Hiya fellas, I hope this message finds you well in the new year with these unique times. It's been a month since my previous installment. I believe I have all the bits needed to get this project running, and will spend some time on it in between feeding the wood stove and fireplace!
I fitted a control box to the radiator support. Seemed like the right place to position it. It's an ammo box loaded with cheap eBay switches and gauges.
The on/off main switch is double pole/single throw. That feature gives me the create license to switch both power and ground. Since I'm winging it, I appreciate having options on switching relays! The black push button is for the starter..... I messed up on the position of that during the layout and didn't catch it until it was too late. There is a fuel pump switch, and an ignition main with individual kill switches for each cylinder.
I retained the DBW throttle and fitted a friction bar for setting the engine speed. I also placed the ALDL connector in a familiar location under the "dash".
Regarding extra instrumentation, the fuel gauge was a cheap, easy solution to add. I have ports for a mechanical water temp gauge at the water pipe above the thermostat and a sandwich plate at the oil filter for plumbing in an oil gauge and pre-oiler.
As usual, the last mile of this project will be to complete the wiring. I have 75% of the wiring sorted, and I now have the last bits in hand to get it done. I will simplify a bit of the power distribution, as this application does not have the same requirements as a road vehicle. I believe it will be sufficient to have three relays, one for the starter, one for the fuel pump and a final one for all ignition operations. I will retain the park-neutral and transmission operations.
I look forward to having it all sorted, then pinning out each wire run one final time!
One detail I'll save for later is fitting a dash. I do have the wiring prepared, but I'm not sure where or how I'll place that piece. For now I'll use the ALDL and my Snap-On Verus.
This project has been fun, but I am realizing that I want to get it going and move on to the car build. My next post should be a report on having this thing making noise and carbon dioxide emissions.
Cheers gents.