Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Thanks Don.

Just gone 22.00 here. Been a hard day, so off to bed but it means up early and get going as the weather forecast is 32'C for tomorrow.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

another congrats on the purchase Grizz! that's a nice looking truck!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Thanks Jer, I have to say, it is not a patch on your rather gorgeous truck, as it has been a working truck the last 9 years.

Hopefully it will look better once I have saved up the necessary dosh to buy a new set of side trim, and then also to do all the prep for paint and have it professionally painted in the same red it has now.


I must say, looking at where you started and how good the truck looks now, I feel there is hope for our truck.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Not sure where to stick this in, but here goes.

I recently removed a door from the garage and fitted a regular door after closing up the hole.

I tried to give the door away, repeatedly, it was 8x7 foot, probably worth over £400 to replace.No takers.

Yesterday I had planned on greasing up the truck, but then thought I would clear up in front of the garage and get the door onto the front pavement for the scrap man...... at which point another one of my crappy ideas sprung to mind.

Why not cut the door up and use a piece of it as a small roof for the garden tool cabinet etc.....

Into action and soon I had this, once I had found some lumber to use for the supports I had visualized.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps5efc8767.jpg

Couple of hours later this was the scene.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psb6261169.jpg

At which point Mickey came around for a play.....

Then he was off to clean out his BBQ as his wife had demanded he cook some cow today.

Once I had finished clearing up etc, this was the result.

Next up will be moving the tool cabinet, painting the block wall, and painting the wood to get a uniform colour.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pscda44078.jpg

After clearing up a quick shower and then a bunch of friends over for a BBQ.
Perfect weather as well, we only came indoors after 22.00

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Well, work and training has kept me quite busy this week, so I did not update some of the trucks progress.

McMurphy up in North Pole sent me some parts to get started at fitting power steering to the truck THANK YOU !!

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psed090bc4.jpg

On Friday afternoon, Mickey came around bearing a stupid grin and shouting "That blooody truck of yours..... Here's something for it."

And proudly handed over the parts that must have been brought over by Super Man, with the speed of delivery.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps00fe5158.jpg

Until I have all the parts together for the PS conversion I will just stash them in the trucks cabinet in the garage.

I have also bought this boat tank to convert into a slightly different, pinstriped Jerry can for the truck, when we do long distances with the teardrop, as I have no idea what the fuel consumption may do.

Clearly it will not be a Suzuki tank once done.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps26588e0f.jpg

After various tasks today, by about 4pm I got started on the Steel trunk I am bolting into the rear of the truck to keep the jack, some tools and anything else "valuable"

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3533140b.jpg

Firstly I hand sanded the trunk, then in a fit of genius popped into the woodwork shed and got this little beauty out (found it at the tip years ago)

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps5c979f29.jpg

Photographed the latches as well, as it seems there may be somebodies military force number on the side latches. If anyone knows how to research the numbers, please do and fee back on here.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3207571a.jpg

POSSIBLE LEAD AS TO ORIGINAL OWNERSHIP.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psd65f5dc0.jpg

Once sanded back, I cleaned it three times with fresh cloths and thinners.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps47f2f90e.jpg

Then laid out the letters to get an idea of what size I will need for the name I want to add. Just in case you are trying to decipher, it will be 1966 in the bottom line, I just did not have another 6 stencil.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4c663f11.jpg

Masked it all off.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf7ef1941.jpg


The process I am following is being made up as I go along, so never done it before, but logic says it should work.... to create a look of Fake Patina I am layering paint and colours randomly. I will leave this to dry and harden for the week, and then sand it back a lot by hand with water paper, untill it looks right. Then I will use the stencils one letter at a time and either spray or use a bit of foam to dab the paint over the letters, then do a very fine flatting again, after which I will coat the whole thing is Clear lacquer.

Couple of thick coats of primer to use as base.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps50d96d32.jpg

Then a load of random colours, interdispersed with gold.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps80b8ea22.jpg

Finally a coat of Gold, overlaid with the lovely lurid green you can see.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse79fbd5a.jpg

Unmasked and put away, I was so tempted to stencil today as well.

