Factory Five Forums - Blogs - SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/blog.php?4729-SirAustin Builder community site for Factory Five Racing. en Sun, 03 May 2026 09:54:54 GMT vBulletin 10 https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Factory Five Forums - Blogs - SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/blog.php?4729-SirAustin Brake lines run, electical started. https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?340-Brake-lines-run-electical-started Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:09:58 GMT Last Sunday I had my friend RJ come over and he helped run the brake lines for me. He had a nice Snap-On flaring tool which made for a real clean... Last Sunday I had my friend RJ come over and he helped run the brake lines for me. He had a nice Snap-On flaring tool which made for a real clean install. I am using a hydraulic clutch so I used the existing hole for the clutch cable to run the lines out and down the frame. Turned out pretty nice, if I were to do it again I would of used fittings to go threw the firewall for a even cleaner install but it turned out great.
Had some issues with the rear brakes, I get to drain my rear end pull the axels and then flip my brake brackets around so the brakes are mounted on the front. After that is done I will have my brakes completed.
I started running the electrical today, boy oh boy that little hole they want you to run a bunch of wires threw is crazy might enlarge that and put a grommet in it.
Pretty excited on how fast my build is going. My motor will be done by next month!! Need a transmition, clutch, and bell housing still, also have not run my fuel lines yet. I am still waiting to see if Boyde Welding comes out with a shorter tank if so I will be using that with -8 lines.
To everyone who is blogging keep up the posts I love reading how everyone else is doing! ]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?340-Brake-lines-run-electical-started Vacation over.. Back to working on the car. https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?338-Vacation-over-Back-to-working-on-the-car Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:18:58 GMT I took a small break from the car to pool up some money for things that would be needed. My 347 stroker is being built here locally and that’s going... I took a small break from the car to pool up some money for things that would be needed. My 347 stroker is being built here locally and that’s going as we speak. I have a guy coming over Sunday to help run the brake lines and hook everything up, I decided to have a professional come over and help with that part just for peace of mind.
So today I decided to rip apart my pedal box assembly and paint the brackets that came from FFR, I am very glad I decided to do that because they had been on there for no longer then a month and already had flash rust forming on them!
PAINT YOU PEDAL BOX!
That is my update for the day = ) ]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?338-Vacation-over-Back-to-working-on-the-car More drilling almost done! https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?314-More-drilling-almost-done! Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:04:30 GMT I am drilling away on my panels. I am down to just the trunk area. Next I am planning my attack on running brake lines and fuel lines. I ordered a 3... I am drilling away on my panels. I am down to just the trunk area. Next I am planning my attack on running brake lines and fuel lines.
I ordered a 3 cylinder cnc reservoir setup from Fortes and am still debating upgrading the stock gas tank to a Boyds tank. My tank has some fitment issues.
Best of luck to all the other builders out there, I hope to have some good photos coming soon! ]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?314-More-drilling-almost-done! Having fun with the aluminum panels still almost done = ) Questions inside. https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?301-Having-fun-with-the-aluminum-panels-still-almost-done-)-Questions-inside Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:56:57 GMT I am almost done drilling all the holes in my panels, the amount of holes needed to be drilled isnt that bad at all. I actually am finding this to be... I am almost done drilling all the holes in my panels, the amount of holes needed to be drilled isnt that bad at all. I actually am finding this to be very relaxing, kind of takes your mind of things and is pretty simple.
I am running into a issue with the back panel for the cockpit, the tops are not lining up very well and if I push them together it seems to cause the top of the back panel to flex slightly into a S shape in some spots. Anyone have suggestions on wether to rivet them in place where they are laying now or force the corners together and rivet?
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]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?301-Having-fun-with-the-aluminum-panels-still-almost-done-)-Questions-inside Overdue for an update. https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?273-Overdue-for-an-update Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:40:21 GMT Just realized I have been putting off updating my blog for a while! My father and I have come a long ways on the build at least I think we have!... Just realized I have been putting off updating my blog for a while!
My father and I have come a long ways on the build at least I think we have!
The rear end is installed. A good friend was super awesome enough to paint it in his paint booth for me.
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This bolt not lining up was very frustrating, helpful hint make sure everything is lined up and check your height.
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Pedal box assembled and installed.
The tabs on the bracket that you drill threw into the frame were off a bit but clever use of vice grips to force them over helped fix that problem.
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Also note that the clutch has been switched for a hydraulic clutch. Call Steve at Fortes and he can set you up with a master cylinder.
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Steering Shaft installed.
After talking to I think it was Dan at Factory Five who was super helpful I decided that my tight fitting steering shaft will stay. I did learn not to pound it in too far!! I missed the part where it said just passed the second spring washer. So I had to back mine out wasn’t easy but was done.
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Gas Tank Installed.
This was actually a pretty fun part. The straps sure are a tight fit but we got them in there!
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And now my father and I are having a blast installing the foot boxes.
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]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?273-Overdue-for-an-update Front brakes installed. https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?255-Front-brakes-installed Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:18:42 GMT Finally the front suspension and brakes are done. I think might be re-greasing them. After playing with different spacers and torque settings... Finally the front suspension and brakes are done. I think might be re-greasing them.

