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+--- Thread: The Lawn Dart (/showthread.php?tid=11284)
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 06-15-2017
Should be a pretty big day and a half coming up. The goal is to get front brakes on, mount the transmission to finally get it off the dolly, install the shifter or at least start it and figure out how I'm routing my transmission cooler lines. Might try and get the pedal and throttle cable setup if I can get a hand at some point. Leaving Sunday morning to spend some time with my parents so the timeline is going to be tight but at least I'll be able to get the old man to fire up the welder and get my firewall steering column mount setup.
Need to get it rolling ASAP so I can move it to the new garage. Also picked up a Miguiar's DA drill attachment along with their compound, polish and wax packs along with a pressure washer and foam cannon. Would really like to get the Challenger show ready and in the garage as well but that's a battle for a different day. At the very least the remainder of the plastidip should be gone by the end of the weekend hopefully.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Senor_Taylor - 06-15-2017
So wait, are you hanging onto the challenger then? Or are you just detailing it for sale.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 06-15-2017
Senor_Taylor Wrote:So wait, are you hanging onto the challenger then? Or are you just detailing it for sale.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Detailing it for the sale. It has a lot of really minor scratches on the rear bumper and some real light marks from an ice scraper on the hood. Figured this would be a good time to practice some real light buffing and polishing. Been itching to get rid of this thing really. I hardly drive it and it sucks paying insurance and property taxes on 3 relatively new cars.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 06-20-2017
![[Image: 19275140_10155431259951810_4185709981748...e=59D35BFD]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19275140_10155431259951810_4185709981748727251_n.jpg?oh=01081dcea036d4185336366f54173f38&oe=59D35BFD)
She's rolling on 4 wheels again after a long day Saturday and little bit of work last night. Now it's time to get this thing towed to the new place and find storage for all the shit I grabbed from my dad's place on father's day. Have the old front end and an extra bumper, hood and fender scrattered across the garage. Only big ticket items left are driveshaft, wiring, radiator and getting the brakes setup.
Re: The Lawn Dart - ScottyB - 06-20-2017
awwww yissss awesome to see it touching pavement. almost there dude.
Re: The Lawn Dart - *insertusernamehere* - 06-20-2017
I can help with anything except wiring. You're on your in there [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 06-20-2017
*insertusernamehere* Wrote:I can help with anything except wiring. You're on your in there [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]
Definitely will take you up on that. I need someone in the car when I install the steering column and pedal spacer.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 07-07-2017
Finally worked up the motivation to work on it again and it was a BITCH. Got the radiator and fan in by just mounting the fan directly on the radiator and offsetting it all the way to the driver's side. Had to cut into the shroud mounting surface to get the last bit of clearance I needed to clear the water pump pulley. Also had to wallow out both mounting holes up top, so that's strike number 4 for Champion... The hose looks pretty cool, it's a shame I couldn't get it to fit on the bottom too.
![[Image: 19875511_10155503018166810_7095601093473...e=59CBAA15]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19875511_10155503018166810_7095601093473745867_n.jpg?oh=4e1af233bbd68c6c938588b2a927a222&oe=59CBAA15)
![[Image: 19884187_10155503018196810_5585408119935...e=59D14304]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19884187_10155503018196810_5585408119935209143_n.jpg?oh=4daab692f7c3aafc3052f16541cfc539&oe=59D14304)
Got the shifter in place. Still need to hook up the cable and linkage on the transmission but it's a solid start. Have the throttle cable in place but it'll likely need to be cut down a bit. I was relieved to see it was long enough because the internet told my 2 feet but my pedal kit suggest 3 so I wasn't sure it was gonna work. Also mounted the transmission dipstick to my inner fender to make it easier to access and because it wasn't cooperating with the firewall at all.
![[Image: 19748586_10155503018281810_8964610733946...e=59CF145E]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19748586_10155503018281810_8964610733946789664_n.jpg?oh=62ab0fcf51b5c34c3088682d4bec5e17&oe=59CF145E)
![[Image: 19732224_10155503018226810_3727824258507...e=59C65447]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19732224_10155503018226810_3727824258507711380_n.jpg?oh=e97448843c44242c98c285f6bab7d6ad&oe=59C65447)
Got the steering column in. Broke a hole saw and had a cut-off wheel blow up in my face but my car is steering again. Hacked the shit out of firewall mount so I'm buying a replacement from Flaming River with a swivel mount already incorporated into it. My dad warped the ever living shit out of it when he welded it up anyways so it was no big loss even though I hated spending yet another $100 to fix a problem I had previously throw money at to fix.
