Finished fussing and futzing with the electrical system today. In NASA
terminology, that's 'performed a pre-flight check'. Got all my ground straps
in and reinstalled the dash. With the dash rheostat and ignition switch
installed, the beast looks more like a car every hour.
Lubed up the rocker arms and pushrods, then plopped on the valve cover and
gasket. Found out I only got one acorn nut back from the platers--oh well.
Carefully poured in the first quart of oil and noticed an oil leak at the
back of the cover. A light coating of Permatex on the head side and the leak
went away. She's got five quarts in her now.
Gave the cooling system a drink and not a dribble. This was starting to make
me nervous. No shoes full of anti-freeze? No spreading pool of oil under the
car? Hmmmm.
I hooked up the battery. No bright flash and smell of ozone. In went the key
and I crossed my fingers turning it to the first position. The ammeter
jumped, but no smoke! I flipped the light switch up a notch. Got parking
lights. Up one more. No headlights. Gotta check that headlight relay in the
morning. One last thing to do. I made sure the coil wire was disconnected
and turned the key full over.
REE-REE-REE-REE!!!!!!!
That's baby's first words since 1985. She cranked and didn't catch on fire.
What a day! I'm so stoked!
Ahem, I mean, this is mission control proceeding with countdown.
Paul Bauman
Westminster, CA
67 1600
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