dfink takes over for "kurt b"

dfink · 07-27-2008, 06:53 PM

Well I have been hinting for a few day about a new project. It is how signed sealed "sort of" and delivered.

For those who have been around awhile I just purchased a 1984 cab from user "kurt b". Kurt was kind of getting out from working on his car about the time I started posting. If it helps as a reminder this car has rennlights first fiberglass top for cabs.

I plan to put my current 85 cab back to stock and sell it to finance the new project. The new car is being aimed at a DE open track fun car and hopefully eventually a competitive SCCA XP autocross beast. But first things first.

The first project at hand will be redesigning the attachment of the fiberglass top. Not going to get into how it was done only how to proceed. I will post some pictures after I get the top removed from the car. I am not sure if rennlight still produces these or not. I haven't seen much about them other than the original posts whick really didn't show a totally completed installation. Items I know still need addressed are an affordable way to attach the front using hooks. The factory latches are $375.00 each, a good seal to use between the top and the body, and a good seal for the rear of the window to the "B" pillar. It is also missing the front seal but I assume a factory replacement seal will work in this area. Perhaps not as it has been cut and removed. I also need to get a good seal on the rear window but the car will generally not see rain except at a race.

If anyone else has one of these tops please chime in as to how you completed yours.

88-diamondblue · 07-27-2008, 09:17 PM

congratulations! Can't wait to see some pictures. Do you have the car yet? Should be a blast.

dfink · 07-28-2008, 03:17 AM

I do have the car went to CA to get it. Here are a couple of pics from the rennlight site. I have already started taking apart but this is what it looks like.

Matt Monson · 07-28-2008, 04:39 AM

Dave,
That's a nice looking car. Good luck with your project. You know how to find me if you want to regear this one similar to the last one.

Kind Regards,

Matt

dfk911sc · 07-28-2008, 04:41 AM

Dave,

Thanks for the project update. But after you started all the C.R.A.P. are you just going to bail? and sell the Cab?

Can't wait to see the project pics.

dfink · 07-28-2008, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfk911sc

Dave,

Thanks for the project update. But after you started all the C.R.A.P. are you just going to bail? and sell the Cab?

Can't wait to see the project pics.

You didn't read close enough. This is the ultimate piece of C.R.A.P. it is a cab with a removable fiberglass hard top. I didn't bail I stepped it up a notch. This should be the ultimate C.R.A.P. machine. The piece of C.R.A.P. by which all other C.R.A.P. is compared. I may even have to put on a C.R.A.P wrap. He who so ever doubt well I hope someday your car is a piece of C.R.A.P.

Muaaahhhaaaahhaaaahhaaa

By the way your C.R.A.P. shirts will be going by flat rate box so they all should fit in one.

"WOW what a pile of C.R.A.P." - "Why Thank You, thank you very much."

dfink · 07-28-2008, 07:31 AM

First update of many

Car weights in at purchase 2438 lbs. - Target weight 2300 lbs balanced, dang rules

Car still has
huge battery
A/C blower
street tires
factory seats
electric windows
power locks
glass side windows
CAT
homemade muffler

Things to do

smokes after starting to warm-up - seems to start very sudden. Some hoses are not install correctly will check those first.
very flexable
adjusted clutch - better now
I can hear a few vacuum leaks
top needs sealed to body
decide what to do with dash - looks OK will probably leave as is.
My roll bar won't fit so will make new roll bar or probably a cage to stiffen the car.
The centering springs for shifter are either missing not installed correctly so will take that apart and see what is needed. It had a short shift kit installed and according to Kurt never quite worked right.

FenderGuy · 07-28-2008, 07:54 AM

best of both worlds !!!!! How much for a top like that?

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Good for you - I didn't think that car would last long.

dfink · 07-28-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenderGuy

best of both worlds !!!!! How much for a top like that?

Not sure www.rennlight.com

dfink · 07-28-2008, 09:36 AM

By the way I didn't replace "Kurt B" he still has a porsche, still visits the pelican site and still is a heck of a nice guy. I am just taking off with the 84 cab where he left off. I guess the title is a little misleading.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Beautiful!

dfink · 07-28-2008, 02:31 PM

Just found a used set of latches so I guess I will go that route for the front. Has anyone ever seen one of the original cab hard tops to know how the back attached?

Also talking with friend who does body work. He suggested panel bond to repair the lip on the rear window. Says that once it is hard it will hold better than fiberglass. Will probably also use it to attach the front latches.

I know "This thread is useless without pictures" I will try to get some soon of the rear window seal area.

