87 325 vert

[mojorising]

Yeah, I'm a little scared to get under the carpet. Gotta keep the priorities in line or the project will get stalled. The ring is a 2008 NASCAR Truck Series championship ring. Won it last year with the 23 truck team, I was their race engineer. Unfortunately the team got shut down at the end of the year so I had to move on. Thats racing for you. Anyway, I spent three hours today finishing dismantling the accessories from the motor. I am having some trouble getting the damn starter off though, why wouldn't they thread the friggin block? I can't get a damn wrench on the nut on the back. Any recommendations on self-etching primer?

[vr2jetta]

Any recommendations on self-etching primer?

Yea, the good stuff from a paint store!! If you are planning on putting some color down dont cheap out or you will be just doing it all again. They have some stuff that is in a spray can but it is around +- $15 a can, but it is the taller can at least.

[mojorising]

Yea, the good stuff from a paint store!!

Perhaps I should have been more specific. I was asking more about any particular brands that people were happy with. I for one can't stand anything Duplicolor and have some success with Rustoleum. However, my personal experience doesn't extend beyond the spray cans available at AutoZone. And somehow I don't think that those are going to work for my level of anal retentiveness. I have no problem dropping $15 bucks a can, but I want to make sure its $15 bucks well spent.

[vr2jetta]

I would have said a brand but I cant remember it. Go to an automotive paint supply store and ask their opinion, they are there to help you. Figure out what color and brand paint you are going to use and make sure the primer you are going to use will be compatible. Remember, primer color will affect the final color of your car. My buddy painted his 89 jetta with the electric blue used on the MK4 jetta GLI's and the shade was slightly off due to incorrect primer color. Where are those 'whole car' pics? LOL!

[mojorising]

Update!

Ok, been a little while but since the last time I posted here are a few updates.
1. Tore the engine down to bare block in the car for cleaning and paint
2. Repainted most covers, housings etc
3. Got new parts here and there all based on money (which is pretty slim right now)
Should be finished with motor cleaning/painting in a week and as soon as my next pay check comes in I will have enough dough to get the rest of the parts I need. Ok, all you purists out there prepare to be offended. I've gone with a dual paint scheme, black and hemi orange. It will be mostly black with some orange highlights but I decided to paint the block orange as it will show any kind of dirt grime and oil better than black will. Feel free to leave angry comments.

Just for the record, painting the block in the car was a bad idea and I would NOT recommend anyone do it. In fact, I knew it was a bad idea going in but I somehow managed to convince myself that it would be ok. Real pain in the ass.

[mojorising]

Well, things are finally coming together. Got the block all cleaned up and painted, all the accessories and bracket cleaned up and painted. Put the compressor, water pump, steering pump, and alternator back on and was ready to drop the head when I noticed something. There are a couple of serious gashes in the machined portion of the head. So, back to the machine shop I go for another decking. Does anyone know where to get inexpensive over sized head gaskets? I have a feeling I will be well beyond the recommended 12 thou for the head.

[bimmerboy12]

can you attach your pics from photobucket so you don't have to open every pic?

[mojorising]

Yeah the pics are kind of annoying. How many post do I need before I can put them directly into the thread? Anyway, update:
Got the head back from the machine shop AGAIN. They were pretty cool about re-doing the surface although it still cost me another $52. It was one of those I can't prove they did it and they can't prove I did it etc so we pretty much met half way on the price. Whatever, I hate screwing around with mechanics and machinists, if I had the tools I would do it all myself. On the plus side the head should be back on this weekend! Maybe even running again, cross your fingers.
BTW bimmerboy the work your got going on with your vert is top notch, keep up the good work.

[mojorising]

It's ALIVE!

Finally running! :D Plugged everything back up, primed the fuel system by jumping the relay and she fired right up. Ran a little rough at startup until the motor was able to remap itself with the larger injectors but she purrs like a kitten when its warm. Still bad idle when its cold though so if anyone has any ideas please let me know. Also, the fuel pressure drops off pretty significantly after shutdown, I can hear a hissing sound from the pressure reg. Is this normal? The ECU doesn't prime the system when you first turn the ignition on so is it supposed to be pressurized even when its off?

[Hick]

can you attach your pics from photobucket so you don't have to open every pic?

[img]imageaddress[/img]

[mojorising]

Updates: Body Work

Ok, finally have some time and a little money in the bank so its time to kick this project into high gear. Time to tackle some body work, starting with the rear. Removed the bumper covers etc and found a little rust as expected.










So I have a little work ahead of me as you can see. I have always been a fan of old school hot rods and just rodding in general. On that note, I have quite an ambitious plan for this car which will become more evident as things roll on. This weekend, making the forms for some custom sheet metal!