I finally got around to ordering the taillight assemblies, the trim for the front passenger side fender, and assorted screws and bolts that I need.

I have just about resigned myself to where the fusebox has to be mounted and will likely drill the holes in the firewall this weekend. This probably has to be one of the more nerve-wracking things I have to do; I am not assembling , I'm customizing. I just hope it doesn't create a problem that I find later.

Then it's a matter of tying the wires where they need to be and making the connections.

I was also looking at the door assembly to see what all needs to happen to pull those together. The manuals that I have aren't very clear so I'm looking for a parts breakdown that is readable.

At this rate it will take me years to get this done!

The Rudy has been sitting for a few days waiting for me to get a 'round tuit'. I'm sure I'll find one eventually. But I've been looking at the Rudy, and doing some research, and last weekend Cuz came over and we sorted parts - we (mainly Cuz while I sat on my butt) even managed to get a few things done:

A new antenna, and

New trim on the front passenger fender.

I have trim for the driver side, but it looks like I have the wrong pointed piece at the front so I'll need to order one if I can't find the correct one around here somewhere.

I'm still looking at the wiring. The 18 circuit fusebox is much larger than the original, so I'm thinking of removing the clutch pedal and mounting it there. Need to do more research first, though. Anyway, the mounting bracket that comes with the kit is nowhere to be found.

Painless wiring my ass. This is probably why Dad stopped at this point in the first place. He was trying to wedge a comically huge fusebox in where there was originally a flat board, no bigger than a cell-phone.

I've also toyed with the idea of mounting the fusebox under the hood in a waterproof enclosure. That would solve the space issue and make it more accessible at the same time. If you have a suggestion, please toss it out there.

In the beginning....

OK, I have a wiring harness. Er, now what??

 

After some investigation I've located the wiring harness instructions at Painless Wiring and am starting to sort the different sections out. One of the things I have to do is run wires through the firewall.

According to this page the wiring harness should go through here:

Or, looking at it from the engine compartment, this hole:

According to the instructions there should be a grommet that fits that hole.

Yay, my first part replaced on the Rudy! It's been a productive day.

Welcome to the Rudy '56 page!

Climb aboard the Busted Knuckle Express with me as I try to finish my Dad's hot rod.

Over the last few evenings I've been locating, identifying and sorting the parts and tools in the garage. The car has pretty much just been sitting there for the last seven years and things seem to move around as time goes by. Dad's organization system was somewhat of mystery at times, but I think I have everything pretty much squared away. 

Let me preface all of this by saying that I have never enjoyed working on cars, I've just always had to -- usually in the rain or hundred degree sun, which is probably why I never got into it like my dad wanted.

I am sure that was a disappointment to my dad, who loved old cars and working on them, and that makes this is even more important for me to finish in his honor.

I have to admit that I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment by everything that's happening, so if you see where I'm doing something wrong or can shout out a suggestion, please feel free!

So, let's take a look, shall we?

That's about the size of things. The plan is to start from the rear and move forward, but first I have to get the wiring laid out.

Here we go! :)