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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Class, you just cannot buy it.
But you can fake it, RIGHT? RIGHT……. CLASSY VALVE COVERS FOR THE REZIN ROCKIT CAME YESTERDAY. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1313.HEIC https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1314.HEIC Going to add so much class and value to this build. Can’t wait to fit them once I figure what tyres to fit to the steel wheels I have waiting. Almost weekend. Cold forecast again. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Progress at Craigs place in Sandford near Whitchurch in Shropshire
Casting the two large slabs, yes there is a second one too, being cast today for a rather large shed. So a concrete pump at £380.00 set up and £80.00 per added hour and a few more costs, its not cheap. Concrete is being made up on site by an amazing machine. 10 cubic meters. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...a230b64e2f.jpg Mixing on site. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...59b36d96c8.jpg Pumping https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...348068066d.jpg All the way up to the top. Over the second sheds steel reinforcing. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...c59d3a5e3b.jpg Looking forward to seeing this completed. Still looking for cheap sleepers nearby. Concrete or wood. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So in the mean time, I decided to rather than fight them, just put things right for the testers.
No need to stress them out, is there. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1383.HEIC I am sure these look much nicer than the American style items. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Searched Google for a MOT testing station close as possible to home last night.
And found what seemed like a good idea. A station that only charges if your vehicle passes. Also, they do only the test, and no repairs or parts……. So no incentive to fail and possibly take advantage of anyone unsuspecting or lacking in knowledge. So I drove there after getting the truck ready around 12.00 today. They doo bookings and some walk in appointments. So I got lucky, their only walk in for. The day was a cancelled booking for 13.00 So I took it and went to the shops, before returning at 12.50 https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...F4F9382D12.jpg I felt like a dad watching his kid ride a bicycle for the first time. 45 minutes later they reversed the truck out and after paying £45.00 for the service I was handed a certificate, valid to 23 December next year. No advisories either as I had addressed them all before. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1419.HEIC The whole team there liked the truck, and it seems it was the first S10 they had tested. . . . . . . And back as we were. Number plates swapped around too. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1428.HEIC Pretty chuffed it passed and that I have another job ticked off for now to end of year. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
For those reading the random stuff.
Sally made two more of these river glass gifts. Really like this one. Bits of pottery added as found. I am now looking for a few broken tiles or delftware style plates etc to make some fake materials for her. (Cement mixer, sharp snd and spin for a bit to crete river style wear. Sadly, no bootfairs now. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...Render(61).jpg https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...Render(62).jpg And her first one. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1176.HEIC Friday morning very early I woke to a weight on my chest. Seems George, the cat I do not own was plotting to smother me, or something. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1354.HEIC |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Not an ideal weekend, but the S10 passed MOT yesterday, and today is a bit wet and cold out.
But @nickwheeler and @pauly would not forgive me for not at least walking down to the garage and looking at whats laying around on the floor. Both are much more hardcore than me. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1436.HEIC Lets see if I make it down there. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
With the weather being a bit rubbish outside today, i had two options when it stopped raining
Cut down this tree to below last years pruning knots where the new growth started, up a long ladder, or go play with the Chassis and front end. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1445.JPG Decided the soft ground and working alone was not that clever, I did last year and nearly came down with the ladder at one point when the ground was too spft. So I moved everything out from under the carport, cleaned up, swung the chassis through 180 degrees, then realised it was wrong, and swung it all around again. After picking up and loading the chassis onto the front crossmember, I took a jack and lifted the rear to get the 8 bolts seated and in place to keep it all together. Awkward on your own, but not impossible. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1450.HEIC Chilly outside at 4’C when I started, moving up to 6’C or 40’F at which point I was missing @pauly who usually is spread out on my driveway when the temperature drops to that level. Front end in. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1479.JPG Done. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1488.HEIC I thought getting the back end up and in as well was happening, till I realised there were two studs missing from the one hub, and that I need some very short wheel nuts/lugnuts to hold the 4x108 to 4x100 adapters in place. I thought I had a set, but they seem to have disappeared. I also want to get different wheel bolts for the rear wheels than the chrome ones that came with the adapters. So I pulled things together, disassembled the rear wheels and adapters that need some more parts to get the steel wheels on there. I suspect @nickwheeler will be grinning tonight. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1491.HEIC Weekend over, dark and cold outside, heating on for a bit, chill from being outside. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Got a phone call yesterday from AIB insurance brokers.
