Cindy and Mike's Building thread

[michael pavon]

Hi..
Mi name is Mike,

My wife Cindy and i are starting this new and exiting idea (it was her idea actually) as a mutual gift for our 12th aniversary

we just started/received it this last Wednesday (15th of June)

dmoran sugested to start a new tread regarding the development for our little baby ( i know it sounds quirky :P ) so here i am..

no pictures at this time, but promise to upload some of them tomorrow (hopping this tread allow that)

thank you in advance for your support and why not, friendship. We feel honored to start being part of this family. Loved the motto " Build not Bought"


by the way she is creating a journal herself, feel free to take a look at it (there are pictures from "the baby" as well as ours :) down is the link to it


https://spark.adobe.com/page/BsajF/


have a great night!!!
--------------------------------------
update 9:13 pm ct

Have some spear time at hand;

we decided to go for the more "classic" approach using the 15's wheels with fat tires, a though here: we got the tires at tire rack but could't find good year, so we bought the only ones available: BFGoodrich Radial T/A.
for the engine we called blue print engines (was Tony's from FF suggestion) and we are getting a "BluePrint 347 Fuel Injected engine; with the polished front drive assembly (no power steering or A/C) and a Tremec TKO 5-speed transmission packaged as an assembly"
according to Pete from BP.
finally we are doing some copy cat here and going with a dark gray with yellow stripes color, wife loves it!!!

[rmiller64]

Congrats on your purchase, You'll have a lot of fun putting it together. Pretty nice Crib for the new arrival

[michael pavon]

Well, thank you Rick!
by the way, jus saw your tread and could't stop noticing that you got the "goodyears", can you enlighten me where to find them?
i got BFGoodrich Radial T/A 'cause i was not able to find those.

[Georg]

Looking forward to follow another build here. Good luck and lots of fun! Check out other build threads, specially Edwards two builds, you can learn a lot and he describes every bit of the build really in details - thanks to Edward!

Regards, Georg

[2bking]

Congratulations on your decision to build a roadster and keep the posts coming. PM David Hodgkins and he can get your profile updated so you can post pictures and move this thread to the roadster build section. Otherwise you will have to wait till your post count reaches 20 to post pictures.

[CraigS]

Welcome and congratulations! My only recommendation is to re-think power steering. It has two advantages; 1-obviously reduces the effort needed to drive the car (which would also be important if a kid runs in front chasing a ball), 2-allows you to run a lot more positive caster which helps the car track straight down the road w/ less help from the driver.

[michael pavon]

Congrats on your purchase, You'll have a lot of fun putting it together. Pretty nice Crib for the new arrival

Thanks!

[michael pavon]

Looking forward to follow another build here. Good luck and lots of fun! Check out other build threads, specially Edwards two builds, you can learn a lot and he describes every bit of the build really in details - thanks to Edward!

Regards, Georg

Will do :)

[michael pavon]

Welcome and congratulations! My only recommendation is to re-think power steering. It has two advantages; 1-obviously reduces the effort needed to drive the car (which would also be important if a kid runs in front chasing a ball), 2-allows you to run a lot more positive caster which helps the car track straight down the road w/ less help from the driver.

ok... makes sense, and the engine has not being delivered yet, i think i can do the quick upgrade..:confused: any suggestion for the "new" direction i will have to use to upgrade from the standard one? thank you

[6t8dart]

What local are you in? You have lots of friends on the forum that will help you with your build and give great advice. My advice is to call breeze and talk o them about the whole p/s setup, rack, hoses, etc.

[michael pavon]

What local are you in? You have lots of friends on the forum that will help you with your build and give great advice. My advice is to call breeze and talk o them about the whole p/s setup, rack, hoses, etc.

Heeeee, let me look into that �� We're in the most southern part of Texas, right in the border with Reynosa, Mexico.
City is called McAllen

[michael pavon]

Heeeee, let me look into that �� We're in the most southern part of Texas, right in the border with Reynosa, Mexico.
City is called McAllen

And for the part of "lots of friends" i can tell already :D

[michael pavon]

What local are you in? You have lots of friends on the forum that will help you with your build and give great advice. My advice is to call breeze and talk o them about the whole p/s setup, rack, hoses, etc.

Central/Texas it is!!

