Startin to work on the Clone Runner (it's PAINTED!)

[71Beeper]

Took another big step today.
With the help of my neighbor who has a truck, we were able to get the engine loaded onto the back of it....

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To take it....

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To the other garage where the car is.

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At least now it's in the same building as the car.

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Many Thanks to my neighbor Dan with help from Mike and Tony.

[71Beeper]

While waiting for ARP fasteners to come in, I ordered parts to make a torque strap.

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I ordered one of the heim ends with the wrong direction of threads, so I'm waiting got the proper one to come in.
Here's the fit-check.

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Then getting the K-member prepared.

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Now have the engine hover over it.

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Finally place it down and tighten all the fasteners.

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Next step - install flywheel and clutch and starter and headers.

[gary]

Nice Progress ! You can see the light at the end of the Tunnel .

[71Beeper]

Thanks Gary - yes it's getting closer to being ready to lift the car and slide the engine in.
Yesterday, I had the flywheel mounted to the back of the crank.

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I also put the break-in oil in and primed it.

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Then I got the new clutch out and ready to install.

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[71Beeper]

Next step is to get the clutch disk and pressure plate installed.

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Next, its time to attach the Dougs headers. First install the Rem Flex header gaskets.

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Then, put on the bling.

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Stupid me didn't realize that the passenger side header would not go on with the oil filter installed, so it had to come off & this AFTER I primed the oil and filled the oil filter....
Oh well, it wasn't too bad a mess to clean up.
Lastly was to do a fit-check on the bell housing.

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[71Beeper]

After getting all of the required fasteners for the bellhousing I was able to finally install it for good.

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I had to install studs to where the 4 speed is mounted to the bellhousing as the threads were buggered up in the aluminum bellhousing, so I had to wait for fully threaded bolts to come from McMaster Carr.

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and to finish off the install, make sure the starter is in.

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[71Beeper]

So tonight with the help of my assistant (Many Thanks Hugh) One big hurdle was cleared.
It started off by installing the lifting bar on the front of the car.

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Next, getting the hoist in place.

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Next step is lifting the body.

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Then do a fit-check to see if we have to go any higher.

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Then, maneuver the k-member to line up the mounting bolts.

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[71Beeper]

Then came the realization that the back end of the car will have to go up as the header collector was touching the underside of the floor pan.

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So now that the body was more level it was time to install the k-member bolts.

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And she finally has an engine in it!!!

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What a relief that was....

[gary]

I Really Like seeing the Progress !

[71Beeper]

Many Thanks Gary....

Not alot done after the engine and K-member install.
I did install the torsion bars and today I did install the Z-bar for the clutch.
I bought this kit some time ago.

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But then remembered that I had this kit too.

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So using the Mopar Performance kit, the Z-bar went in nicely.

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For the sharp eyed guys out there - yes the bar is slightly crooked as I have the back of the engine supported by a jack stand which is slightly higher than it should be.
Once the 4 speed is in, the bar should look more even.

[71Beeper]

In the meantime I got to work to get the front brakes on the car.
First is to cleanup and paint the calipers.
I sprayed them with some VHT caliper paint.

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[71Beeper]

Next is to clean-up the rotors and get them mounted.

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Then install the calipers and pads.

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[71Beeper]

Next is to install the front flex lines.
I bought the kit from fine lines. The rear one is already installed.
Now for the front ones.

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Now the really big job - getting the 4 speed ready to install.
First - mount the shifter adaptor.

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Now the shifter box.

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[71Beeper]

I wasn't sure how the reverse light wiring was to be routed - I assumed it went around the shifter box as shown in the last photo.
So I had a look in this book for a reference photo.

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Sure enough, there it is.

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Next, lets get the gearbox on the jack.

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And now lets get it under the car.

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[71Beeper]

Get the gearbox rolled into position. I decided to remove the shifter box at this point as it would be easier to install once the transmission was in place.

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Now bring up the height.

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Slide her in and do up the fasteners and she's in!
Mind you she did fight me the whole time.....

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So I go to put the shifter box back in place and uh-oh....Houston we have a problem...

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