The Acclaim to Fame.

The Acclaim is slowly coming together. Last night I successfully installed the new fuel pump… so now comes the super difficult task of putting the car back together. The problem lies in the fact that as I was removing the gas tank, the studs that hold the gas tank on snapped off.

tonight I will attempt to drill out or extract the busted studs and tap new holes for some fresh hardware. Then tomorrow I’ll reassemble the beast, lower her to the ground, get a friend or two to stand ready with a couple fire extinguishers, and I will start the car.

That’s the plan. we’ll see what really happens.

In other news…. Jon did some magical stuff with the website to speed it up. And i’ve made a new Acclaim to Fame catagory, as I suspect many more adventures in the future.

I love my car.

16 thoughts on “The Acclaim to Fame.

  • 2/7/2006 at 11:31 am
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    sounds like it’s falling apart quicker than its coming together.

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  • 2/7/2006 at 12:58 pm
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    Did you try to get an easy out bit?

    If that did not work, before full on tapping a new hole, explore coil inserts like this

    good luck

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  • 2/7/2006 at 1:15 pm
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    Don’t worry Ben! she’ll be better than ever in a few days.

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  • 2/7/2006 at 1:18 pm
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    I did get an easy out bit. In order to use it I have drill a small hole anyway… we’ll see what happens.

    Those coils look interesting. I’ll check those out too.

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  • 2/7/2006 at 1:39 pm
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    Mike, you’ve been an engineer for almost 2 years and you haven’t had to use a helicoil yet?

    You’re either very good or extremely luckly…

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  • 2/7/2006 at 1:44 pm
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    Actually this isn’t entirely true. I have *used* a helicoil.

    but it was not by choice, and it was entirely in detail form. And the call out took me a solid hour and a half to prepare. I have never, however, Installed a helicoil.

    So I’ll check it out tonight at various stores.

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  • 2/7/2006 at 2:39 pm
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    Screw stores. Order from McMaster, you’ll have it next day.

    And they’re pretty competitive with prices.

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  • 2/7/2006 at 4:08 pm
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    If you break a bolt off because it is rusted in place, you have less than a 1% chance of removing it with an easy out. Think about the strength difference between the bolt and the much smaller diameter easy out, they suck. Plus, once you break the easy out off in your hole, you can drill it, you have to EDM or torch it out. You also have to tap a hole before you can put the helicoil in, so you might as well just tap it the right size for your bolt. If you drill the bolt out with the tap drill for that thread, you should be able to use a pick to take out just the threads left from the old bolt. Mike d, if you are sucessful getting the Acclaim to Fame back on the road by Friday, I will give you one free tow in CT with my new tow truck next time you break down.

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  • 2/7/2006 at 4:53 pm
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    That’s very smart Mike G. Good comments.

    I will heed your advice and I accept your challenge.

    I will also assume that in order to qualify for the free tow I can’t call you up crying for help.

    this will be a very interesting week indeed.

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  • 2/7/2006 at 5:09 pm
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    Or, what you could do, is put aside a small amount of money each week for about 2 years. Get rid of your old car. Then, buy a pre-owned Audi.

    That’s what all the cool kids are doing these days, apparently.

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  • 2/8/2006 at 7:23 am
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    Then why did you do it Timmy? Your not cool.

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  • 2/8/2006 at 10:38 am
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    mcmaster bends you over, what are you talking about timmy?

    However they are speedy, I’ve ordered stuff at 5pm and had it when i got into work the next day

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  • 2/8/2006 at 1:45 pm
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    Is the Penny of Decision still working MikeD?

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  • 2/8/2006 at 5:09 pm
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    Hey buddy.
    1. Told you the easy-out would break.
    2. Ttool has helicoils o plenty, in the grey drawers (Alpha area). They’re labeled, towards the floor, farther from the test area.
    3. Dude you can totally do it. Mike G’s suggestion is decent, though keep this in mind: If you don’t exactly center your new drill-out, then you may be trying to tap into remnants of old threads, so use a bigger bit to get rid of the old stuff.
    4. Chuck up the tap in Jesse’s drill, or you may be there all day doing it by hand. Just keep it straight. Use some WD40 or something.
    5. Drop by any time to embark on our quest to remove the cab from the truck, will likely be going down this weekend.

    Kurt is fat

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  • 2/9/2006 at 3:51 pm
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    You’ve redeemed yourself to a certain degree. If I need to bring back the penny though… I will. oh yes. I will.

    Reply

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