[michael pavon]

Congratulations on your decision to build a roadster and keep the posts coming. PM David Hodgkins and he can get your profile updated so you can post pictures and move this thread to the roadster build section. Otherwise you will have to wait till your post count reaches 20 to post pictures.

thank you!

[dmoran]

Your journal is great! Cindy is very creative and that Adobe Spark makes a nice presentation. I may need to try it.

On the rear suspension, it's pretty common to mount the rear shock with the spring facing up. For the red Koni's, they will work the same in either direction. At build school they said to go spring up in the back and down in the front and I can't remember why. I think it had something to do with clearance and maybe e-brake cable staying out of the coil. It was mentioned that it was easier to adjust the rears coil up at the bottom of this thread: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?20948-Are-the-Halibrand-10-5-quot-rims-supposed-to-fit-this-close

The Factory Five videos that Dan put out also shows the spring up but he doesn't say why:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_n5ZJJHrjE

I have found that there is a lot "missing" from the manual and picked up a bunch from build school but mostly from this forum. Before every new assembly, it's good to search the forums on that topic to find out the options, tricks and gotcha's. Someone recommended edwardb's build threads, I always go there first to see what he did on that step. He has very good explanations for why he does what he does.

At first, I found it annoying that a lot of the build is hidden in forum folk lore and history but very quickly, I found that to be as much fun as the build itself. There are truly a lot of options and touches that can make your car unique. The book only shows one path of many. It really adds to the confidence for me when I know why I am doing something this way vs that way, that someone has already tried it, and that you are not alone.

Good luck!
Doug

[6t8dart]

There are lots of builds going on in Texas right now.

[Ram4x4sprt]

http://rogerkrausracing.com/ For the Goodyear billboards

[michael pavon]

http://rogerkrausracing.com/ For the Goodyear billboards


thank you!

[rmiller64]

Well, thank you Rick!
by the way, jus saw your tread and could't stop noticing that you got the "goodyears", can you enlighten me where to find them?
i got BFGoodrich Radial T/A 'cause i was not able to find those.

PM sent

[David Hodgkins]

Michael, I've updated your account so you can post pics and update your profile. I'm also moving this thread to the roadster build threads forum.

:)

[AC Bill]

First off, congratulations on getting your new baby. So nice the wife supports you, and is actually getting involved in it with you.:)

I don't believe any Goodyear billboard tires are yet DOT approved for the streets. That could be an issue during your inspection. May depend how close they look at everything. 15" tires are certainly a lot more limited than they were 10 years ago...but I sure love the wide sidewall look of them on the roadsters, the billboards especially. You could always use the billboard paint stencils, or the stick on lettering kits available, if it's the look your wanting.

Power steering has it's good points, and bad points. Believe me, ask that question in a separate post, and you'll see a plethora of opinions..:p Could also probably do a quick search, and find the same arguments for and against it..lol Be nice if you had a chance to compare the differences first hand, before deciding.

Foremost, there is a lot more time and work, involved in the installation of it, and the additional costs of adding it, which can be substantial if not using the donor set up.

It always has the potential for leaks. Pumps, pulley's, hoses, belts, etc, which clutter up the engine compartment, and aren't very Cobra-ish.. Loss of feedback through the steering, some say takes away from the driving experience, and finesse in handling the car.

Proper alignment with, or without power, is still the determining factor, as to how it tracks. When set up correctly there shouldn't be any added effort either way, when cruising. When parking, or just inching along, power steering would be a big advantage. Many of the fellows who do Autocross events regularly, claim having power can make a big difference. The many tight turns at lower speeds, could be a challenge with non-power steering.

If you have any issue with upper body strength, or perhaps if your wife will drive the car from time to time, power would make driving it much less work.

[michael pavon]

Your journal is great! Cindy is very creative and that Adobe Spark makes a nice presentation. I may need to try it.

On the rear suspension, it's pretty common to mount the rear shock with the spring facing up. For the red Koni's, they will work the same in either direction. At build school they said to go spring up in the back and down in the front and I can't remember why. I think it had something to do with clearance and maybe e-brake cable staying out of the coil. It was mentioned that it was easier to adjust the rears coil up at the bottom of this thread: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?20948-Are-the-Halibrand-10-5-quot-rims-supposed-to-fit-this-close

The Factory Five videos that Dan put out also shows the spring up but he doesn't say why:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_n5ZJJHrjE

I have found that there is a lot "missing" from the manual and picked up a bunch from build school but mostly from this forum. Before every new assembly, it's good to search the forums on that topic to find out the options, tricks and gotcha's. Someone recommended edwardb's build threads, I always go there first to see what he did on that step. He has very good explanations for why he does what he does.

