Panel progress: sound and heat insulation
It seemed wrong to cover up the powder coat, but it must be done. I'm not expecting any measurable sound improvement, but the heat control alone is worth it IMHO. However, I think there is a small argument for sound improvement as it does change the tinny aluminum to a more solid sounding panel.
I had previously started in the footboxes. Finished those, including the bottom side of the top panels. I painted those black--don't want the shiny foil smiling at me if my head finds itself in the footbox.
Next up was the floor of the cockpit. I kept the seams tight, and layered HVAC foil tape over them. I'm using Thermo Tec again--it performed well in my MK4. They changed the labeling from blue to black for the last couple of rolls I bought. Visible on the rear outside corner panel in the picture below. I don't know if they changed the formula, but the newer black labeled stuff seems a little softer. Speaking of the outside corner panels, I made the decision to install now. Hopefully, those ears won't fight me too much when I'm putting the body on/off.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...6&d=1757428884
Here's the left side of the cockpit. The Thermo Tec nicely seals the small holes where panels come together. For the larger gaps, like around the seatbelt anchors, I will be using Dynatron, a 3M marine grade product that builder JohnK turned me on to last time. Great stuff! Can be used on larger gaps, retains some flexibility, and is paintable. Comes in a caulk tube. It's not cheap (nothing is!), but one tube will be more than enough for all the gaps in the cockpit and footboxes.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...3&d=1757428884
I also put a layer along the firewall. One nice thing I discovered is it's much easier to remove it from the powder coated panels than it was from the raw aluminum. Bonus, as I'll undoubtedly need to pull some back for various wiring/modules.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...5&d=1757428884
Thankfully, I was able to install most of the FB insulation with the panels on the work bench by first tracing the chassis members to serve as the borders.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...4&d=1757428884
I also assembled the trunk box and layered in the insulation. Taking advantage of the momentum, I layered over the front and rear hatch floor panels. At this point, I'd say my panel insulation is ~95% complete. That's okay by me, as I'm ready to move on to something different.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...2&d=1757428884
Some of the builders I admire use spray-on for insulation instead of the adhesive matting. From an installation standpoint, after doing this now a second time I can see why. In fact, after seeing 8SecDuster's underbody application of Lizard Skin, I'm now planning to use their ceramic coating for my underbody coating. I was already planning to undercoat the entire body and nose, so why not get some heat benefit as well? Their marketing video of the ice cube on the griddle is quite impressive. I'm hoping their two gallon bucket will be enough. I'll find out when I tackle that one next year.
Weight penalty: I estimate the Thermo Tec will add up to 45 lbs. As best I can tell the 3'x5' rolls weigh about 7 lbs, and I'll be well into my sixth roll when I'm done. Good news: the HP to weight ratio will still be more than enough for my use.
Brakes Bled. Phew! And misc. progress
With the DS front/inside panels installed, I turned to filling and bleeding the brake system. Last time, I waited until after drivetrain and electrical were pretty much done (procrastination!). This time, I figured it will be easier to replace a line now before the drivetrain and electrical are in the way if I have a leaker.
During my MK4 build a few years ago, local builder Jim F. showed me the ropes of bleeding brakes. He brought over his Motive power bleeder setup that worked really slick (thanks again, Jim!). So, I picked up their Model 0100 - European Bleeder. It comes with the cap that screws on to the F5 reservoirs. I also picked up their 1810 Catch Bottle (holds about 1 pint). Useful as a siphon if the reservoirs get too full. This setup enables me to do it solo. Good.
- Test for air leaks: It’s recommended to first test the setup before adding fluid to verify the pump setup, which I did. However, after 400+ pumps yielding <5 PSI, I gave up and filled the reservoir. It still took a lot of pumps (200+), but pressure eventually built up to 15 PSI. I assumed this was due to the relatively large volume of air in the empty tank compounded by the miniscule amount of air the pump moves. A poorly installed pinch clamp on the output spout of the pump didn’t help (replaced it). I chuckled to myself (I do that a lot), because neither the instructions I read on the Motive web site, nor their instructional video mentioned the crossfit-style forearm workout coming my way. No harm, because I can use the exercise.
- Valvoline DOT 3&4 synthetic brake fluid. It only took about 18 oz combined (including a little spillage) to fill the front and rear systems. However, I bought two quarts (64 oz) in order to keep enough fluid in the pump as the catch bottle filled.
- Fill reservoirs about half full: a good starting point. Any fuller and the fluid will be at the brim after the bleeding cycle, and require siphoning.
- Wilwood’s instructions: they say to only bled from the top bleed screws. (My front Superlite calipers have top and bottom bleed screws). I started with the outers, followed by the inners, i.e. PS outer, then PS inner, etc.
- I wasn’t expecting (or didn’t remember) pockets of air in the tube between the pump and the reservoir. This is normal.
