Restarting My '70 Nova Project

[BravoXray]

Spent all afternoon working on the Nova today. I changed some wiring that was bothering me a little. The most important was the wire that goes to the in-tank fuel pump. When I ran the harness to the rear of the car, I added a wire for the fuel pump. When I was mounting and wiring up the EFI system, I noticed the wire on that harness was definitely heavier than the one I ran, even though they are supposed to be the same gauge. So, I took the leftover wire that came with the system and ran it to the trunk area to power the fuel pump.
Rather than run the wire through a hole in the firewall, I was able to utilize one of the unused positions in the bulkhead connector. That entailed removing the fuse block, installing connectors in that position, routing the wire and installing a connector to connect it to the wire running to the tank. Of course since I have had the fuse block on and off the firewall at least tem times, the cheap supplied foam gasket went to hell. Took a piece of 3mm foam I had and used my Exacto knife to cut out a new one. So now the same original wire runs all the way to the tank. That soothes my OCD, even though according to the spec sheet the pump only draws about 8 amps at 60 PSI and the wire I ran would probably sufficed. Maybe.
I also mounted a four position fuse block on the firewall to connect the MSD ignition, MSD EFI and Dakota Digital cruise control to the switched ignition lead, and have another circuit available if ever needed. Think ahead!
Last of all, the dash pad has been calling me to be installed, so I took it down, cleaned it up, found some new speed nuts that fasten it to the dash, and got it installed. The first item that says Nova has been installed now.

Progress.

 

[MossRoad]

Yep, it auto refills. Good thing too, I donate it on a regular basis. Over 50 pints so far.

Nice. My wife does as often as she can as well since as long as I've known her.

 

[BravoXray]

Been working on installing a Dakota Digital cruise control.

MORE wires!

I'm going to mount the servo unit on the left inner fender well, and since that's not installed yet, I'm getting all the wiring connected to the appropriate points.

I'm going to be running a Tremec TKX transmission, and in the installation manual it explicitly states:

NOTE: High frequency VSS signals from a Tremec, or 700R4, are too fast for the cruise control to read. In such applications, the Dakota Digital SGI-5E or SGI-100BT Speed Interface Module would be needed to alter the VSS to the Gray wire.

Soooo, I bought the SGI-100BT SIM to massage the signal for input to the cruise control unit. I wasn't completely clear on some of the setting in the SIM, so I wrote and email to DD's tech support. Dave, and that is not his real name, emailed me back that he needed to know what type of signal and the number of pulses per mile (PPM) the TKX's VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) output. I did some research and wrote back that it was a sine wave output at 16,000 PPM.
Two days later Dave writes back asking why I was using the SIM, when the cruise control has settings that will let it accept that signal.
I wrote back, really? Then why does it say differently in the installation manual?
Haven't heard back from him on that.

So I spent an extra $100 and a couple of hours mounting and wiring the SIM for nothing. And drilling holes that aren't needed. Grrr. Going to have to plug them as they are in the cowl and would leak if it got rained on.

I drug out the steering column and installed the turn signal lever that has the cruise controls on it, Had to disassemble the top of it to get the cable ran down inside the column, but at least I have the tool to compress the spring under the locking column plate so you can get the little snap ring off. All back together and wrapped up again to keep the dust off it.
I also ran wires to install an LED indicator to show when the cruise is engaged. Of course that's an "optional" feature, so the wire for it was only a few inches long, not five feet long like all the rest of the wires. Maybe orange 18ga. wire is really expensive? But I got it extended and run into the dash and installed a connector on it and the indicator light.
I was able to find a pair of LED indicators that came with over 100 different symbols that can be inserted into the bezel for your particular need. Just happened to be one that looks like the cruise indicator on a car.
I'm going to have to go to HF tomorrow as I'm almost out of tyraps again. I've added wires, removed wires and modified the harness so many times I've used up most of the two sizes I need.
I also got the control head for the heater connected to the control cables, so I'm getting close to installing the instrument cluster. I just want to make sure once I install it, it's in for good. I sis set the old instrument panel in the make sure I don't have and interference problems.
I still need to finish installing the sound deadener on the floor, sides and doors. Not sure I have enough to finish the job, so I may have to buy another box of Dyna Mat.
I also got the new fuel tank, fuel pump and sending unit from Taks, Inc., so I can get that assembles and installed in the car soon.

So many things to do, the list seems endless.

 

[BravoXray]

Working on more wiring today, ran the wires for the indicator for the Line-Loc. Installed connectors on the wires so I can connect it once I get the instrument cluster ready to install. I didn't want to use a big Packard style connector for it, as it only pulls 0.020 amps, so I used a small connector set I had left from some avionics work on my plane. Problem is, the terminals are about the size of a grain of rice and really fiddly to get crimped on the wires perfectly. I only ruined two before I got all four crimped properly.
I got the instrument cluster out and on the bench to get it ready to install, soon I hope. Installed the wiper switch, relocated the module for the tach to where it won't interfere with anything, and installed another connector, a Deutch style this time, and connected all the wires to the proper places. +12 volts, ground and tach signal feed.
I decided to mount the cruise and Line-Loc indicators on the left side of the panel, where the vent would be on a car with A/C. This is a brand new panel and as much as I hated doing it, I had to drill a couple of holes to mount the indicators. After some measuring and figuring, I made a template and marked the hole locations. I drilled the holes out in three steps and the final size was 15/32". Installed the indicators, made sure they were clocked correctly, and snugged up the nuts. They look pretty good there, I think.
If I can get down to the shop before it get too hot tomorrow, I'll try to get it installed in the car.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Why the line-lock ? Are you planning on drag racing this beautiful car, or do you just like doing smoky burnouts ?

 

[BravoXray]

Ya never know when it just might come in handy....

Got this for the Tremec 5 speed shift lever.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Looking forward to some smoky burn-out pics once you have it on the road !

 

[BravoXray]

Looking forward to some smoky burn-out pics once you have it on the road !

You got some tires I can use?

I see them doing long smokey burnouts on some of the TV shows like Hot Rod Garage, and personally, I think it's pointless. Ruin perfectly good tires that it they don't want, someone else might put to good use on their daily driver.
Sure, I laid a few good patches in my day, but never did a smokey burnout, tires were too expensive for that. The Firestone shop owner always had a smile on his face when I showed up for a new set of red line Wide Ovals.

 

[MossRoad]

You got some tires I can use?

I see them doing long smokey burnouts on some of the TV shows like Hot Rod Garage, and personally, I think it's pointless. Ruin perfectly good tires that it they don't want, someone else might put to good use on their daily driver.
Sure, I lad a few good patches in my day, but never did a smokey burnout, tires were too expensive for that. The Firestone shop owner always had a smile on his face when I showed up for a new set of red line Wide Ovals.

They get the sponsors. That pays for the tires.

I'm in your camp... warming up the tires is one thing. Smoking them to baldness is quite another.

 

[goeduck]

I think after this upgrade BravoXray deserves at least one smokey burn-out if he wants. Me, I would baby that beauty, but I would have to hold myself back