Dorian's 1971 Ghia restoration blog

scotty timmerman · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 6:45 pm Post subject:

what push rod tubes are those? are you not running a thermostat and flaps in the fan shroud?
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DorianL · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 1:59 pm Post subject:

Pushrod tubes are man tons, I think? As for thermostat and flaps… I am quite sure I am not running that. Cool

Today was:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Wired a few more things… battery, gin, starter… I'm programming a flat curve to start and letting the mechanical advance do the work for me...

I hope to fire it up tomorrow - I give myself 50-50

DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:36 am Post subject:

Link

Well, I ran into my first snag-

I did manage to get the engine of the KG running this Sunday. It took most of the day, but we were taking it easy - having a BBQ at the same time and dodging some rain showers. This was supposed to be a celebratory event.

In the evening, I scooted the car around the driveway a little bit and I must say… the engine is VERY nice and well-rounded!

Anyway - I tried firing up the flat-four with the MSD 6AL-2 programmable and: nyet!

I checked everything and went through the troubleshooting procedure and found nothing until the final test: tapping together the MSD ignition wires (simulating the closing magnetic circuit.) When you do that, the MSD box's LED is supposed to blink… which it did. However it NEVER blinked with the distributor's magnetic pickup. (even when I switched polarity)

I hooked up a DMM to the distributor and, according to MSD, I was supposed to find: .500 I'm reading 1. with no variance as I spin the distributor. Note, I am not sure I am reading this correctly. (Does the turnover speed influence the quality of the signal?)

Here's the odd bit, when I tossed out the MSD altogether, it fired up immediately.

Stranger still: the engine builder test ran the engine with his MSD6 box!

DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:19 am Post subject:

http://www.pertronix.com/support/tips/pdf/msd6series.pdf

I think I found the solution: use MSD white wire, etc.

setser · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:21 am Post subject:

Amazing! I just finished reading the entire thread from start to finish. Incredible work, I can't wait to see the end result which shouldn't be too much longer at the pace your work. Keep up the good work!

DorianL · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 12:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks Chief Cool

I signed up for a classic car rally on Sept 20. So it MUST be mostly finished by then.

and… Welcome to the board Cool

mountainkowboy · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:07 pm Post subject:

Nice....and your back-up lights didn't work..... Laughing

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78 Honda CB750K
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kiwighia68 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 3:24 pm Post subject:

DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 5:55 am Post subject:

Well, yesterday I took the car for its first round the block times two.

I was a strange feeling bolting on a license plate and taking it for a casual tour. (I still gotta figure out a way to install a license plate on a blade bumper - technically I should be running around without a front plate.)

I've rev limited Pat's engine to 4000 and am taking it easy. I love the Classic Instruments gauges. Good build quality. Good instructions… The look sharp and behave well. Added 400 meters to the odometer

The suspension feels fine and comfortable - but clearly it needs front alignment done. It feels awkward

I also HATE my steering wheel. It's too big.

As for the stock shifter - it's going out too. The stamped steel (possibly worn) just gives a crummy feel to changing gears.

There's a lot of rattling going on for the moment, but I suspect that will go away once the weather seals are in the doors.

I am VERY happy with the keyless entry and push-button start. It works very well. I have yet to connect it to the tach for a one-touch start, but for the moment: it rocks!

CiderGuy · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:39 am Post subject:

So let me ask you this. How long did it take for the smile to get off your face after you drove the car around the block?

c21darrel · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:01 pm Post subject:

DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:45 pm Post subject:

Now there's an idea… mount to the mount rather than to the bumper…

And yip it was a fun short drive Very Happy

Problem here fixed…

Formerly

DorianL · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:08 pm Post subject:

In goes the mirror and dome light - had I the dome light before hand, I wouldn't have had to spend an hour carefully grinding so it'll fit.

The headliner needs some "ironing" but I'll do that once the aluminum trim is screwed in pinning it down.