- Tap the calipers: As the fluid flowed, I gently tapped the calipers with a rubber mallet to jar loose any trapped air bubbles. Pretty sure I read this somewhere, but don't recall the source.
- Results: brake pedal is firm and the system is leak free. I bled all four corners three times. However, I initially found one leak at the T-junction in the front lines. But, after a few rounds of tightening-->re-testing, I believe I have it resolved. I test for leaks using a series of panic-stop level pedal engagement, followed by holding a long/firm press for a minute.
With the brakes bled and the wheels off, figured I’d be slick and torque the axle nuts. Nope. I could only get 98 lb ft while before the rotor starts to move. The additional 45 degrees will have to wait until the e-brakes are installed.
Here's my setup with the Motive power bleeder. I haven't bled brakes by another method, so can't compare. But, I will say if this knuckledragger can bleed brakes with this setup, it must be pretty fool proof and efficient.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...3&d=1758573993
I routed the reservoir to MC hoses through the existing clutch hole.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1758573761
Here's a closer view of the hoses and the small panel I made.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...8&d=1758573761
I also did some more panel work:
- Fixed my Whoops! of the missing top panel in the radiator tunnel.
- Fitted/drilled the hatch side panels.
- And little panels that cover the square holes around the rear shock mounts.
Thankfully, the SS rivets didn't fight me too much as I drilled them out in order to slip in the missing top panel. Phew!
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...4&d=1758574054
View of left side panel in the hatch.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...1&d=1758573993
Really glad to see F5 provides cover panels for the large rectangular opening in the hatch side panels around the shock mounts.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...2&d=1758573993
My next (and hopefully final!) powder coat batch is filling up.
Transmission Install - Part 1
The next major task on my list is mating the T-56 to the motor. As a first timer, I’m bouncing between multiple sources of info. to get everything put together, and in the right order (hopefully).
Pilot bearing (PBF-M7600B): Following the transmission supplier’s instructions, I was told it would be flush with the face of the crank. Not so. I drove it in most of the way with a rubber mallet and socket, but a steel hammer was needed for it to fully seat. It sits proud of the crank face by about 5/64”. But after comparing to a couple other Coyote builders, I think I’m okay. I’ll probably measure for input shaft clearance just to be sure.
Motor mounts: they need to be installed so I can set the motor in my DIY wood cradle (reusing from last build). And the motor needs to be in the cradle, so I can mount the bellhousing backplate, flywheel, etc. Sequence.
- Motor mounts are straight forward enough, but mine needed a little extra attention. After assembling them, I noticed the ˝ inch spacers--supplied by F5 and required for the Coyote–didn’t sit flush against the mount housings. Taking them back apart, I discovered the welds of the M14 stud and adjacent locating pin were interfering with the spacers.
So, I ground down the spots on the spacers where they were making contact. Then painted the exposed metal. Then back together and installed on the motor.
Here you can see where I had to grind the 1/2 inch spacer. I think this one is for the left motor mount. They're not side specific, except for the weld interference points were unique.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...0&d=1759679195
Grinding went pretty quick, thanks to the 18” bandfile sander I picked up last Christmas with a gift card. Handy little tool.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...6&d=1759679294
I have the motor nestled in a DIY wood cradle where it will sit until the T-56 is mated and, ultimately, until I'm ready to install the drivetrain. I got this idea from Edwardb. Works great! You can also see the rubber dust cover/plug in the lower left of the picture. (It's listed by F5 in their Coyote fitment manual).
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...4&d=1759706179
This view of the cradle makes it more obvious why I needed to put the motor mounts on now.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...2&d=1759679195
Quicktime bellhousing trim: It’s been well documented the bellhousing and backplate will protrude below the chassis for Coyote builds. Definitely easier to trim these now. I used my little portable-bandsaw-that-could. Basically, the trimming eliminates the bottom most three holes of the bellhousing and backplate. The cut piece is 1.125” at the center. I cleaned up the cut with a flap disc and painted the exposed steel on the bellhousing.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...3&d=1759679195
Clutch pins: I was wondering about the three pins that came with the flywheel. Turns out these are used to locate the clutch pressure plate on the flywheel (red arrows). Almost missed them. (My oversight: they’re clearly shown in the F5 manual). Also, the bottom trimming of the backing plate is visible.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...5&d=1759706179
Tremec still offers a free shift ball (black or white) if you register your transmission. I did, and this just came in the mail. It includes a variety of threaded inserts to fit various thread sizes/pitches.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...5&d=1759679255
Transmission Install - Part 1 (continued)
Oh, and not part of the trans install, but wanted to mention I put the steering back in place. But before I did, I put Loctite blue on the small metric screws that help keep the u-joints in place. Could be done later, but why not now when it's disassembled and on the workbench?
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...2&d=1759708389