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

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Ahhh if only it was that easy! and I have a 2 for one coupon!

 

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In other news, this might interest MarkM and some others. I was casting about for ideas on what to build my bulkhead out of. Several ideas later I may have my best materiel yet: used, molded plastic bed liner, mainly the floor. I had considered truck bed floor or bent Cobalt hoods, but set them aside due to problems of cost, I can't weld and likely weight. The corrugated floor of a used bed liner cuts easy with a saws all and usually yards will let damaged ones go for $20 or so. Brand is unimportant in this application...... On top of all of that, my Father, whose career at DuPont Plastics had worked hard trying to get one or more of "the Big Three" to build their trucks with at least Polyethylene plastic bed floors. They all balked but he did find a company that wanted to build Polyethylene fuel tanks. He helped Ford design the cheap but effective cure, a strap on, molded shield of Polyethylene that covered the front of the Pinto fuel tank.(Ford engineers wanted to use a pressed steel shield but found steel diff rubbing on steel shield on steel fuel tank had the same result as no shield!) In crash tests the plastic shield kept the steel tank from being ruptured by the diff. And cheaper and faster to install than a slightly lower capacity plastic tank. I'm not sure if Pinto production after the fix changed production to the plastic tank?, but if you look under your DD vehicle you'll probably find a plastic tank.

 

[Markm]

Interesting. Ford should’ve stuck with the bladder tank idea and also suggested Pinto customers not to back down a freeway

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Or added this to the trunk/hatch lid:

 

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Or added this to the trunk/hatch lid:
View attachment 52422

Silly DS! People in the US can't read! Especially not in English; that relic of Oppression, the Patriarchy and Western Civ. in general.

 

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Sorry, I was feeling extra sarcastic what with LA burning again and having to press a button for English. I know I am not in it, but the witnessing the spectacle is enough some days............................. As to GOB-BALT's current status: I'm in "Runs three seconds and dies, purgatory". I need to unplug MAF sensor and see what I get? I am pretty sure the computer is shutting off the fuel because I am starting the engine by using a starter bump switch. Key switch is not cooperating just now.(06 computer) Then hot wiring the fuel pump to get it mobile so it can visit a computer(tec2 or others).

 

[Ross]

I can run my 2006 LSJ using a starter bump switch, as long as the key is in the run position.
Not sure if you have the P12 ECU. Maybe unplugging the MAF sensor will let it run in VE (volumetric efficiency) mode.

 

[ah.b.normal]

I can run my 2006 LSJ using a starter bump switch, as long as the key is in the run position.
Not sure if you have the P12 ECU. Maybe unplugging the MAF sensor will let it run in VE (volumetric efficiency) mode.

Ross, I can't ID what computer it is using but your stories(I believe) lead me to get this far today.(I'm still using start bump switch remote) I am out of Purgatory but not yet in the Promised Land of correct function with the key........... This is an 06 2.2 N/A. I believe all S/C or T/C used a different(Bosch?) computer than their base cousins? I have been away from my car for about a year. At this time I am also trying to get several buildings built on our new to us property. So GOB-BALT tinkering has been strictly curtailed! Much of my tinkering time has been consumed just remembering what I had done up to my departure last June!........... I had dumped the ABS module and put a standard Cobalt prop valve in it's place. Yesterday I was under the hood and as usual I was ignoring that huge plug that goes on the ABS computer, now just lyin' there. Last night it dawned on me, no ABS computer, no H/S LAN. I located that(nearly cast off) computer today and Viola! It no longer stops running after 3 seconds.(I believe if I jumper{solder and insulate} the brown wire pairs to their mates that will properly by-pass that computer on the H/S LAN and I can leave that computer in the scrap pile.)......... It still must be cranked with my starter bump switch, BUT it stays running until I turn the key off or I manage to stall it........... Shifter needs further fettling to zero in on proper function. Fortunately I built in plenty of adjustment........I have constructed the coolant transfer pipes, they now run in the tunnel where exhaust formerly ran. I am digging through my castoff rad hoses from Cobalts and 1500 trucks. The upper hose from a 1500 V8 is a long snakey thing with a near U turn, very handy! I am hoping that if all my donor hoses came from just a few sources replacing them will be a little easier......... Next, to solo bleed brakes and clutch. Rear brake lines are currently plugged closed. I get actual clutch release but it is near the floor. I was bleeding it using a broom handle duct taped to the clutch pedal to push with my left hand as I operated the bleed screw. I am pleased I got any function at all. (A Sasqwatch or a Wookie probably could have reclined the seat all the way back and operated the pedal and bleed screw solo. I found I am lacking about 10" in overall length + reach for that job.)............All rear lighting is still just a jumble of cut ends, many splices to do. And a couple of grounds as well! On the front I show no lights yet, but test lamp probing will tell........I still have some work to do to secure the fuel tank to the mounting frame I created out of 1" square stock under the hood. and must construct a filler neck too! Getting Closer!

