Magnet18's 1983 310

[Magnet18]

Something going on tonight so I couldn't get properly dirty after work. Wrapped up the last dashboard project for now. Changed all the switches to these and added 4 more, plus leveler warning and brake warning.

I intend to have the LEDs in the stalks come on with the headlights and the rest of the dash lights, but that's a project for later as I'll need to add a pwm circuit to dim them. They're wayyyyy too bright to have on at night.

[Keyair]

Me Likey!

[Magnet18]

Other than the horn I mentioned in the other thread, hooking up the stalks, labels, and whenever I get around to wiring in docking lights... It's done. No more need to go back there. I'm pretty stinking pleased with how it turned out.

Still need to re-do with real wood someday, but for now I think this is a massive improvement. Assuming it all works.

[Magnet18]

Stainless line showed up to replace the cheap steel brakes line I put on over the weekend

Mounted the steer tires, I like them a lot, side by side pic

[dadstoy]

Rob, what is your thoughts on the brightness of the lights you installed in the dash? Too bright? Just right? Not bright enough?

The dash looks great!

[Magnet18]

The indicators seem about right, if they end up being too bright for night driving I'll certainly be posting about it

Thanks!

[Magnet18]

Tube bending coming along well. Thanks Peter for the zip tie tip.

5/16 return is almost done. The flares on the factory cut ends were fine, but wherever I had cut the line myself they felt kinda rough to the touch. Even my 20/20 eyes aren't good enough to make out detail that small, so I broke out the macro lens, really glad I did. Looked like garbage.

Some research and I've learned you can't cut with a tubing cutter or the stainless work hardens. Makes sense. Saw a recommendation to cut with a 32tpi hacksaw - looks infinitely better after doing that.

Nothing like learning the hard way

[kidjedi]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

It's done. No more need to go back there. I'm pretty stinking pleased with how it turned out.

Still need to re-do with real wood someday, but for now I think this is a massive improvement. Assuming it all works.

I really do think you should stop referring to it as a "dash." It's obviously a cockpit (and very cool). Maybe you should replace the steering wheel and gas pedal with a yoke & throttle?

[kidjedi]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

Some research and I've learned you can't cut with a tubing cutter or the stainless work hardens. Makes sense. Saw a recommendation to cut with a 32tpi hacksaw - looks infinitely better after doing that.

That is some really good information. Thanks for posting.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by kidjedi

I really do think you should stop referring to it as a "dash." It's obviously a cockpit (and very cool). Maybe you should replace the steering wheel and gas pedal with a yoke & throttle?

Thank you!

[Magnet18]

So the original blue ox patriot is compatible with the honda fit but the patriot II and patriot 3 interfere with the floorplan design. Lots of angry people online.

I very carefully found a small site selling the original patriot, figured they had NOS on a shelf, selling for less than $1k.


I was very surprised when a patriot 3 showed up today. On the one hand they got my order wrong. On the other hand, I got the newest model for more than $500 off.

The patriot 3 is their answer to people complaining of destroyed brakes. It supposedly continually monitors and makes sure it isn't riding the brakes.

I figured what the heck and unboxed it. A couple minutes with a jigsaw, piece of cake.

[Magnet18]

Alright, one fitting short, shows up tomorrow, but the fuel lines are done.

Connections to the tank are about 1' of hose, then 3/8 hardlines to the fuel filter just in front of the rear wheel, a small bit of hose on each side (easily upgraded later) then one hardline allllll the way to the regulator mounted on the frame by the engine.

5/16 hardline to a union under the door, then back to the tank.

Hose from the regulator to the throttle body rail

Not show car quality but good enough to be functional I think

[Magnet18]

Tank done

[bkahler]

When I built my new Argosy tank I ran hard pipe to all fittings on top of the tank. I didn't want to have to deal with dropping the tank for a rubber hose issue.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by bkahler

When I built my new Argosy tank I ran hard pipe to all fittings on top of the tank. I didn't want to have to deal with dropping the tank for a rubber hose issue.

Thanks brad. That's certainly a better way to do it, the less rubber the better, and I'd like to make that upgrade down the road.

In the meantime, 1 I didn't have the fittings for it, and 2 my tubing bender gave up the ghost, so in the interest of starting this engine sometime in 2021 I made do

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

Thanks brad. That's certainly a better way to do it, the less rubber the better, and I'd like to make that upgrade down the road.

In the meantime, 1 I didn't have the fittings for it, and 2 my tubing bender gave up the ghost, so in the interest of starting this engine sometime in 2021 I made do

I used to have one of those one size fits all benders but about the time I started doing all the various lines on the Argosy I on went on ebay and started buying used industrial quality tubing benders for each size of pipe. Made a huge difference!

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by bkahler

I used to have one of those one size fits all benders but about the time I started doing all the various lines on the Argosy I on went on ebay and started buying used industrial quality tubing benders for each size of pipe. Made a huge difference!

Yep, I'll be getting me some of those next time!

Slow and steady today, resisting the urge to rush it on the important stuff. Exhaust headers back on, gaskets made and on the throttle body stack, fuel tank mostly in but realized I need to take a chunk out of the wooden cross piece to clear the old pickup hoses now that I turned it 180. And a couple hours cleaning up my messes.

So close I can taste it.

Tomorrow I need to

1. Flush the fuel lines with gas
2. Secure the fuel lines down
3. Install exhaust
4. Pray
5. Spark plug wires
6. Cross my fingers
7. Fill the tranny
8. Pray some more
9. 5 more gallons of clean gas
10. Knock on wood
11. Turn the key

Sweating bullets over here

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

Yep, I'll be getting me some of those next time!

Slow and steady today, resisting the urge to rush it on the important stuff. Exhaust headers back on, gaskets made and on the throttle body stack, fuel tank mostly in but realized I need to take a chunk out of the wooden cross piece to clear the old pickup hoses now that I turned it 180. And a couple hours cleaning up my messes.

So close I can taste it.

Tomorrow I need to

1. Flush the fuel lines with gas
2. Secure the fuel lines down
3. Install exhaust
4. Pray
5. Spark plug wires
6. Cross my fingers
7. Fill the tranny
8. Pray some more
9. 5 more gallons of clean gas
10. Knock on wood
11. Turn the key

Sweating bullets over here

12. check for leaks

13. retighten all rubber clamps after a full warm up run

14. check for leaks

15. find comfort in having a well equipped pit stop half way to
AZ

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by peterh-350le

12. Check for leaks

13. Retighten all rubber clamps after a full warm up run

14. Check for leaks

15. Find comfort in having a well equipped pit stop half way to
az

100%

[Magnet18]

Tank finally bolted in for good

Flushed 5 gallons of fuel through back into a can. Glad I did as I saw at least one stray piece of sawdust that would have otherwise ended up in an injector.

Confirmed they hydramat works, if any fuel was left in the tank it was about a quart.

Fuel system looks good. One tiny weep at the pressure regulator input I can't get to seal. Not a deal breaker, one drop every few minutes, can troubleshoot in parallel. Ordered replacement fittings and soft aluminum crush washers Everything else is dry as a bone