Hopefully will get around to the grease gun next weekend.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Jerry can sorted.

Thanks to Sven for selling it to me without his dad knowing.....

24 litres of precious fossil fuel to go in there.

Planning to get it distressed, pinstriped and then onto the rear of the truck some time.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps712c1ae4.jpg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Just had a call from Ian "FrankenHealey about some Teak planks he offered me over two years ago, as he knew I love wood, re-using etc.

I had decided that if I was going to go the wooden floor route for the truck, which currently has marine ply floors, then 60 year old Teak boards from a Bedford Green Goddess Fire tender, LINK HERE: http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/84662?page=1 would be a pretty cool way to go.

Here are some pics of the donor:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39...s/DSCF0158.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39...s/DSCF0156.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39...s/DSCF0163.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39...s/DSCF0170.jpg

Currently looks like this...... with the race car it will be transporting in the foreground..... not that you would miss it.

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9bf95f00.jpg

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...saaec4c85.jpeg


Over the next weekend or so, Ian will be photographing the teak planks he has, and then I will decide if I am up for a rather large job of making them into a floor for the truck.


Once cut and planed you should have something like this.

http://salvageeurope.com/wp-content/.../teak-oa26.jpg

This is what finished Teak should look like.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...EjzV-t7lUC6egw

And a reclaimed Teak garden table.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...mruqC651YjLCb3


So..... what is the general consensus?

The planks are about 240km from here.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

I may be biased because I like working with wood, but I would not be scared. Remove all hardware, plane, rip, cut, route, finish, done.

I plan to find some cool wood with a history for mine, perhaps something out of one of my relative's barns. Or part of a barn. Who knows...
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Well, the decissions been made.

I will be recovering the wood in some way from where it is, and make the bed out of it.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Been away at a business meeting for a couple of days, so yesterday Nicola texted to say a large box had been delivered from the USA.

Tonight I got home after 3 hours on the motorway and found the box..... bit like Christmas!!

Opened it and found the following bits from LT1 Burb. All at the cost of postage.

Not just free parts, but parts I need for the truck and most importantly, Parts I would probably never see for sale in the UK.

So here goes.....

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps08e58d95.jpg

Some door handles, and window winders. My drivers side lock has been screwdrivered at some point, so these are a great replacement, and will make life easier, rather than lock from inside, slide over and lock passenger side with key.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps49ece1e2.jpg

And lastly, a headlight switch to replace the non functional one.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps7f574566.jpg

Thanks a mil LT1 Burb, you have an idea of how much you have helped and how we appreciate it.

Lastly a pic of the truck being used in a previous life by a Rockabilly band as their stage for the drummer.

I have volunteered the truck as a stage for the Retro Rides Gathering 13 for Tim Baker to use for an acoustic set he is going to play for everyone camping there. THREAD HERE: http://www.retrorides.proboards.com/...-evening-music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=KwtFAezUnf4

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psd908b0dd.jpg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

This weekend we had a 3 year old's birthday party to go to, so time would be a bit limited.

However, on Friday night after work, on the way home, I stopped at the Hardware store (B&Q) to pick up some wood.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps9157ae0c.jpg

Should not take much to guess where to next.

As always, made it up in my head, as I went along.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps241e35d8.jpg

Old Mickey was up at 05.00 this morning as well, and when I looked out the bathroom window, he was way up in his cherry tree, trying to beat all the birds to the fruit, so when I went down to the garage at 07.00 to pull the truck out, he was there like a shot, large shopping bag full of freshly picked cherries..... could not ask for much more, could I ?

Well , I got more...... A helping hand, he is such a loyal neighbour and always likes to be around when I make stuff, as some of my ideas are just mad to him.

Fortunately, he "Got" the latest creation instantly, and approved.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps63fea751.jpg

I did not want a plain, two rail bed side but rather a stepped one.