I still need to install the visor clips and the visors… but I need longer screws.

Tomorrow I may attempt to put in the dash wood grain - that will be a big step.

First, I trimmed the edges with a dremel. I did this until the face of the woodgrain was not lifting away from the door. The door snaps into the partially formed woodgrain.

Sprayed glue on both side and let set up.

Using a heat gun I slowly worked my way around. heating till the plastic would shine a bit and buckle. Then I quickly pressed the edges down with a cloth. I din't really need to add glue. I found that fewer cuts were needed than I expected. I certainly could have gotten away with only a couple cuts at each corner. Use a little less heat as well.

I wasn't expecting a perfect job, but this is quite reasonable.

I might tweak a bit tomorrow - maybe.

I also wasn't at all happy with the stock shifter - it was adequate, but I am building this to be a daily driver for Da Missus - I suspect she might not have the patience for a1970s stock shifter slightly worn. Expensive - but if the car is pleasant to drive and see lots of miles: worth it! I won't be buying another.

kiwighia68 · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:31 pm Post subject:

Welcome back, Dorian. I trust you had a good break. (Bet you couldn't wait to get back to your car!)

I read somewhere that the woodgrain dash was standard on my car and your car is the first where I've seen someone applying it. Where did you buy that stuff? And while I'm pestering you with my questions, where do buy the rain-tray you showed some time ago?
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Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015

DorianL · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:55 am Post subject:

License plate went on easily enough. I ran with the idea of using the brackets rather than drilling the bumper. The plate is discrete,
-the way I wanted it to be.

I used ikea brackets - the ones that yer supposed to use on the back of your furniture to keep it from tipping over. You know, the ones nobody uses Wink

The wife never believed that they'd come on handy one day.

Doctor Kiwi, the woodgrain face is from CIP1 as is the dash pad. They were very quick and the quality seems very good for both.

The rain tray and hoses are used. I got it from Alex. Great guy. A vendor on this board - Florida. I usually go through him when I need stick quality parts (such as door locks), hard to find parts, etc. I think he goes under the pen: Karmann1st

DorianL · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:03 am Post subject:

And yes, rubber seals go in soon. Wink

DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:27 am Post subject:

Nothing better than working on the KG listening to Liszt, La Campanella…

Roughly cut and trimmed to fit - held in place with clips.

Glue!

Carefully pressed back in place with clips again…

Assembling the Retrosound radio.

In it goes…

To cut out the holes, I simply ran the razor on the edge of the steel.

I am reasonably happy with the results. I probably will see if I can "tighten" things up with a heat gun. Particularly around the glove box.

Work harder!

(note: the dash pad is on there for looks only - I still need to trim it and add the component tweeters - I have yet to come up with a good place for the microphone. Washer button missing from dash.)

I'll probably line the back of the glove box door with felt or other.

c21darrel · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:51 am Post subject:

Serious progress, cheers!
I am a big fan in your steering wheel and shifter choice! Did I miss info on the steering wheel? How is the feel on the Berg shifter? Berg shifter... something Im starting to feel the NEED for.
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DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:31 am Post subject:

The steering wheel will soon be replaced by a similar but smaller diameter Nardi Classico. I'm not too happy with the horn button. And I find the diameter uncomfortably big - doesn't feel too sporty - doesn't match the car.

http://www.nardi-personal.com/index.php?option=com...rettyPhoto

The Gene Berg feels very solid and shift very smoothly. I like it a lot - though I have yet to use fourth gear. I probably won't until I get the from geometry done - it handles a bit awkwardly for the moment. Tough to get a feel of the handling until that is done

kiwighia68 · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:45 pm Post subject:

Ah, Dorian, to the music.

I have the Beethoven Piano Concertos on my iPod. Fills my garage with the class and quality a German car like our Ghias deserves.

Thanks for posting those woodgrain dash photos. I'm going to get there one day. I think. But not soon.
_________________
Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015


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