At the rate im going on this project, I could probably run it around twice before im ready to install it.!!

 

icked up a short length of speedo cable out of a boneyard car (a 1987 Dakota .. HOPEFULLY the outer sheath is the right length for my 1988!), connected it to the coupler, connected the coupler to the 1000RPM motor, powered it up WHOOPS! Default counterclockwise, so swap the wires AGAIN (had them swapped thinking it was clockwise, and needed counter clockwise.) Speedo is now sitting at 61 MPH and the motor hasn't warmed up in 3 hours ...

Pics are attached.





I had bumped the needle, it's reading 4MPH high.

This is how I'm driving it.


RwP

 

I'm old, I don't see as well as I used to. Apparently.

So I thought about increasing the light under the hood for when I want to check the oil, water, and/or transmission fluid.

I picked up a set of these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WQFPP12/

Those fit the socket under the hood for the under-hood light.

I then ordered these: https://www.mpja.com/20-Dual-LED-36-...info/35706+OP/

Soldered them on, ended up cutting two of the segments off, and ended up with:

 

That's pretty effective. Good idea. And you will KNOW if the underhood light stays on when you close the hood.

 

I would - and no, it doesn't

RwP

 

I outfoxed myself - I can't REACH them to drill the holes!

My stepson, who's 6'4 and long armed, will be by before Sunday night to drill them and install the screws for me.

RwP

 

Since I couldn't reach the under hood lights, and my LEDs came in from SuperBrightLEDs for the instrument cluster, I put them in.

I don't have the front bolted down, so there's some leakage around, but it looks good.




HOWEVER -

I WILL have to put some needle paint on those small gauge needles; White Will Not Cut It For Me.

RwP

 

*facepalms at self*

I had been suffering from a loss of power recently; I tuned it up (plugs anyway), have cap and rotor, did the inline fuel filter.

Nothing seemed to help.

So I decided to check the timing. (note: 1988, LA motor, can set timing with distributor)

I put my tool on the hold down bolt - what's this? It just spins?

Damn distributor was loose!

Advanced it to about 14*, tightened it. Now about to go for a drive.

(Actually, had problem finding the light - set for 18 inch vacuum at idle.)

RwP

 

Wow.

It's like I have two more cylinders, and they're playing nice with the previous ones!

MUCH more responsive.

More like when I brought it home from having the motor rebuilt.

*facepalms at self again*

I shoulda checked that sooner!

RwP

 

I'd point and laugh if I hadn't done similar things myself through the yers. I nearly scrapped a truck once because I forgot the fuel gauge wasn't right. The GF mentioned it might be out of fuel. Sure enough, 5 gallons and it fired right up.