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Total Performance King T - Hot Rod Girl: Part VBuilding the Total Performance King T From the November, 2008 issue of Street Rodder By Jim Rizzo
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ep, looks like I've been evicted.... ep, looks like I've been evicted. Jim informed me that my workspace had been confiscated and my roadster relegated to the back patio. At least it's covered, and actually a lot cooler than the garage, so maybe I lucked out in that respect. Anyway, there's power and compressed air back there, so other than the trek back and forth to the garage for tools, all is well. Last month, I started off the fourth part of this series welcoming everyone back to "Candy's garage." Well, I guess I spoke too soon. Since then, my project has been relegated to the back patio-not a bad thing, I guess, since lately it's been well over 100 degrees out where I live, and to be honest, the confines of the garage were way too hot for me anyway. But, I'd wager that Jim's getting a bit jealous because my T is progressing nicely, while his A was gathering spiderwebs out on the RV pad, so that may have been one of the reasons behind the move. Anyway, I guess I'll be finishing the majority of the build while enjoying the benefits of our Riverside foothill breezes as Jim gets back out into the garage and tries to make a bit of headway on his Bruiser-bodied sedan. With the majority of the upholstery tack strips 'glassed into place and Jim temporarily out of my way (not that I don't appreciate the help, mind you), I was able to get back to work on my own. With the chassis under control and the body mounted, it was time to strike a couple more chores off what sometimes seems to be a never-ending list. While Jim was busy fashioning a custom trans tunnel for me, I stood back and tried to figure out which of the countless chores I should tackle next. The track nose, hood, and hood-side installation were jobs I knew I'd need help with, but I figured I'd be able to handle the steering column and gauge installation on my own-so that's just what I did. Without further adieu, let's take a look.  This time around, I thought...  This time around, I thought I'd tackle the steering column/wheel installation, and if time and space allowed, the layout and dash prep for my new set of Aurora gauges. The column tube, shaft, joint, wheel adapter, and firewall support are all part of the King T kit, but the cool Grant steering wheel and Maund column drop were additional traditional-style items I chose to use to complete the job.  To start off the install,...  To start off the install, Jim helped me out by locating and marking the firewall, so I could locate the column support and drill the hole for the steering shaft. Using the pilot hole as a guide, I centered the support and marked and drilled the support mounting holes.  Next, I used the appropriate...  Next, I used the appropriate hole-saw to create the opening for the shaft, making sure I cut it at about the same angle that the column would end up. Doing it in this manner actually creates a slightly elongated hole that matches the column angle.  I then test-fit the shaft...  I then test-fit the shaft assembly to make sure it was lined up correctly-and it was, almost.  Since the opening was close,...  Since the opening was close, I installed the column support to see if those mounting holes positioned it correctly, as well. Luckily, they did.  One thing Jim had me do was...  One thing Jim had me do was trim the column tube to the same angle as the support. This way, the top edge of the tube wouldn't stick out from the firewall but would still be firmly and completely seated in the support.  As I said earlier, the hole...  As I said earlier, the hole was almost right on the money; it did need a bit of a touch-up with a half-round file, though. The steering joint just barely rubbed the left-hand edge of the opening, but a few strokes with the file corrected the problem with ease.  With the shaft in place and...  With the shaft in place and the joint driven home on the splined input shaft of the steering box, I then slid the column tube over the shaft. The tube is fitted with internal bushings that keep the shaft centered, and a set screw on the support holds the tube firmly in the support.  Here's one of the few little...  Here's one of the few little modifications Jim performed on the Total Performance components supplied in the King T kit. The steering wheel adapter that Total supplies is made and drilled for a modern-style five-bolt steering wheel-and since I fell in love with a cool four-spoke Grant Products wheel, I was bummed when I saw that the three-bolt mounting style of the wheel didn't match up to the adapter. Jim saved the day by slicing off the bottom third of the billet adapter and drilling and tapping it to accept the Grant wheel-my hero.  Relieved and pleased that...  Relieved and pleased that I'd get to use my wheel, I proceeded to install the traditional-style Maund column drop I permanently borrowed from Jim (please don't tell him I took it, though). It was easy, since all I had to do was drill two mounting holes in the tab on the hoop Jim had welded up and installed under the cowl a couple weeks ago.  I permanently attached the...  I permanently attached the wheel adapter Jim modified to the Grant wheel using three 1/4-20 bolts and a bit of red Loctite. The assembly slides easily on and off the keyed steering shaft and is held in place with a self-locking nut.  The final touch to my steering...  The final touch to my steering assembly install was the nice chromed cover that snaps on the center of the wheel-Jim's pudgy little lap dog, Kitt, approved, as well.  Next up was my Aurora gauge...  Next up was my Aurora gauge install. I'd looked at a bunch and these really caught my eye-the traditional black-face styling will fit the traditional styling I'm shooting for with the roadster, though I may upgrade to a set of Designer Series in the future. That is, if I can ever settle on one design, since they offer so many cool ones.  I started out by finding and...  I started out by finding and marking a centerline on the dash using a tape measure, a straightedge, and a silver marker.  From there, I determined the...  From there, I determined the center of the dash and traced out the circle for the speedo, which will be the center gauge in the cluster.  I figured I'd get a laugh...  I figured I'd get a laugh out of Jim by adding one of my favorite sayings to the future home of my speedo, then I sat back to decide on the layout for the balance of the instruments.  I decided I'd like the rest...  I decided I'd like the rest of the gauges in a cluster around the speedo. This way I'd be able to monitor them all with one quick glance while driving. Jim's hole-saw set made quick work of readying the dash.  Another few minutes cleaning...  Another few minutes cleaning up the openings allowed the gauges to fit easily but snugly.  With the gauges slid temporarily...  With the gauges slid temporarily in place, I reinstalled the steering wheel and sat in the driver's position to make sure I liked the layout-like I had any choice at this point. They look good to me, and I'll go into installation steps and details when I get to the point when I'm ready to do the wiring. For now, I'm happy with the layout and the Aurora design.  That will do it for this installment....  That will do it for this installment. Stay tuned, because next month I'll return with a couple more steps toward the road to completion. And, as always, thanks for taking the time to check out my project. Remember, the King T kit is the perfect way to get yourself or someone you love into the hobby-it doesn't get any better than this! See ya next month.
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Total Performance
10039 Prospect Ave.
Santee
CA
92071
619-562-9894
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Aurora Instruments / The Hoffman Group
800-651-1970
www.auroragauges.com
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Superior Glass Works
888-731-7670
www.superiorglassworks.com
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Grant Products
700 Allen Avenue
Glendale
CA
91201
213-849-3171
800-952-6947
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