Fitzy's GP is back!

[64 kiwi boni]

wow thats one clean 65 !!!!

[Fitzy]

I'm back! Got a lot on this week: a company Medical, the dentist and then a covid booster. I'm going for my road train licence tomorrow. For our American viewers, a road train is a prime mover with more than one trailer - used extensively in remote parts of Australia. They can be up to 4 trailers long. There are even ones with a 'power unit' (engine) in the middle and at the back to assist the prime mover. I'm fed up with trundling a coach around so am looking at earning some decent money for a change before I retire (Corvette!)

Anyway, back to reality. I came home to another collection of presents that the Pontiac fairy dropped off in my week long absence. An electronic ignition (will fit in the future) my new wheel cylinder, some new uncracked reversing lenses to keep Das Inspector happy and I bought a set of gauges as an extra precaution so as to monitor my freshly built engine as I'm blowing all the Mustangs into the weeds. Not really, but I want to make sure that everything's cool under the hood.

I shall let you know how the inaugural test drive goes this weekend.

[Fitzy]

I finally got a chance to look at that black 65 GP that Frosty sent me. Wow! 65k for a Grand Prix. I casually monitor the prices of old cars and it's getting crazy - especially the Australian stuff. Because the last remnants of our local car industry collapsed a few years ago, there is obviously no such thing as an Australian built car anymore, so all of a sudden anything that HAS been built here and has a V8 is worth mucho dollars. Even boggo poverty pack Holdens & Falcons with a 6, 3 on the tree and a bench seat are commanding silly money. Clearly, the attrition rate of old cars has stopped and whatever survived the crusher and demolition derbys have become more valuable as the days pass. The GP is never going to attain the iconic status that a GTO or Firebird has, but the fact that they survive is going to be good enough as the years pass. So people, cherish your beast, keep it locked up and be proud of what you have. With each subsequent generation of youngsters, they will stare wide eyed and incredulous at what people used to drive when fuel was cheap and plentiful, highways were virtually clear of traffic and life was good.

[64 kiwi boni]

10 hours ago, Fitzy said:

I'm going for my road train licence tomorrow. For our American viewers, a road train is a prime mover with more than one trailer - used extensively in remote parts of Australia. They can be up to 4 trailers long. There are even ones with a 'power unit' (engine) in the middle and at the back to assist the prime mover. I'm fed up with trundling a coach around so am looking at earning some decent money for a change before I retire (Corvette!)

mate, you could get on telly with the out back truckers!!!👍

[Fitzy]

Yeah - mine will be the one upside down on the side of a dirt track in the middle of nowhere. I'll get something like that old Peterbilt in Duel - the one the newbies get before they prove themselves and are worthy of a modern, reliable truck.

[64 kiwi boni]

13 minutes ago, Fitzy said:

Yeah - mine will be the one upside down on the side of a dirt track in the middle of nowhere. I'll get something like that old Peterbilt in Duel - the one the newbies get before they prove themselves and are worthy of a modern, reliable truck.

yip trucks have come a long way since that old peterbilt 

hay look at the up side !!! you could be a ice road trucker up past where notallthere lives !! 🥶

Edited February 9, 2022 by 64 kiwi boni

[64 kiwi boni]

On 2/8/2022 at 9:19 PM, Fitzy said:

An electronic ignition (will fit in the future)

mate you have to show us all the electronic ignition installation !! i should be doing it to the 64 too ! where did you buy you one ?

[Fitzy]

I bought a Pertronix from Ames. I always shop around for alternate prices prior to purchasing and Ames consistently either match or better the price, plus they've never sent the wrong item, everything comes packed really well and most of the time it arrives in my mailbox about 10 days later. It looks like a very simple install. I'm not going to put it in yet as my points & condenser and everything else are all brand new. Once the car is registered and is getting some use, I'll install it. Gotta get that sucker out on the road first.

[64 kiwi boni]

yeah good call 

[Frosty]

I assume it is a Pertronix Ignitor III. I have an Ignitor II because mine is that old. I've had it installed in Lucy close to 20 years now. One of the best decisions I've ever made. No more points or condenser. Fitzy, you'll love it mate! 

[JUSTA6]

9 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

mate you have to show us all the electronic ignition installation !! i should be doing it to the 64 too ! where did you buy you one ?

Takes about the time N skills to change a fuse.  Changed mine 2 yrs ago.

[Fitzy]

Thanks boys. It's actually the base Ignitor. I didn't need the rev limiting features of the Ignitor 3 and I forget now what the Ignitor 2 does above the basic one. Now if the distributor was at the front of the engine...

I read with some interest that regular points & condenser require a voltage drop so that they don't burn out prematurely, whereas you can chuck the full 12 volts at an electronic set up. I guess this is where the enormous increase in spark energy at the plugs comes from. I already have the Pertronix ,ahem 'Flamethrower' 40k volt coil installed, so it should be a good result. 

