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Got started on some steering action today. 3/4" round stock, ground one end down to slide in the hhr steering knuckle, and welded a peice of square tubing onto the other end and drilled a hole to mount into the camaro shaft. I've got to make a bracket for the Heim joint to keep it from wobbling. Was able to fully turn both ways, so hopefully that's a good sign. We'll see how she works when she's held tight in place.
Got my Heim mounted and braced. Looks like I'm gonna need one more at the back of the shaft, still have a little flex in the back. I cut the opening for the steering shaft about 2" to allow me to move the shaft over for the angle I wanted. Seems to turn nicely. I'm assuming the pressure on the shaft will be much less with the assistance of the pump, but I'm gonna make sure it's tight. Gonna do a little painting before I lose daylight.
Picked up a 2 piece driveshaft out of an early 90's Chevy pickup. Gonna get it shortened to the length I need, balanced, new u joints, and a new carrier bearing. Might try to work on my wiring this week and see if I can't get it started next weekend.
Got to work on the HHR today. Cut about 3" out of the spring perches. Got it sitting where I want it. Springs seem to be working well. I put 500 lbs on the back and it dropped about 2". Doubt I'll ever have more weight than that on it, including the tongue. Also was able to get my shocks mounted. Used the factory HHR lower shock mounts, they were still attached to the coil buckets. Drilled a hole up top and welded a nut in the back side so I can box the 2x3's they'e mounted to. Making progress every day. Got me a canopy and a work light, so I can actually do things after work in the evenings now.
Had a good day at a huge swap meet today. Spent 4 hours walking around once. Got some headlight buckets that I believe are from a 29-33 Ford. Has the Ford logo and the words "Twolite Headlamp" stamped in it. Found a set of DOT 7" ROUND headlights, with 10 leds along the bottom for blinkers. Shouldn' be a problem wiring them up. Found a brand new Tach for $20, so I've got all my gauges now. Driveshaft will be finished on Monday. Removed about 8" from the rear shaft, had new u joints installed, new carrier bearing, and balanced. Gonna run $330 for the work, and I paid $120 for the driveshaft. Came in at about half of what I was quoted for a new one. Need to finish the wiring, get my brake lines ran, make my power steering lines, order my fuel cell, and see if we can't get some fossil fuels combusting. Still got some work to do, but I feel good about where it's at.
