Rear spring perches welded in

After rechecking the pinion angle I tack welded the spring perches on the rearend in place and then took the rearend apart so I could flip it over to finish the welding. Got it all back together including the rear sway bar.
Got the gas tank out and painted the straps that hold it in place. Will put that in on the next warm day. Then I will run the fuel line to the front and hook it up to the fuel pump.

Engine and Transmission Install

My advisers arrived yesterday to help me install the engine and transmission.
Van Aldershof, Bob Ertzinger and Jim Luther came with smiling faces and tools in hand to direct the installation. We started with a small calamity when we saw there was no dowel pin in the rear crankshaft to align the flexplate. With a little scurrying around and some phone calls we found out from Tony Cetta that the dowel was for flywheels (when a clutch is used) and wasn't necessary for the flexplate. The flexplate went on nicely and then on to the torque converter. After putting some fluid in the converter it took three of us to finally get it seated on the transmission shaft. We found it wasn't seated the first time as we were putting the engine and tranny together and had to take it back apart. It finally fell in place with the familiar clunk and all went together nicely. When you have 4 people doing this job it goes a lot smoother. After it was set in the frame, Jim installed and torqued the flywheel to converter bolts. None of us were sure what the torque specs on these bolts were so they were torqued at 35 pounds. Jim later called me and said we should check this torque spec to make sure we were right. I found out it should be about 65 pounds according to the bolt maker ARP. Jim advised me to take them back out and reapply some loctite and retorque them to 65 pounds..
We then set in the driveline to make sure it was the correct length. Perfect. We checked the rear pinion angle on the rearend housing and it was very very close. Now I can weld the spring perches on the rearend housing.
All in all, it was a great day. It sure is nice to have knowledgeable friends
Thanks Van, Bob and Jim.

Rear Bumper Brackets Done

Got some half inch bolts today and put the bumper brackets on the rear of the frame. Gonna look good with a chrome bumper attached.
Most of the stuff for the motor/tranny hookup came today. Was like Christmas. Should warm up next week for the attachment and drop in.
Finished winterizing outside today. Got to put the snow plow on the lawn tractor tomorrow.

Back to work, (Pun intended)

Back is feeling better so got all the necessary items ordered that will be needed to mate the tranny and engine. Most items are coming from Summit Racing. Looks like UPS will deliver them sometime tomorrow. I spent some time yesterday tapping out all the bolt holes in the block so it will be ready to go when it gets hooked up to the tranny
Meanwhile, Lyle Peterson gave me a set of rear bumper brackets to use. My goal for today was to make them look better. They were pretty rusty but with a grinder and sandblaster they cleaned up pretty good. They had a lot of rust pitting but ground most of that out. You can see the before and after in the picture. I just gave them a shot of primer and will paint them Gloss black later tonight. I'll get some half inch bolts tomorrow and see how they look on the frame.
If all goes well, the engine and tranny should be in the frame by next week.
Whoody Ha.
By the way, It tried to snow today. Didn't stick, but it's too soon for that stuff.

No Pain No Gain

Just after my last update I tweeked my back pulling a tree stump out of my yard. Lost some days in the garage. Ice packs and heat have helped. Should be as good as new in a couple more days.
Meanwhile, got my newly rebuild 700R4 transmission back today. Got to get the flywheel ordered and mate the tranny up to the engine.
maybe next week. It all depends on parts, weather and the back.

Things are better now

Since last update a lot has happened. After the window wipers, I built a cardboard mockup box to see how the Air Conditioning was going to fit in under the dash. Going to be tight but it will go. Next, I have been working on the seat risers to see if I want to put in the bucket seats I bought. Almost done with them.
Monday I went to Quincy with Van Aldershof and Jim Luther and ordered a 700R4 transmission Fron Gene Horton. It should be done Friday or next Monday.
Got a call from Cliff Couch on Monday afternoon and he said he had the new engine built. Yesterday Bob Ertzinger and Tony Cetta went with me to pick it up. Got a nice set of valve covers from Tony to dress it up. Cliff filled it up with oil and zinc additive and prelubed the oil system. Got a good 60 lbs pressure. He put in a mild cam, so it should sound very good.
I'll finish the seats this week and if the weather doesn't get too cold, I'll join the transmission and engine and possibly set them in.
The old F1 is gonna look good with a new heart.