![[Image: 19702301_10155503018411810_3727446692933...e=59CB9CF8]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19702301_10155503018411810_372744669293348960_n.jpg?oh=56946313663249a3e44fe30efefd3098&oe=59CB9CF8)
![[Image: 19875506_10155503018446810_6563025825074...e=59D10000]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19875506_10155503018446810_6563025825074204987_n.jpg?oh=dfeb2e1311d51ffa114c835a61a68a2a&oe=59D10000)
Problem #99: The driver's seat is wayyyy too high. My head is scrapping the ceiling and the steering wheel is between my knees. I'm torn between just buying a new driver's seat and using this one as a passenger seat or cutting/rewelding the bracket that's lifting it like 3 inches. I'd like to just buy a Recaro, find a way to mount it directly to some reinforced floor space and been done with it but I'm kinda fucked because there's already 4 gaping 1/2" holes in my floor for this bracket. Might just take the sledge and try to flatten out the bracket but that'd be too easy so it probably (definitely) won't work.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 07-10-2017
So think I've found the solution for the seat issue. Definitely going to move this thing over to the passenger side. Was looking at Sparco seats but didn't like the idea of fabricating my own brackets. As luck would have it Corbeau makes brackets for this car.
Think I'm going with the Evolution X:
![[Image: evo-x-02.jpg]](http://corbeau.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/e/v/evo-x-02.jpg)
or the Forza Sport
![[Image: forza-sport-01_1.jpg]](http://corbeau.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/o/forza-sport-01_1.jpg)
Both have some pretty thin seat bases. At $320/$400 they're not TOO bad especially considering they may save me from breaking my damn neck.
Found the freeze plug that should block-off my speedometer housing and found a lower steering column mount integrated into the firewall piece from Flaming River so I ordered that.
![[Image: fla-fr20101mpa_ml.jpg]](https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/mediumlarge/fla-fr20101mpa_ml.jpg)
Hopefully I should be good to move forward with those in place. The next BIG ticket issue is the pedal is still hitting the firewall. I can't really move the thing at this point so I think I'm going to have to cut into the firewall where its coming in and causing issues. This raises all kinds of issue because my headers, torsion bar and bellhousing are all with inches of what needs to be cut. Definitely not getting a 4" wheel in there most likely and definitely not going to be able to weld it back up from the outside. I suppose I could remove the pedal (again) and hammer the absolute shit out of it. I've already decided this shell is worthless to me and will be on the lookout for a replacement once it's rolling.
Once that's resolved I can get back to the shifter and then on to the brakes. Won't be long now...
Re: The Lawn Dart - Jake - 07-10-2017
How are you mounting the seat?
Everything I've seen has had some sort of floor pan adapter to adapt the stock bolt holes to a set of rails, which have zillions of holes. You then mount an L-bracket to the rails and the seat and boom, done. You can adjust for height and front/back "track" from there. A set of sliders would allow easy fore/aft adjustment at the expense of crash safety on track, but for street driving you'd be fine.
Not sure why the one seat you have is giving you so much trouble but wanted to hopefully help clarify.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 07-10-2017
Jake Wrote:How are you mounting the seat?
Everything I've seen has had some sort of floor pan adapter to adapt the stock bolt holes to a set of rails, which have zillions of holes. You then mount an L-bracket to the rails and the seat and boom, done. You can adjust for height and front/back "track" from there. A set of sliders would allow easy fore/aft adjustment at the expense of crash safety on track, but for street driving you'd be fine.
Not sure why the one seat you have is giving you so much trouble but wanted to hopefully help clarify.
The cheap Procar seat itself is fine. It sits on adapters as well that raise it up but on has 3 sets of holes for height. That would probably be fine but the seat itself has a pretty thick base. Like if I just sat the seat itself on the floor I'd probably be 6 inches off the ground at least. For most people it still works because they're not over 6 feet tall and it's comfortable. The Evolution claims to have a 2.5" thick seat base so that'll give me close to 4 inches of head room since I'm kind of sitting down into the seat rather than on top of a huge cushion. Gonna need it since there's no way I'd be able to wear a helmet without at least another 2" of room.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 07-10-2017
![[Image: 86esoNQ.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/86esoNQ.jpg)
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 07-11-2017
After carefully re-reading the instructions and spending a lot of time in the car, both the pedal and shifter have to be moved. The pedal simply stated it had to be "parallel" with the floor so I did that and slapped it in the middle of the toe board. What they really meant was that it should be flush with where the toe board and floor board meet and the bracket should be 3/4" above that. This sucks because now that means I'll have to put another big gaping hole in the floor pan. Was pretty much impossible to really mock-up well without cutting out the main section but I know where it needs to go now.
