Paul Masson's 71 Grabber

Mine does still make a bit of a mess, as it leaks a little at the corners where the legs attach. It's manageable though. That's why I mentioned sealing your lower corners before you put the bottom part together, when I was up at your place a few weeks ago.

 

Got my new 19 gallon tank and straps installed, along with my leaf springs from Laurel Mountain Mustang. After that, I was able to reinstall the valance and guards, and my rear bumper. It's FINALLY starting to 'look' like a car again! It was quick, clean work that will hopefully give me the motivation to get more done.

 

Looks nice Paul!

 

I also just realized, Blugene did not post on the 2nd year anniversary (March 6) of this thread... tisk, tisk! Hopefully I'm still not working on this thread a year from now!

 

Thanks Greg!

 

Looking great Paul, ................Blu is slacking!

 

Looking good Paul, Blu isn't the only one slackin' But my excuse is... The durn COLD!

 

Looks great! I've also got a 19 gallon tank up in the rafters. Glad to see yours went in easily.

 

Thanks guys! The 19 gallon tank worked good. No issues with clearing the valance at all. Of course, there is a little tank sticking out below the valance, but the inside of this one is new and shiny, so that's all that matters to me at this point. I do have the POR-15 US-Standard Tank Sealant to use on the 71 tank when time permits, but the new-in-box method worked better for me right now. Stainless steel 3/8" sending unit for 75+ installed also.

 

Paul,
Almost there. Not far now.

Love the look of the survivor Grabber. Even down to that original muffler. It brings back memories of when mine rusted loose at the front, broke off and jacked my car in the air when it wedged in a pot hole. I left the muffler in my high school parking lot.

Micah

 

Thanks Micah! I plan on leaving pole-vaulting to the Olympics! I'm certainly not building a show car, but I'm looking forward to sporting the original paint for a while. Your build has provided me we lots of motivation, to say the least!

 

Well, I started rebuilding my heater box. Did an air test on the new heater core, and there are no leaks. Got my metal doors and pieces inside all painted and glued the foam gasket pieces to them on the inside. Got the two halves of the heater box put back together.

When I opened the boxes for my new blower motor and blower wheel, I got a surprise. The blower motor that I ordered apparently was of the "vented" variety, and the blower wheel is metal, not plastic like the original. Has anyone had any luck or trouble with the metal blower wheel? I am worried that even with Loctite, the set-screw may loosen from holding the wheel on the shaft and cause problems down the road.

I also assume that the vented blower motor won't be a good idea for use on the Maverick, due to it's somewhat 'exterior' location. Looks like I'll have to order another one and put the heater box on the back-burner.

 

My metal blower wheel never came loose in the many years I had it so I wouldn't worry about that so much, but you can loctite the set screw if you're worried about it. You might have a legitimate concern with the vented blower motor.

 

Paul,
Was your original one history? Those things last pretty long and with such low miles on your car, I'm surprised it is dead.

Micah

 

It was noisy when it was running at full speed. I'm not sure if all the moisture getting down inside the heater box from the cowl leak messed it up or not. Also, it was covered in undercoating. Basically it was easier for me to buy a new one and throw it on instead of spending time trying to clean, restore and paint the old one. The plastic wheel is in excellent shape, so I'm really not sure if I'll swap it out for the aftermarket metal one or not.