Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Glad to see some action in a familiar garage! Looks like a cool project too. I appreciate Japanese quality but man-o-man the '80s carbureted motors (last hoorah before FI) were a nightmare! This was the other Boy's Mitsu carby that was pretty well clapped. Johnny wasn't touching that trap so we ordered up a Weber progressive - WAY better! Fuel line, throttle cable, choke wire, vac advance, booster vac - DONE.

Are you changing color? What else is on the list?

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Thanks, Johnny! He's got the carb pared down substantially, it runs pretty good.

Plans have changed a tad-I'm finding a bit more than we bargained for, and Big paint at my place is a big mess. So, after finding they could do it for what I can buy materials for, It's going to Maaco for paint, after metalwork and fill/blocking. Uncle Matt knows the owner of the closest franchise, so there's a small hookup. Plus, we'll have it stripped, so they'll just have to scuff/wrap/shoot it. Same color as factory.

What's on the list? Lemme see- finish metal pass side, straighten Nos fender, cut in and install fender, weld up antenna hole in trunk, smooth trunk dents, smooth rear lower panel dents, rebuild whole driver's lower, fix big gonk in roof, skim my work, block, prime, block. No biggie, who brought the beer?

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

When last we spoke, I was gonna do some fittin'. I got that roughed on Wed, then tightened up and tacked in on Sat. Here ya go-

Slit for the tail and rot at the top filler-
Attachment 1107060

Tacked in-
Attachment 1107061

Tail fitup and tacked-
Attachment 1107062

S10 dry run-
Attachment 1107063

Forward hole filled by S10- we found we had a dent ahead and up from this- dead paint didn't show it. All kinds of fun stuff happened when I welded it in. When you introduce heat, even a little, you're off to the races. Fortunately, we got behind it with a spud bar and off-dollied it back into some form of shape. Always feel up your panels before welding away, kids.
Attachment 1107064

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Ok, so now we gotta get the red piece in-

Not tooo shabby!
Attachment 1107072

And a piece for the bottom-
Attachment 1107073

And a little filler/character line piece (had to make that one)-
Attachment 1107074

All together-
Attachment 1107075

Not bad at all-
Attachment 1107076

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

So tonight, we welded it in, using some new tricks from MP&C. Line of tacks, grind 'em down with cutoff wheel. Repeat. Ran out of time to grind the last round, but here ya go.

Top contour
Attachment 1107077

Welded-
Attachment 1107078

lower-
Attachment 1107079

rear-
Attachment 1107080

Now, to grind, skim and slick sand! Keep your fingers crossed!

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Did I miss it? How ya likin' that easy grind wire?!!???

You flat out laid it down. Great Job!!

another question,,,,, Since its a European car did you la'weld with easy grind wire?:haha:

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Thanks! LOVE the EZ grind. It takes a LOT more wire speed, and lays down nice. It actually likes a really tight fitup, and grinds like buttah.

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Looking good!

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Thanks! The tack and grind bit really helped. I appreciate the tip!
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Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

So ...what's the beer to EZ grind ratio? More or less than regular wire?

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Ha, actually pretty low. I have some allergies from doing this for a long time, and I HAVE to wear a respirator when grinding. So, I always have something on. The fit-up and Tack was 3 beers, the weld up was 1. Shoulda been more, I did the usual "go-fast" bit toward the end. You get excited to sew it up and forget patience. I had the paint about 1/8 to 1/4 back, and only smoked it twice in all that welding, so I thought that was pretty good. TIP: I had good results with starting 1/16 to an 1/8 ahead of a tack and kinda "flipping" back to the tack. Worked well, and kinda sped up the process over straight lapping tacks.

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Sorry guys. Was all stoked to kick stuff out this week, and caught a nasty cold from the kids. Me and Momma both down and out. Reports as events warrant.
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Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Nice patchin going on there!

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Looks like it was a MN car. I had an 83 Celica when I was in the navy. It was a nice car and I have pondered the idea of finding another like it or a supra from that era as a future project. I figured there would be a way to shoehorn a small block in it since it had the same engine as the toyota pickups (R22) and the adapter kits for those were so common. I know where a supra is now for sale cheap too, but my plate is full at the moment. I'd keep the inline 6 of the supra though and just soup it up a bit more.

I sold the celica to my cousin who shortly there after put it sideways into a tree. It was totaled. I came across it by accident at a junkyard not long after that when I was scrounging for parts for my C-10. This was back around 1989-90. Man I've had that truck a long time. Cripes sake I'm getting old. Gonna start sounding like a full blown codger any time now.

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Nice work, Chip! The S-10 fender lip donor parts were a brilliant idea. I'm a big proponent of "recycling" parts from other vehicles. It becomes a quest to see what will work, and it's a lot of fun. And, it makes for a great conversation piece when you're all done, and you explain to everyone what you did and you watch their expression.

I'm going to have to try some of that EZ-Grind wire.

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Thanks for the props, guys! Back at work today at 75% power and buzzin' along on pills. Maybe some this weekend. I'm a huge cheerleader for that wire. It's little different, but great once you get a grip.

The s-10 stuff just seemed familiar, and I walked 2 yards looking for something better. When I couldn't, just said to hell with it and got out my sawzall and had a party. People already are giving me the "no way" when they see it. Momma's even impressed, and she's WAY over any of this stuff.

Thanks for checkin' in on me guys, it keeps me motivated. I appreciate it.

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

75% for you is like 110% for the rest of us. ;) Glad you're on the mend!

I agree on the wire. Loaded up a 2# spool of .030 and welded some fenderwell and frame pieces. On both thin and thick material it seemed equally at home. It seems to grind a bit easier, although using .030 wire instead of .023 deposits a bit heavier weld, so the grinding gains are offset somewhat by the increased amount of material to remove. Think I'd be even more impressed if I'd scored some .023 wire to begin with.

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Ha, 75%. Bought all the lumber and came home and wrecked out and set posts for a quick fence job across the street. Watching The Jazz Singer with the Kid. I ain't that bright.

You should score some .023 for all the sheet work you've bitten off. It'll rock on that thicker stuff.
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Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Ok, made some time to finish welds out, weld up and dent fix the trunk and cut into the driver's side. Here ya go-

Attachment 1112681

Attachment 1112682

Attachment 1112683

Attachment 1112684

Attachment 1112685

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

And the cut up other side-

Attachment 1112692

Attachment 1112693

Attachment 1112694

Attachment 1112695

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

You're all practiced up now, this side will be like old hat :lol:

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Killin' it Chip!!!

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Thanks guys. Took a bit of time this weekend for family/house stuff. Hoping to sling some epoxy this week, and skim it in and get it in slicksand.

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Is it too late to go ahead and flare the fenders for some wider rollers?

Re: The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626
 

Ha Ha. You shop managers, always trying to upsell! (LOL) He just put these on it, what it's got is what it's got.