At first, I found it annoying that a lot of the build is hidden in forum folk lore and history but very quickly, I found that to be as much fun as the build itself. There are truly a lot of options and touches that can make your car unique. The book only shows one path of many. It really adds to the confidence for me when I know why I am doing something this way vs that way, that someone has already tried it, and that you are not alone.

Good luck!
Doug

Hey Doug...WAW!!!

this was really really enlightening.

and by coincidence you nail a problem that we face ourselves couple days ago.. clearance for the back wheel, i notice the wheel hits the bottom part of the shock, but i just assumed i was doing something wrong there,
now, if i get the shocks backwards i think: problem solved!!!!! :)

PD: Question i have missing some spacers here you can see in the pictures any input where to buy them? again, thanks for all you u55191r help!!!

tried to look for Mr. edwardb treads, but couldn't find them, will ask the wife to search for me :P she's the pro! jejejeje

and again you are absolutely right, the manual is very general and skip very often some steps, but oh well.. part of the fun, just wish to be more knowledgeable in the matter. will come with the experience!55190

[Crawleyscobra]

Mike, Cindy,

Just wanted to say that your Adobe-Spark page is great and I will be following your build.
Good luck and have fun.

Nathan

[6t8dart]

i used a washer on mine, i did not have a spacer either.

[michael pavon]

i used a washer on mine, i did not have a spacer either.

really? and no problem i guess.. ok, will try that, thanks!!!!!

[michael pavon]

Mike, Cindy,

Just wanted to say that your Adobe-Spark page is great and I will be following your build.
Good luck and have fun.

Nathan

i like your post regarding the front speakers, i being hopping to get some speakers there. :)

[Georg]

Hi Michael,

here is the link to Edward's 7750 build - hope you don't mind Edward... It's reading like a very good book... :)

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update&highlight=7750

Georg

[edwardb]

Hi Michael,

here is the link to Edward's 7750 build - hope you don't mind Edward... It's reading like a very good book... :)

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update&highlight=7750

Georg

Of course I don't mind. :o That's the link to my completed Mk4, all cleaned up and ready to go to London tomorrow. My sig line has the link to that build thread plus the 20th Anniversary build currently under way.

[michael pavon]

hi michael,

here is the link to edward's 7750 build - hope you don't mind edward... It's reading like a very good book... :)

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-mk4-7750-build-progress-update&highlight=7750

georg

thank you!!!

[6t8dart]

really? and no problem i guess.. ok, will try that, thanks!!!!!

See picture below, I did not get an 1/8 spacer, but there was a thick washer.

55232

[michael pavon]

See picture below, I did not get an 1/8 spacer, but there was a thick washer.

55232

thanks!!

[michael pavon]

UPDATE Pictures:
we think "almost done" with the front suspension, what do you think guys?
thanks! :)554355543655437

[michael pavon]

What local are you in? You have lots of friends on the forum that will help you with your build and give great advice. My advice is to call breeze and talk o them about the whole p/s setup, rack, hoses, etc.

Good Morning,

You know what? is Sunday, than excuse dumb questions like: why the water is wet?? :P

so... here i am asking:

Who is Breeze? it is a person's nickname, a company an expresion??

you will have to excuse my question and please count to 10 before shooting and answer back, jejejeje

have a great day!!!

Mike

[wallace18]

Good Morning,

You know what? is Sunday, than excuse dumb questions like: why the water is wet?? :P

so... here i am asking:

Who is Breeze? it is a person's nickname, a company an expresion??

you will have to excuse my question and please count to 10 before shooting and answer back, jejejeje

have a great day!!!

