Quarter 'til Midnight.

The hours are getting late. Literally. We've maintained constant momentum, but our long strides have slowed to a shuffle in recent weeks. Not this weekend. We're getting shit done.
Saturday began with lengthy ambition. Unfortunately our to-do list was longer still. See, we've been in a circling pattern lately. Our biggest need is that of the transmission - we'd like to put that in, fire up the reinstalled motor, and put-put around a bit to see what else needs attention. There are always surprises.

The transmission we are racing with has an uncooperative 3rd gear that is currently getting scrutiny from a club member. While that mystery is being solved we have to improvise and 'borrow' a transmission for a couple of weeks. (Did I mention that this build would be near impossible if we weren't doing it at Matt's place?)

But, before we can throw the car on the lift there were a few more jobs on the list that needed to be checked off.

1. Power steering install
2. Power steering cooler plumbing
3. Remove donor transmission
4. Finish welding harness bar
5. Finish welding window net
6. Fabricate battery mount - weld in
7. Install brake bias adjuster
8. Finish install on rear brake line fittings
9. Convert car back to stock alternator from 3G

Even though we were short on helpers - AND a customer's car first had to be finished for delivery - we managed to get the above items sorted out, and the car on the lift just before dinner time.

I fucking love zip ties. You can do ANYTHING with them. Our power steering cooler is literally floating in air - suspended by a handful of these amazing devices.

Brake lines fall in the 'safety' category - so they don't count against the build budget. MM stainless for the 3rd rear line.

Did I mention zip ties rock?

Unfortunately exhaust items DO count against the budget. These poor things have seen much better times. Guaranteed to leak and sound pathetic.

We went with the stock belt length instead of a short belt. We're running the smog pump delete so we don't put too much belt strain on the alternator pulley.

We also needed to replace a rear pinion seal, and top off the diff with new fluid while we had the car in the air. Man, nothing like the smell of gear oil at 10pm. Yuck. Once we had all the little stuff done - it really didn't take long for the two of us to stab the transmission into place, and install the exhaust.

Certain that we've overlooked something - we decided to wait until morning to turn the key and hear the coughing and sputtering that certainly await. By the time we were able to kick back with a celebratory beer and survey our day's handywork it was after 11. We were beat. Round two of this weekend starts right after I hit the 'Publish Post' button. We could sure use some company if you're in the area.

Last photo of the night as I was walking out of the garage.