August 2003

Closing in on the 1-year anniversary of the day I brought Taz up here, August 17. Alot has happened in one year. After spending most of the summer down, Taz is running once again. The engine compartment restoration is pretty much complete, just missing some minor detailing. Things to add are a Pertronix Ignitor II ignition system, which will replace the points in the distributor with a magnetic trigger, a coil to go along with it, a late-model distributor cap that will require new .8mm plug wires, and a rubber waterproof cover for the distributor. I'm also going to run stainless steel braided hose covers for the radiator and heater hoses. A new fiberglass hood with a 3" rise will allow the use of an open element air cleaner, so those are on the list too.

The major work this summer has been to the suspension. I ordered a James Duff 3.5" lift kit, which included front coils, rear leaf springs, new shocks, polyeurethane bushings for the front end, and a drop bracket for the tracking bar that will finally square up the front axle where it should be. Things that will have to be upgraded now are longer brake hoses and longer emergency brake cables. Unfortunately, installing all that stuff was way over my head, so I towed Taz back to Larry's Car Wash for the job. It turned out to be a larger job that I planned on, and took a pretty good while to get the bushings installed and the bracket in place. I think Larry charges me double if I stick around to help. They also tapped out that one damn water pump bolt that I managed to break off in the timing chain cover when I was removing the old water pump. It now has a new pump, new radiator hoses. and a hi-efficiency 4 core radiator, so it should have no problem running cool.

I rebuilt the heater after de-crudding it, and installed a new seal and gasket kit and heater core, as well as patched up the old duct. I also replaced the seals on the fresh air vents. Should be nice and toasty when it gets cold outside. Lastly, I have a new passenger-side front fender, so it's time to paint!

The next update should show Taz in a fresh coat of original Hot Ginger Metallic paint. I'm also going to hit all the floorpans with Herculiner, then paint over the top of that. It'll start coming together fast now...

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