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My first Thing ('74)
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hobie16
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the tip on the pin. I beat mine like a rented mule and it still wouldn't move.
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waxhead
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Joined: January 19, 2004
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Location: Philly 'burbs
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 4:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hobie16 wrote:
Thanks for the tip on the pin. I beat mine like a rented mule and it still wouldn't move.


I heated it up until it was red hot, then ran cold water over it - I think by expanding it, then quickly cooling it to shrink it again, it freed it, and made it fairly easy to remove with a small drift.
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Mike B.
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Gas Cap
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking good....
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a problem setting the end play of the crankshaft/flywheel. I think the problem was the new main seal that I installed - it wasn't fully seated in the opening. Removed the flywheel and tapped the seal in further. This time I got the correct reading - approx .003"-.004".

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Got that sorted out and torqued the flywheel as best I could (supposed to be 253 ft-lbs).

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I had a problem fitting the engine to the transmission, when I realized I had the wrong pressure plate. The car had a swing axle transmission installed when I bought it, and the pressure plate had been changed to fit that. So, off to NAPA to buy a new pressure plate. It came as a kit - pressure plate, clutch disc, throwout bearing, roller bearing etc for $115.

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Mike B.
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I also tried to remove a few of the damaged head studs with this special tool I bought. They just sheared off, as I expected they would.

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I ground down what was left of the stud until it was flat:

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Used a punch to make an indentation as close to the center as possible:

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Started off with a small drill bit:

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I could have got this closer to the center, but once the initial hole was made, there was no going back. I tapped the hole with an 8mm bit, could have gone to 10mm but I think the remains of the old stud aren't going anywhere.

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Screwed in the new stud which I bought at Sears Hardware. I used red loctite to hold it in place. I think that should hold it(?)

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A few of the other studs look a little dodgy too, but I am going to bolt on the muffler and heat exchangers and see it the threads hold.
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2015 4:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've spent the last few months (on and off) trying to get the engine started but having no luck.

Took a break from that and found a few more parts for my 'military-look' Thing:

Euro-spec rear tail light units:

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A set of original Hella black-out lights:

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waxhead
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

With the help of my father-in-law, I put the body back on the chassis. Jacked it up and supported it with some wooden beams on cinder blocks, then rolled the chassis underneath. The fan shroud was getting in the way, so we rested the rear end on a trolley jack, removed the rear wheels and that gave us the clearance we needed.

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The back is sitting way too high - must adjust that again when everything is good to go.
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 8:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Got my top fitted. It's a used top that I found on the classifieds. I really wanted an olive green one and I think I got lucky finding this one. I don't think The Thing Shop sells the green tops anymore.

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Almost ready to roll. Having some problems getting it to idle smoothly. I am going to try adjusting the carb some more and if that doesn't work I am going to buy a new carb - tired of messing around with the old one. It might just be worn out.

I also installed adjustable spring plates at the rear - figured it would be easier to get the exact height that I wanted.
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:30 am    Post subject: It's ALIVE!! Reply with quote

SUCCESS!!! Very Happy

After weeks of frustration and pulling my hair out trying to get the car to run and idle, I finally solved the problem last night.

I had given the original carb one more cleaning, filed level the base, filed level the base of the manifold, tightened everything, but still no joy.

So I figured it must be the carb. Even though the car only has 40,000 miles, there was no way of knowing that the carb was original to the car, so I bought a new carb ($238!) and installed that. It ran better, but still not able to adjust idle Evil or Very Mad


I figured it must be something other than the carb, so I took out the distributor and put in a spare one I had lying around - it started right up and idled fairly well. Still need to tune it up but it's a relief to have that solved. The dizzy was one I had rebuilt and I must have done something wrong when I put it back together, even though it appeared to operate fine.

Took the car for a drive around the neighborhood late last night - drove fairly well considering all the work done. Still needs an alignment and some fine tuning, but I am STOKED! Will shoot some video this weekend.

Very Happy Very Happy
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:44 am    Post subject: Re: My first Thing ('74) Reply with quote

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Took advantage of the warm weather (for November!) and went for a drive. Car seems to run better the more I drive it. The fuel gauge even decided to start working!
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2017 9:38 am    Post subject: Re: My first Thing ('74) Reply with quote

Won 'People's Choice' award at local car show last weekend:

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Mike B.
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doublecanister
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PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2017 10:31 am    Post subject: Re: My first Thing ('74) Reply with quote

Applause
Congrat's on the People's choice!
enjoyed following your build
have fun with it
T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 7:30 pm    Post subject: Re: My first Thing ('74) Reply with quote

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Some recent shots of my '74
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Drtrash
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 7:04 pm    Post subject: Re: My first Thing ('74) Reply with quote

Dig the patina
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