After playing with different spacers and torque settings finally got all the castle nuts to line up so they would accept cotter pins.

After that got done I torqued the wheel hubs on used 230 ft lbs of torque the book said 225-250 so I went with 230. The hubs spin pretty freely but not as much as they did before they were torqued I hope that was right. A few friends were questioning that torque setting saying it sounded high.

Brakes were next everything went together pretty good those little black boots are a hidden talent to get on. The book called for some grease to be put on the guide rods for the breaks I was missing the grease that was supposed to be with them so I used some synthetic grease I had laying around. I might take them apart and go buy the right grease I didn’t think it would matter that much but now in retrospect I might want to change that grease out?

Anyways here is some updated pictures of today’s progress.
(Updated picture of more magical spacers needed to line up the cotter pin on the castle nuts)
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(Picture of front suspension with brakes on)
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(Me being dorky and throwing the wheel on for the fun of it)
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]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?255-Front-brakes-installed Car Delivered - Body Removed - Front Suspension Installed/Issues https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?249-Car-Delivered-Body-Removed-Front-Suspension-Installed-Issues Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:55:43 GMT Car has been delivered it was delivered on 9/25/11. Still waiting to get pictures from someone’s camera to add up here. 10/2/11 I labeled and took... Car has been delivered it was delivered on 9/25/11. Still waiting to get pictures from someone’s camera to add up here.
10/2/11 I labeled and took off the aluminum panels, in my excitement I forgot to trace out where the frame sat on a couple of them no big deal though I think I will easily add those when I go to install them.
10/3/11 My father and I got to working on the front suspension. That little rear nut for the upper control arm is a fun one! We actually went to the store to buy a replacement because we chewed up the first one mock fitting it. Finding ways to get torque wrenches in some spots was a trick too.
Everything is on up to the spindles now we did have some issues with the cotter pins fitting the castle nuts appropriately. [B]After tightening the passenger side control arms castle nut down the hole for the cotter pin is actually above the castle nut.. Anyone have any suggestions for this issue, or is it not that big of an issue?[/B]
Here are 2 pictures of the area of concern.
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Also a side not. When mounting the shocks the spacers were just a little too big so I had to file them down just a little to get them to snug in there. Here is an image of the spacers before I shaved them down.
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Thanks again to anyone who reads this and has any advice for me on my small issue.
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]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?249-Car-Delivered-Body-Removed-Front-Suspension-Installed-Issues Rear end built. https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?210-Rear-end-built Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:41:38 GMT Today I was helped by a friend of a friend named RJ building my rear end. We put all new bearings in and a new set of 3.55 gears. Pretty cool how it... Today I was helped by a friend of a friend named RJ building my rear end.
We put all new bearings in and a new set of 3.55 gears. Pretty cool how it all goes together. We did have to take the center section apart a few times to get everything just right we got lucky on the pinion spacing it only took one adjustment.
Next is to paint the rear end and then mount it on my money pit. So 90 percent complete on that project feels pretty good!
(Here is RJ pressing some bearings in.)
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(RJ setting the backlash)
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(Ring gear after the paint test.)
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Thanks again to Bob for letting us use his shop and RJ for putting hours of hard work into my rear end.
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]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?210-Rear-end-built Rear end torn down : ) https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?209-Rear-end-torn-down-) Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:32:44 GMT Today marks my first day being able to say I worked on my car! Pretty exciting I think? -Here is what I started with. Attachment 4440... Today marks my first day being able to say I worked on my car! Pretty exciting I think?
-Here is what I started with.
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Today I tore down the rear end with help from many great minds at my good friend’s machine shop. I started by sand blasting the entire rear-end had a funny moment on my last bag of sand in which the sand blaster I was using decided to not spray right and emptied the entire bag in about 2 minutes I was waiting for the fine spray to come back never did = (.
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After sandblasting I got the axels out by removing the small bolt on the carrier and then removing the rod and c-clips holding the axels in, then removed the carrier itself and then cleaned the inside out with some brake cleaner.