Today is Rear Wheel Cylinder Day - the last little job to complete before I head out on the road, provided I survive today's covid booster.

[64 kiwi boni]

23 minutes ago, Fitzy said:

Thanks boys. It's actually the base Ignitor. I didn't need the rev limiting features of the Ignitor 3 and I forget now what the Ignitor 2 does above the basic one. Now if the distributor was at the front of the engine...

I read with some interest that regular points & condenser require a voltage drop so that they don't burn out prematurely, whereas you can chuck the full 12 volts at an electronic set up. I guess this is where the enormous increase in spark energy at the plugs comes from. I already have the Pertronix ,ahem 'Flamethrower' 40k volt coil installed, so it should be a good result. 

Today is Rear Wheel Cylinder Day - the last little job to complete before I head out on the road, provided I survive today's covid booster.

Enjoy rear wheel cylinder Friday mate 🍻🍻🍻

good to hear your getting ya booster ! 

Got mine Tuesday 👍👍👍

[Wrongway]

Pertronix Flamethower HEI here! 

[64 kiwi boni]

hmm i am thinking the same as you Wrong way, replace the whole dizzy, where did you get yours ? 

 mind you, i am still getting over the knee capping i got with my trans... so it might be a 2023 christmas present the way i am going ! 

Edited February 11, 2022 by 64 kiwi boni

[64 kiwi boni]

fitzy !! fitzy !! whats happened .... ? we havent had a post from you since your booster jab!!!! have you turned into a rat fink zombie !!!

[Wrongway]

Yeah buddy, that was the easiest thing for me. I ordered mine for amazon because summit was out of stock at the time.

[64 kiwi boni]

Please note the ice cream AND all 3 flys following !!! soooo ozzy !!

not sure about the key with "i love bev" on it !! hahahaha

[Fitzy]

Remain calm - I survived both the harrowing wheel cylinder changeout AND the covid booster. As far as I'm concerned, the car is now roadworthy. I gunned it up the driveway today at full pelt trying to go fast enough to see if second gear engaged but ran out of room. The 2.73 diff is T A L L, plus I didn't get traction for the first coupla metres!

I chucked about 8 litres of fuel in today and will actually venture out the front gate tomorrow and will head down to the servo. Will you guys pass the hat around and bail me out when the cops see a big red Yank Tank with Cal plates tooling last them?

[Fitzy]

2 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

Please note the ice cream AND all 3 flys following !!! soooo ozzy !!

not sure about the key with "i love bev" on it !! hahahaha

What on earth is that creature doing eating ice cream? Although he has thoughtfully kept it outside, there's the risk of it dripping onto the upholstery. He should be eating one of Tony's 'Big Food' 'Got Bacon' burgers, although would prolly need a trailer to fit the bastard on!

For our International viewers, 'bastard' is an Australian colloquialism that means everything EXCEPT an illegitimate child.

Look at that bastard. That's a bastard to fix. Put the bastard in the back seat. You'll never fix that bastard. G'day ya Kiwi bastard. Bring that bastard over here, and so on. No offence is implied, nor should it be taken.

[Fitzy]

Wrongway, why are you awake? It's Stupid O'Clock in your part of the world.

[Fitzy]

Oh. I told my missus that after New Zealand we're heading to Michigan to be bathed in mud, blood & beer, and Hooters before being taken to hospital so as to extract one of Tony's meals. The 'we are not amused' glare she responded with would melt tungsten. It's okay, I'll talk her around it using my urbane wit and endless charm that drives the ladies wild.

That's right - we're not going anywhere.

Oh, yes we are.

[Wrongway]

Yeah I know right! I have sleep issues bro, just a heading to bed now. Y’all be safe. 

[Frosty]

Fitzy - you musta married a demoness from hell if she melts tungsten. Tungsten's melting point is 6,192 °F!!!! Damn son, thanks for taking one for the team!

Fitzy - I am confused though mate. If you get arrested for driving the car around. Are we sending you bail money or beer money? I'm in on the contribution regardless, just need to know what to put on my tax deduction - criminal reform vs alcoholism. Mind you, I don't think there are many charities that encourage this behavior either. I know it's for a good cause though. 

[Fitzy]

Please send your generous contributions to the Australian Division Of Pontiac Tragics - a self help group that provides no help whatsoever but encourages anti social driving behaviour. Your money will be wisely used to buy burgers & pizza for incarcerated members whilst they await their fate. Upon being released back into the wild, members will be able to access extra funds in order to ride the bus home. Once again, please give generously.

13 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Yeah I know right! I have sleep issues bro, just a heading to bed now. Y’all be safe. 

Wrongway, as you know I am also frequently up at 3am. I bought a book called Fast Asleep by Dr Michael Mosley. It explains the many reasons for insomnia and offers some methods to combat it. I'm only halfway through it, so am still doing the 3am thing but not as much. I heartily recommend it.