FloMoTx 289 FIA Build - Firewall Support, Heater, Reservoir Install

[tundra2050]

Tundra2050 and Mike.Bray - is it my imagination or are both of you in Flower Mound, TX? I can't recall ever seeing two members living in the same town

Rob

Yes. Turned out, in the same neighborhood. I got to see his build up close, but not until after it was done. Amazing!

[Mike.Bray]

Tundra2050 and Mike.Bray - is it my imagination or are both of you in Flower Mound, TX? I can't recall ever seeing two members living in the same town

Rob

We are literally within walking distance of each other.

OB6 (Terry) lived just down the road but moved recently. There's a blue type 65 coupe that I've seen a few times around town but haven't met the owner. And Classic Recreations/Shelby Garage used to be in Flower Mound until they got bought by Velocity. I guess we're a happening place!

[Mike.Bray]

Sorry Mike. You're right Pat, I should have thanked both of y'all.

Mike, thanks again for your tips. I'm going to look into Forte. I do like the ProFlo, but I'm trying to make it look more like 1965 and Holley's throttle body looks more like a carb. A buddy of mine has a Fitech in one of his restomods that he loves. The ProFlo looks very modern IMO. I'm willing to sacrifice some performance for looks. At least for now. I'm a ways off from getting the engine and trans. I can always change my mind.

Thanks all!

I would take the Sniper 2 over the Fitech, pretty sure BPE can supply and tune it for you. Be sure and get the Hyperspark so you have computer control over the spark advance.

[Stangrob]

Sorry Mike. You're right Pat, I should have thanked both of y'all.

Mike, thanks again for your tips. I'm going to look into Forte. I do like the ProFlo, but I'm trying to make it look more like 1965 and Holley's throttle body looks more like a carb. A buddy of mine has a Fitech in one of his restomods that he loves. The ProFlo looks very modern IMO. I'm willing to sacrifice some performance for looks. At least for now. I'm a ways off from getting the engine and trans. I can always change my mind.

Thanks all!

While I do admit that the Sniper looks more like a carb, you can hide a lot of the Pro-Flow with a HiPo air cleaner Yes, you'll see a bit of the fuel rails but it's not that much. I'm trying for that "retro" look as well but ultimately I guess it's more of a hybrid setup.

I took this picture of John289's engine bay at last summer's FFR Open House. I think it's a pretty good example of a well-executed retro setup.

Rob

John289 engine bay-1.jpg

[Mike.Bray]

I'm a ways off from getting the engine and trans. I can always change my mind.

Three things I absolutely love about my FFR Cobra.

The power, the noise, the Cobra experience in general.

The power steering, not just for steering effort but for the increased caster/stability.

The Tilton hydraulic throwout bearing. Smooth as silk.

Don't get your HRB from BPE, they will give you a McLeod which is the bargain basement of HRBs and prone to failure. Go wit the best, Tilton so you don't have to worry about it.

[tundra2050]

While I do admit that the Sniper looks more like a carb, you can hide a lot of the Pro-Flow with a HiPo air cleaner Yes, you'll see a bit of the fuel rails but it's not that much. I'm trying for that "retro" look as well but ultimately I guess it's more of a hybrid setup.

I took this picture of John289's engine bay at last summer's FFR Open House. I think it's a pretty good example of a well-executed retro setup.

Rob

John289 engine bay-1.jpg

That's the look I'm hoping to get. Definitely will reconsider the ProFlo.

Mike, I wonder if BPE will let me choose the HRB and go with a Tilton? I also wonder if they can swap the external fuel pump for an in-tank pump. I also thought about buying the engine and trans separately and mating them up, but I do like the idea of turnkey.

[Mike.Bray]

Mike, I wonder if BPE will let me choose the HRB and go with a Tilton? I also wonder if they can swap the external fuel pump for an in-tank pump. I also thought about buying the engine and trans separately and mating them up, but I do like the idea of turnkey.

I talked to BPE about the new engine for my Camaro and found they're very "catalog sales" and not flexible. I ended up going with Smeding down by Austin, awesome people to deal with and very flexible. Prestige is another great engine company to deal with and will build you anything you want. Forte is another nice option. For me BPE is too big and inflexible.