Final step was to throw some primer on her so she didn’t rust.
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Wednesday is the big day we are putting it all back together. I purchased a 5 lug axel and rear disc brake kit from Fortes, the machined brackets look pretty nice that came in the kit. Also I purchased a 8.8 rebuild kit so this thing is getting mostly all new parts inside her = )
Look forward to posting again Wednesday.
P.S. Thanks Bob and everyone at the shop who helped me today!
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]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?209-Rear-end-torn-down-) First shipment came from Factory Five today! https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?207-First-shipment-came-from-Factory-Five-today! Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:48:10 GMT My first shipment has arrived. A set of Halibrand wheels. I now know what people were talking about when they said it feels like christmas getting... My first shipment has arrived. A set of Halibrand wheels. I now know what people were talking about when they said it feels like christmas getting packages that say Factory Five on them.
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]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?207-First-shipment-came-from-Factory-Five-today! Body Buck Complete https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?204-Body-Buck-Complete Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:11:44 GMT Got the body buck built with my father. We are storing the body on a lift so we built a pretty sturdy frame, using the plans in the manual it was... Got the body buck built with my father. We are storing the body on a lift so we built a pretty sturdy frame, using the plans in the manual it was pretty simple. The only thing we couldnt figure out was the rear has a curve that goes between the two bumps. We winged it and I am hoping that it will work with out harm. After reading someone on here had posted the radius for that area but I had already cut mine out.
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Also updated rear end situation, I ordered a kit from Fortes which converts the 4 lug foxbody rear end into a 5 lug with disc brakes. Steve is super awesome to deal! Cant wait to get going on that project. I have a friend who is letting me use his shop to sandblast, rebuild, and paint the rear end there so that helps a ton!
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]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?204-Body-Buck-Complete Foxbody Rear end. https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?201-Foxbody-Rear-end Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:20:09 GMT I am still waiting for my kit to arrive and getting the pre game stuff figured out. I have some cool jack stands coming from backyardbuddy.com some... I am still waiting for my kit to arrive and getting the pre game stuff figured out.
I have some cool jack stands coming from backyardbuddy.com some where I found a thread about stands and someone suggested theirs. Although pricey I will be able to move my car around my garage freely which will be nice, I have a small garage.
My current problem is understanding what I need to make a 80's Foxbody Rearend work with the factory five mk4.
I know I am going to need 5 lug axels and to convert it to disc brakes. I am confused as to what all is really needed to do so. If anyone is reading this and can direct me the right way it might calm my mind down for the day! ]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?201-Foxbody-Rear-end Still waiting on my car but in the meantime.. https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?195-Still-waiting-on-my-car-but-in-the-meantime Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:44:23 GMT My delivery date is still far out but in the mean time my friend let me go to his machine shop and play yesterday. I am a newbie when it comes to... My delivery date is still far out but in the mean time my friend let me go to his machine shop and play yesterday.
I am a newbie when it comes to this stuff. I got to play with a press brake and bend some radiator mounts for a project car they were working on, got to use the air riviter which took care of all my fears of making sure all the rivets on my mk4 will be perfect, played with clekos they are simple and awesome.
Just had a great day fabricating stuff and getting to play with tools that are new to me. ]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?195-Still-waiting-on-my-car-but-in-the-meantime My first post! https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?191-My-first-post! Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:19:22 GMT I recently ordered my Factory Five Mk4 Roaster complete kit. I have decided that after reading for hours every morning when I wake up that I should... I recently ordered my Factory Five Mk4 Roaster complete kit. I have decided that after reading for hours every morning when I wake up that I should probably start a blog here and hopefully get some help from others and contribute to the forums so the future builders have even more to look at.

If all goes well I am expecting to receive my kit at the end of next month or early October. I live in Iowa and it gets pretty cold here so hopefully asap!

The pursuit of a goal and dream has started wish me luck! I will post pictures right away as soon as delivery happens. ]]> SirAustin https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?191-My-first-post!