53 3100 - complete rebuild and upgrade . . . .

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

with the turbulence of water flow in the head and conductivity of water ... any difference caused by the stand-off should be negligible to not measurable. specially for the engine controller, it should really only be looking at weather it's a cold start or basically up to temp.

Good point. A little digging and ICT Billet makes this snazzy little deal . . . . I'll check it out before I tap a hole in my water pump!

Dan

[big_dan]

A little more progress. Feels like I spent a week under the dash; but now most of the switches and electrical are wired up, so time to shift to other details. Didn't 100% trust only having an electric oil pressure gage, so made a quick bracket out of some aluminum angle i had and added a mechanical under the dash. Filled in the back wall with carpet to try to keep the noise down and not look so raw, so should be able to start installing gages and seats pretty soon. Bleeding the clutch and brake are next - it won't be long now! More later-

Dan

[big_dan]

Getting closer every day -

Still tinkering along; cab is pretty much 100% wired. Dakota gages are installed, then spent an hour or so with a jumper installed to run the wipers and get them timed correctly. Small details, sure, but we'll be twisting that key soon enough!

More later -

Dan

[big_dan]

Getting closer! Tail section wiring is complete, clutch and brakes are bled, finished the alignment - we might be on the road this month!
Now on to prelube, then we'll slap the nose on.

More later - thanks for looking-

Dan

[youngrodder]

Looking really good Dan

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Looking really good Dan

Thanks! Still trying to get this rig finished ASAP, so somehow I got distracted not liking my shifter. The piece I had was a 14" bent shifter from a previous project. After sitting in the driver's seat making motor noises, i decided the bent shifter wouldn't do what i wanted - I needed a straight shifter 16" tall. Couldn't find one I liked anywhere, so grabbed a piece of 5/8 stainless rod, stepped over to the mill and made a shifter. A little different, sure, and wasted a day, but I like it. Progress!

More later -

Dan

[youngrodder]

I like it Dan. Very cool custom "speed part" you whipped up.

Marc

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

I like it Dan. Very cool custom "speed part" you whipped up.

Marc

Thanks! I did the math and I think it adds about 10 HP.

Dan

[nvrdone]

when will you start retailing them? I want the first so I can get the extra HP. LOL!

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

when will you start retailing them? I want the first so I can get the extra HP. LOL!

Took too long to make to retail! In all seriousness, more progress. TKX and 9in are full of fluid, battery box installed, finishing up the front clip wiring, fixed the old turn signal wiring, installed the Holley headlights, routed chassis ground; getting closer every day!

Shouldn't be long now - thanks for looking-

Dan

[big_dan]

So a big day today . . . All wiring is complete! Tested everything, no issues. Next will be programming the gages, then starting up soon! Finishing up the interior; not stock, of course, just looking to be presentable for a serious driver. Also added a main disconnect to the glove box (I'm adding storage behind the seat). Getting close - should be able to start it in a week or so. Thanks for looking-

Dan

[dsraven]

uh, you left your headights on.
nice work. it seems to be progressing pretty quick. wish I could say the same.
keep posting up those pics, love to see the progress.

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

uh, you left your headights on.
nice work. it seems to be progressing pretty quick. wish I could say the same.
keep posting up those pics, love to see the progress.

Thanks! Sure does seem to slow way down with all the little details. But, shouldn't be long now.

One oddity I've encountered was the Wilwood caliper fittings (1/8NPT to AN3). All 4 leaked and had to replace them with regular steel fittings. Went through 3 brake pressure switches before I got a unit that didn't leak also.

More later-

Dan

[big_dan]

Finished buttoning up the interior-again, nothing fancy, just a decent driver (I hope!).

The list is fairly short now; doors, running boards, a few little details - and start!

Hoping next week. More later-

Dan

[big_dan]

Almost ready ...... not much left now. Have to step away for a few days for work, but wanted to at least make a little more headway, so hung the doors and played with the running boards. All that to say - this dude should run next week!

Thanks for looking-

Dan

[youngrodder]

Your kind of a tease Dan. Fire that thing off all ready.

Marc

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Your kind of a tease Dan. Fire that thing off all ready.

Marc

Man I'm trying to get there! So many little odds and ends pre- startup to wrap up it gets hectic, as we all know. Thanks for looking-

Dan

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by big_dan

Man I'm trying to get there! So many little odds and ends pre- startup to wrap up it gets hectic, as we all know. Thanks for looking-

Dan

I know, I'm only messin with ya...
Good luck

Marc

[big_dan]

It's alive! Finally was able to get it running and take a spin or two around the block. A few items to fine tune, and a few to point out for future reference.

WINS -
1) Pro-Flo EFI was simple to install, and once ready, fired right up no issues. Seems to improve every trip around the block.
2) Dakota Digital - best installation manual I've ever seen. I'll use them again for sure.
3) Exhaust cutouts are an awesome idea. Now when the idiot neighbor races around all night with his little 2-stroke dirtbike, I can respond with real noise. Mature? Probably not, but I definitely don't care.

"Fine tuning" issues -
1) Had a rear caliper dragging, that appeared to be a shim issue. Word to the wise; get a temp gun and shoot everything on the first few trips.
2) One of the rear fenders rubbed slightly. To be expected with 305's; minor adjustment solved it.
3) Fender strut rods - I haven't planned on using them, but I'm re-thinking that decision. Lots of movement on the nose on rougher streets.

A few "FYI's" that may help others -
1) Dakota Digital gages and the Edelbrock Pro-Flo ECU don't like to talk to each other for the tach signal. After talking to Dakota, I ordered their BIM module and that should solve it.
2) Do the math on master cylinder bore size. I bought mine off of recommendations when I picked up my brakes and used an 1-1/8 bore; has a soft pedal I don't like. Stops fine, but Wilwood recommends a 1" bore, so we'll try that.
3) Spring rates. The 500# front springs with the Scott's kit are a little firm for my liking.
4) Customer service. Dakota Digital - outstanding. Wilwood tech line - outstanding. Edelbrock - not so much. Their standard reply was "what does the book say."

More later - Thanks for looking -

Dan

[youngrodder]

Well done Dan. How exciting. The first few test drives usually revival some sounds you were not anticipating. Part of the process. Good tip on the heat temp gun . Never thought of that.

Marc

[Rickysnickers]

Nicely done!!

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Well done Dan. How exciting. The first few test drives usually revival some sounds you were not anticipating. Part of the process. Good tip on the heat temp gun . Never thought of that.

Marc

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Nicely done!!

Thanks gents! There weren't many surprises, so that's good. And yes,
I shoot everything with a temp gun initially just to make sure. Making a few adjustments to get it dialed in before some serious miles start ticking off. Waiting on lighter springs and a few other tidbits. More later-

Thanks for looking-
Dan

[6DoF]

that looks freakin amazing on the ground!

[57FleetsideC4]

Looks very nice!! Love the stance!! Steve

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

that looks freakin amazing on the ground!

Originally Posted by 57FleetsideC4

Looks very nice!! Love the stance!! Steve

Thanks! It's relieving to finally have it on the ground! Module showed up from Dakota Digital to correct the tach issue, so all gages work now. 400# (instead of the 500# i had) springs on the way, so that should resolve the rough ride issue. More later-

Dan