Mike

They are a FFR vendor. Click on Vendors at the top of this page and scroll down . Check all of them when you have time. Lots of cool stuff. Here is their website.
http://www.breezeautomotive.com/

[dmoran]

UPDATE Pictures:
we think "almost done" with the front suspension, what do you think guys?
thanks! :)554355543655437

Sorry, but your ball joints are facing the wrong way. They need to point outward. 55445

See how the "fat" side of the ball joint socket faces the outside which angles the ball joint post to the outside? You may have to take one UCA apart and flip the ball joint holder. That's what I had to do.

Doug

[michael pavon]

Michael, I've updated your account so you can post pics and update your profile. I'm also moving this thread to the roadster build threads forum.

:)

just saw your post, thank you!
i was wandering how it got in the right place by it self!!

[michael pavon]

They are a FFR vendor. Click on Vendors at the top of this page and scroll down . Check all of them when you have time. Lots of cool stuff. Here is their website.
http://www.breezeautomotive.com/

thank you!!

[michael pavon]

Sorry, but your ball joints are facing the wrong way. They need to point outward. 55445

See how the "fat" side of the ball joint socket faces the outside which angles the ball joint post to the outside? You may have to take one UCA apart and flip the ball joint holder. That's what I had to do.

Doug

you are absolutely right!

thank you for the input
have a great day

:o

[michael pavon]

55733

almost done with the panels!!!

Hurraaaa!!
(to paint them don't make me super happy)
still waiting for the right rear axle :( to arrive from FF

[WIS89]

Mike and Cindy-

Looking good y'all. I have to say how much I like the baby's nursery! You have her set up very nicely, and I am sure she will be comfortable in there.

I like the black panels, they look great.

Keep up the good work!

Regards,

Steve

[6t8dart]

You are doing a great job! Good progress.

[Jazzman]

It's looking good! I can't quite tell from the photo, but I hope you have not permanently riveted the back panel of the cockpit or the floor of the trunk into place. As you install the rear end, the wiring, the brake lines, etc, you are really going to want to have access from all angles to this area. I hope that I am just being overly paranoid!! Keep up the good work.

[michael pavon]

UPDATE:

preparing the car for the lizard skin i was little sad to have to sand down my "3 days" of primer-painting, but oh well, at
least didn't have to sand down my freshly done powder coated interior like Mr. E. :P
supose to receive the material this next Monday, lets hope for the best55917

[michael pavon]

It's looking good! I can't quite tell from the photo, but I hope you have not permanently riveted the back panel of the cockpit or the floor of the trunk into place. As you install the rear end, the wiring, the brake lines, etc, you are really going to want to have access from all angles to this area. I hope that I am just being overly paranoid!! Keep up the good work.

Hey Jazzman,
thank you for your tip!
actually i DID the back panel of the cockpit about a week ago and yesterday i had to remove the rivets to be able to install the upper part for the trunk (battery area), regarding the trunk floor, as today is already in place and ready to receive the lizard treatment, BUT, the brake lines, as well as the electrical ones are already in place, i am still waiting for the correct rear axle to arrive but all in all is ready for a smooth installation, so, wish me luck and hopefully will not finish saying really bad words to my self, jejejeje

[michael pavon]

You are doing a great job! Good progress.

Thank you Sr.!
Wife and I trying our best, jejeje

[michael pavon]

Mike and Cindy-

Looking good y'all. I have to say how much I like the baby's nursery! You have her set up very nicely, and I am sure she will be comfortable in there.

I like the black panels, they look great.

Keep up the good work!

Regards,

Steve

Well, thank you very much Steve,
we do hope "the baby" will find its chambers comfortable, jejejejeje
and yes, the black panels makes a nice touch not even to mention will help the metal to stay in good condition longer.

have a great day and thank you for the comment :)

[michael pavon]

559815598255983


Today (Monday 11th July) we are hopping to get the Lizard Skin, so car is prepared and ready to be done, floor is covered (I messed up the flooring when painting the panels black, and that is not a good thing specially with the wife) and my mini fridge have a "full" 6 pack for post-celebration... everything is ready!!!

[edwardb]

Looking good. You're going to want to put down some more covering than that before you start spraying, including on the walls. Otherwise, you're going to find little black specks on everything. And you'll be amazed how far they travel! Ask me how I know.

[michael pavon]

Looking good. You're going to want to put down some more covering than that before you start spraying, including on the walls. Otherwise, you're going to find little black specks on everything. And you'll be amazed how far they travel! Ask me how I know.


jajajajaja you bet.

yes, yes, but, i have a secret weapon: The wife!, armed with cardboards (already at hand)
to do a "wall" as i spray.

will post pictures after the job completion.

