NYMike's MKIV Build - 500 Miles and Calling it Graduated!

[460.465USMC]

We've put about 200 miles on since all of this and its been running pretty well. Chris, you asked for it so here it is. I took it out for a drive last weekend and was able to grab a good picture in a local parking lot.


Thanks for the update, Mike. Nice work finding the cause of your motor stumble. Glad to read it mostly just cost your time, and nothing major.

I appreciate the picture. Looking goooood!


It really is so cool when the "I can't believe we built this" thought pops into our heads when we are driving.

I think started getting small glimpses of this thought when I reached go-kart. I can't imagine what it will feel like when it's done someday.

[Blitzboy54]

Looks great! 200 miles are rookie numbers. We will have to get you out in the spring.

[Fman]

Very nice build congratulations, great color combo! After you put some miles on it during summer months I would like to hear how you like the breeze upper radiator cover. I ended up removing mine I found it was blocking cool air from coming into the engine compartment when the car is moving forward. Removing it dropped my under hood temp about 20 degrees and had no affect on the engine temp, still runs 185 all day long.

[NYMike]

Thanks for the update, Mike. Nice work finding the cause of your motor stumble. Glad to read it mostly just cost your time, and nothing major.

I appreciate the picture. Looking goooood!



I think started getting small glimpses of this thought when I reached go-kart. I can't imagine what it will feel like when it's done someday.

Thanks Chris! Hang in there, you're almost there.


Looks great! 200 miles are rookie numbers. We will have to get you out in the spring.

Thanks Jesse! Sounds good. Would love to get out for a cruise in the spring. We're just shy of 400 now, but sad we haven't had time to really drive it more. We're really trying to get to the first 500 mile oil change before winter sets in, but it seems like every day it has been nice out lately I've been to busy to go for a ride, and the days I do have time it has been crappy weather.

[NYMike]

Very nice build congratulations, great color combo! After you put some miles on it during summer months I would like to hear how you like the breeze upper radiator cover. I ended up removing mine I found it was blocking cool air from coming into the engine compartment when the car is moving forward. Removing it dropped my under hood temp about 20 degrees and had no affect on the engine temp, still runs 185 all day long.

Thanks Travis, I love your build as well. I didn't really think about that and will keep an eye on it. It definitely gets hot under there, but I haven't measured exactly how hot it is. I've been debating replicating your side vent blower idea, but am waiting to see how bad it really is driving it long drives in the heat.

[NYMike]

After getting her back on the road, all it took was one ride after dark for Dad to declare the stock headlights had to go. I didn’t think they were that bad but he was adamant so I started doing some research and found the Holley Retrobright sealed beam replacement LEDs. They are not cheap, but they are a complete unit designed specifically for LED conversions of sealed beams. We got the 7" round in modern white.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174622&d=1667870655

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174623&d=1667870672

Unlike putting LEDs in housings designed for halogens, the Holleys have the correct beam pattern and are DOT compliant. The swap was really easy and made a HUGE difference.

Before:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174634&d=1667874736

Side By Side:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174621&d=1667870655

After:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174625&d=1667870672

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174624&d=1667870672

Unfortunately the shape of the lens is a little different from the sealed beams and it doesn't look the best, but the difference in the lighting makes a huge difference and is well worth it.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174626&d=1667870685

[NYMike]

In between getting out for some drives this fall, we have been tinkering with it as well. One quick improvement was finally getting around to swapping out our generic valve covers with the 427 Ford Racing covers we snagged off of eBay earlier this year. What a difference:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174627&d=1667870722

Another project that had been on the list was wiring in a switch for our trunk light. We had run wiring to the trunk and stuck an LED strip on the trunk hoop for lighting, but never figured out a good way to switch the light on. I had bought some switches off of amazon, but never got to it before body work.

https://www.amazon.com/weideer-Momentary-Universal-Adjustable-K-025-I/dp/B093F89S9B/ref=sr_1_3?crid=CV2XCYDIWGKL&keywords=weideer+4pcs+door+pin+switch&qid=1668994216&sprefix=weideer+4pcs+door+pin+switch%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-3

I made a bracket to hold the switch and mounted it to the trunk hinge, so when the trunk is closed, the plunger presses against the bottom of the body and shuts off the light. It was a fairly simple solution and it has been working pretty well.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174629&d=1667870722

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174628&d=1667870722

Finally, we tackled our saggy side pipes. It has been one of the least critical but most annoying nagging issues we have been facing. No matter how much we tightened the ball collectors, we could not get the pipes to stay level. It got to the point where we would set the pipes, go for a drive, and come home to the pipes almost dragging on the ground. I suspect that the design of the mount for the Gas-N pipes worked great before Factory Five switched to the ball collector, but it seems for ours it didn't give the pipes enough support to prevent the collector joint from rotating over time. There is one mount on each side that goes to the center of the muffler. The end of the mount bolts into the 2" frame tube at the back edge of the footbox through a bushing, and it is also supported by an exhaust hanger. Papa Dave started a thread a while back on sagging Gas-N pipes and there were multiple suggestions that said the hanger stretches and causes the pipe to sag. The solution suggested was to use a hose clamp around the hanger to suck it back up and help support it. So I spent a while in the garage McMaster shopping and made something work.

First I cut the flange off of the two bushings that came with the pipes.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174631&d=1667870757

Then I bolted the mount back together, but sandwiched it between 2 big rubber washers so the mount could float axially, and used a big fender washer under the bolt head.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174632&d=1667870757

Finally I removed the bolts for the hanger and installed big fender washers on each of them to contain the hose clamp and tightened up the hose clamps until the pipes were level.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174630&d=1667870757

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174633&d=1667870771

The suggestions were spot on. It's not pretty but it really works great. The mounting now has just enough give to absorb vibration, but have not budged since.