I suspect to pre-empt me looking at comparison websites. Ultimately, increased the value of the truck by 25% and the price of the insurance came down by about £8.00 for the year. Happy with that. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Two day business meeting at Heathrow Terminal 5
Amazing how we get ripped a new ring every time we turn by the government and their cronies. Signage is a bit ambigous and misleading, a bunch of colleagues managed to drive through the drop off zone at T5 and the fee, £5.00 for dropping a passenger, or just accidentally driving through. Stealth taxes are all around us, and many are blatantly obvious. Anyway……… Park your car sir?? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1534.HEIC I have had a chesty cough the last week, not the nasty governments mate virus, just a cough and a snotty nose that made me feel somewhat sorry for myself. So by 4.00pm my boss sent me to my room to continue attending the meeting remotely on Teams. Much better, though the cough continued. Managed to stay awake all night, thanks to the cough etc. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1559.JPG Back home yesterday, I fell asleep in the chair, eventually waking at 7.20 and heading straight to bed. Today was again desk time, but by 3.00pm my back had had enough and I had to go for a quick 3km walk, Winter is here. Over there is the Thames and Essex beyond it. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1590.JPG Sunset is early, and the chill slides in fast. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1591.JPG Weekend weather promises to warm up by Sunday to 12” Fingers crossed. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Sally's crafts turned out nicely. It looks like we are getting a lot of the same type weather that you have, but you are getting more blue sky days. Good job getting out there in the cold to get a few things done. I'll bet having the carport helps with that.
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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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Small jobs, all need doing. Carport makes me smile a lot, especially having built it too. Some of you will recall my friend Kevin who lives a kilometre from me was building this Rolls Royce based replica. Jaguar 4.2 engine…… CLICK LINK for VIDEO https://youtu.be/lBQyUQN34oY Completed and on the road. Not bad for a guy in his 70’s who never built a car before. Things like the bumpers, created from basic flat stock. The rear wing stone guards, bashed out of flat aluminium sheeting and polished to a high sheen. So many individual, hand made parts on this car that the most people would not notice. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...b8080aafd1.jpg So to celebrate, he went out and bought himself a new Aston Martin Convertible. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...e42eb38b21.jpg I love it when a man works hard and plays hard. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Busy week and weekend really.
Just got back from the Thames river, collecting pottery shards and river glass with Sally, also spent a couple of hours working on my end of year review which is already 33 pages long, may end up a bit longer by the time Monday afternoons review comes along. It includes sales and performance graphs, but is a long cumbersome thing to creat for an hour long grilling by two managers. Weather forecast is for 12’C tomorrow. So the plan is to make time to get back down to the garage and start on the rear end reassembly, though I have not yet bought the wheel studs needed or the shallow nuts to hold the rear adapters in place. Which are needed in order to see how it all comes together on the lower, shorter parts. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Mate Craig found a guy to move his Mk1 Golf Cabriolet and the 1950 Chevy 3600 truck he bought his wife to the new place in Shropshire.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...3663716282.jpg 130 small hedge plants delivered and planted to replace the hedges he had removed or new ones being established. Planning. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...558ebf6e76.jpg And this little waggon worked hard. Not easy to see, but new hedge plants are right into the fence in order to grow into it and incorporate a dog and vision proof hedge Muddy path will be remade once all the heavy vehicles stop going through. With his neighbour building a complete new house next to him, and a shared drive……. It may take some patience. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...5bc4eb9bd3.jpg Plan is to move driveway over 450mm toward the lawn and new Laurel hedge. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...c8b6346868.jpg |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Update on the weekend activity later when I get time to sit and write.
Just a quick lunchtime note while I have cuppa soup and buttered bread. Before my 3.00pm end of year performance review, not looking forward to it, never do. Yesterday @nickwheeler and I spoke about the valve dust caps I ordered when I saw the magnificent items @etypephil was trying to give away…….. Remember these? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1313.HEIC Well, Nick is the kind of guy who “gets it” but would never attach suck tackiness to any car he owns, hell, the man likes a silenced hotrod. Anyway, the wheels I have need a few more bits to make them fit onto the car, and wheel adapters, including 15mm deep spigot rings for the front, some wheel bolts for the rear to go with the front nuts. And about 8 15mm deep wheel nuts on a 17 hex head. Ohhh, and centre caps for the steels. This is where Nick really got clever, another reason I love having other guys here when I am out back playing…… the amount of silly stuff, and also very clever stuff that gets shared is amazing, and often improves what we build, or prevent costly mistakes. Plus stuff gets done quicker. So Nick suggested crown style centre caps to mimic the valve caps. GENIUS I SAY. This morning I woke to a PM from him, not dissimilar to the stuff @peteh1969 would whip up while making a cuppa tea. You guys amaze me with your design skills. Anyway, BEHOLD !!!!!! https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1745.JPG And mocked on a steel wheel. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1746.JPG Now this will divide us like the red sea, but that is OK, because people can be wrong. @craigRK is too busy to print them for me, but at least we know it needs to be done. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Dodgy style, or on all fours, who knows what innuendo I may be playing at.