[michael pavon]

Its 6:20pm 11th of July
we just finished the first coat for sound control

looking good56005

[michael pavon]

right after we finish to apply the lizard "heat shield coat" still drying
tomorrow will start with the dashboard :) :)

5611156112

[michael pavon]

56877

FINALLY!!

yesterday we got the right rear axle (4" wider than the original one)
and got it installed, this weekend is going to be very interested, we hope to have the gas tank, rear brakes and dashboard done
also, tomorrow we have a show car that we will attend with the 350R.
Looking forward for the end of the day :)

[michael pavon]

Mike and Cindy-

Looking good y'all. I have to say how much I like the baby's nursery! You have her set up very nicely, and I am sure she will be comfortable in there.

I like the black panels, they look great.

Keep up the good work!

Regards,

Steve

Hey Steve;

Please don't think we are uncourteous, haven't seeing your post until today :confused:

thank you very much for the good comments, have a great day!

Mike y Cindy

[michael pavon]

Today i got a picture from Blue Print saying this is my engine/transmision and will be shipped middle of next week!
guess we have lots to take care now before the engine arrives :)

56909

[michael pavon]

Hey Guys!!

Finally i am doing an update into our thread...
lets see.....

got issues again with ff, requested the headers though them and got the long ones instead of the shorties, funny fact a day or two before they told me to get the "shorties" in the first place, now i have to pay 15% re-stock fee for their error, anyhow, now 'bout the car,
for electrical harness will say its about 95-99% done from the top of my mind only the radiator to get connected BUT, we ordered the upgraded "full enclosure" from breeze, think is money well spend, because in that particular area (talking about the full kit) you can tell FFR was very very cheap
for their installation hardware (just 4 metal supports) not even a proper panel box.
the installation for the fuel pump (fuel injection) took some brains to find what i think is the right location, remember, the pump needs to sit lower than the gas tank.. will upload a picture in the future, but suffice to say i got it installed on the main frame for the chassis, the fuel lines, after long consideration decided to build them my self using hard lines (supposedly more efficient) using 3/8 pipe, i just think the ones you can find on line are very expensive, and again the FFR provided ones are incomplete (for fuel injection)
TIP: the approach i did for the electrical systems was instead of seeing them as a whole i resolve them as "individuals" meaning just focus in one or two thing at the time, and will be surprised to see how much you advanced at the end, it happened to me, when i got into the electrical part, i stopped for 3 weeks too scared to even tried, now i am about a week before the first "crank" test... if my car doesn't burn to the ground then my theory is proved :)
i think i didn't get the hazard switch so just ordered one trough amazon.
things to dobefore first test:
gas lines
oxygen sensor-headers
radiator
hazard signals




584725847358474

[WIS89]

Mike-

Some great progress! Engine looks good in its new home.

I agree that the electrical can be intimidating. I am not done with mine yet, and there's been all kinds of head scratching!

I look forward to hearing your first start. Keep up the good work!

Regards,

Steve

[michael pavon]

Mike-

Some great progress! Engine looks good in its new home.

I agree that the electrical can be intimidating. I am not done with mine yet, and there's been all kinds of head scratching!

I look forward to hearing your first start. Keep up the good work!

Regards,

Steve

Steve-

Thanks for the cheering words; yes, the electrical IS intimidating, but also have some sort of a halo from where you finished something and you see lights and stuff happening it feels really nice, if you know what I'm saying.
Good luck to you also and if you need any piece of advice that I can help you with feel free to ask me. I think I'm almost done just waiting to install the oxygen sensor and that's about it.

[michael pavon]

we got the car up and running last weekend, including alignment and brakes tuneup, at this point trying to register it.. but runs great (already cruise couple hours last Sunday) and can't be more happy!!!!


60191

[Straversi]

Congratulations. Great thread.
I'm guessing there are a lot of guys looking in the mirror and practicing the pitch, "hey Honey, I was thinking that for our anniversary this year, we should try to spend some quality time together. Maybe, ahh, I don't know, build a Cobra......"

What are you doing for your next anniversary?
-Steve