So cut and prepped the wood to have it like this, and then mocked it all up before doing the wood glue and clamps.

At 11.00 I shut shop, showered and got changed, then we took the motorbike and went to Whitstable for the party, which turned out to be just great.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps06b7a933.jpg

Back home from our visit by 5.30pm
Fearless Harley kept on getting under my feet most of the day as well, and every time I moved past the tailgate, she was up to get a stroke, cuddle or just to sqwauk at me for attention.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps56dd33fb.jpg

Glued it all together in place with Mickey as extra hands.

Next job will be drilling and counter sinking all the holes for two brass wood screws per joint.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psff6e4f16.jpg


This brought us to 8.00pm and with loads of daylight left, and Mickey clearly not ready to go home to sleep in front of his telly, I decided to quickly sand back and distress the steel trunk Nicola and I found and bought two weeks ago.

Using a pointed orbital type sander, I worked the paint back.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3ca1de4b.jpg

Then found just the right red paint for the lettering of the stenciled words that needed to get onto the trunk.
Got going with help from Mickey, again not wanting to miss the opportunity to keep busy.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf34eed03.jpg

Stenciling all done.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps293a00bb.jpg

Time for some more random paint of the top and also to sand back a bit more rust to create this Fake Patina.

Next up once dried for a few days, I will sand back by hand and leave little of the red paint, followed by a few coats of clear lacquer.

After which I will fit the trunk to the rear bed of the truck.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps9e3b83c7.jpg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Ahhh I wondered what the score was with how you were gona do the lettering, it all becomes clear now! Thanks for the comments on my truck too BTW. :)

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Interesting we have the same direction wrt Redneck Racing/Express.

I wanted a semi industrial look as I have not got skills you have or a budget to do proper pinstriping.

Nicola loves your candy skull and striping.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Bootfair followed by weekly shopping, then home to get going with the jobs that needed wrapping up.

Finished off the exterior of the trunk and clear coated it.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps496844ef.jpg

Drilled holes for the bolts that will hold it down.

Trial fitted.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps0b9ddf39.jpg

Then used a dark varnish to get the sides ready for when the teak boards get processed.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3f94d345.jpg

Last job for the day was coating the load body in another coat of underseal.

Looks a lot neater now.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps9a7c7ec5.jpg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Yeah the whole redneck thing suits, everyone I know calls me a redneck, especially with my beard and love of baseball caps! ;)

I'm still learning pinstriping, I never seem to get enough time to have a play though unless I set myself a proper project. We should do a trade i'll do yer some striping and you can make me some bed side slats! ;)

Keep at it dude its looking better with every update. :)

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

I think it would be sheer awesomeness to see both your trucks side by side !!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Gotta agree with Murph!!! We need a pic of the 2 of ya together with the trucks

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Biggest problem is the distance between us.....

But it would be a cool set to photograph.



Spent time after work with my wife, had dinner after which she went to have a bath and I went to the garage..... good compromise ?

Sprayed another coat of clear on the trunk.

Then my buddy Jon, who I ride trials with came around to show off a new mountain bike he is looking at £4k WTF ???

Anyway, he also brought some AutoGlym Bumper polish for me to try on the black vinyl tonneau cover on the truck. After washing it, it looked fine, but this stuff really made a huge difference, lifting dirt and revitalizing the colour.
After applying, I buffed it all back.
By the weekend I will give it another coat and buff back again, should do the trick.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psaa021576.jpg

I am impressed.

Also started to remove the non matching bolts from the towbar where it is mounted under the chassis, will be replacing them all with 30mm M12 nuts and bolts.
How do you remove domed bolts that just turn around when you tru move the nuts? Vice grips ?

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Rian,

Did you ever get your headlights sorted out?
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Got a used replacement switch, not tried it yet.

Will try it when I "get time" so many little jobs I am doing, its another I would probably do over a weekend as I need time to figure out stuff. And to check circuits and wiring.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Loads of little jobs done today.

Starting off with fitting the following item.....