Sunday was partly spend doing winter yard work and maintenance. And partly spent with @nickwheeler over here allowing me to make him coffee, pick his brains and have a really good time. Rear axle was going back in. Old vs new shortened springs thanks to @kevins https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1693.HEIC So we got going, and the first job was to make up new fresh brake lines for the rer in before even rolling it under the raised chassis. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1699.HEIC This is what you call a perfect fit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1700.HEIC Rolling Rolling, I am Rolling….. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1702.HEIC Old 16” FWD alloy wheels on the rear, just to roll the chassis about. Note how close to the chassis it sits. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...G_1704(1).HEIC Then decided to try out the look, using the one 17mm hex M12x1.5 - 15mm shallow nut to bolt the rear adapter to the hub, just to get to see the look. I need to buy 8 of these and a few other nuts and some double sided threaded studs to change the adapters to Nuts rather than bolts. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1706.HEIC From the front. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1708.HEIC And then checked out the amount of missing hub studs……. 3 needed to get the full compliment bacl on the hubs, front amd rear. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1711.HEIC Very pleased with himself there, Mr Wheeler. And so he should be. We now have a rolling chassis. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1707.HEIC After this we stood discussing just how much of the MX5 can be transferred to the Rockit in order to save money. Quite a bit it seems. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1715.JPG Another great afternoon of playing out back. Next job, according to Nick could or should be removing the engine, gearbox, wiring loom, radiator and some more spares needed to the conversion. Making up some engine mounts to seat the heavy bits in the chassis and then body on top to get an idea of the look. Though not going as low as the dream, I am happy for the effort put in so far. Even @pauly should be happy. I am off work between 25 December and 9 January so any visitors welcome. Kettle on most of the time. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Off to Nuts n Bolts Fastener guy, followed by Small Ford Spares breaker guy in a bit.
Need to sort my nuts out. Still trying to figure what my minimum width front tyres will be on the 8” wide steels. Especially the front. I am thinking a 195/50 - 15 should work and show enough side wall up front, and not look like it is stretched the way the 175’s that are fitted, do at the moment. And out back, possibly as much as a 225/60 - 15 to create some visual rake to the whole thing and fill those massive arches a bit, to enhance the lowered look, seeing as the lowering has not happened as extremely as planned originally. I wonder if a 245/60 - 15 would fit on the rear rims. Guys like rich tend to have this tyre, wheel and combo stuff bouncing around in their heads mostly. For me it is much more guessing and testing. My eyes are constantly open for almost new/part worn bargains on FB Marketplace’s parts sections locally. Mostly…… not happening, and tons of 16” tyres that are no use to me. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Good progress. No problem at all putting a 245 on an 8 inch wide rim. Guys put 275 60 15s on 8-in wide rims quite often.
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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Quote:
Thank you, I am pleased so far. The 245 on the rear should look quite nice with a decent sidewall height. Filling the arches a bit. And 215/225 out front should work, on a 50 profile, in order to create a bit of visual rake. Another Jeep on a Q plate, seen on FB. Looking at the DVLA site, it seems it is another Eagle, so possibly some re-bodying has gone on here. And I like it a whole lot. Does anyone have any other photos of it from different angles, or know what spec it runs? Fresh, unhampered MOT tests the last three years too. EAGLE Check another vehicle Colour Green Fuel type Petrol Date registered 27 April 1987 MOT valid until 5 April 2022 https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_5475.JPG In other news….. Remember this logo I found out on the web originally? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...617be5112a.jpg I got a PM from @Peteh1969 last night asking if I could use a couple of 3D printed badges for the cr when it is together. 10mm deep amd 75mm tall Looking a bit like this. Of course I said yes please. These little touches make it even more fun to do the build and consolidate all the ideas and input from everyone who has a share in the Rezin Rockit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_5474.JPG I think silver chrome paint could make it look decent. Speaking of which…… Nick played a bit more on his PC overnight and refined, detailed the possible centre caps a bit more. I am liking that. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_5478.JPG Soon now. Maybe. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Popped out to go find some 15,, deep wheel nuts, a few tall, black domes wheel nuts and so e hub studs yesterday.
