As the engine nears completion, I realize that I have tons of loose ends to complete before I install it. I am trying to make this the last time the engine goes in as it is a genuine pita to install it.

The engine compartment needs to be painted but there is metal work to be finished first. I have to re-heat the drivers side strut tower and bash a deeper dent in it to give more master cylinder clearance.

I have to fabricate a mount for a 1" heim joint to serve as a steering column support due to the extra U-joint I installed in the column.

I need to finish the gas pedal and mount the braided stainless cable. I'm taking an old school cast aluminum Moon pedal and mating it to a Lokar assembly.

I need to heat and bend the brake pedal arm over a couple of inches due to the firewall modifications, then I need to fabricate a plunger from the HHR pedal to the Astro Van master cylinder.

I also need to finish the sheet metal on the sides of the radiator prior to paint.

So as you can see, I've got plenty to do before the engine goes in. ........but MAN, I WANT THAT V8 IN THERE ! ! !

 

All of your meticulous attention to detail will pay off as the most bad ass HHR ever to hit the streets! I personally, as well as countless others, can't wait to see it finished! Keep up the outstanding work!

 

With all that work to do and you're wasting time posting here??!! lol Just kidding of course, an update like this gives us less talented people realize how much unseen work goes into a project like this. It sure would be fun to spend a day (or two or three) with you helping out!

 

Having to add another colum support has required me to extend the shaft by 3" to accommodate a 1" bearing I'm adding as an additional support. To keep everything straight I machined the parts and then welded it while still in the lathe. Tomorrow I will make and weld in a boss for the bearing to ride against. This will probably take me a couple of days to get this steering column finished. In the back ground on the shelf you can see the 4 Moon castings (used for knock off caps on Moon tanks) that will be machined into the wheel knock offs. That's a project for another day.

 

Finishing off the engine compartment getting ready for paint. I got the steering support finished so now it actually steers! All the welding in the compartment is done, and the firewall looks pretty good. Today I made the pieces that finish off the opening around the radiator. When I cut the opening for the Camaro radiator I just sliced the larger hole. The edges didn't look anything like how the factory would have done it. To this end I finished it with an edge that looks correct. On Sunday I'll load it onto the car trailer and take it to the paint booth on Monday. The car also needs to be color sanded to finish off the paint.

 

More fun pieces of the puzzle are coming in almost daily. Here's the latest.

 

Nice job, all the way. When do we hear more about the louvers? Start chopping the top on the Mule?

 

What do you need to know about the louvers?

 

Earlier in the thread you mentioned that you were thinking about putting louvers in the hood of your HHR.

 

I can't wait to see it done! Simply amazing!!!