After much hassle I was finally able to get the export brace fully installed. This was a total pain and in the future I may just opt to use the factory 2 piece braces. I also spent a few minutes to clean and paint the valve covers when I had them off and replaced the gaskets. I also did the oil dip sticks and the valve cover to air breather cap. The black metallic paint looks better than the yellow stick that stood out under the hood (engine from a '76 Granada has the stick on the driver side next to the brake master). This one isn't functional so the front one just looks better than the Ford blue that has worn. I'll likely do the Tranny and Pwr Steering stickes also and need to do the rest of the breather. I removed the hood and engine and tranny mounts to raise the engine as well as use some tie down straps to ratchet the brace into place and then put them back. I can't empasize enough WHAT A PAIN!!! I also took a few shots of the radio, steering wheel and turn signal lever since I put in a new horn repair kit and re-assembled all that stuff. The horn works, but it recommends cutting the top nub (1/2 inch) of the steering column, but since the horn works, I didn't see the point. It would give the button more travel room, but hey, it works so why bother. I'm debating on just sanding the hood and having my body shop guy just bondo it and make do. I just feel like I'm spenfing way to much on the car and with gas prices rising, the market for resale of these older v-8's I'm not sure is there. Course I didn't do it for a profit, just as a hobby and really to get me and my son some time to do something fun, which didn't work out because he just wasn't interested. I mean, he helped when I made him and occassionally when I asked. Like a lot of kids nowadays, he'd rather just pay to have work done. I agree for some things where quality is a consideration (like body work and paint... that's an art for a keen eye to get lines and such right). Most people can turn a wrench to remove a part and put on a new one.
