RPM 1,232 Report post Posted September 16, 2015 . Caught my son wiping the chrome on the valve covers That is a mighty good sign! Another OCD guy :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 That was my goal from the start. In addition to teaching him some skills, I wanted him to work hard for something and appreciate it when he finished. Today's generation of kids seriously lack that quality IMHO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,146 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 Yeah ..but they can play the heck out of those video games .Seems like most of the kids you see these days have a cell phone grafted to their hands . It is a real pleasure to see a kid that can do something other than TEXT. You done good sir ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 Thanks I try hard. He has a brother 4 yrs younger and I am going to do the same project with him. I have another 69 Mach with a 351 w for him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted October 3, 2015 We finished restoration of the instrument cluster today. Checked all of the gauges, replaced bulbs, lenses, bezel, and circuit board. Took all of the metal housings apart, blasted, painted, and clear coated. Amazing transformation! 1 Ridge Runner reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsmach1 71 Report post Posted October 4, 2015 Every time I look at what some of these cars start as I am simply amazed, you and your son have done an incredible job! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted October 4, 2015 Thanks we appreciate the good feedback on all of our hard work. Maybe our sharing will inspire someone else who is not sure whether or not they should tackle a project like this. If we can do it anyone can as long as you have the determination and longevity to finish!!! I tell my wife it is "an up at dawn, mind numbing siege!!!" sometimes. But what else allows you to have this much fun and spend quality time with your son. Rick 1 RPM reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,232 Report post Posted October 5, 2015 Stellar work! I'd imagine you two could buy used instrument panels, refurb them and make a bundle of cash. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted October 5, 2015 Don't know if I have enough hair to pull out to refurbish a lot of these panels. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted October 26, 2015 Have not posted in a while. We have the motor and drive train all connected. Hope to start motor for first time in a couple of weeks after the exhaust is installed. I've attached a pic of the finished motor. In an additional note my son got great pleasure in putting on the old 1969 license plate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted December 7, 2015 Got the shifter and console installed today!!! Also put the lower dash in place. My son was practicing shifting the 5 speed!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted December 11, 2015 Got the new steering wheel installed. Turned out great!!! 1 Ridge Runner reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted January 21, 2016 We installed a flow master exhaust system and started the rebuilt engine for the first time. Broke the engine in for 20 minutes at about 2400 RPM and the goose bumps were a plenty. My son was so excited he could not stand still. We could not get over how nice a deep rich tone that 351W was making. Have not got it ready to move yet. Still got to bring the power brakes and power steering online before I can move it. But what an exciting and gut wrenching moment to hear that beauty purr for the first time!!! 3 SWPruett, Ridge Runner and Bossed reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,232 Report post Posted January 21, 2016 Congrats! Have you guys stopped smiling yet? Great memories. Car looks cherry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,146 Report post Posted January 21, 2016 That smile has to be a permanent thing by now . When i fired mine the first time i thought the walls were going to blow off the shop ,the headers were wide open .It was a little hard to hear after ..and i bet the neighbors didn't like it one bit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DRASTiK 22 Report post Posted January 21, 2016 Congrats! Now to begin the debugging stage - ugh.... I'm in that stage myself, and it's not my favorite part. You finally get the vehicle on the road, and take it for a drive, only to find some (hopefully just a few) little things that need to be tweaked, or adjusted, or some odd noise you need to track down, or some odd electrical issue. You two seem to have done an excellent job so far, so I'm sure there won't be too much 'backtracking' to do after you enjoy that first ride. There's already salt all over the roads, and the snow is coming tomorrow. Schools are closed today, and maybe they will be on Monday too. Sounds like a good time to fire up the heater, grab your son, and get the car road-worthy :-). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted January 21, 2016 Sounds like a plan!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bossed 10 Report post Posted January 22, 2016 We installed a flow master exhaust system and started the rebuilt engine for the first time. Broke the engine in for 20 minutes at about 2400 RPM and the goose bumps were a plenty. My son was so excited he could not stand still. We could not get over how nice a deep rich tone that 351W was making. Have not got it ready to move yet. Still got to bring the power brakes and power steering online before I can move it. But what an exciting and gut wrenching moment to hear that beauty purr for the first time!!! Gotta say, reading your words about firing the engine for the first time, and your sons excitement, took me back to a time when my Dad and I shared this triumphant occasion. I wasn't there physically, when you started that engine, but in a weird way, I was. Congratulations to you both for a job well done !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted January 22, 2016 Thanks for the kind words. It was amazing for both of us!!! Did not know what to expect. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raven R code 281 Report post Posted January 28, 2016 We finished restoration of the instrument cluster today. Checked all of the gauges, replaced bulbs, lenses, bezel, and circuit board. Took all of the metal housings apart, blasted, painted, and clear coated. Amazing transformation! Who did your plastic chrome? Looks great too! Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted February 8, 2016 Who did your plastic chrome? Looks great too! Dave The bezel and glass are new repops. All gauges are original. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobotMan 265 Report post Posted February 15, 2016 Had a snow day from school today. We got the front end all buttoned up. It's starting to take on a nice personality. 2 Ridge Runner and mach1cj reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,146 Report post Posted February 16, 2016 Here in Cali. we don't get snow days, soooo...we just ditched ! Looking good . 1 SWPruett reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grabber70Mach 108 Report post Posted February 16, 2016 You all have come a long way, it's looking great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,232 Report post Posted February 16, 2016 Very nice! Schools here were closed for the holiday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