After stopping at two local suppliers, one could not supply, and one lot offered the nuts at £2.40 each plus a £10.00 shipping fee if they ordered them in, I decided to go to the third place, 10 miles from home where I knew I would get all the bits I wanted. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...Render(63).jpg But they came at a cost. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...CD39EE0F41.jpg £50.00 for the lot, and then that would not include getting 8 of the studs to fit the rear adapters. Remember I am going from 4x108 to 4x100 and these were not easy to find. They can be fitted to the rear hubs, using the shallow 15mm “Ford Transit Connect” style nuts that recess inside the adapters. BUT…….. Then the chromed wheel bolts that came with the adapters are a different size and pitch to the front set, and wheel studs @M12 x 1.25mm vs originals @M12 x 1.5mm so I had planned on either drilling the threads out of the adapters with a 12.5mm drill and punching the studs through from the rear after removing (bodger alert 🚨) recessing collar/foot and then tack welding them from behind. Stop screaming, it would work, even if not conventional. The alternative would be to ask @nickwheeler to machine them correctly in an engineering way for me to allow me to use the Black domed M12 x 1.5mm threaded wheelnuts that the rest of the wheels have fitted, as I like that look. So when I proudly got to Nicks place to show and ask, he gently but firmly pointed out that I was being an idiot…….. yup, straight and honest, the way I like it. He had previously searched and found double ended threaded studs of the M12 x 1.25mm thread pitch that would screw into the adapters, allowing for the use of some chromed domed wheelnuts of the same size to be used. [quote author="@nickwheeler" timestamp="1639415630"]M12x1.25 double ended studs [a href="https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=2040_2239_738&products_id=4725"]LINK[/a] M12x1.25 nuts [a href="https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=2040_2239_734&products_id=4657"]LINK[/a] matching M12x1.5 nuts [a href="https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=2040_2239_734&products_id=4656"]LINK [/a] Which just leaves the short nuts to attach the adapters[/quote] The hope is still to find a set of 8 black, tall, domed wheel nuts to match the front ones somewhere out there in the wide world, who knows where. Anyway, he suggested I return the studs and three black domed nuts I had bought, for a refund minus the 20% handling fee and order the studs from Rally Design, plus some chrome wheelnuts to go all the way around, or some black domed wheelnuts off EBay or a seller to match the fronts closely. [quote author="@nickwheeler" timestamp="1639496642"]How about [a href="https://wheelpartsdirect.com/products/nuts/65?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuGNBhCPARIsACbnLzpUorSMYUVEJOO3KR7sxUsEPPHs7idkhex0HbLDgLR9SqyEayt6CzwaArEoEALw_wc B"]THESE [/a]or [a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113901899723?epid=28010254865&hash=item1a85150fcb:g:zskAAOSwCmlbdWm7"]THESE[/a]? Bolts seem to be a lot harder to find[/quote] So I took back the parts I did not need like a naughty schoolboy. I will order the studs at some time, as well as some black nuts. Changing direction completely, I was watching Guy Martin’s latest programme last night. Been thinking about crazy paint and graphics that may create the illusion of both rake and lowering the car visually and saw this. Certainly not necessarily what will happen, but made me smile. This is not an important part of the build, but rather nice to just play with ideas. Photoshopping is a cheaper alternative at this point. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...Render(64).jpg Back to the day job. Work to do. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Recognise this ??
I love the colour combination. And think that with a bit of thought out design, it will work on the RR https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...3b71ae749a.jpg Also popped down to my favourite tyre shop this afternoon, to see if I could get a pair of part worn tyres in a decent size, fitted for the mock up and planning of wheels and tyres. Planning to remove these 175’s stretched silly over the 8J rims. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1847.HEIC There were none in the scrap pile today. But typically, the guys were very interested in what I am building, and very quickly we had about 8 different tyres of differing width, wall height etc paid out in various combinations. I like the idea of the front and rear wheels being different to create some rake. Agreed with @nickwheeler who is much more of an authentic hot rodder than me. Also differing width. So here we have 195/65 - 15 on the right and 195/55 - 15 on the left. Imagine them front and rear. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1849.HEIC Then we also looked at different widths In this case 195 - 15 and 225 - 15 together. Though I think more than the 195 up front and more than the 225 out back on the 8 inch wide steel wheels can work very well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1854.HEIC Late afternoon @pauly and I were having a chat and it turns out he may have a pair of new, unused 205’s to sell off Woody, his C10 Watch this space. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Remember Molly the cat that came here last year who loved the garage but had to go back to the yard she was living in?
