Roadkill's 1983 Chevy Z28 - (Work Starts on Page 5)

Roadkill · September 16, 2014, 08:48:54 AM

Most would be thinking that I've given up and lost interest in the Z28 entirely.

On the outside of things, you'd be forgiven, too.

However, the amount of obstacles I've had this year is shocking . . . Ignoring work, family and other commitments, the car is now 5 miles away from me in a garage I don't have comfortable access to whenever I like.

That said, 5 months ago I bought road tax and when I had some spare time I went over to charge the battery . . . Long story short, after trying every setting on 3 different battery chargers AND trying for an hour to jump-start her I've come to the conclusion that she's killed a SECOND battery !

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She's now had (and killed) 2 decent quality batteries and I'm baffled. I obviously don't want to spend a fortune on a third, only for it to happen again so the best I can do is put a cheapie on there and manually disconnect it before any period of storage.

There's something very screwy going on.

I'm now left with just weeks of useable weather but still no time to put into getting her any further forward.

As mentioned above, I HAVE been buying stuff in readiness, but I think the best I can hope for is to do the work over winter . . . maybe . . . if I get the time.

To add to the pile of stuff, I've ordered some bits for the "next generation" of exhaust . . . This will be made up pretty much entirely to aid tuning the motor but I'll test it on the open road, as well just to see what happens . . .

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I've also had a response regarding the replacement hood . . . I need to make a phone call . . .

Cunning Plan · September 16, 2014, 10:20:51 AM

Still reading this project with interest!

I know you won't give up, but I honestly do not know how you find the time to do anything with this project when you already have so many others as well. So, the fact that you are saying that you do not have the time, yet you somehow push it slightly further forward is impressive.

When this one is finished, or as finished as you would like or can go with, what will it be used for?

Roadkill · September 16, 2014, 11:22:45 AM

Quoting: Cunning Plan

what will it be used for?

It'll be occasional "general" use and I'll run it down the strip, too . . . see how that bug bites.

Andy · September 16, 2014, 01:39:49 PM

With only a couple of weekends left of RWYBs at the Pod, fancy coming up on Saturday 27th September for the Saturday Night Special? I'm going to be gunning for the 15s with my stock 305 engine.

ianjpage · September 16, 2014, 05:34:13 PM

Quoting: Roadkill

That said, 5 months ago I bought road tax and when I had some spare time I went over to charge the battery . . . Long story short, after trying every setting on 3 different battery chargers AND trying for an hour to jump-start her I've come to the conclusion that she's killed a SECOND battery !

How the heck's it killed another battery, especially a deep cycle one, something must be slowly and consistently draining it somewhere....

Quoting: Roadkill

To add to the pile of stuff, I've ordered some bits for the "next generation" of exhaust . . . This will be made up pretty much entirely to aid tuning the motor but I'll test it on the open road, as well just to see what happens . . .

Titsy · September 17, 2014, 05:29:42 PM

Should be easy to narrow down as it could only be what's been connected to the battery side of the cut-out...

art b · September 17, 2014, 05:57:11 PM

Quoting: Roadkill

she's killed a SECOND battery !

disconnect the battery when not in use....

F Body · September 18, 2014, 02:03:59 AM

Quoting: art b

disconnect the battery when not in use....

I bought one these couple months ago

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231244915669?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231244915669?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Roadkill · September 18, 2014, 04:30:59 AM

It's not a simple task to disconnect the battery when it's hidden under all of the plastic rear trim in the boot.

It's looking like that's the way forwards, though.

I tried to use the "Recondition" setting on my charger last night but it did the same thing . . . got to a certain point, then errored-out.

Jamieg285 · September 18, 2014, 08:34:48 AM

What about fitting a racing style disconnect switch, somewhere more accessible?

Cunning Plan · September 19, 2014, 02:33:04 AM

Quoting: Jamieg285

What about fitting a racing style disconnect switch, somewhere more accessible?

Roadkill · September 19, 2014, 10:35:45 AM

Quoting: Jamieg285

What about fitting a racing style disconnect switch, somewhere more accessible?

That was kinda what I was thinking but there's not a lot of space on the rear panel to mount one to . . .

I'm thinking something like this and then mount it underneath the car, behind the bumper . . . ?

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/sum-830050/overview/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/sum-830050/overview/

Roadkill · October 31, 2014, 07:10:33 AM

Well, complete failure on my part this year.

Work has dominated pretty-much everything for me this year, meaning the little time I had left has been mainly put into "family time".

That said it's still a failure. Progress on the Camaro - ignoring some fairly major purchases - has been zero.

6 months ago I bought tax to see me to the start of November and here I am with the car not even moving an inch since being parked up over a year ago.

Progress on the Caddy is also behind (not entirely my fault) but that's a different story.

I need to address work issues over the winter . . . I'm not happy with the amount of time I put in (ie. the little amount of "free" time it allows me) so I either cut back next year or I find a less demanding job.

Work to live, not live to work and all of that . . . .

I don't think it's helped having the Camaro stored away from home, either . . it's not far away, but there's no constant reminders and it's too easy to forget it even exists.