I did test fit the roll bar and it looks like it will bolt in with a little tweeking. I have about 1" clearance between the bar and the top so with some padding on it shoud be just about exact fit. With the roll bar in and the doors open, the door opening only spreads 1/16 inch when lifted by a lift using the four corners. I think that is pretty good.

To stiffen more I am thinking about running from the roll bar to the front somehow and the also attaching the roll bar to the "B" pillar attachment points that were used for the RS. I also thought about just running from the "B" pillar to the front and keeping the roll bar separate. Still just thinking, it will change 10 times before I actually put any metal in the car.

Also the head on one of the rear seatbelt bolts was stripped. Tried to slot and loosen with a hand impact with no luck. Finally remembered someone mentioned center welding a nut to the bolt for a better grip. Well thanks again pelican as it worked great. Just welded a nut to the bolt head and screwed out the bolt no muss no fuss.

Soon will come engine removal.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 07-29-2008, 03:37 AM

Excellent project! I wanted one of these tops when I had my 84 Targa, really interested to see how the latches will work for you.

Looking forward to you progress.

Porsche_monkey · 07-29-2008, 04:18 AM

You never sold your old cab?

dfink · 07-29-2008, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche_monkey

You never sold your old cab?

Nope still have it. I will finish out the autocross season with it the way it is then I will convert it back to stock. If anyone wants it with go fast parts speak now else it will be for sale as a very nice stock 1985 cab.

Engine is comeing out the project car today. I think the smoke was possibly coming from the vacuum line for the brakes. It was a white smoke with a strange smell I don't think anything is serious with the engine. Decisions on how to rebuild will be made after seeing what we have. My preferred goal would be to rebuild it as a 3.2 with new bearings, rings and upgraded raceware hardware. Then install a supercharger to get that little extra bit of goodness.

Porsche_monkey · 07-29-2008, 05:31 AM

My guess is your location is a bit remote.

Post a link here, because it was apparent to anyone who read your ad what a nice car that was.

Good luck with your new project. I'm jealous,

dfk911sc · 07-29-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfink

You didn't read close enough. This is the ultimate piece of C.R.A.P. it is a cab with a removable fiberglass hard top. I didn't bail I stepped it up a notch. This should be the ultimate C.R.A.P. machine. The piece of C.R.A.P. by which all other C.R.A.P. is compared. I may even have to put on a C.R.A.P wrap. He who so ever doubt well I hope someday your car is a piece of C.R.A.P.

Muaaahhhaaaahhaaaahhaaa

By the way your C.R.A.P. shirts will be going by flat rate box so they all should fit in one.

"WOW what a pile of C.R.A.P." - "Why Thank You, thank you very much."

Dave,

I've never been so happy to read so much CRAP. Good luck with the project and thanks again for the work on the shirts.

dfink · 07-30-2008, 07:57 PM

I promiss pictures soon. Engine is out of the car and just about apart. Appears it has been worked on at some point in the past. All the plugs had an excellent color to them no carbon build up at all. Pulled the intake runners and took a look at the intake valves. They look excellent also. I think possibly the heads have been reworked in the past. There are no casting lines, very smooth surface and the valve ports have been machined right at the valve opening to make everything nice and smooth. They look much better than the heads on my current car. There isn't even any varnish buildup in the heads.

Everything has come apart very easily. Sometimes too easily but the exhaust studs were in typical condition however not eroded away. I used PB blaster and a blue wrench to get the nuts red hot and I got every one of them off. Whoo Hoo. Letting the exhaust cool before I take it completely off but very anxious to see the exhaust side of things. Looking past the intake valve at the exhaust you can see the head of the exhaust valve. No carbon build up, the valve heads are white. We were even able to simply unbolt the crossover pipe.

I think a decision is close to being made on the engine. How much HP from a 3.2 with 46mm PMO stacks, fuel injection, and complete engine management system from clewett. Plan would be raceware bolts and studs and some heavy duty springs on the valves. Is 7300 - 7500 rpm un-realistic.

88-diamondblue · 07-30-2008, 09:32 PM

Dave,

Now your really going to kick my ass at the track.

Looks like a great time. Sounds like a great plan. Those rpm numbers should work but talk to camgrinder and find out what he recommends for a cam. My Carrera is out of breath at 6500 but redline is set at 7000. I used the performance springs, ARP rod bolts and if I had the money would have used Supertec studs, especially if you are going with the SC. Keep the pictures coming.
If you need to borrow the cam tool i will get it down to you.