The shifter isn't as big of a deal. It just needs to come forward 2 inches or so. The instructions stated to place it 3 inches from the front mounting hole. I figured they meant the hole in the front where the cable is mounted. What they meant was the front floor mount. You'd think companies would invest a little time and money in making their instructions unambiguous... or maybe I'm just bad at this haha.
At least the new steering column firewall mount looks good, especially compared to what my stock one ended up like. Note to self: leave shit to the professionals when at all possible. Only reason I didn't buy this from the start is the column is 1.75" while the swivel on this is 2". Thinking I can fix that with an O-ring or something like a thrust washer. It's not super structural as the upper mount should be holding it in place once I figure out how I'm going to mount it.
![[Image: 19894590_10155517517396810_4408937666800...e=59D10E33]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19894590_10155517517396810_4408937666800119386_n.jpg?oh=f1d7c107952821eb32f5277d822c1147&oe=59D10E33)
Grill looks good though and the hardware kit for it was on point.
![[Image: 19959026_10155517517441810_5107359570222...e=5A0E984D]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19959026_10155517517441810_5107359570222970289_n.jpg?oh=1c40d69283aba4090395617dde33cfc7&oe=5A0E984D)
Once the steering, shifter and pedal are all un-fucked I can move on to the brakes and then it's just wiring keeping me grounded.
itsHappening.gif
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 07-19-2017
Just been too damn hot to get in the garage to get any good progress done. Got the hardware for the shocks and got them installed along with the calipers. Had to hammer the pads to fit which seemed a bit barbaric but this is 1970s technology. People just don't know what they're missing out on.
Decided to just ship this thing off to a local shop to let them deal with the major headaches left once I've taken out some of the easier stuff remaining. Their rate is only $55/hr which is pretty reasonable I think and I have some money laying around from selling the Challenger (RIP). Mostly routing/installing the shifter cable. Picked up a longer one and will have them route it under the transmission to completely avoid the headers. Gonna see if they'll fabricate a bracket for the shifter to make it easier to move forward since the transmission crossmember will be in the way of just drilling new holes in the floor. Will have them wire up the motor as well and button up the brakes.
So the remaining to do list is:
-move the rear back to the front spring perch hole
-measure for/order the driveshaft
-re-install my gas pedal further down the toe board
-trim the throttle cable
-install brake hoses
-trim and install my super ghetto instrument panel
-install my universal ignition switch to said panel or dash
-go around and tighten all the things I've left loose like the pitman arm, trans mount and starter.
Hopefully they'll have some ideas for the upper steering column mount and an alternative for where to get a good driveshaft since the place I want to go through has a 4 week turnaround on most orders. Would suck to wait a month for the last piece of the puzzle. Have to chase down a boost leak on the Ralliart this weekend but hopefully I'll be about to knock most of this stuff out and give the shop a call on Monday.
Re: The Lawn Dart - *insertusernamehere* - 07-19-2017
The list continues! I gotta bring your torque wrench back, let me know when you're doing work!
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Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 07-20-2017
*insertusernamehere* Wrote:The list continues! I gotta bring your torque wrench back, let me know when you're doing work!
Sent from my FRD-L04 using Tapatalk
I'll need that this weekend. Probably going to try and get in the garage a lot this weekend since I'm off Friday. Anytime Saturday would be cool.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 07-25-2017
I wanted to be calling the shop this week to send this thing off to have the ignition wired up for some shake down runs but I've just ran into too many issues. Been spending too much time at the neighbors pool on the weekends being a fat ass too. Been chasing a boost leak on the daily driver and think I have it pinpointed. Just going to throw some T bolt clamps on it and hope for the best. If that fails I've built a boost leak tester and bought a power inflater to pressurize the system in the driveway in case this happens again. They have such a small range on them and apparently HPS sucks ass at measuring because the 2 1/4" clamp I bought was too big for my 2.5" intercooler inlet. Didn't realize my turbo outlet was 2" either so now I get to wait for a second Amazon shipment before trying again.