[NYMike]

We made it to 500 miles! This has been such a fun and rewarding journey, and it's crazy to think we've driven 500 miles in a car we built ourselves. We really wanted to get to 500 miles and finish the Blueprint 500 mile break in before the end of the season, but were about 150 miles short. So, two weeks ago we put on our Factory Five soft top so we could keep driving in the colder weather. We had installed the body mounts before paint, but this was the first time we had installed it for real. It took a while to do, but I'm sure as we get more practice it will get easier. We also had to readjust the windshield angle since the spacing wasn't quite right, we had to cut some of our static cling to use as paint protection film under the rubber seal for the top frame, and we had to install the snaps on the windshield posts for the windows. The top is not cheap but it is so well done, and it really looks pretty good installed on the car.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=175248&d=1668995861

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=175247&d=1668995861

The first drive we took last week with the top was about 60 miles total from my house, down to the outh shore beaches, along Ocean Parkway, and back. Without the windows installed it was still a little cold, but much better than open cockpit. The only thing we didn't love was the exhaust definitely sounded louder with the top on.

The second drive today was about 30 miles from my house to Sunken Meadow Beach on the north shore and back. It was in the 30s today and windy so we put the windows on today and it was a game changer. The windows are a complete pain to deal with getting in and out, but once they were on and we were cruising it was great. I was wearing a coat but was perfectly comfortable and didn't even need to turn on the heat. It was a beautiful day and a nice ride the just barely got us to the 500 mile mark.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=175249&d=1668995861

Mission accomplished, and with the break in period finished and some nice long drives under our belt I'm going to go ahead and call the build graduated. There are still plenty of small things to do, but I think that will always be the case.

Now, 500 miles in, its time for a little bit of reflection. Starting with the positives...

First, it is so much fun to drive. We have been taking it easy as we learn how it handles and break the engine in, but it is fast and super responsive. It is also surprisingly comfortable. The leather roadster seats feel pretty good, the seat heaters are great, and the suspension is nice and stiff, but not as harsh as I was expecting.

We have had our moments of frustration with the Holley Sniper, but it seems with every mile we drive its running better and better, so I'd say that was a good decision.

Russ Thompson is a genius. His drop trunk has been incredibly functional for us already, just with some of the extra tools and fluids we were carrying around in the beginning just in case. Also his turn signal setup works flawlessly and is a requirement as far as we are concerned.

The forum cooling mods are fantastic. We did the Breeze upper and lower radiator mounts and the shroud, Mike Everson's nose radiator surround, and the Boig cool tubes. With all of these combined, the engine has never gotten hot, even in 90+ temps.

The Gas-N touring pipes are awesome. There is still plenty of sound, but it is not obnoxious and you can have a conversation with someone in the car when cruising around town.

Holley retrobright headlights are incredible and make a huge difference at night.

Now for the bad and/or regrets...

First, A part of me wishes we had gone for the T56 6 speed. The TKO 600 is fine, but it does scream a little bit on the highway. I'll admit that my research failed me and I didn't realize that the .68 ratio 5th gear was available until it was too late, but I think the .81 that we got is also perfect for cruising back roads and around town in 5th gear. The T56 probably would have been the best of both worlds. Oh well, maybe one day down the road we will take on that project.

Second, we cannot seem to keep fluids in the stupid thing, and all of the leaks so far have been from parts we bought so we cant even blame ourselves for them. First it was the radiator leak, then the water pump housing, then the thermostat housing, and finally the power steering rack. We have eliminated all but the power steering rack leak (hoping to get that one crossed off this winter) and are really looking forward to being able to look at a dry garage floor under the car.

Finally the biggest regret, I wish we had more time to drive it. It's been street legal since the middle of July and we only drove 500 miles :(. Hopefully next season brings more time to enjoy it.

[first time builder]

Looking Great !

[Straversi]

Congratulations. That’s a beautiful machine. I love the black detail stripes outside your white stripes. Very nice build. I’ll have to go back and look through your thread.
Enjoy the miles.
-Steve

[Blitzboy54]

Congrats Mike!

Looks fantastic, I look forward to getting "the girls" together sometime. Way to go

[460.465USMC]

Congrats on graduation, Mike! Glad you had a chance to get a few more miles on it before winter. Thanks for documenting your build with a build thread. Even in your graduation post I'm taking notes (Gas-N sagging pipe issue). I missed that thread you referenced. I will likely follow your lead and do that mod up front when I get to the point of adding the hangars.

The soft top is pretty cool. Appreciate you providing photos with it installed. It's on my list as a potential upgrade someday after I finish the build.

I hope you keep checking back into the forum from time to time. You have some great build experience and skills to share.

[NYMike]

Looking Great !


Congratulations. That’s a beautiful machine. I love the black detail stripes outside your white stripes. Very nice build. I’ll have to go back and look through your thread.
Enjoy the miles.
-Steve

Thanks Guys!


Congrats Mike!

Looks fantastic, I look forward to getting "the girls" together sometime. Way to go

Thanks Jesse! Definitely going to have to figure something out for next spring


Congrats on graduation, Mike! Glad you had a chance to get a few more miles on it before winter. Thanks for documenting your build with a build thread. Even in your graduation post I'm taking notes (Gas-N sagging pipe issue). I missed that thread you referenced. I will likely follow your lead and do that mod up front when I get to the point of adding the hangars.

The soft top is pretty cool. Appreciate you providing photos with it installed. It's on my list as a potential upgrade someday after I finish the build.

I hope you keep checking back into the forum from time to time. You have some great build experience and skills to share.

Thanks Chris! I'll still be around, there are still too many good ideas and excuses to keep tinkering in the garage that I have not found yet.