A Racing Dog

problem child

Originally uploaded by Dave Stevens

Or in this case you gotta separate them. Not only is the rear rotor seized on the hub, the lower bolt won’t come out. Good thing I’ve got a press. Note the oil dry and how much of the PB Blaster it’s absorbed so far. Nearly one can just in that corner. I’ll pull the stock exhaust this weekend. Perhaps the engine but I’m challenged for space until I can get the old water softener out, scrap or sell the two shifter karts I still have and rearrange the shelving in the shop. And so much oil dry is down under the car it’s starting to look like a kitty litter box. I was going to wait until I got it stripped before I started the prep and blasting. Now perhaps not. We’ll see how it sorts out.

stripped parts 1

Originally uploaded by Dave Stevens

Part of dealing with a build is that you have to do something with the parts that come off the car. Some you use again, some you modify, some you scrap, some you throw away. This is the use again pile. It’s relegated to the backyard because it’s just too damn crowded in the shop. We’re stripped to the tub. The hydraulic equipment for the bender has been delayed. On of the eBay sellers doesn’t stock them but he doesn’t mention that in the listing. Expects a three week delay. I could have gone to my regular guys at Medford or Van Sant and paid more and had them ship right away. Now comes the pain in the ass part of getting my money back and then ordering from a known source. I’ve gotten some response and looks like I’ll be doing some bending projects for some of the locals. But this delays me another week for those projects and the cage.

Most of the suspension has come off. The left rear is seized in a couple of places and may need to have some things cut off. I finished the steering rack mod, which is basically plugging two holes. While I wait (still) for the tooling I’ll start on the suspension refurb. Strip it to the metal, refinish, new hardware though this time around I don’t think I’ll do the bushings. They’re spendy little fuckers. Same with the 99 shock hat and Fat Cat kit. The goal is to get as much time as possible this season, then attack next season with the aim of being competitive.

front clip 1

Originally uploaded by Dave Stevens

The engine is about ready for removal. I’m waiting on the hydraulic parts to arrive to refit the bender. Still plenty to do while waiting. The suspension is next to come out. The entire brake and clutch system, less the hard lines will be replaced. We’ll see how much of the engine to do this time out. At least some seals and gaskets. With fresh hardware it won’t be too difficult to R&R the drive train. One thing I found different than the larger American cars are the density and compactness of the components in the car. They can pack a lot of stuff in a small area.

tub 1

Originally uploaded by Dave Stevens

I should have listened to Sammy when he told me to build a 99, if nothing else because they are newer and cleaner. But I still wouldn’t have a donor. Though I got the car almost a month ago, I’ve been stalking CL. Nothing of interest has come up in the 99 category. This wasn’t a bad deal ,but it’s a little more hammered than I’d like. I’m going t strip it down to the bare tub and go from there. No way I’ll make the opening round. I’ll be lucky at this point if I get half a season in. No problem, I can race the local IMCA dirt series here. NASCAR and the Bullring are soliciting me to re up for this season but I’m not down with that. I’d rather not race a full season this year and build the Miata than patronize the Bullring. Plus there is always iRacing but that’s not substitute for real racing.

Interior Gut 1

Originally uploaded by Dave Stevens

The interior is gutted. Still need to remove a bit of the deadening. I may remove the entire harness, strip out the air bag wiring and remove the pedals and steering assembly then reinstall after the cage. I’m going to soda blast the car prior to paint. It’s cheaper for me to do it than send it out, by several hundred dollars. Soda isn’t as nasty as ALOX and is better than me taking a wire wheel to the car.

bends 1

Originally uploaded by Dave Stevens

At least I got something done before the bender broke loose.

bender 1

Originally uploaded by Dave Stevens

I put the bender back in the ground but the Redheads broke loose after a few bends. As I peel back the onion that is this build I should probably get a kit. But I’m more interested in getting an air over hydraulic conversion for the bender. Eventually I’d like to hang out a shingle and do some race fab on the side for others. There is plenty enough to do right now without putting in the cage.