Looked at my list of shit to do and then used that to make a list of blockers. Not having a bench or vise was keeping me from bleeding the master cylinder and making my transmission cooler lines, so I made a trip to Lowers. I need to raise the rear to shift the rear end back but my jack is too short. Searched far and wide for a better jack that wasn't going to be $500 but didn't find much. While at Lowes I saw some solid cinder blocks that looked the perfect size to set my jack on to get an extra couple inches. Much safer than my original plan of picking up a 4x4 and making "extensions". It's just to get jack stands under it so I definitely will not be trusting anything with my life here.
My headlight retainers came in but they didn't fit and I'll be honest I lost my shit here. Took a few moments and just decided to build my workbench, mount the vise, organize my giant box of mystery fasteners and call it a night. Started my refund for the rings and found a replacement that should work. These ones actually stated they were for 7" A body headlights and not just "all" Mopars.
![[Image: 20257993_10155570283446810_1063098528753...e=59EA9ABF]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20257993_10155570283446810_106309852875361982_n.jpg?oh=0e28011b3c1c9afdcebc3a7e392e3780&oe=59EA9ABF)
![[Image: 20292846_10155570283496810_2164958312610...e=5A08D249]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20292846_10155570283496810_2164958312610001559_n.jpg?oh=3b204663f86e5926299e3a200b18d60b&oe=5A08D249)
The night went pretty smooth after that minus a large scale invasion of insects from the neighborhood. Gonna have to find a way to control that because nighttime is about the only time the garage isn't in the triple digits but my lights attract everything withing a square mile.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 08-01-2017
Been chipping away at the to-do list. I've only ran into a few issues surprisingly.
-Transmission cooling lines are made and hooked up.
-Found and installed the right headlight retainers.
-Got my hardware bin organized and most of the bolts have been tagged and bagged for eBay.
-Tore into the wiring kit just to see what I could get away with and it's surprisingly simple. I plan on doing most of the routing and leaving any of the confusing stuff to the shop.
![[Image: 20431683_10155591814066810_4051325918601...e=5A045D8F]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20431683_10155591814066810_4051325918601675561_n.jpg?oh=f9ef99754f0c1a065b7f417043b0271e&oe=5A045D8F)
![[Image: 20479874_10155591813781810_7121726663079...e=59F1FD07]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20479874_10155591813781810_7121726663079691991_n.jpg?oh=d46b94ceefed005cb41f6456769089f2&oe=59F1FD07)
![[Image: 20476283_10155592176026810_4651912264632...e=59FD861E]](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20476283_10155592176026810_4651912264632434741_n.jpg?oh=b51736710d56425fe97746631613bc4d&oe=59FD861E)
Now for the issues:
-my master cylinder is just not playing well with my brake booster. The depth correction plug that's supposed to make it play well with brake boosters takes out too much depth. Even when I take out all of the adjustment on the booster, it's still too long and pressing in. I'll need a longer rod to ditch the plug or some kind of spacer to keep it. Not sure which I'm gonna go with yet.
-Had to drop $160 on a right angle impact drive because there was no way to drive the fasteners for the transmission line clips. I should have installed those with the motor and front end out.
-I was about break my u-bolts loose on the rear to slide back onto the front hole of the spring perches when I though to myself "this Ford rear sure sits pretty far back on the car" and then I remembered my dad making a comment on the diff cover being really close to my gas tank. There are studs bracing the bearing caps that come out through the cover and they're pretty close. The rear is definitely staying put. Just going to measure for my driveshaft as is and hope for the best. Worse case scenario I'll have to dent my gas tank a bit.
So yeah, just gotta mount my instrument panel and ignition switch, finish the wiring I can do, figure out a solution for the brakes and order my driveshaft. Then she'll be ready to head out and get buttoned up
Re: The Lawn Dart - Deceus - 08-01-2017
Oh right and figure out how to un-fuck my gas pedal. Might throw some spacers on the top bolts to change the angle enough to get it off the firewall. It's not in too bad of a spot, I just need to get more range of motion out of it.
Re: The Lawn Dart - Senor_Taylor - 08-01-2017
I don't know about you, but dropping money on very useful tools never hurts me that much. Think about all of the times that impact drive will come in handy. That's an investment!