Philip,
I picked up a magnetic dial guage holder (cheap) from 'Harbor Frieght':
(800) 423-2567 www.harborfreight.com
They are a big tool mail order catalog place. They carry a lot of crap, but
they
do have some pretty good deals.
Regards - Bryan
>To: <spridgets@autox.team.net>
>Subject: Progress report (and, per standard procedure, a question or two) -
long
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>Well I've taken a few days away from the salt mine and have been making a
>little progress. I'd like to thank the listers who have responded to my
>previous queries, in particular regarding the oil pump.
>
>I've held off on further engine assembly until I get a little holder for my
>dial indicator so I can time the cam correctly. Anybody have a good source
>for those things? The kind with a magnetic base and a little articulated
>arm? I was thinking of just going by the friendly Snap-On distribution
>center near my job - I'm sure they'd like to separate me from a pile of $$
>that would otherwise sit in my savings account, unused and forlorn. The DPO
>of my '71 Midget had painted the grill and surround black, so I'm going to
>have it blasted and then re-finish in black again as a salute to the abuse
>the car has taken. Plus, I just painted the bottom of the car a nice shiny
>black, so it will match and nobody will know. It's important to spend a lot
>of time and effort on things that nobody will ever see!! I re-finished the
>exhaust system over the past week and hung it in approximate position
>today - it'll be interesting to see how it lines up to where the header
>comes out! Speaking of which, the header and intake manifold have been sent
>to be Jet-Hot coated (at the recommendation of several list members).
>Various electrical connectors and wires that had been bodged, folded,
>minced, spindled and/or mutilated have been replaced or repaired, and
>tomorrow I'm dropping off the center console to be re-covered. Pretty soon
>I'll be forced to work on the engine for lack of anything else to do!
>
>Here's something that occurred to me recently. It's been quite a pleasure
>for me to work on the car, and work on it, and work on it some more - but
>the other day I had spent about 14 hours painting the bathroom, working on
>the car, mowing the lawn, working on the car, doing dishes, and working on
>the car. The thought occurred to me that I was tired, yes tired, of working
>on the car: and rather than working on it, I would really rather be driving
>it around. This thought led me to feel discouraged for several minutes,
>until it occurred to me that the desire to utilize the vehicle (rather than
>constantly repair it) was probably a sign of sanity, and that it is probably
>a good thing that I eventually grow weary of puttering away on it!
>
>But that is neither here nor there! I have more questions for the masses.
>
>Question 1: Regarding the fresh-air (heater) duct: at the end closest to
>the front of the car, is there supposed to be a flange over which the duct
>fits? It's been since 1986 since the car was assembled, and if there was
>anything there, I can't remember it and can't find one in the garage - but
>it looks like there must have been something there! If someone has one
>available, I would gladly purchase it from you!
>Question B: Regarding the under-dash mounting of the steering column. When
>I took the car apart, I remember noting: "Hmmm: steering column held on by
>one big bolt . . . . wonder if that's stock?" Well, soon will come the time
>to re-install the dash, and I think I'd better have the steering column
>mounted properly before it's out of sight (and mind!). I have not been able
>to find a good description or exploded drawing of this area - could someone
>please point me to one, or perhaps post a description of the area?
>Question III: As long as we're discussing the area - my plastic steering
>wheel surround is cracked (although largely functional). Does anyone have a
>correct original one thay'd care to part with? Please let me know!
>
>That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Thanks for reading, and also in
>advance for your consideration and replies. Sorry for the length - I'm just
>trying to ruin the curve!
>
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