 

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I'll try to be short, it was a ground...... Ok the rest of the story. Working on fuel tank stuff Monday I managed to pull the fuel wiring ground wire loose........ Hopped in it Tuesday, BIG Frowny Face moment!! Back to "runs for a few seconds and dies". I thought I was seeing another H/S LAN problem? Still using a remote starter switch; but it ran before! ARRRGH! Well got some minutes to tinker on it today/Wednesday. Noticed I didn't hear the fuel pump prime. Back under the hood I found the ground was pulled loose. Secured ground properly, back to running!! Yahoo! Still no key start but the last few items are being knocked off my list! Airing up the Pneu's(french for tires) in the AM, so I can maybe drive it around to the front of the shop. "I'm Feeling Much Better Now!"

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

And when do we get to see some updated pics of this Frankenstein's beast - Doctor?

 

[ah.b.normal]

And when do we get to see some updated pics of this Frankenstein's beast - Doctor?

In front of the shop is where I can wash it off, it is covered with dust, dirt, tree scum and pine needles wedged in every crevice. Sadly it likely appears to be nothing special, a black Cobalt on a used car lot. {Currently it looks like a black Cobalt abandoned behind a garage.} I am hoping it's driving experience will outshine it's seemingly mundane appearance.

 

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PS: It is hard to worry about the paint or giving it a wash when I can't seem to get the brakes bled. I'm hoping it is a bad master. Brake system has been sitting(possibly dry) for two years.

 

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My stuff is on hold with home/shop/RV pad building. But little things get done every few days. Plumbing my coolant transfer pipes and hoses is next on my list, sadly not today! But every week something gets done. I have moved it around but no brakes, no parking brake and my funky(works occasionally) T/O bearing action is limiting. Hoping to have shop up by the end of July. Even considering a Harry Potter-esque chicken sacrifice!! I don't usually dabble in the dark arts. My Friends, desperate times call for desperate measures!! (I got a bucket of KFC xtra crispy, AND three sides, have you tried the mac n' cheese? Cheesy!)

 

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I worry about the efficacy of “the chicken sacrifice” in general terms. Though I feel I’ve bought some middle ground between dancing naked around a bonfire on the night of a full moon, body painted with its blood with my more civilized dining on it with iced tea, tasty sides, ample hand wipes and a proper tablecloth? There is just something about KFC’s Cole Slaw, I can’t place its allure. And don’t get me started about that gravy!

 

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This is the 08 SS I bought. It has a minor engine compartment fire and then it was beaten with a 2X4. I DO have a title to it, so I suppose I’ll use it for my next victim. I’ll sell most of the SS specific stuff off of it. I may fit this unit with an S/C Buick and 5 speed. Currently advertised as a Goblin Donor. I priced it a little high considering it’s injuries, but I can be talked down some!

 

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Notice the missing 1/4 glass. I’ll try to take some shots of under the bonnet today. Not much to see. Looks are not the goal so looks are far down on the to do list.

 

[Ark :D]

I'm very puzzled by that shifter pic.

 

[ah.b.normal]

I'm very puzzled by that shifter pic.

That shifter is from a Cavalier. I chopped the. bottom of the lever off below the ball and welded a U on the shift lever equal height above the ball. The left/ right lever that formerly pointed down I cut off below the pivot and welded it above its original position. I cut the original body down and welded to a flat plate. I can swap special pix easier on txt. DM if you want more info.

 

[Ark :D]

That shifter is from a Cavalier. I chopped the. bottom of the lever off below the ball and welded a U on the shift lever equal height above the ball. The left/ right lever that formerly pointed down I cut off below the pivot and welded it above its original position. I cut the original body down and welded to a flat plate. I can swap special pix easier on txt. DM if you want more info.

All good, thanks for clearing it up! Lol

 

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All good, thanks for clearing it up! Lol

My inspiration for this shifter is the DF one and pix of the last two MR2 shifter designs. They are very similar designs, the shifter ball is virtually on the floor and the L/R lever is now pointing up by the driver's leg(instead of down. I wished I could have just flipped the L shaped lever over but cut/ weld proved simpler). This design of mine is still teething. Sometimes it doesn't want to find 1st? But snicks into second. I still have inconsistent T/O bearing action that could be part of the problem as well. I am giving the clutch it's own reservoir from a 98 Camaro, and an automatic type brake master/res. Engine runs are short because I have yet to connect the cooling plumbing. Suspending the fuel tank in it's "little frame" up front, is a hold up; I want to complete that before I run the coolant hoses over and around the fuel tank.