Ah. B. Normal: GOB-BALT build has Started!

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Uh oh! Big Frowny face! The frame segment on the drivers side must be modified to clear the gear case on a manual! I have been snookered by the automatics, which are the majority I have worked on and also scrapped. Their cases do not protrude beyond the left frame member of the sub frame. Tomorrow morning I will begin to make clearance in the body/frame to clear "the butt" that sticks out further left than I anticipated. How exactly we will rebuild this area to return it's strength will be an exercise in creativity.

 

[95Blitz]

I'm sure you two guys will it get it worked out.

 

[ah.b.normal]

I'm sure you two guys will it get it worked out.

Thanks, you know we will. Cutting done, inspiration is not yet obvious.

 

[ah.b.normal]

I haven't updated this thread in a while: I did not complete GOB-BALT to function by the start of Hot Rod Power Tour, so I could not show it off! GRRRR, not happy.
It currently rolls with all frame mods completed to allow the unit to drive, most wiring mods done. I still must plumb the rear brakes and the clutch line.(fingers crossed that the T/O bearing works) Have yet to plumb the fuel line, actually I just need to unclip it and turn it around backwards. Cooling hoses and pipes still to be configured. Fuel tank needs a cradle constructed in the old engine compartment in front. Re-Assemble the majority of the interior and build the bulkhead.
I have a week before we depart for points west! Did I mention I will spend this fall in OZ and NZ? Life is Good, timing is bad.

 

[Markm]

But if you’re going way down under wouldn’t that be considered spending the summer?

 

[ah.b.normal]

But if you’re going way down under wouldn’t that be considered spending the summer?

I get there in September, the end of our summer and of their winter; the start of their spring, our fall. Confused?, I know I am.

 

[Markm]

I get there in September, the end of our summer and of their winter; the start of their spring, our fall. Confused?, I know I am.

Upside down and backwards…. Got it

 

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I have about 4 days before I depart to the road until next spring.
The to do list is getting shorter! BUT not finished! I forgot to run a vac hose front to back for the brake booster, I must solder 4 wires for the fuel pump, secure it's ground, chase down and secure several other grounds, finish rear brake flex to steel lines, battery hold down, Fuel tank cage/hold down, filler neck, mount fuel filter, bleed brakes/clutch, choose and install many cooling hoses, bypass heater, mount overflow tank, fill coolant, fit HHR air cleaner and a little exhaust piping.
THEN TEST DRIVE IF .... the T/O bearing is functional! IF no, drop the subframe and trans next spring.(I may get to visit the garage after the first of the year?)
Another year without the test drive! GRRR! Real exhaust, tail light wires to trunk lid, carpet and seats install, lowering springs? (Lowering Spring ideas are welcome! This thing has the "Raccoon Hunter" stance, headlights in the trees.) Bulkhead and rear light. Blah blah blah.....

 

[Markm]

May get lucky and someone has some used adjustable coil over struts

 

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May get lucky and someone has some used adjustable coil over struts

I have a pair on victim #2 but they are missing spring seats and adjuster rings, probably junk. I need to throw a pair of stock struts at it to hold it until my return. It's kind of sitting on the dirt just now. I've parted out several cars and kept good pairs. I don't think I have any SS.

 

[ah.b.normal]

The Stinger? I think that is an original cat on a used downpipe? We just threw that on so we wouldn't have to listen to a wide open exhaust

Shifter mostly hooked up! Cables are barely long enough! A hazard when building a one off. Using shifter reverser from Goblin and measured for a reversed shifter that works like the new Goblin shifter. I Got lucky! OOPS!! look at that! I forgot to loop the original heater outlets! Always Something!

Looking through the now missing 1/4 window. Rear glass needs to be removed.

Looking through passenger door window. I may replace that holy angle iron with a different kind of battery hold down. Note the ECM is lying loose on the trans, I gotta find that an appropriate mount.