Had a text from Rob, the previous keeper/owner of the truck a couple of weeks ago to ask for my postal address, as he had a "thing" to post off to me that he thought I would appreciate.
So this week he had time to pop into the post office to post out the "thing" which came to me on Thursday.
I have to say, his parcel was a challenge, and only when the "thing" came out the last layer, did I know what it was.

I have always loved these and they make me chuckle when people use them in public. Just never got to buy one myself.

Seems that when I tested it down at the garage, Duke, our ginger cat shot upstairs without waiting the see what it was..... RESULT !!

So, Huge Thanks to Rob, as he had planned it for the truck when he had it.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3a41a542.jpg

After the rear end kissing I got from Nicola when we fetched the truck, I realized the nuts n bolts on the rear bumper and towbar need to be seen to.

So this week I ordered some M12 x 25mm high tensile bolts with nuts to replace the existing items.

I have seen some bodging on this truck and stuff done to a standard below my own expectation, but the fact that there were 4 different nuts, bolts used to secure (loose description) the bumper at some point in its past, just made me shrug and bite my tongue.

It took some time to get these all removed, the domed head bolts were the biggest problem, as there was no way or room to grip the heads while addressing the nuts, which I had given some WD40 the last three days.
In the end I gripped the threaded ends with the vice grip and had a ring spanner in place over the nuts, getting them undone slowly.
The one bolt just turned off in my hands.
You will note there are no two the same here.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps469beb79.jpg

While I was at it, I also fitted new longer bolts to the plate on which the light socket plug was fitted.
When Scott wired the truck lights I decided to fit the plug under the load body, to keep it out of sight and the weather.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps6a02ac04.jpg

Next job, which I was actually not looking forward to (though it was actually surprisingly easy in the end) was to make up a sleeve/spacer for the tow ball Tim had sent me.
Remember I had a 40mm hole drilled in the bumper and tow bar as the shop did not have a 32mm drill on site the day I went there with Mickey.
So this was a bit of reverse engineering.
I had got a 300mm length of scaffolding pipe from Charley the farmer this week.
After measuring for what I needed, I cut a 25mm section off with the angle grinder with a 2mm blade fitted.... easy with the right tool.

I had also cut a slot into it length ways.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse35e3db5.jpg

Using the grinder repeatedly to cut slivers out of it, and using the bench vice to push it together, then also shaping it the opposite direction, I eventually had a 33mm hole and 40mm outside diameter.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3df0b395.jpg

Before and after.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdb4fccae.jpg

Using a large shifting spanner I recently bought for an art project I am working on, I tightened the whole lot, and ended up with a result that pleased me.

Tow ball fitted and some red reflective tape added to the rear step for night time visibility.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4553010a.jpg

As always, Mickey popped around through the day.

Then once these jobs were done, we also rolled up the tonneau cover and fitted the bed sides as he wanted to see the dark painted sides up, the cover tucks in nicely behind the uprights.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps766b374b.jpg


At this point I had a coffee and left overs from last night as Nicola was out shopping (not my favourite pastime)and visiting her parents.

After lunch I decided to give the greasing a go, which was interrupted by a sudden thunder storm,( so need to do it again, this time without the wheels and jacked up, followed by trying to figure out why every light on the truck works off the main switch, but the headlights continue to be non functional..... STILL NO IDEA, or lights.

I also gave the tonneau a second coat of polish, Rain-X'd all the glass and stuck some stickers I had laying about onto the boat fuel tank that is now the trucks Jerry can.

Just after 6pm I decided to call it a day.

Tomorrow is bootfair day, so we will be using the truck to go there, and possibly a couple of other places.

All in all, a great weekend so far.

Still loving this truck.

I do wish I could have my brother here to enjoy it with me, as he is mad about trucks too.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Took the truck out for the day to Rochester, Kent today after we came back from a successful bootfair. Think Charles Dickens - Oliver Twist, Christmas Carol, Tale of two cities, David Copperfield for our foreign readers.

