V1 Matt3458's Daily Goblin - 2006 SS/SC #480

[Matt3458]

This is the build log for Goblin #480. It’s a 2006 Cobalt SS/SC with about 143,000 miles on it. I needed a donor that drove well as I learned to drive manual with it. This thing is a real racecar: aftermarket steering wheel at a 45 degree angle, only red lights on the interior, underglow, unless dual 12” subwoofers in the back. Previous owner was a 16 year old who could have it “until he got a speeding ticket”. Guess how long that takes a 16 year old in a supercharged, tuned “racecar”. Sold with a ‘bad starter’, immediately changed the starter, flywheel, clutch, master cylinder due to the flywheel missing about a quarter of the teeth. Also the lowered springs on the rear kept jumping out. Never heard of that before. I did find 87 quarters under the backseat though, so that helps make up for it.

About me: I’m a 34 year old nuclear reactor operator from Illinois. This kit is a gift to myself for completing the two year licensing process. I don’t have much experience working on cars and I’m excited for the learning process. The build will take some time as I work a lot of hours on rotating shifts.

Teardown started memorial day weekend, finished up this week. Overall it went very smooth just following the videos. There’s a few differences but they’re all very manageable. Thankfully the only bolts I had to cut were on the exhaust. The gas tank is out so the donor is done, I need to get the donor taken away to free the garage up before my frame comes back from powdercoating next week.

 

[Matt3458]

Of course, the real reason to start a build log is to ask questions. I have 3 already.

The clip on the back of the coolant tank was broken. It looks like this is also used on the goblin, so I believe need to replace it.



I tried my damnedest to remove this line without breaking anything, but the elbow popped off anyways. I think this is the “clutch elbow” from the drawing attached. So did I damage it, or the connection it’s attached to, and can I repair it without going inside the transmission?



Finally, when I removed the steering wheel, the plastic where the turn signal/wiper shafts are mounted did not come off with the wheel. I’m struggling to see how to remove it now without breaking it. Is this plastic reused or can I destroy it?

 

[Rauq]

Coolant reservoir: I don't think that clip is a big deal anymore. The mount was updated a while back: http://dfkitcar.com/forum/index.php?threads/we-need-updated-videos.2120/post-40623

Clutch elbow: the black piece poking out from the bellhousing now is one end of the clutch pipe that goes from the slave cylinder to the elbow, and the elbow is also the bleeder. If your elbow is good, you might be able to re-aim the clutch pipe and reinstall the clutch elbow. There's a cup-looking seal/o-ring deal that likes to stay inside the elbow; to minimize the chance of leaks, it should be on the clutch pipe before you install the elbow, not inside the elbow. Then again, if your clutch pipe is really tweaked, then yes, you would probably have to pull the trans to realign. There's an access port in the bellhousing with a black plastic cover, but I can't recall that it would get you access to the clutch pipe.

Steering wheel plastic: I don't think any of that plastic is reused. Off the top of my head, you need the turn signal stalk and its mounting body, and the ignition switch and its associated components. I think the black plastic clamshell cover can be pried off.

Are you watching the videos for teardown?

 

[Matt3458]

Are you watching the videos for teardown?

In the video, all the plastic came off with the wheel.

I took another look at the steering column and the plastic's held on by two clips. Popped those in, plastic's off, feel silly asking now. That's how it goes sometimes. My aftermarket wheel broke under the hammer, so I guess it gave out before the plastic did.

 

[Fozda]

Welcome! Safe to assume you're referring to Byron?! I live in Janesville but work in Rockford so I'm pretty close!

 

[Matt3458]

Welcome! Safe to assume you're referring to Byron?! I live in Janesville but work in Rockford so I'm pretty close!

Yes! I think I met you near Byron when your alternater died a few weeks ago? You gracious gave me a few minutes of your time.

 

[Joebob]

It is not in the videos, but you need to save the parking brake handle and the tubes and cables that go to the parking brakes. They are used if you get the parking brake kit from DF.

Joe

 

[Rttoys]

Don’t forget the park brake lever, cables and tubes

 

[Rttoys]

Danggit. Joebob beat me to it.

 

[Fozda]

Yes! I think I met you near Byron when your alternater died a few weeks ago? You gracious gave me a few minutes of your time.

I was wondering if maybe that was you!

 

[Matt3458]

you need to save the parking brake handle and the tubes and cables that go to the parking brakes.

Yep! Parking brake tubes have already been removed.

 

[Matt3458]

I'm still working on disassembling the steering column. I'm having a hell of a time bending the bearing retainer stakes out of the way. The video makes it look so easy... Any tips? I feel like I'm just mangling the metal and taking chunks out of my hand when it slips.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

That's what mine looked like. Just be sure to use a file afterwards and clean up the sharp edges. And clean the metal filings out of the bearing and relube it.

 

[Rttoys]

Use a bigger set of pliers or you can use a hammer and punch. Just be careful not to hit the bearing.

 

[Gtstorey]

I don’t remember but does removing the retainer ring allow the shaft to get out of the way? If so you can use a hammer and punch to knock the tangs back.

 

[Sluggonaut]

I'm still working on disassembling the steering column. I'm having a hell of a time bending the bearing retainer stakes out of the way. The video makes it look so easy... Any tips? I feel like I'm just mangling the metal and taking chunks out of my hand when it slips.

I remember it being much more difficult than what Lonny makes it look like in the video. I can relate to the hand chunk comment too.

 

[Robinjo]

I remember it being much more difficult than what Lonny makes it look like in the video. I can relate to the hand chunk comment too.

Everything was harder than what Lonnie made it look on the videos. Not saying it was hard overall, just he breezed through it all. My hardest thing he made look super easy was hammering the steering wheel off the steering shafts.

 

[snirtman]

If you have the room, I'd recommend keeping the donor until you're registered/licensed. Not sure what Illinois requires, but an inspector may need to see the donor. Also, like many others, during my build I had to go back to my donor for little tidbits I didn't think I needed. Lots of guys on here had to buy stuff they discarded with their donor.

 

[Sluggonaut]

If you have the room, I'd recommend keeping the donor until you're registered/licensed. Not sure what Illinois requires, but an inspector may need to see the donor.

I'm not sure how possible it is to get registered in Illinois. I went with Montana as I was told they won't register anything with a tube frame here in Illinois, which is laughable because I've seen countless Cobra kit cars registered here.

Any IL law enforcement officer can do the inspection and sign the paper that gets sent in for Montana. The scrap yard also just needs a copy of the title and won't take the original, at least the ones I talked to and the one I eventually used were this way.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

I HATE ILLINOIS DMV NAZIS!