Where to start... lots of missing parts?

[JohnP]

Need some advise on what work I can do given lots of missing parts.

There are only three areas of the car where I potentially have sufficient parts to start work... from a review of my current inventory.

1. Aluminum body panels (only area where I have all the parts).... I could fit, drill and temporarily place them with clecos. This would allow me to then send the engine bay panels out for powder coat.

2. IRS rear end... still missing left and right CV axle, Springs, shocks.

3. Vintage race seats... I have all the parts.

In all of the other areas I am either missing significant parts or the item is very late in the build such as body hardware.

Looks like it would be worth doing (1), (3)?... is #2 either not worth it or is it to far out of order and it will get in the way of other items?

Any other work that I could do to make forward progress?

Thanks
JP

[frankeeski]

After your panels are fit move onto the brake lines from the master(s) towards the calipers.

Then move onto fuel lines.

Then start running your chassis harness.

[JohnP]

Frank .... Will having to remove the panels to get them powder coated cause problems with either the fuel or brake lines?

Thanks
JP

[frankeeski]

Quick answer is.............. it may. If you find a good powder-coating shop, like I have, you'll find that even a busy shop can get your panels done in a week to 10 days. That means 2 weekends you won't have them. In that time you can lay out where your lines will go and mount them up with the cushion clips and clecos. Once you have the panel back in your shop only install the the ones you have to, to leave you as much room to work as possible. Then with those panels back and in place you can mount the lines for good.

[CaptB]

Couple of things, I too am in your shoes and while I had enough parts to get the front Upper/Lower control arms on, not much else can be done there. For my axle, I have enough parts and plan on putting that in today.

In lieu of parts that are on the POL I have started my alum panel work. After this like @frankeeski advised I'm going to move on to my fuel/brake lines and then my harness. After that I hope I've got some parts or I may be at a strand still!!!

[TommyK215]

Wow. Makes me concerned about my kit due to arrive Wednesday. Good thread. I’ll be paying attention

Tom

[michael everson]

Heres a list of what can be done. My Motto "always be moving forward"

Assemble windshield
assemble wind wings and visors
assemble headlights
fit all lights to the body
drill and cleco all aluminum
assemble steering shaft if you have it.
assemble gauges in dash
fit and drill roll bars.
assemble fuel tank
repair door latches per this forum
assemble parking brake
assemble hood hinge
lay out the wiring harness and see if theres anything you can remove or move to your liking
install trans mount
drill out IRS pumpkin
mount pedal box and then run brake lines. Use Clecos to install
If IRS remove and install wheel studs
use carpet for patterns to cut interior insulation.

Hope that helps
Mike

[Jeff Kleiner]

You're a long way from dead in the water and have plenty of work to do!

You have a good list from Frank and Mike with many of the same things I was going to suggest. In addition make the modification to the IRS knuckles and change out the studs in the hubs. Absolutely get started on fitting and drilling aluminum to the chassis---I'd recommend this as a first step even if you had all of your parts on hand. After you've done that break it down and while the panels are out for coating start working on the brake and fuel plumbing which is easier to access with the aluminum removed. Same with getting the IRS center section up into place.



Cheers,
Jeff

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Old saying on mastering a very big project. "you eat an Elephant one bite at a time" Do as much sub-assembly as you can. Just be careful & read the manual on both sides of what you are working on so you don't paint yourself into a corner & have do over work.

[rich grsc]

Old saying on mastering a very big project. "you eat an Elephant one bite at a time" Do as much sub-assembly as you can. Just be careful & read the manual on both sides of what you are working on so you don't paint yourself into a corner & have do over work.
Wait, do overs are mandatory, you haven't built it correct unless you've built it twice, or even three times. :p

[egchewy79]

also spend some time researching mods that other builders have come up with to improve upon the stock parts. some that come to mind are Wade's door latch mod with Kleiner's recommended spring delete, replacement of the wave washers for the hood hinges, Kleiner mod for the rear quick jack bolts, edwards's e-brake pulley mod, sun visor square nut in the channel mod. Those are just a short list of the ones I can think of. Many out there have found a better way to skin the cat, so no point in reinventing the mousetrap.

[JohnP]

You guys are awesome... thanks so much for the guidance.... this gives me plenty to do, that I would have not have know about without your insight and experience! Hope everyone is having a good holiday season and thanks for taking the time to help this newbie out.