Photo taken at the time. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...dab97ae7aa.jpg This morning George came around and I took this pic of him. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1871.HEIC How close do they look like each other. George now sleeps here most days and often walks in when I open my door. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Amazing what you can get done in an hour.
Cleaning the carport and paving at the garage. Moving the Rezin Rockit body up the drive and starting the donor MX5 which happily started up and moved around under its own steam. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1881.HEIC Then washed the fiberglass body with chlorine bleach gel and a soft broom. Its amazing how dirty it got over the last year or so, grinder dust, sawdust etc. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_1887.JPG Once rinsed. It looked better. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1893.HEIC And finally all the bits moved into place for the next phase. @nickwheeler and a few others like @westbay, @kevins @jimi @pauly and the whole team of contributors should smile at the next few days planned actions. First thing is to find a bit of time to unpack the big shed, where the engine hoist and engine stand are stashed, along with a few other reserve tools. Once unpacked they can go into the carport area. Keep in mind engine gets a full service, cambelt etc. My holidays will be well used I suspect. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1895.HEIC Progress is Progress. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Dark
Dismal Wet Foggy Cold Day……….. All the good intentions shoved firmly under the carpet. I had planned on using my “lunch break” to go unpack the shed and get some tools out. Failed dismally as it was wet and drizzly down there. Mate Fil “Sparkplug” did do a quick photoshop early morning. Remember the cracks on the bonnet/hood.?? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_1946.HEIC Well, I gave it some thought and came to the conclusion that a pair of stickers may make life a lot easier. Final design still open to editing and suggestions. But you get the idea. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...9f476e6827.JPG Weekend weather is forecast to get colder, so maybe not as much fun as one would like. But hey………..….. Keep hoping. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So Today has started thus.
Foggy, cold, wet outside, even under the carport it looks like it has been raining. http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pssn44ddil.jpg Usually these are the temperatures that sees the likes of @pauly and the indestructible Super Fiesta®️ ( and of late @nickwheeler )make an appearance to spanner for a day on an American V8 of some sort that I may have bought wearing rose tinted spectacles a few weeks into winter. Like the Not a Project Chevy Blazer. This guy has always got a smile, even when things go badly wrong, he just grins and says something like “well, let’s think about it, we just need to get on and do this thing” http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psmhjrkprv.jpg http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psyjuqhyij.jpg Well, I am still indoors because the fog is thick, wet and cold outside. But I spoke to Paul earlier while he was walking his dogs in a field, and for the first time ever, I heard him say it was cold outside, despite wearing gloves. So maybe I am not as soft as I thought I had become. I will be outside ny 11.00 to start unpacking all the treasures from the big shed though, as I really need to keep the momentum going, both for the build as well as my head. Later. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
This Mazda MX5 continues to impress me.
After a long discussion with @pauly about all sorts of things this morning, one of the things discussed was the imminent death for rebirth of the Canary. I had already driven it up to the farm and checked all functions, finding it is as good as it promises. 68000 miles or 112000km is not a lot for one of these. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...Render(65).jpg So,I started it up, again the engine fired up like a typical bit of Japanese engineering. Immediately. I then allowed it to run for a while to get up to temperature and tested all functions. It worked as needed. Temperature, Oil pressure etc. Video: https://youtu.be/7xjSytc9uKM One of the thoughts to consider is using the MX5 clocks as it is all matched up to the car and wiring. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2022.HEIC And it needs to somehow replace the centre console mounted instruments and still be functional. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...FD2ABA16CB.jpg A conversation with @redratbike Mark resulted in this screen grab….. So maybe it can be done, with a bit of sensibility and finesse https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...9b5d8f75f5.jpg I think it will be an interesting challenge. Like a lot of things. I still had a load of things to try get done, but the chill was bone cutting with the fog thrown in. More in a while. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Behind the scenes discussion with @nickwheeler today resulted in a message that included the following advice.
