T-bird is done!

This car is pretty cool so I'll have to get a video of it. It's going to rain this week sooo next week I do that.

Let me know what ya think of her!

I went to sleep early yesterday but had nightmares.. didn't sleep well. I know I'll sleep better when I sell the car.

Les

Saturday!

Wel, I went to work to finish a truck I started on Friday. Had to put a trans in it. Not easy as it was Diesel and 4x4 as well. I did some work on my next project as the T-bird was painted today. Here are some Ugly pictures of the convertable.. I'm changing it over to a Mercury Capri and there was never a convertable Capri built. One of a kind..
Les

Seen a Mustang for sale today

As luck would have it I was sent out to get lunch. On my way I spotted a nice Mustang Hatchback. The asking price was $1200 but nobody was home at the time to get any details. I was thinking I'd like to buy it before someone else does.

So after work I had to take the T-bird to the paint shop. Alex wanted me to get him some tape to mask the car. Getting tape is the least I can do, just don't make me sand on it.. Lol. On the way back I stopped by to have a better look at this Mustang. The owners mother was there but not too helpfull. It looks like the car may need some work, but the worst thing is the car isn't registered. That's a big problem. To get the registration up to date it may cost as much as $500. The woman didn't know what the costs would be. It was a pretty car and I guess I could resell it but just afraid of the registration costs. I have to think about it a little. I already have a Mustang Convertable that I could finish... I'll think about the deal some more I guess.

It was pretty warm in the afternoon today.. I could get by with my tee shirt and jeans..

Les

On the Edge

As a driver I don’t worry about being in a crash. It isn’t that I don’t have respect for loss it’s just the very last thing on my mind.
I’ve been around cars and raced for sometime. I’ll always push the limits. It’s not a Macho deal, but an inner feeling. I’m not afraid to be on the edge. The pictures are things that can go wrong. Both cars are Mustangs. The middle picture is all that remains of one car. Unfortunately the wreck was fatal. Just a reminder, that when we strap in the car, anything can happen.
It’s a risk we take.

Here is the video link.. it's 5 megs

http://www.zippyvideos.com/6806801403956346/crash/*bbf545

Les

Last of the ugly pictures

Well this is it, last one of the T-bird! I talked to Alex today and we are on for painting this weekend! "Yes" I can't wait to sell this car! It's going to be awsome, but I sure wish I had some different wheels to put on it. Next stop E-bay! I'd like to get 4 Thousand but something reasonable would be Ok with me! The race season has already started and I'm behind building my Mustang racecar. At least I know I've done everything possible to finish the car and it's just Money that's slowing me down.

Well here's that last ugly pic..

Oh ya .. today went pretty good at work! Stuck taking out a 4x4 Dodge pick-up truck transmission. Installing it tomorrow..

Les

Stress

Geewiz, what a day today. Gerrrr darn customers anyways. It was good to get home and dig up some of my favorite music. Usually Creed, Nickelback and Goo Goo Dolls play pretty good turned up loud! Somehow Beer comes to mind..

Sorry to vent but at least tomorrow is another day! Just a little frustrated with "Customers" today is all.

Later!

Les

Going Back in Time

When I was about 12 years old my friends and I use to ride our bikes all over town. We use to take our parents playing card, use clothes pins ( you hang your laundray with them) and attach them to our bikes. It made a motor sound from the bike wheel when attached. Sometimes we would vist Gary Dyer, he drove the car in the picture. We would ring Gary's doorbell and ask is "Gary" there? He was.. he would quit what ever he was doing, eating... watching TV and come outside. Of course we all wanted to sit in his race car. Gary would allow all a chance to sit. I remember Gary like it was yesterday and how nice he was to us kids.. I only hope I can be like him!

Thanks for reading,
Les

Attitude

Sometimes I think it makes us who we are.

A guy (Ray) who I worked with at a restoration shop stopped by my house yesterday. He had his son with him. I really enjoyed working with Ray. I haven’t seen him in at least a year or more. I had made my move to work someplace else because my new job had good people and their knowledge on racecars was valuable to me.