Got loads of thumbs up, and pics taken.... Nicola said she forgets the truck has a distinct presence and does sound rather menacing when cruizing slowly by.

When we came home, I got into the garage and got onto a job that has stared at me for three years....... I will not be saying too much, but this was one pic I took.....

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfbefe773.jpg

After this I removed the Transit's number plate from the rear and fitted the Chevy's plate to the Grizz-Pod. (In the UK, the trailer carries the same registration as the car towing it, and has no insurance or roadworthy testing, s you could tow a cardboard box on wheelbarrow wheels, as long as it has a number plate)

This concluded a great weekend.

I still do not have headlights, but many other odd jobs have been done.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psaa7fdaac.jpg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Had to go down to 375 to upload this pic, this is my spanner, the smaller wrench is a crescent wrench that my cuz from Calgary calls it an adjustable spanner. I found a little humor in that and hope you don't mind..Vernski:lol:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Now that's a spanner.

In Afrikaans (my mother tongue) it is known as a "Bobbejaan" which means Baboon as they grab stuff and do not let go.
The smaller is also called a Shifting spanner but to differentiate between them one would probably say big or small..... Gets confusing.
But Bobbejaan will always get the big one.
I think it is also called a Pipe Wrench.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

We call them a pipe wrench here also, BF pipe wrench will get you the big one. The story behind that was when I was at a garage sale this lady seen me looking it over it was marked $20 and I glanced at it one more time and was leaving. The lady said it was her late husband's and if I wanted it she would take less $$ for it. I said I don't really need it all of the plumbing anymore is plastic or soldered copper. Then she said just take it with you, I seen you look at it twice and I don't want it under my feet anymore. So that's how it found my garage..Vernski:lol:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

They look metric :lol::lol::lol:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Any Updates GriZZ?

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Hi Don, yep.......;)


Quick short update.

Been a bit busy lately.

Got the Grizz-Pod ready for Retro Rides Gathering '13

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps287e1b0a.jpg


Also went to the monthly car gathering with Nicola last week..... masses of cars and bikes attended.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse26a60c1.jpg

Last weekend at the bootfair, Nicola also found me this little guy to drive with me in the truck..... not bad for 10p

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps2e442e8d.jpg

Have decided after my fiddling about to take the truck to an auto electrician to try figure out why the headlights do not work, probably a 5 minute job, but I am stumped after pushing and pulling all over the place.

Also bought Nicola a 1993 Mk1 Mazda MX5 1600cc car today, subject to exchange of paperwork and cash.

It was our wedding anniversary yesterday, so the car was a present for her, she has never owned a totally impractical car and deserves it for putting up with me and letting me get away with so much, and making me buy the truck.

It has a few small jobs to deal with, then she should be on her way.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps79f075d3.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psd6cfbb7c.jpg

128800km which is not a lot for these little cars.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps7c8db529.jpg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Griz, get yourself a pair of 30amp relays, hook the hot post on the battery to the relays, then take the switched wire to the high beam and the low beams of the headlights, get the proper grounds set up, then hook up the high and lo circuits from the headlight switch ,so they power the relay switch. Then get a good set of halogen headlights, adjust and you will be much happier......with the headlights and they will work. Do not muck about with the old wiring trying to power the headlights directly, only use that wiring to switch the relay. Kieth

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Here's a couple of shots of my boy's Mazda for ya...:metal:
http://imageshack.us/a/img194/8369/eg0w.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img836/2934/jzvx.jpg

