My '72 Grabber build thread

Had a pretty good weekend on the car. I got the bellhousing repaired with a heli-coil in one of the starter bolt holes. The T5 adapter plate is installed on the bell and the trans needed a very small relief made in one of the lower ears to clear a bolt that holds the adapter plate on. I had to change the input bearing retainer again for one that had been machined to fit the adapter plate. I got the flywheel on the motor with ARP bolts and then discovered that I had the wrong pilot bushing installed in the crank end. I had to remove the old one and install the correct one. Then the clutch was mounted to the flywheel. I ran into a snag however when I installed hte bellhousing. I discovered that the clutch fork I have is not going to work. It's too long and interferes with the headers and also puts the clutch rod at a real bad angle. I also have the wrong bushings for the z-bar. Hopefully today I can get that all straightened out so I can finally put the trans in the car. I also worked on the seat tracks for teh buckets seats last night. My original plan to use flat stock to mount the seats to the tracks is not going to work so it's off to plan-B. I think my next idea is going to work. Re-keyed ignition cylinder is back in the car. I dropped off the glove box lock and console lid lock to be re-keyed.

Here are some pictures:
http://robbinsvillehotrods.com/simplemachinesforum/MGalleryItem.php?id=6028

http://robbinsvillehotrods.com/simplemachinesforum/MGalleryItem.php?id=6029

http://robbinsvillehotrods.com/simplemachinesforum/MGalleryItem.php?id=6030

http://robbinsvillehotrods.com/simplemachinesforum/MGalleryItem.php?id=6031

 

Got the trans in last night. I had to get a new clutch fork, clutch fork pivot, and the correct bushings for the z-bar pivots. Tonight I cut the hole on the tunnel for the shifter and I also built the trans crossmember.

 

Started the engine tonight. Here's the first video. Still have to do some tuning because it wasn't running too smooth. One problem is I can't see the timing pointer because my heater hose is in the way.

 

Awesome! June is just around the corner!

 

Two better video clips near the bottom of this page. Thanks Don!
http://robbinsvillehotrods.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=2809.165

 

Another milestone today. I drove the car out of the garage and around the driveway a few times. A couple of burnouts too! It sounds good with mufflers on it finally. I made the front of the exhaust with 3" pipe and mandrel bends and it came out great. The mufflers are magnaflows. I don't have any tailpipes yet.

 

Big moment, John

 

What's up everybody???

 

Hey John, see your enjoying the car, almost got some air with the launch. Love the color of the car, well love the entire car

 

It gets a little air on each launch. This video I was just tuning the suspension. I only pulled first gear and second gear. The last pass I was going to make a full pass but the clutch was slipping severely. I just got the clutch fixed and I also have a brand new set of slicks to try out. It made 508 to the rear wheels so it should be at low 11's. It went 11.42 before the dyno where I picked up almost 40 horsepower. And that was before any suspension tuning, it was spinning tires pretty bad.

 

Dang it John you didnt have to show me that video now I have got the itch again, I get just a little air but then I am running an auto without tranny brake, got tired of breaking things with a stick car. What clutch are you using ? I had the best luck with a Spec stage 2 clutch easy on the leg but takes a beating. It will be interesting to see what it does with slicks

 

I researched spec clutches and didn't like what I saw. I have a McLeod 3 finger with 4 puck ceramic disc. They just gave me some counter weight and a little more spring pressure. Sorry about giving you "the itch"!