1970 Roadster LS7 Conversion

[7TRoadster]

No updates this week, I spent the last 5 days running around the Nevada desert. I should be able to get back on the hood and post some new pic's next weekend.

Thanks for asking.


The low spot was about 1/4" deep but I am thinking I am close. I won't know for sure until I can get to leveling it off this coming weekend. I am by no means an expert but I have painted a few Corvettes over the years.

I like to do all the base work in fiberglass, keeps expansion and contraction rates the same. I do use a poly based seam adhesive for the smaller imperfections. Once the glass is contoured I use Featherfill as the eggshell undercoat, then regular sanding primer over that.

It is important that the substrate be of like materials and evenly applied. Poly resin/poly filler.... etc. Be sure to check the type of fiberglass your car has. I believe GM changed to poly type resins sometime in the late 60's, can't remember the exact years. So depending on the year of your car there would likely be different types of products needed than listed here.

Differences in expansion and contraction rates of mismatched materials or thicknesses can cause ghost images of filled areas when sitting under the heat of direct sunlight. These images usually go away completely once the surface cools down.

Like I said above, I am no expert but recommend making sure the materials you use are both compatible and applied evenly.

Just an old mans $.02

[7TRoadster]

Today I finished the under side of the hood and it is ready for some primer. Also worked on the top grinding and sanding. Looking much better. The wheels are ok, I think they will look much better once the inside of the inserts are painted body color.

[7TRoadster]

Another shot of the wheels, I need to get it sitting on the ground to see fit adjust shock height, etc. Will likely wait for paint to be done to do that.

Sorry for poor quality of this photo, not sure what was going on with it.

[Blast]

Wow.

Those wheels look great on it.

// Stefan

[7TRoadster]

Today more work on the hood topside as well as some minor clean up work. I replaced the hood hinge pin assembly and cleaned and painted the hood latches.

Another photo has me wondering about my camera....... I cleaned the lens but the photo is still f'ed up.

[Sly Vette]

Not a big fan of the open wheel designs but I must admit those look pretty good. Looking forward to how they look when the car is lowered.
Good Job!!!

[phantomjock]

Originally Posted by 7TRoadster

Another photo has me wondering about my camera....... I cleaned the lens but the photo is still f'ed up.

Just a "digital fact:" Those are Dust Halos. Particulate in the air (you were just sanding right?) - that are reflecting from your flash. Try more light, let it settle, use a fan, or shoot during the day (more ambient light.) Kind of a reminder to wear a mask too.

Great wheels BTW!

Cheers - Jim

[7TRoadster]

Jim,

Thanks for the information on the photo......... You are very correct in that I had just finished sweeping out and then blowing out the shop with compressed air. So yea, some dust in the air for sure.

Never heard of a dust halo until now.......... it's amazing the dust becomes reflective. I will watch that in the future.

Thanks again.

[7TRoadster]

Early in this blog, SuperJames suggested the positive results of installing relays in various electrical components. Saving switches from the harsh duty of switching full current to heavy load accessories.

I wired in the radiator fans with relays and the A/C unit came with them. I have already converted the headlights to relays and the last remaining items are the electric windows.

I decided to place the relays on either side of the rear metal console mount that bolts to the underside of the cover. I added connectors to fit just in front of the emergency brake handle. This creates a modular unit that can be removed with the disconnect of 3 connectors.

The wiring diagram is how I plan to utilize factory wires whenever possible while incorporating the HP type factory connectors.

[Eddie 70]

Been away from DC for a while and this is the first time I have seen your project. It is going to be a lot of fun when you get it done. I like the wheels. I need to look through all the pages of your thread. Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming.

One thing I do when taking digital pictures is try one with the flash turned off and one with the flash on. Most of the time for myself, I prefer the pics I take with the flash turned off. Give it a try and see if it will take a picture without making the dust look like snow in the air.

[Richard454]

Nice work....

Good idea NOT to put the relays in the doors- seen that done before - you close the door- the relays bump and start to roll the window down...

You might want to consider some latching relays -controlled by a timer or turned off when you open the door- to power the window circuit...I hate turning back on the ignition key to roll up the windows!

I'm going to run some of the Painless Universal fuse blocks for some of the extra things I'm adding to my car.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...al-fuse-blocks

[7TRoadster]

Today I went out and took a picture before I started work. This one came out much better. Thanks guys for enlightening me with regard to digital flash photos.

I spent most of the day today working on bolting up the hood for the first time. Adjust here adjust there, place a shim, remove one, etc.

Discovered the hood still needs a little more shaping work. I will attempt to get that finished tomorrow.

[brent319]

Looking good. Can't wait to see it on the ground. I am sure you feel the same.

[7TRoadster]

When I got done working on the hood for the day I still had a couple of hours left so I started wiring in the relays for the power windows.

I got most of the underside of the console done. I now need to find a couple of pieces of the right color wire. 12Ga BL and 12Ga BR/W. Once I find that I can finish up that portion of the wiring.

This photo shows the underside of the rear console where I mounted the relays and wired in the switches.

[Eddie 70]

Great idea on the window relay placement. If I ever do add power windows to mine your setup will be remembered.