Another few months later...

We were planning to go to MAM again today. Weather in Omaha didn't look so good, so we didn't go. Heck of a nice day outside though, so who would know that the weather in Omaha was bad. Probably isn't. Damn weather people anyway.

Its been another few months since my last post. Can you tell that posting on this thing does not resonate with me?

Progress

While its been many MANY months since I posted, lots of improvements have been made on the 20 footer fleet. Thanks to my cuz-in-law Gary in Waterloo for helping get things rolling again. We talked over the 4th of July 09, and he asked when he was going to help get my cars running. Remember, I had the two 96 Cobras that were dead. So we made a plan to bring them back to life.

The 96 Convertible was first. Drove it on the trailer, even with the really bad sound. Off to Waterloo we went. After it was off the trailer and in the shop Mila and I went to Subway for lunch. While eating Gary called and said it was fixed. Turned out that the damper on the front was loose! He kept the car for the week and corrected a few other things, and we returned a week or so later with the 96 Mystic.

With the help of Mila's dad we got the beast on the trailer. Since it was really apart we couldn't drive it on the trailer like the convertible. The engine was in the back of the truck that I bought from a guy locally for $350. A ton of parts were with us too to get the thing running again. I think that Gary spent a ton of time on this car. Could have been the challenge... not sure, just glad that I didn't need to finish it. The car runs great with the Kenne Bell supercharger and Lincoln Mark VIII engine. Not quite as fast after the tune at Lund Motors, but at least the engine is still in one piece.

Other car projects planned for this year are: 93 Lincoln Mark VIII - currently with Gary to get new suspension and brakes done. The 00 Lightning is after that with brakes, suspension, plugs, coils, and misc fixes like an oil leak. After that is the big project - the 94 Mustang GT. Taking out the coilovers and moving to H&R springs, new bushings all around, correcting the exhaust, changing some of the steering parts to solidify them, etc. Quite a bit of money going into that project.

Well, all for now. Hopefully I'll write again before another year passes!

Cold In Iowa

Really cold here.  Too cold to work in the garage, or do much of anything but sit by the fire.  It has been a long time since I posted, so I thought I would take an opportunity.  Gary is getting some of the convertible work done - there are pics from his work on the left frame rail.  Other than that, not much new in world of Twenty Footers!

Koni Challenge

The Mustang Club of Central Iowa made the Grand Am Behind the Wheel newsletter, and the Grand-am.com website. Check it out!

http://www.grand-am.com/koni/news/index.cfm?cid=18762

Busy Times

Its been a few busy weeks here, and I've not had the opportunity to blog. Here is the status and other activities that have been going on.

69 Coupe - Ended up getting the car to the Sugar Shack this summer. Drove well, yet was challenging to get started while we were there. As we returned home the car overheated, and puked all over the top of the radiator. Have not dug to investigate the cause yet.

Lightning - Lightning Fest is today. We're heading to KC to see the truck show portion. Should be cool to see a few L's in the same place at the same time. Hope to see some parts for sale, and some ideas for changes to my truck.

94GT - Racing at Eddyville is fun! We didn't think that it would be, but we're signed up for two more events. Should be a good time, assuming that I can get the shake out of the car...

1969 Holley

A few weeks ago I purchased a used Holley 2 barrel carb from a guy that advertised it on Craigslist. While its jetted for a 351, it is working good on the 302 of the 1969 Coupe without too many problem. This is the first time I've had the 69 out this summer. Need to get it ready to hit a couple of cruise nights at the Sugar Shack in Altoona! Maybe Wednesday...

Problem Solved

The problem with the 94 turned out to be a fuse that didn't look like it was blown, but was. I pulled and reviewed each of them, but turns out I needed to check them with a meter to make sure. I'll know next time. I had the work done at Automotive Engineering in Clive, Iowa. They are also looking at the grounding problem in the rear of the car, as when I press the brakes the fuel pump slows. I won't bring up the head light issue... it is a track car. Who needs headlights there?