The list is getting shorter! But is getting some additions as well. But I hope to try to start tomorrow! I have some radiator hose magic to do! Mount overflow jug! Must bleed clutch and brakes. Fill and burp cooling system after it's completion. Must chase down several loose grounds and screw them home! Asking Mr. Murphy to look the other way as the clutch T/O bearing was not actuating before I pulled this LUMP, I'm hoping the problem was the master cyl!(New master installed when I re-assembled the fuse box area up front.)

 

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Well, GOB-BALT is Resting comfortably at the Farm. We have hit the road! The final disposition is it rolls but I didn't even get time to adjust the shifter! Some parent duties ate some time in my last weeks and I did not even start it to discover IF I botched up the wiring with my resetting of some component locations. Plus the hazard of having worn connectors or bent pins fiddling with the fuse panel, repeatedly removing and reinstalling it.
The fuel tank I picked fits and is mounted with a Cobalt pump. Battery currently behind the passenger position. Rad in the front, but had trouble with sizing transfer tubing/hoses, so parked dry.(*it can't freeze!) Seats are in it and, yes, I sat in it and dreamed a little bit. I did get to drive/steer it to it's sleepy time spot(with no gears and no brakes BTW) behind the shop, being powered by the push Subaru. The terrain is flat down by the shop so I couldn't roll too far.
We are headed in a generally westerly direction to visit all three kids before we leave for OZ/NZ. Current estimate is we will return to Lavender Hill Farm(Shawn's shop) in March 25. DANG! This is conversion is taking longer than I'd hoped. As I drove this Motor Home down the Interstate I was longing to be driving something much, much smaller.(and hopefully more responsive!)

 

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A minor update forgotten earlier. I cannot fit the HHR air cleaner into this current chassis arrangement, not enough clearance on top. I will cobble together something from the Cobalt remote filter box and some intake pipes and elbows. I will have to figure out where the MAF will end up in that kludge. Life on the road provides ample time to research and dream. Having a functional (front and cheap) gas tank and system fitted shows what space is available. Battery is behind the passenger and I figure will be forward of the bulkhead under it's own cover. Exhaust is going to be a interesting tube jumble! I wish I could just flip the exhaust manifold over, not here. I have 2 cast off headers, could be interesting.

 

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I have no room to complain but I’m gonna anyhow. I am driving on the wrong(left) side of the road and am getting used to it. It’s still a little scary in the big towns. In Townsville, Queensland. Having an alright time, rental is a VW T-Cross? It’s kinda a Golf, Maybe? Don’t really care, it’s a rental.
We started waaaay up North in Port Douglas on the Coral Sea. Very small town and we toured around the rather rural area. So no car conflicts, this is the beginning of spring and school is in so not so many cars roaming around.
Dang! I sound like an ingrate but I want to be tinkering with my car. Spring of 25 will have to be soon enough! I’m not seeing many old cars here so far, this area is lightly populated! Many Farms/Plantations. Banana and Sugar. Some cattle.
We encountered a Cassowary. Huge bird with a velociraptors feet. Hard to trust a armed and dangerous 6’ chicken!

 

[ah.b.normal]

Hello from New Zealand! Still on the wrong side of the road but “when in Rome”!

Zero Cobalts here. Have met some car crazies, they are hard core here. These two islands have a human population equal to Houston, TX. So not a lot of car crazy happening. Roughly 5 sheep here for every human. No, every guy doesn’t own 5 sheep, a few families own huge herds of them. Locals claim there formerly were even more sheep here, but wool prices are way down.

I hope to get back to my shop by mid Feb, 25. But returning to US on December 3 for Christmas with the 2 grand sons!

 

[Gtstorey]

Hello from New Zealand! Still on the wrong side of the road but “when in Rome”!

Zero Cobalts here. Have met some car crazies, they are hard core here. These two islands have a human population equal to Houston, TX. So not a lot of car crazy happening. Roughly 5 sheep here for every human. No, every guy doesn’t own 5 sheep, a few families own huge herds of them. Locals claim there formerly were even more sheep here, but wool prices are way down.

I hope to get back to my shop by mid Feb, 25. But returning to US on December 3 for Christmas with the 2 grand sons. Here’s hoping I still have a country to return to in December. Local news is predicting elections will beep Armageddon.

