The second demolition derby mod session was held yesterday, following the initial session a few weeks ago that sketched out the changes. Yesterday’s session was productive and lots of fun. Thanks again to RP for doing a great job in leading the mod efforts; it has been a blast.

The Battery
The last mod session included replacing the inherited battery with an extra RP has. Although the battery worked fine when we jumped it that day, it failed when I tried again a couple days later. That leaves us with two batteries that don’t want to work. RP brought his battery charger, which I will set up in the next couple days to begin properly charging both batteries for a real test of their ability to rock and roll.

Yesterday’s mod session picked up where we left off with the battery switch by moving the battery from the engine area to the passenger seat floor area. We already had the needed parts, so the actual work was quite easy, also in part because there was a plug we removed in the floor that allowed us to run the battery cables without drilling. The final result looks very nice, and just needs a “covering”.

Next steps:
(1) I figure out what the organizers mean by “covering” the battery.
(2) We cover the battery and secure the battery to the floor (currently, it just sits on the floor).

Hole in the Hood
One of the requirements is that there be a hole in the hood over the carburetor, which is used by firefighters to gush water into the engine to extinguish fires. We used RP’s Dremel, buying fresh bits, to cut a hole in the hood. Again, the result looks great.

The bad news is that I failed to register that the rules state the hole must be “approximately 12″ or larger, square or diameter”. Our hole is 13 x 9, so I think we’ll have to go back and cut more, which sucks for several reasons (it’s not a fast process, we have to cut a reinforcement piece again, it wears bits away like crazy, and we thought we had this one done).

Next steps:
(1) Jason buys additional Dremel bits.
(2) We expand the hole.

20100623 Edit: PMS and IR visited to help me with expanding the hood hole a few inches. This task is now complete.

Chain Everything Down
The rules require we secure a number of different points in the car. The last mod session included time where we discussed how we would do this. This mod session, we bought some initial hardware to do the job. We needed these initial pieces to bring back to the car so we could measure out chain and wire needs, although we did buy wire for some of the securing. Next mod session will include purchasing the remaining chain, wire, and hardware, and then installing it.

Next steps:
(1) After we remove the fiber glass bumper covers, etc., measure chain and wire needs.
(2) Purchase relevant items.
(3) Install.

The Agenda for the Next Mod Session
(1) Work the battery situation, to include doing real checks on the existing batteries, covering the battery, and securing the battery to the floor.
(2) Expand hood hole.
(3) Removing fiber glass parts of bumpers, as required by the rules.
(4) Secure or almost secure various parts of the car, requiring us to finish (2), measure chain and wire needs, buy remaining items, and execute.
(5) Discuss gas tank moving plans. I have some research to do on this, in particular finding a metal gas tank.
(6) Discuss removing the hood latch, which is required but should wait until we have a way to secure the hood (e.g., chains).

Future Mod Sessions
If we accomplish the four items on the next mod session’s agenda, then we have the following left to do (in no particular order):
(1) Reinforce the driver and passenger doors (PMS may ride along).
(2) Window removal.
(3) Flush radiator and cooling system and replace with water.
(4) Gas tank decisions.