Ray told me that his son was interested in cars with Big Block engines and that I was the best person to talk to. I explained some stuff on the engine and we looked at some of my build ideas on my computer. I could tell he was very interested. You could see it in his eyes. I asked the boy if he had a computer and he said yes. So before he left I gave him a new copy of Desktop Dyno for engine building. It’s software that helps you figure what parts will work in your engine. He’s going to be a great mechanic I can tell. Best of all he has the right “Attitude.”

Les

Just some thinking

Here is a couple of pictures of the engine bay and what the 545 Ci engine placement will look like in my Mustang. I spent many hours detailing the engine bay. The stock car must have a Zillion holes for mounting the stock parts. I carefully welded up almost all of them. I'm not doing too much tonight so I figured I'd post some pics.

Later On!
Les

Cross Roads

Well my friend agreed to paint the T-bird today. I gave him the cash to get the materials. Because this weekend looks like rain we will paint it next weekend. I am going to primer the car one last time. He said he will final sand the car. Thank "G" because I'm sick of sanding this car.

My work at the shop has been full throttle so when I get home it's like "work on the T-bird" ya right. Mind you.. I like what I do.. it's just you can only take sooo much of cars in one day.

The best part is when I sell this car and finish the Race Car engine! Then I'll be real happy!

Tag along on my Blog.. I think you'll will be impressed as I go from junk yard car to track side performance. My car weight is only 1580lbs without engine or trans. Looking at over 600 Hp rear wheel and 2700 lbs total..

See ya,
Les

John Force

Wow 4 seconds and 330 Mph in the 1/4 mile. I cant even begin to think what that would be like. That's pretty cool though. Some how my 9 second car seems soooo slow.. Lol. John didn't do so good this past weekend but I know he'll be in the winners circle before too long. He is one heck of a driver.

I took my engine's Intake Manifold to the shop today. Looking to smooth out some of the passages. The intake is set up to run a Dominator Carb :=) So much rides on finishing this T-bird that I have and selling it. I have some basic engine work to do for my race car but need $$$. Frustrating at times..

Seasonal change, ya got to love it! It was in the 70's this week and now we have freeze warnings. If I understand nature correctly we have at least two weeks in the summer (Indian Summer) (August) with high heat just before Fall and then there is two weeks in Febuary that are really cold just before Spring. I'd think that natures time clock ringing!

Later on!
Les

Busy

Well if nothing else I'm busy at work. I have three trucks with the transmissions out. The sad part is... if I don't get back to one in a few days.. it's like where in the hell do all the bolts go. My memory is good but not when ya got a bunch of cars apart. So much for work anyways..

I put all my connecting rods for my Race Car on the scale today and the are within 2 grams. I have four rods the same weight, three that are one gram less and one that is two grams less. This is good as far as the internal balancing goes. I was going to scale my Probe Pistons today, but I figured I'd get home to do some more (yes more) sanding on the T-bird. What I did over the weekend wasn't enough. I came in the house to take a break. I look something like Frosty the Snowman and need a shower.

It was a nice day out today and it's suppose to get cold again. This is some crazy weather we are having this year.

Ta ta for now!
Les

T-bird in primer

She is still UGLY... Well if things go right it won't be ugly for long.. I have to go back in and do some touch-up in the trunk and under the hood area. I used my new camara to take this pic yesterday. When it's painted, I take you on a ride with some video. It has a Turbo and is pretty quick for what the car is. I'm better at engines and transmissions then body work. I try and not let the words "I Cant" get in my way too much. Most of the time the things I try come out OK.

This is good pratice anyways.. I need to get the Mustang painted and it not going to be easy. The pic to the upper left is about how I'm going to paint my race care. A little different color but somewhat similar.

Les

Up all night

Not really but pretty late. Did some sanding to the T-bird today. It's not easy, as I went thru the primer in a few spots. Talked to a friend and he said he would be willing to paint the car for me.. But... I think the primer job would have to be flawless and it's not. I've had better luck with other cars but for some reason this car is a pain to finish. Maybe I expect too much from this car? It's the bread and butter when it sells.
I need the money from the sale to buy more engine parts for my Mustang.. umm.. no pressure right!

I'll post a pic tomorrow!

Les

Side Step

Well.. one more evening off.. I'm a slacker! Did buy a couple of CD's today. We have some spare $$ so I'm going to buy a few more engine parts I really need. It's pretty obvious I'll not make the begining of the season, but.. I can use this year to get confortable with the new car. The car should run 9 seconds @ over 135 Mph .. my estimate if not quicker.

