After a couple of frustrating days fighting with the brakes, I finally figured out was was wrong; the pedal ratio was too high at 11 or so. I had to shim the power booster/master cylinder so that I could lower the attachment point on the brake pedal lever. I was able to get it down to around 6 and all of a sudden I had brakes. Not really great yet, they need some more bleeding but they stop the car!

Once the brakes were working I put the new wheels and tires on, I ended up buying Flaken 225 60R17 for the back and 215 55R17 for the front. They fit the fender wells like I wanted them to and I think the American Racing Salt Flat Specials look great on the wagon, kind of makes it looks like it belongs in the pits at Lions pushing an AA/GS car.

Once the wheels were on, Michelle had the honor of firing Bettie up and backing her out of the shop for the 1st time. My good friend Art Bans had stopped by about the time we were getting ready to fire her up, so the three of us piled in the wagon and took a tour of the neighborhood. Aside from needing a little more transmission fluid everything ran well. The brakes were a bit spongy yet, and the power steering dosent seem to have much boost at/off idle.

First Drive!

Great strides forward! Tomorrow Bettie goes in for a wheel alignment and a set of mufflers. On Tuesday, I will put the side glass in and add the door seals. Wednesday she goes in to have her windshield and rear glass installed. And on Friday she is off to see Louie for a new set of threads…

Its been a long haul, glad to see the end near!