2014 has been my worst year for progress ever.

Roadkill · January 13, 2015, 01:28:01 PM

I'm currently compiling a shopping list of stuff to compliment the bits I bought last year (but didn't fit) for the Camaro.

I think, looking at things realistically, the Cadillac project won't be started this year as I still have two major purchases before I allow myself to start (Carburetion and suspension) so it makes sense that I concentrate on (finally) finishing the Camaro.

It's still too cold to actually start doing anything physical so I may as well buy the bits in readiness.

Here's to hoping 2015 is more successful than 2014 . . . .

Cunning Plan · January 13, 2015, 03:03:43 PM

Quoting: Roadkill

It's still too cold to actually start doing anything physical so I may as well buy the bits in readiness.

Surprised, I did not think the cold would bother you?

Quoting: Roadkill

I think, looking at things realistically, the Cadillac project won't be started this year as I still have two major purchases before I allow myself to start (Carburetion and suspension) so it makes sense that I concentrate on (finally) finishing the Camaro.

Still impressive project management buddy, two major projects, plus other small projects you have completed whilst working on them and other usual commitments.

Roadkill · January 14, 2015, 04:19:50 AM

Quoting: Cunning Plan

Surprised, I did not think the cold would bother you?

Hmm. Yes and No.

If I'm motivated and enthusiastic then, no, the cold I can deal with . . .

Problem is, at the moment, I'm motivated but need to generate the required amount of enthusiasm - one without the other's no good in cold weather.

Add to that that I cracked a bone in my hand, just behind the knuckle in a couple of places late last month and the cold just antagonises it at the moment.

I lost the plot a bit in 2014 so am just gonna make sure I ease into it this year . . .

Ralph · January 14, 2015, 04:27:41 AM

Right!

MOT'd and Taxed last year but didn't go anywhere...

Surely this is the year of the Cammy!

I think you need to make a rolling jobs list, each forum post should be updated with the jobs listed and each one crossed off with each post.

Targets & deadlines man! That's what we need (we don't care what you need) haha

But honestly, if you need some labour to help get it done, don't hesitate to rally the troops and throw a spanner party. Would love to see this out and being enjoyed this year. Just re read the whole thread, get that timing sorted and have some fun!

From MK to most of the local meets there are no speed bumps ;)

Shout if you need a hand! Even if it's just so we stand there make tea and shout motivational quotes at you.

Roadkill · January 14, 2015, 04:51:41 AM

Hahahahaha.

O.K, then. The list (as I remember it) :

* Buy / Replace battery (purchase lined up for this month)
* ~~Buy /~~ install (exterior) battery kill switch ~~(purchase lined up for this month)~~
* Remove existing exhaust system (long story - I think I've explained ?)
* Measure up for new pipes / design new stubby pipes
* Buy / make remaining bits needed for exhaust (bends, straights & flanges)
* TiG together and install
* Fit Sensors to exhaust, run wiring inside of car
* install both controllers inside car in accessible position, wire up
* Remove D/S A-pillar cover, test fit new triple-pod pillar, test fit gauges
* Install 2 x A/F gauges, 1 x vac gauge to pods, run lines, install pillar
* Replace manual fuel pressure gauge under bonnet with take-off
* Install fuel pressure gauge in car, run lines to take-off and wire up
* Remove clutch pedal, mark up for cutting (it's never been right)
* cut/weld clutch pedal, paint and replace
* Remove rear harness points
* Design and make strengthened harness points
* Paint and replace
* Trim (and cap) bolts protruding on the underside of car (under seats)
* POR15 missed areas under wheel arches
* Front wheel liners (what to do) ???
* Repair hood (I'll need to have a strengthening plate made, too)
* Respray hood (got the paint already)
* Investigate gauges (some behave oddly)

That's all I can think of for now . . . . Oh, yeah -

* Time / tune
* MoT & Tax
* Try not to crash it !!

ianjpage · January 14, 2015, 11:53:05 AM

that's a fairly long list

But means more tinkering with cars time

Roadkill · January 14, 2015, 12:37:05 PM

It's not actually that bad . . . Not too much fabrication so that's a bonus !

ianjpage · January 14, 2015, 01:44:11 PM

Yeah very true just a fair bit of tinkering

Ralph · January 16, 2015, 02:55:36 AM

Woohoo!!

Excellent, that list isn't too bad actually. The last one may be the hardest part haha

There are a few bits on that list you can do once she's been smoked about a bit.

Got any pics of the damaged hod? Don't think I saw any posted?

Can see you and the Caddy about 8 or so minutes in to this!

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Roadkill · January 16, 2015, 10:19:33 AM

Quoting: Ralph

Got any pics of the damaged hod?

No, From the top it looks O.K (minor cracks) but there's a nasty crack underneath that'll need sorting.

Quoting: Ralph

Can see you and the Caddy about 8 or so minutes in to this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdbpuozrmg8

\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdbpuozrmg8

Roadkill's 1983 Chevy Z28 - (Work Starts on Page 5)

Roadkill

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Andy

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