Wolk K First off, there is nothing wrong with ERA. Bob has been doing double and tripel duty around ERA for better than 30 years. He is no spring chicken. He does go on vacations sometimes.
I know you are in a hurry to get the car up and running. I know that the car can be assemblied in a 100 hours from start to finish and like yourself I to was in a hurry. I was waiting on front Serria calipers. Bob found a machining issue with them and I waited about a month to get a set that was in engineering spec's of what Bob had designed. I did get the calipers and they have been on the car for 14 years without and leaks or failures. They also spend 98% of the time on the track racing. I don't know if a standard brake system would hold up. Yes I do maintainance to the system once a year. At this point in time there are things you can do that don't need the car to be drivable. Breakin in the motor, going through the car and check EVERY nut and bolt for tightness. I like to get the corner weights of the car with your weight in the drivers seat so that when you go for the alignment, the car is ready for normal road driving. Do this with a 1/2 tank of gas. This is good for 2-3 hours alone and will make the car drive and handle better. Try for a 49/51 ratio of front to rearend weights and right to left side even. IS your bellhousing cut on the bottom? This is for Lakewood owners. Make sure all the wiring harnesses are not loose and clamped down. Leaks from the motor, gas and
oil after a couple of cycles bring the motor to operating temps. Check gaskets on the valve covers. I went above the normal with fasteners and all are aircraft nyloc nuts, safety wired or Loc-tited to stop any loosening of parts.
I can tell you that I was running short of time this year for the Run&Gun and it almost cost me my car with a
oil fire under the hood. R/S valve cover gasket cracked and
oil as leaking down on the side pipes. A small leak but enough to have a fire under the hood and only burnt the starter cable between the soleniod and starter. I now take the extra time and double check.
ERA will get the parts to you, ALL companies in the auto industries are having the same problems with outsourcing. I have been waiting on tranny parts from 4-6 weeks on a certain model with issues. I know it sucks to not drive the car but you will have plenty of time soon enough. Good luck with the car and be careful the first couple of times out. Do short 3-5 mile trips and check over the car. Then start the long cruises. The other problem will be Wife and kids, good luck with this issue. It's only a 2 seater
Who's riding in the trunk?????
Good luck getting that silly grin off your face too.
Rick L.