Cheers Grizz!!!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

We’ve been so busy with landscaping the last two months I haven’t had much time to check out other builds. Not sure if you’ve already figured out the engine details yet, but one easy way to tell if it’s a 350 or something earlier (327 or 283) is to simply check the rear of the block behind the distributor. If it’s a 327 or earlier, it will have a hole in the block for mounting a road draft tube. It’s located as shown in this photo:

http://imageshack.us/a/img5/4930/ch8s.jpg

Older original 283 & 327 engines would have a road draft tube following the path of the dotted line. The tube itself would look something like this:

http://imageshack.us/a/img11/2752/le1r.jpg

In the many years since production, the road draft tube may have been eliminated and replaced with a smog valve. Original PCV adapters looked like this, and fastened to the engine using the original draft tube attachment bolt:

http://imageshack.us/a/img855/8573/3ldu.jpg

Since these adapters are now nearly extinct, you might find just a rubber grommet as shown in the first photo above. When the 350 was released it had no such hole in the block as the PCV system was designed in. Only the engine numbers will identify exactly which engine you have, but this will tell you if it’s a 350 vintage or an earlier motor.

Also this thread may help with the headlights. If you don’t want to upgrade to relays (which I highly recommend), just ignore the relays in the diagram and the inner headlights. Everything else should be what your headlight circuit should look like:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=387693

And happy anniversary! I hope Nicola likes her new car as much as the little one she gave up.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Drove my truck out the garage up into the garden at 06.30 this morning....My fix for the day.

Since then....

Been playing with the MX5 as I need to get it roadworthy so it can be MOT tested, Taxed and under Nicola's butt.

Sanded back, primered and painted surface rust on sills.

Polished stainless sill protectors.

Washed, scrubbed, and fed leather seats with dubbin saddle feed.

Cleaned dash, plastics etc with Auto Glym.

Removed centre console, found ( I suspect) drivers window switch non functioning, converted ashtray to coin tray for car parking money.

Wire brushed, sanded and repainted battery tray area as well as whole of boot area.

Bought two front indicator light units of MX5Nutz to replace broken one on car, and possibly other one as well.

Bought new leather handbrake and gearlever gaiters off Evilbay, as gear lever gaiter is holed a few places.

Bought the top rubber gearbox gaiter on trans tunnel as that is totally knackered.

Bought used power window switches with auto function to replace my suspect one.

Bought Auto Glym fabric roof cleaner and waterproofing agent as roof has never been waterproofed since fitting, hope it helps.

Cleaned and polished steering wheel leather (not sure how to do it really) Any tips on how welcome, or a Wood rimmed steering wheel for sale to replace this one, welcome.

Sanded down and started re-sealing handbrake wooden handle with Danish oil.

Polished Ally gear knob.... I just love the feel of it and the way it works when changing gears.

Next job is to go back to the garage now and disconnect battery and cut out small section of rust in rear outer sill and let in new metal, then prep, prime and paint and tomorrow Waxoyl the new section. Followed by fresh underseal on the repaired section.

Followed by getting onto the handbrake adjustment, which I need to feel out based on advice that I have been given.

Monday I hope to get a discounted price for a pair of Bridgestone 195/50 15's for the front, to match whats on the rear.

Photos to follow later.

Really enjoying this car so far.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Not truck related... but Zoom Zoom related...:uhmk:
My Son plans on stripping the paint from the hood (Bonnet) due to the fact it is Aluminum... He wants the brushed aluminum look instead of the paint...
Waiting patiently on Pics ;)

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

ZOOM ZOOM indeed Don, loved them all.

Was in two minds at to whether to post this in here, but guess some people are interested.

Right, back to the story of the purchase etc.

As mentioned, I got given this Haynes book by the previous owner with the car, already used it a couple of times as reference.

Great book if you have an MX5.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psc27ce5a0.jpg

Then he also added this huge woodwork vice in for me, got to be worth a few £££'s

Will be mounting it to my woodwork bench in the shed.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf9352d4a.jpg

And lastly a tin of underbody sealant to use once I have finished the rust repairs.
Thanks Paul !!

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbf3a9604.jpg

I was up early as usual today, so once I had made the boss a cuppa tea in bed, I disappeared to the garage for large parts of the day.

