Blue's Barracuda

[Stu]

Looks great, Blue. I’d second this, when a local valeter asked if he could do my car and take some pics to promote his business, he used clay bar and I was staggered at what a difference it made.

[Blue]

Yes the results are much like wet flatting with very fine paper only easier, less abrasive and no mess to clear up.

[RobTwin]

I've often considered it but hesitated as I'm not sure whether it leaves small scratches, from the dirt that's being picked up in the clay, then moved around across the surface of the paint, before it disappears into the bar.

When you say 'a quick polish', Blue, is that with a mop on a wheel, or just by hand with a cloth?

[rocket70]

I’m sure people clay bar the glass as well especially the windscreen with good results when it rains.

[Blue]

I don’t see any scratching Rob and yes just a quick polish by hand. Yes I’m sure it would clean up glass as well, though my rear screen has some bad scratches that I’m sure it wouldn’t touch.

[Lee H]

She looks fantastic Blue!

I've often wondered about clay bars too, never used them as I was a bit sceptical. May give it a go on the Cortina!

[Blue]

Tried it on a bit of my rear window this morning, doesn’t touch the scratches as expected but it does feel noticeably smoother and cleaner. Worth doing all the windows then when I can be arsed, I’ve never been able to get them really clean.

[Blue]

I noticed recently while driving to the Hot Rod Drags I was spending far too much time taking my eyes off the road to look down at the oil and temp gauges, not good. I no longer need a Vacuum gauge so I’ve been working on a panel to utilise the redundant heater control area to house the oil and temp gauges ala Sox & Martin. I’ll change to a mechanical temp gauge as I don’t trust the electrical one and an inaccurate gauge is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard…

[Pete]

Good call, I am not a fan of low mounted gauges.

It is the same with Wiper switches where you have to take your eye off the road, and then have to lean forward to operate them.

I was thinking about a momentary switch (a bit like a dipswitch) mounted on the floor in reach of the left foot....

They did not really "Do" Ergonomics back in the day.....

[Stu]

Excellent shout and nice touch with the old school S&M pic to work from.

I find driving far more enjoyable since I moved the gauges to somewhere I can see ‘em, albeit not as vintage looking as that’s going to be.

[Matt]

I like the cooling mod on the intake manifold.

I recently overheated my 408 and #8 piston was the only one to be damaged.

[rocket70]

John,

I like your mod with the drop down tray for your electrics. Can you elaborate on how you did it?

Kind regards
Bryan

[Blue]

Bryan, it’s 2mm ally sheet, width determined by what you need to mount on it. Folded up to span the gap between the firewall and the underside of the dash at 90degrees to the firewall. This allows it to clear the glovebox liner. A piano hinge is used to mount it to the firewall and 3 Dzus fasteners hold it to the lower edge of the dash in the raised position which isn’t visible from the drivers seat.

[rocket70]

Thank you.

How did you mount the hinge to the firewall….nuts and bolts, tack weld…..?

[Blue]

Pop rivets.