ChazInMT Ghostwalker Dude, yer my hero regarding the composite info.
glad you enjoyed. It's not all doom and gloom with them. When you create something unique in the world you get one hell of a sense of accomplishment. Also they let you create parts that would be difficult, require expense machines, or a superior skill with lesser tools in metal to make them look/function well. When the piece is done any frustration you went though is generally worth it.
thurston's book is on general splash mold making not fiberglas specifically but it uses materials you can find at hobby lobby and is a good tool to learn it.
the chavant videos are fiberglas/clay modeling pro stuff. The way automakers did ,and sometimes still do, make models and prototype molds before they bought giant CNC milling machines and millable clay. They include making a mini dragster body form scratch.
The other part in the "shifter slop" equation is the stock universal joint. Here's a write up on how to eliminate that problem. Warning- Good fabrication skills required!-hondaguy72
you weren't kidding about the fabrication. shame he's not offering them for sale. It would be worth $75 to me not to have to do all that. Lol especially since I'm not much of a welder.
As for your idle problem, look up the Idle Air Control Valve. I am a bit rusty on this stuff, but I am pretty sure it's what regulates your idle speed when there is no load on the engine-war wagon
Ya I think I'll just buy one and replace it. Hopeful I won't break a bunch of heat checked plastic lines like i did when i did one on a plymouth van.
cheers!-GW