New Zealand local news is predicting?

 

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New Zealand local news is predicting?

Riots and the end of the world, either way. Wow won’t they be disappointed. Hard to get folks to watch boring news. Fire and blood sells!
“The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated.” Samuel Clemons, AKA: Mark Twain

 

[Gtstorey]

Riots and the end of the world, either way. Wow won’t they be disappointed. Hard to get folks to watch boring news. Fire and blood sells!
“The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated.” Samuel Clemons, AKA: Mark Twain

So, what are they saying now?

 

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Wha? What election? The finals on the cricket test match from Karachi, Pakistan after this commercial break. And where to do your Christmas shopping for the best layaway contract. “No bleed, No Lead”
Nothing burger. They “only drink from the sources they were given”. Not that news here does anything but parrot the NYT/AP/ Wash Post feed. More “propaganda in: propaganda out”.
Walked on a glacier today. Very cold.

 

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Well, latest update follows!
I am back in the general area of my stuff. One huge "ob-stackle" has reared it's head. We are buying land and building several facilities to use as a base of operations.(RV "dock" with driveway, Garage/Storage building, then a house) Car building is only allowed when there is no progress to be made on the main project!
#1 Procure Land which includes decide on "what land parcel" to procure!
That one is in process just now! Closing Atty to be contacted in the AM.
#2 Actually "Close on property"! As anyone who has bought land knows there are hoops to jump through. We are prepared.
#3 The cleanup/terraforming promised by the owner before we actually can take possession said acreage!
Looking more and more like we will possess on April 1. Best case. Grrrr! I wanna start doing and stop waiting!
On an actual car note; I have visited and tinkered with GOB-BALT! Little stuff. "Coolant Transfer Plumbing" turned into a comedy of mysteries and errors. All Cobalt coolant hoses are 1 3/8". So...?, just get pipe that size. Not so simple! Heater hose in that dia is about $28 a foot! And getting a continuous piece over 5' adds to the cost. Oh!, I'll just go with steel electrical conduit?, sorry 1" or 1 1/2 ". Copper plumbing pipe?, size not available commonly. PVC or PEX? Beyond it's recommended temp. Exhaust pipe?, 1 1/4 or 1 1/2. (Also Exhaust pipe could not be swaged down(1 1/2") or swollen(1 1/4") to 1 3/8". Several exhaust shops visited and none of their bending machines will do any process in those sizes, other than bend.) Header tubing?! Yes!! Available in that size!, BUT must be coated after construction, $$$. And about $20 a foot plus shipping. Must find pipe that size but where? Enter "Galvanized Cyclone Fence" topper pipe! Apparently the ONLY size it comes in is 1 3/8"! 10 1/2' length, $24.00(Lowes and HD) 25 year rust through warranty. Who would have believed this pipe problem could be so thorny? AAARRRGH!
Earlier this year I visited a Goblin owner near Little Rock who went to Turbo and had the original Goblin Exhaust set up for sale. It has been riding around in the belly of the beast for 10 months.
Now I must figure out how to modify it to fit into the rear of GOB-BALT. I have an new ally in the Exhaust and Welding biz in Newnan GA, close to me! The Wolfman!(Well, he actually bought the biz from The Wolfman, he is just Chris.) He is a handy fellow with general welding, and this exhaust mod is right up his alley. He welded some other little bits for me proving his skills. I don't imagine I will make him rich, but I sure don't mind his prices!(side note: there is a Goblin in this town, owned by an acquaintance of mine! Chris is curious to get a close look at that Goblin and GOB-BALT.)
When we left for the road last July I was disappointed over all. Over the fall and winter of 24 I had forgotten just how far I had gotten on this project! As I assessed it on my return I was pleasantly surprised at some of the progress I had already made! My current assessment is(I hope) it will actually move under it's own power by March 15.
Thus will begin the hard part, "destructive testing". "Ya want a Revolution, ya gotta break a few eggs!"
Also, I have lots of grounds to chase and screw down! It seems like it is always grounds!