Interior Done!
It has been more than six months since we pulled the GT out of the garage, lit up the 302, and took it for its first test drive. But much more needed to be done. The interior is finally done.
The remote oil filter, the speedometer sensor, and a few other items had not been tested since our first test drive. Our February test drive came to a rather abrupt end when a coolant hose slipped off and dumped the anti freeze on the driveway. I suspect a hose clamp was not tightened, but regardless we decided to double clamp all the coolant hoses under the car, just like the through hulls on a boat.
The interior is finally completed. Time to make sure the dang thing still runs.
Ryan poured five gallons of fuel into the starboard tank. The starter button was pushed with the ignition off so the engine would turn over without firing to get the oil moving. (I really like being able to do that). After a few moments we noted we had oil pressure, so presumably we hooked up the remote oil filter correctly. The right fuel pump was turned on. It took about thirty seconds to get a prime and show two and a half pounds of pressure on the fuel pressure gauge. So we were ready to go.
The car was rolled out of the garage. Ignition on. Pushed the starter button. Not more than five seconds of cranking and varoooooom! That thing fired off. It lit up so quickly it caught me off guard. I could not see the tach, since I was along side manipulating the pedals. Ryan said it zipped right up to 5000 RPM before I realized what was happening and let it settle down. Within about two minutes it was idling smoothly at 750 RPM. The oil pressure was solid and the water temperature gradually came up to about 175 degrees.
We hopped in and took the chassis for a ride. The speedometer works! Going down the street in our subdivision it was reading 30 to 40 MPH. I am sure we were not going that fast, so adjustment of those pesky DIP switches on the back side will be needed, but the needle was steady and constant. So the pick up located on the front wheel should work well.
The carbs need some adjustment, but for reasons I can’t explain they seem to be running better than in February; a bit less backfires and spitting from the carbs. The warm and humid air perhaps???? There is a small leak at the thermostat which needs to be addressed as well.
With a chassis that is pretty much done, interior that is insulated and carpeted, electrical systems that work, it is time to get that body on, get it licensed, and head to Run and Gun.