

Bob, what can I say she was the best baby sitter a Mom could give a boy!:D

I also like to take "the road less traveled" whenever possible. In addition to feeling safer sometimes, the scenery is usually better.:D

I also ride a motorcycle... Believe me, that will make you wary of traffic!:HMMM:

Don
This is a momentary highjack, but for Dan. I got a catalog from www.aplusrodandkustom.com yesterday, and on page 19, of their printed catalog, they sell sheet metal for shoebox fords, 1949-1951. Wasn't sure if you guys need anything, but it's the first time I ran across stuff for that make and model of cars. Just an FYI. Steve.
:D

Thanks Steve. Looks like they have some pretty neat stuff. I'll make sure Dan gets it. This one page features sheet metal which he will be needing.

Thanks again.

Don