It lives, and bleeds

So the big news today is that the car runs.  After Derek pointed out that I really do need a good battery to start a car – after a couple chugs of the starter, it sprang to life like it had only missed a week of duty.  Quite loud without any exhaust, but smooth.  After it ran for a few seconds, we noticed a pretty serious oil leak coming from behind the Turner OIl filter housing plate.  It seems that my oil filter housing is threaded which doesn’t work with this kit.  I’ll buy some more metric/AN adapter fittings and stop that leak pretty easliy.  I had hoped to get video to put here, but the oil leak stopped me from running it any more.  I’ll try to have video up shortly.

I also wired in a new temperature sender which was made by a DIY’er from an E30 specific forum.  It goes in the Driver’s side brake duct.  I made a long wiring harness to come into the cabin of the car because whatever wires were there before no longer existed.

Other things I did but did not take photos of include wiring the headlights completely, modifying the cruise control to work with the E36 throttle body, finishing the OBD-I vacuum hose setup, finishing all the brake pipe, and installing the fluids.  I also had the front and rear glass installed, and put on the windshield wipers.

To finish things off, I installed a set of Racing Dynamics pedals that I stashed away when I realized that they were not being produced any more a few years back.  I had these on my first E30, and loved them.  I have yet to really figure out how to mount the dead pedal efficiently to the carpet.

And here’s a shot of the suede headliner my wife and I made.  It was definitely tricky – and I am not 100% happy with the fitment (probably more my installation job than anything) but I’d say I’m 95% happy with it.  And once I’m driving the car I’m certain I’ll forget about it.