Started this long ago and now back on the stages of finishing it. Last registered in 1999 it has been parked in the garage for over 15 years. It got its Dolphin nickname from the light blue body and white belly.
I picked up the car with no engine. It had been punched out (firewalled) for a Big block chevy engine. Lots of parts loaded inside. Much of it junk or sold off. I put the car back to stock for a few years with a nice low mile four cylinder. I drove it like that for a few years in the late eighties.
On a whim we installed the engine and transmission into a hatchback for my sister and the delivery went back the way of a V-8. I had a leftover steel cranked 283 out of an old vette. Having never played with the spray I put together a nice little Nitrous oxide motor for it.
I put it together using parts I had on hand with the intent to put together a nice driver and weekend drag car for my wife.
It has a narrowed 9" Ford big bearing rear axle. 3.92 ratio on a detroit locker. Rear tires are 295x50-15. Rear suspension is stock four link boxed and narrowed. Front received Moroso trick front springs. The car has just over 71k on the clock so everything is still tight and drives very nice.
I added a passenger seat and hid the "bottle" under the front storage compartment. The rear compartment houses the battery.
The interior was cleaned up and not in bad shape.
New carpet and seats reupholstered. Still need to paint it and I thought that was what I would work on this winter. Looking closer at it I did have some loose ends to finish first.
Years and ethanol did no favors to the fuel lines. All the rubber hoses now replaced. Brakes system fluid neglected. Flushed and refilled fixed that.
Now having driven it a little more I remember the cooling issues.
I am running a stock Monza V-8 radiator. it is just not enough even with a crank driven flex fan and a 12" electric pusher. Finally ordered a new aluminum replacement. I know a shroud would help, but have yet to figure one out that will work. I may have to do that if the new radiator doesn't do the job
I added an air dam underneath to enhance the low pressure zone behind the radiator. The cowl hood helps vent heat at low speed usually, however mine is sealed to the intake for cooler air induction.
Back when I started this project there are several things I wish I had gathered. The front and rear valances. Mine are cracked and as I see now...impossible to find. So repair those I must. The radiator...OMG price has quadrupled on that Griffin radiator.
Off and running... back in the chase for parts
( BTW- I might have a good stock 1976 Monza radiator for sale soon if anyone is looking? )