One other question..... is there any source from Factory 5 for getting insight on where they are in resolving/recovering from there issues around part shortages and delays.... short of just adding to the problem by calling or e-mailing them to get status? I picked up my Kit at the factory almost 4 months ago and have received only a small trickle of part in the last few weeks. Did not receive any parts for almost 3 months. I am still short a significant number of parts in every assembly area other than the aluminum panels.

[JohnP]

Heres a list of what can be done. My Motto "always be moving forward"

Assemble windshield
assemble wind wings and visors
assemble headlights
fit all lights to the body
drill and cleco all aluminum
assemble steering shaft if you have it.
assemble gauges in dash
fit and drill roll bars.
assemble fuel tank
repair door latches per this forum
assemble parking brake
assemble hood hinge
lay out the wiring harness and see if theres anything you can remove or move to your liking
install trans mount
drill out IRS pumpkin
mount pedal box and then run brake lines. Use Clecos to install
If IRS remove and install wheel studs
use carpet for patterns to cut interior insulation.

Hope that helps
Mike

Mike .... Thanks so much for this list.... really helps!!

JP

[JohnP]

You're a long way from dead in the water and have plenty of work to do!

You have a good list from Frank and Mike with many of the same things I was going to suggest. In addition make the modification to the IRS knuckles and change out the studs in the hubs. Absolutely get started on fitting and drilling aluminum to the chassis---I'd recommend this as a first step even if you had all of your parts on hand. After you've done that break it down and while the panels are out for coating start working on the brake and fuel plumbing which is easier to access with the aluminum removed. Same with getting the IRS center section up into place.



Cheers,
Jeff


Jeff ... Thanks so much for your advise and help! Would like to get on your list for Bodywork and Paint about this time next year?

Thanks
John P

[nucjd19]

Michael, Jeff and Frankeeski are typing out pure gold. They are so spot on. My game plan was to always be busy with something until a critical POL part showed up. I almost got stuck with nothing to do only once before the part showed up that week. The only thing I would add is that installing the seats without the body on could be problematic if you are moving them back all of the way or running seat rails. Good luck. Try not to sweat it too bad. It will all come together in the end.

[facultyofmusic]

Something that helped me a bunch was going through the entire build manual a few times and mark out what parts are "doable in parallel". I ended up printing the manual pages for these parts as separate smaller booklets so if I get stuck on one, I can mark where I stopped, write down what's missing, and move on to another booklet.

If, like many of us, you decide to use aftermarket parts to improve your build (such as stainless steel fuel lines, Russ Thompson turning signal / drop trunk mod, etc), you can order those parts and start working on them as they arrive from their respective vendors.

[JohnP]

Something that helped me a bunch was going through the entire build manual a few times and mark out what parts are "doable in parallel". I ended up printing the manual pages for these parts as separate smaller booklets so if I get stuck on one, I can mark where I stopped, write down what's missing, and move on to another booklet.

If, like many of us, you decide to use aftermarket parts to improve your build (such as stainless steel fuel lines, Russ Thompson turning signal / drop trunk mod, etc), you can order those parts and start working on them as they arrive from their respective vendors.

Thanks some good advise appreciate it!

[ADI]

JP,

I`m pretty much in the same spot you are (just a couple of weeks ahead.)
Be prepared to be missing little things too, like bolts, nuts, and some other smaller items.

I have texted Dave, wrote PM a.o. but unfortunately FFR is awol. I work in industry and fully understand (and feel) these unprecedent times, but in my opinion, FFR is lacking on the most simple step: communication

If you see my build thread, you will notice that most is 1/2 done in all steps, so focus on the aluminum panels and have fun there, buy yourself a couple of 100`s 1/8 Cleco bag and move on.

[runamuk]

I'm in the same boat. I mounted my IRS components but I'm missing the spacers for the toe arm adjusters as well as shocks and brakes. I'm mounting the fuel tank next since I'm only missing the rubber grommet for the vent and the tank fill tube. after that I plan on working the aluminum panels

[Russwood]

Wow. Makes me concerned about my kit due to arrive Wednesday. Good thread. I’ll be paying attention

Tom

Hey Tom - if your kit is due today, I'm curious if yours is on the same truck as mine - due here in Oklahoma on Saturday morning according to Stewart Transpo. If you get this today, I'd love to know if yours makes it on time and if you see mine in there! LOL

Russ

[TommyK215]

Hey Russ! Mine arrived Wednesday right at 0800. Unfortunately, I was not there to witness the event. The whole process reportedly took about an hour. I imagine he will be on time with yours. the anticipation is killin' me! And my 14 year old daughter is itching to start the inventory and organization! I will post pics asap!

Cheers!

Tom