First job to address was the door sills, removing the stainless protective plates, I found some surface rust.
Used an abrasive wheel to grind it back to clean metal, then primed and painted the marks after which I wet sanded them, and then gave it all a final pair of blending coats.
Much of these repairs are hidden by the stainless protectors.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdf656e15.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps0779126f.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps9c306a8d.jpg

Drivers side.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps062901b0.jpg

Neighbour Mickey was on hand to help with keeping me company and taking photos.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4e790d12.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps6643b8c2.jpg

Between coats of primer and paint I kept busy with other jobs, like polishing stainless steel, removing the ashtray insert and then modding it to remobe the little grille inside to make an easy access coin holder for parking money. I did try to convince Nicola she needed a drinks holder.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps39df9380.jpg

Amazingly as always, they looked good before, but afterward it was apparent that there was room for improvement.....

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psc637bbd5.jpg

More coats of paint followed, eventually the repairs had about 4 coats of paint.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psaee5c3fc.jpg

During one of my "breaks" I dismantled the handbrake lever.....wooden handle in a crappy before pic.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf4210b79.jpg

Sanded all the old damaged varnish off, and also the stained wood.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps79f03e6a.jpg

Then proceeded to give it coat after coat of Danish Oil.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psc813278f.jpg

Another job that needed doing for now was to scrub and then nourish the leather.

Before pic.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps01b981bc.jpg

Passenger side after. Distinct improvement.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psd6459610.jpg

Throughout the day Harley the Fearless was on hand to help me.... she seems to really like the rear parcel shelf.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psa2e76385.jpg

Then started all the reassembly work, rather rewarding.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps91f6c3ed.jpg

During the day I had also stripped out the boot, wire brushed the battery clamp area and repainted it all, Nicola cleaned up the lining mats and I managed to buy a replacement battery cover with intact press studs of www.mx5nutz.com

Resulting in it looking like this.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps8a6582e1.jpg

Also removed and polished the stainless speaker plates and ally gear knob.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psb3b2cacf.jpg


In the end I decided not to cut out the rust in the sill as I wanted to spend some time indoors with my wife....

Still, interestingly the driver side of the car has much less rust (not that there is much anyway) than the passenger side.

Rear drivers side sill

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psc46371c7.jpg

Rear passenger side.

This is now tomorrows job to cut out and let in fresh steel.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4e7fc9d5.jpg

So there you have today's progress.

Bootfair in the morning, then have a mate over in the afternoon to look at the Chevy trucks lights.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Nice job on the Handbrake Handle...:metal:

Is the Bootfair the Greenfields one at Anthony's Way??? Quick Google search found that one...;)

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Correct on bootfair.

They move around due to UK laws on what constitutes a business.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

I think this is the biggest advantage of having a build thread. You can pretty much put in whatever you want. Posting some off topic things in the open forum gets them moved to a location where they may not get seen, or members may not realize who the contributor is without it being associated with your truck.

I’m always amazed at how much work you get done on so many projects one after the other. Love the brake handle, and sill plates. Shows how some elbow grease can really make a big difference without too much investment.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Just a short update tonight as I need to get to bed.

I had Martin, Amanda and Flash their Staffie over this afternoon.

Flash had broken a tooth and had been to the vets to remove it, but it did not stop him from making me roll about on the grass with him.

Martin started one end and went through the motions till he found the fault with faulty connectors as well as lubricating all connections, and the main switch in the dash.

Happy to report we now have lights.......

Martin had come over with his truck as well.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps6f0dc267.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps1e9996ee.jpg

Happy family.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps5c897e32.jpg

It's alive.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps6647dd1e.jpg

Now I am really ready for the RR Gathering '13.
Thanks to Martin.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

Thanks for the comments Mark.

Interestingly, you do not see me cooking dinner, cutting the lawn and hanging the laundry out....:mm:
Sometimes I amaze myself at the stuff I get done in a day, and then looking at people who never get stuff done, I just shake my head ;)

Almost 23.30 and I am tired.

Got the welding done and some bad phone pics taken...... still need to do write up, probably tomorrow evening.
I think it is bed time now.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside BILLYBOB
 

So what happened next??

Taken this afternoon....

Full report tomorrow evening.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdc0cd9b6.jpg