Personally I would buy the engine and source the rest of the drivetrain and accessories myself to get exactly what I want. If you buy everything from BPE they probably won't assemble it anyway.

[tundra2050]

Well, it’s been a while since I posted on the thread. I came to a bit of a standstill waiting on the power steering rack I ordered back in December. Also had some honeydos. I’ve held off ordering the axle after having to make a couple of large purchases, but I’ll probably do that next month. I wanted to order the brake kit from FFR, but they’re out of stock still like several other parts, probably due to supply chain issues.

I’ve taken most of the Forum’s advice and continued installing aluminum in places where I don’t think it would be too difficult to install future parts I’m waiting on. I was helped out by some of the builders who opted to go different directions with the heater/defroster and wipers. I prepped the firewall for the heater/defroster – had to make a template, because the FFR template was slightly off as noted. I just need to add some Thermotech to the cockpit side. I forgot to cut the holes for the wiring harness, but can probably do that later like the manual.

There is not much room to move the heater over to take into account the 289 FIA speedometer. I might just move that over. I have some extra aluminum because the trunk side panel tabs were bent the wrong way. FFR sent me new ones. But I need a new dash as the holes were cut for the vintage Smith style and not the 289 GPS gauges (I think are the same as the 65 Daytona gauges). The speedo just needs to move over slightly.

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Since I received the new trunk panels, I installed those. Had to bend the tabs with this handy 18” bender I found on Amazon. Does 3/8” and 1” bends. I also installed the inside trunk panels, not realizing now that I’ll have to shave a little off the sides of the trunk floor. With the extra metal, I plan to cut a triangle support for the firewall.

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There are some large gaps between the frame and the trunk side panel aluminum. Is that supposed to be filled with silicone or another filler? Or aluminum patches?

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Hopefully, FFR can dig out from the storm and can get that PS rack and another dash out soon! I'd like to check off on the steering column installation as well - maybe see how a column turn signal might fit.

[Stangrob]

Good to see you making more progress. I'm glad to see FF is taking care of your dash issue - accidents happen and they sure make a lot more "427-style" dashes than 289 FIA

Sorry to hear you're still waiting on your rack. I installed mine but can't finish it until I get my spindles

Keep at it!!!

Rob

[tundra2050]

Got back to the build for a little bit last weekend and finished up some from the previous. I did some of my own machining, adding a firewall support. I read in someone's posts about stiffening the dash due to the added weight of a heater/defroster and wiper. I decided to make a passage way through the support in case it might be easier to run cables through rather than around it. Additionally, I added some 2x2 aluminum angle to the DS where I might add a throttle linkage and on the PS where my wiper motor will go. I guess I could have done a better job cutting the rectangle for the heater, but I didn’t have my nibbler at the time.

DSDASH.jpgPSDASH.jpgcenterdash.jpg

I then installed the heater per the instructions. I took the advice from another post I saw and added some metal to the top inside of the heater held in place with RTV silicone. I then drilled holes to accept 3/4" long self tapping screws. I did the same to the bottom inside, but used some scrap sheet metal that was the perfect size. I used the same screws ensuring there would be sufficient space so the screws would not touch any of the core. I think the heater will hold up better than if I used those little 5/16" screws that came with the kit. I also plan to silicone around the heater to get a better seal.

HEATERB.jpgHEATERF.jpg

I also made a bracket for my brake and clutch reservoirs I'd seen from yet another post. It wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be to make sure the reservoir clamps were level. I think it came out ok almost exactly level. Nothing I've done has come close to the artistry of many of the builders on this forum. I'm just hoping it all functions as it should.

Reservoirs.jpg

I really need to start writing down the handles of posts to give credit where it's due.

I'm hoping to get my PS rack and steering assembly installed next. I just got a FedEx email from FFR. I only ordered it back in December.

Mike Forte's crew is building my narrowed width axle and supplying brakes. I'm still going to need parking brake cables however, once I can do some measuring. I don’t think I’m saving any money going that route, but he’s a nice guy and really know his stuff.

In all, I'd like to think my grandfather would approve of my amateur machining. He was an aircraft machinist from WWII to just after the Vietnam war. He could fabricate pretty much anything by hand with his tools. He would have loved a project like this. Just couldn’t afford it.