See ya!

Les

Tuff day today

Well I woke up about 2 am thinking it was time to go to work.. Well I went back to sleep only to awaken again an hour later.. sheeshh. When the alarm clock went off I figured I give my "Late for work" a reallity check and go back to sleep.. but I didnt..

Had to say good bye to a friend today, makes me sad..

Les

When Duty Calls

I served in the Navy during Desert Storm and Southern Watch. I had the chance to work on these aircraft as a Jet Engine Mechanic. Being on the ship was more then I'd like to mention. I gave of myself so others could be Free!

I felt this was important part of me to add to my Blog!

Les
VFA-113

T-bird is ready

Well I finished all the primer tonight..Yeah!! I can start the sanding once more to make the surface smooth. It should go to the paint shop next week .. "Super Yeah!" Wow.. I'll be glad to sell this car!

I've been wanting to go to the store to get some new CD's, but been getting pretty dirty at work and don't want to go in the store nasty. Maybe Saturday I'll shop.

I ordered a new camara yesterday. So I'll more then likely be putting up some crazy videos..

As far as the phone in message goes you need Quick Time Player to hear it. At least when I click on the link on my computer that's what works with it. When I go racing this Summer I'll be able to call in some of the things that are happening.. all good I hope!

Link to Quicktime: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html

Well going to go!

Slacking off

I had some messed up jobs today. I really don't like diesel trucks but for some reason they are showing up broke lately. I just gave myself the evening off..

So I spent this evening looking on E-bay for parts.. something cheap that's for sure.

I also went on Yahoo Music and listened to some music. I think I have another favorite, it's a little old but it was good to listen to again.

The song is by Lee Ann Womack.. I Hope You Can Dance

Here is the words and song preview link: http://www.wtv-zone.com/limeylady/pat/udance.html

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
Time is a real and constant motion always
I hope you dance
Rolling us along
I hope you dance
Tell me who
I hope you dance
Wants to look back on their youth and wonder
I hope you dance
Where those years have gone
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
Time is a real and constant motion always
I hope you dance
Rolling us along
I hope you dance
Tell me who
Wants to look back on their youth and wonder
I hope you dance
Where those years have gone
Tell me who
I hope you dance
Wants to look back on their youth and wonder
Where those years have gone.

Hey!! my phone in message

Lazy Daze Sunday

Back out to the garage..

Removed the rear seat and rear panels. I needed to do this so that I could remove the side pillar emblems on the outside. The emblems are held on by three little nuts. I had to sand and primer this area and this was the olny way to make it nice. I brought the rear seat in the house so it won't get dirty.

I also found a couple of small areas that needed a little more work. All is looking good now.

I have a friend that could paint my car, he wanted $800 to do the work. I had gone to a different shop and they gave me a quote of $500. I never seen any of their work but I have seen my friends. I was thinking of just showing my friend $600 and see if he will paint it for me.

How the paint comes out will be the deterniming factor on how much I can get for the car when I sell it.

Well besides the car today I updated my Aero Page on my web site. Areodynamics on my race car is important. I figured I'd add some pic's I had to it.

Yawn.. time to go.. I think I'll get a Bud and watch a movie.. I seen "The Skeleton Key" with Kate Hudson last night.. it was pretty good.. I get "Nightmares" from movies like this.. but watch 'em anyways.. One of these days I post some of my Nightmares.. it's like going to the movies..

Have a good one!

Les

Saturday!

Well, I didn't go to work today. I usually work half day but been staying home on the weekends to finish this car.

I got lucky today with the paint gun .. it worked real well. All most finished with the primer/filler. The next step will be to sand the car once more.

It's 2:15 and I'm gonna stop and let it dry. Sounds like Miller Time to me.. Lol!

Later,

Les

Still Sanding

Finished the roof tonight, it was easy. Kind of tired right now Had to install a Diesel engine and transmission in a truck today at work.

The nice thing about today was the weather. It has been unseasonably warm lately, which is fine with me.

Later,
Les

Drivers Side done

No pic's today.. I turned off the lights ... and kind of forgot. All that's left is the roof, hood and front bumper cover. The bumper cover is the hardest. You really want the new paint to stick to that, so prep need to be good. Like the Energizer Bunny.. still going..
Les