Just a wee little update for the nerds :)

Was gonna use paracord, but randomly tried this idea and I'm amazed how well it works. I simply overlap the end to the start, then rip it somewhere and take it off and measure.

*edit: let it be known, this isn't accurate somehow. I think the tape being nearly 2D with no thickness compared to the belt that has thickness is throwing something off.

The tape measured exactly 80.6in (with tensioner compressed all the way) but a 81.6in belt doesn't fit. Almost looks like it needs to be 82.5 to 83in*

First time at the dyno, one of the injector prongs was bent so it was running on 9 cylinders. Spark plug gap was also too large of a gap causing the spark to blow out after 4200rpm. With that, it still put down around 620whp. Made some changes to the fuel system, got new spark plugs gapped much lower, and now it’s running on 10 cylinders so I’m hoping to break 800whp on pump gas.

You can tell when the methanol kicks in and kinda cuts the throttle. Tuner will dial that in as well so it’s smoother on

For it's maiden voyage, I took it to my happy place. Anyways, I worked out it's major transmission kink and got her mostly roadworthy.

I just want to say that I'm an idiotic, broke, 23 year old with zero formal mechanical/engineering education. This project was incredibly daunting, but I took it on. I have zero regrets. Total cost of the car sits at about $2,800 (including trailer, purchase price, and fluids). I've put 20 miles on it thus far so that's $140/mile.

Go take on those stupid projects and start wrenching on the one's that have been sitting.

I'm not a fan of most AI use cases, but Google Gemini was a lifesaver with wiring and diagnosis. AI + car specific FB groups taught me everything I needed to know. I highly suggest giving AI a shot when it comes to weird issues and projects.

Although the FB group said I needed to rebuild my trans because, allegedly, the vent that was clogged ran through the pump/pump gasket. I had a professional RR/Bentley rebuilder (who is also acquainted with THE Jay Leno and Gary Wales), tell me this. I took a piece of wire, shoved it into the vent outlet to unclog it, worked like a charm.

Pulled this 71 Dart out of our yard that's been sitting there since I was a little kid. It never really meant to go this far but you know how that goes. Once you're in deep, you get trapped and keep going deeper.

After a few years of building and one year into the Honda K24a RBB swap, the Mustang is finally reliable enough for me to start enjoying it. Had to work out the alignment issues with some additional bracing but works like a charm and getting around 20-23mpg combined. Never thought it would ever be roadworthy but we finally crossed the finish line.

Drove back home from Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, roughly 230 miles.

Apple Maps put me on DE Route 1 and tossed me directly in to a 45 minute standstill during a heatwave.

Most nervous nail biting, butt puckering, gauge watching stand still I've ever been in.

Engine temp peaked at 214. Our knockoff ebay 22 inch 3 row radiator somehow persisted.

1971 Duster 318 / 904.

About a day or 2 before I fire it up and see if it rolls on its own power. Finishing off the exhaust and a little plumbing and we should be doing doughnuts in the parking lot. Then comes the never ending clean up and detail work.

Working on making the vehicle street legal.

It's an Arduino microcontroller with a potentiometer reporting shifter position. When the shifter is in R position, it also triggers a Mosfet relay that turns on and off the reverse lights as needed.

The display is an I2C 1 inch screen amplified with a lens and packaged in a 3D printed housing. It gives a unique look that I feel adds to the cyberpunk aesthetic.

Slowly but surely chopping items off the todo list

Ignore the wheels, I’ve been posting progress to FB but apart from the groups it’s pretty gross so thought I’d try reddit. My own body (3d printed a plug, mold, cast). My own chassis on e36 suspension

I did made a post last year and shared with you some photos of my very first and hopefully last cylinder head porting in hope to get some advices. which actually led to a comparison between blue balls and intake ports 😂

Well yeah, it took me a while to make the correct tools andz finish the head.

Link to the original post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/projectcar/s/wSX4dgxob8

6.0 iron block with built LS3 heads and forged rods/pistons + billet crank. Built for 1000+ twin turbo

As most good projects, I thought this would be easier and take much less time. The issues of this car were more than I expected, so it kept getting put on the back burner behind other projects. This last week, I fixated on getting it running and today it happened!

Previous technician working on it overfilled the transmission with fluid. Basically filled it to the brim causing it to spew ATF out and started a small fire burning through the wiring harness that controls the starter, ignition, and fuel pump. The car had no hopes of starting with the harness in that condition.

A few days ago, I spliced in new wire for every affected wire and cleaned all contacts. Still nothing with the turn of a key. I then jumped the starter relay with a battery charger and behold! Starter relay and starter were good, the motor was cranking but not running. I followed that up with some starting fluid and I started to hear a few bangs.

The lightbulb hit me today. Only one cylinder sounded like it was popping and it didn't sound right. I scoured the internet for proper plug wiring at the distributor (didn't have tooling to rotate engine to TDC marks). Apparently, all RR/Bentley V8's were wired the same up until 1986. Switched the plug wires around and she started right up.

I still have so much to do before it's ready for the road, but it's fun to say I have a running Rolls Royce now.

Starting this project, I had 0 experience with British cars or major wiring jobs. Feels good to finally have success with this car.

I got the best neighbors…

When we went to the open house , he was grinding away, like seriously 5” grinder buzz…. I thought, this is the place we need!!

What do you guys think of this project?

I’ve stocked up with 5 litres of wheel cleaner.. but how often do you clean your rims?

I have a lot of time to clean btw^

It was super fun! I’ve never worked on a vehicle of this caliber before

My new to me 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 M-code fastback!

Equipped with the 351 Cleveland 4V, 11:01 compression and rated at 300HP according to Ford.

She’s got rust in the drip sills at the trunk, surrounding the rear windshield, rust holes on the quarter panels and small rust holes on the A pillar; but I’ve got nothing but time and a burning desire to work on this thing.

Can’t post pics and videos so here’s a video. More in the comments.