In reply to volvoclearinghouse:
Absolutely it is. It's just refreshing to see people who don't act burdened by marriage.
Besides, sometimes taking a break from a project can make all the difference in the world. I suspect when NOHOME is back at it he'll have all kinds of new ideas and solutions... you know, to bring the thread back on track a bit. :)
Coincidentally, I lost the bet on the stroke of Midnight of our 25th anniversary. By NOT working on the car that day, I improved the odds of there being another 25 years of marriage to the same woman.
You still had to get an anniversary gift right?
You mean a non-running car taking up garage space isn't enough of a gift? 
759NRNG wrote: You still had to get an anniversary gift right?
We have a long standing agreement that works for us. All year long we are good to each-other, and on the Hallmark Holydays, we don't worry too much about stuff.
By the way, if anyone wants to know how close it came to moving:
I'd have had a hard time not getting those crossed off the list to win the bet.
Dusterbd13 wrote: I'd have had a hard time not getting those crossed off the list to win the bet.
You would think so eh?.....The killer was the rad hoses. The conclusion is that the rad is a mistake from the manufacturer. The lower rad inlet is 1.5" and the upper is 1.75". I think it should be reversed since the engine side of the hose was the opposite of the radiator dimensions. The consequence is that there were no hoses known to mankind that would work.
It is the opposite - the larger hose on the bottom/driver's side to connect to the inlet of the water pump.
Awww. Inch and a half radiator hoses. How cute. ;-).
They just put the cap on the wrong end of the rad. You can fix it.
Congrats on the Anniversary. Your "rule" about Hallmark holidays sounds just right.
While celebrating my defeat over a glass of wine, the following line of thought came about:
The original plan called for driving the car up to the sidewalk, back it into the shop and pull it apart for body and paint over the next year.
Question put forth was "Why not just put a windshield in the thing and put some miles on it first; maybe see what rubs or falls off. Trailer to Grand bend and run the track in order to sort the suspension ect...Who knows, SWMBO might hate it and put it up for sale saving me a year of my life!
My only objection is that I hate putting glass in, and this would entail doing it twice. The rear window rubbers are un-obtanium and I only have the one set.
Do the jambs before windows. Then follow through with the plan.
Goggles.
I have sneaking suspicion that you'll never get behind the wheel after it's sorted out. 
I don't like that plan, but I've never painted before.
I think that the accumulated road debris and junk will be very hard to clean off of unpainted panels to make them paintable. Plus, you may cause things to rust before you get the chance to stop it.
tuna55 wrote: I don't like that plan, but I've never painted before. I think that the accumulated road debris and junk will be very hard to clean off of unpainted panels to make them paintable. Plus, you may cause things to rust before you get the chance to stop it.
For once, I agree with Tuna. Paint the bugger, then drive the wheels off of it.
In the interim, go buy a slightly ratty old Volvo Amazon to bang around in and satisfy that craving.
Also resist the temptation to pursue perfection in paint. There's no such thing as "done" in Bodyworkland; it's simply "Good enough" or "I'm tired of this E36 M3". Sand, fill, prime, paint, sand, wet sand, wash- drive. 
+2. Unless you are also going to pay the shop the $$$$ to make the bodywork near-on perfect, spending the extra coin to have them paint it might not be worth it.
I do my own bodywork. Have not decided on the paint yet. Car is in epoxy primer now.
Definitely Mariner Blue.
Bit the bullet...New radiator with the proper inlet and outlet size should be headed to Port Huron as we type.
LOKAR filler tube for the AOD installed. Gonna take some time to pour 12 quarts of fluid down this thing
Found a better AC compressor under one one the Minions benches; leftover from a Coyote swap he did and it looks brand new. About half the weight and size of the mystery one frm E-bay and the Miata AC lines bolt on to it
Those newer little ones are often variable displacement units -- if so, can your system use/control one like that?
MichaelYount wrote: Those newer little ones are often variable displacement units -- if so, can your system use/control one like that?
No flipping idea. Have to learn about that.
NOHOME wrote:MichaelYount wrote: Those newer little ones are often variable displacement units -- if so, can your system use/control one like that?No flipping idea. Have to learn about that.
Plenty of time for learning now :)
Anxious to see the results...
Lets see...
New rad is in and it solves the hose issue. Now I just need to fab up new mounting scheme since it is not the same as the other one!
In other news, the bet is lost, its summer-time and there are better places to spend time than the shop. Time to go fishing. Hope y'alls fourth of July is as nice as my Canada day week-end.
Please get rid of the water pump driven fan.
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