It would be useful to have a list on a board of what's needed, although Sharpie on the bonnet also works.... Here's a start: Engine, gearbox and engine loom Radiator and plumbing Propshaft, although you probably won't use any of it Fuel tank and fittings Pedal box, or at least the clutch pedal and master cylinder Column stalks, or the whole steering column Instrument cluster Throttle cable Body wiring loom Stuff that will help: selection of boxes and bags tags for labelling, although masking tape works angle grinder, cutting and grinding discs several pairs of axle stands chain for the engine - seatbelts also work So the services, advice, guidance have been reserved. It drove the rest of my day after I had started up and checked the vitals of the car one more time. So I started buy rearranging and clearing a load of stuff in the one side of the garage. Does not look like much happened in the before and after, but I did manage to find some 18 new, unused M12 x1.5mm thread silver anodised closed end wheel nuts. Similar to the black ones fitted to the wheels. Next job will be to find 8 for the rear in a 1.25mm thread pitch and similar style in case there are some cheapies around. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2010.HEIC In the end I swept out both garages, cleaned the drill press and all the sharp swarf off the floor, ending with a decent space to lay out parts, including the wiring looms as they get removed from the MX5. Before. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2009.HEIC After. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2029.HEIC Trust me, it is an improvement. Next job……… The one I was dreading, because I knew it was chaotic and needed to get done. Or else no progress. Unpack the large shed and get right to the back of it to unpack the engine hoist and also the engine stand. I did discover my full sized traffic light that I bought a few years ago (for sale now) https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2028.HEIC Assembly https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_2043.JPG Ready to rock and roll. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2051.HEIC Plan is to check and service the motor on the engine stand and give the transmission a check over and refresh too, before fitting and bolting down. Makes a lot of sense. Thanks to all the helpers remote and nearby, advising and guiding on even this part of the build. Trying to get it right first time out the gates. Remember the list Nick suggested we work to on the strip down……? Thought I would get arty-farty and start a list. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2025.HEIC Weekend over it seems. Again. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Quick update.
Added and duplicated some of the suggestions made by the build team yesterday after I posted on the bonnet/hood. Plus the law according to @jimi which resonates with most of us. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2060.HEIC https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2059.HEIC Mate Kevin popped over from Maidstone around lunchtime to collect a kitchen table I had stashed in the garage. Of course he wanted to see what the progress looks like in real life. Once down there, he noticed the headlights and how faded they are. So asked how I had done the lights on the Galaxy before, so I fetched the G3 compound and 5 minutes later……. From this. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2071.HEIC To this. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2073.HEIC I guess that means I have a set of front lights to sell to anyone who needs to buy a pair. Or trade me for some modern headlights for the Rezin Rockit. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Popped down to my favourite tyre shop this afternoon after work to see if they had a couple of part worn tyres to sell or fit on two of the rims for me.
Weirdly, the last four they had replaced on a car were 195/60 - 15’s The 175/45 - 15’s fitted to the 8” wheels were a bit resistant to remove, but came off. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2078.HEIC Then the first one would not seat the bead, despite all sorts of actions. So Jacob went on to the next one. Easy peasy, and back to the first one….. Resorting to fire. Except it would not ignite….. so no spectacular photo. Still, more bouncing, and an upright airing saw it pop on eventually. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2085.HEIC £20.00 paid for the quick change, and I had a set of tyres to use for the mocking up that may just stay on. Compared to the stretched tyres fitted to the wheels, the 195’s are taller and wider of course. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2093.HEIC And enough tread on there should I decide to run with these. Though the sidewall profile at 60 is quite tall. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2094.HEIC Ideally I would like 225 wide on the rear. Cold weather forecast for a couple of days this week. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Mate Martin sent a screenshot from his phone.
Seems my old Blazer, repainted for a job, has been sold on EBay. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...9c9a264404.jpg I do hope the new buyer is happy and enjoys it. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
I sure do hear you on the weather. Although we did have some decent weather today - just cold. I'm still waiting to find out why Stranger Things needed a Blazer in England. It seems that if they were doing something there for the show, that they would use indigenous vehicles.
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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Quote:
I think the Blazer was possibly used in one of those open air, immersive events, or a series. Regardless, the guy who bought it, must have made his money. , |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
@nickwheeler spent the whole day here.
Simply put….. A Hero in my book. We worked from 10.30 to 5.30 with a 45 minute lunch break. It was 5’C out on the driveway and under the carport. Dry and no wind meant it was not a bad day. After a coffee and a chat…… The shopping list bonnet was removed off the MX5, and the chassis and body both pushed up the drive and out the way. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2140.HEIC Then we got going. Nick tore into the front end, engine compartment with a gusto, removing plastics, filters, ducts etc. I started at the rear, marking and removing all electrical cables, the loom, all in one piece, both of us figuring it out as we went along. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_2148.JPG An hour or two later it started to look a bit messy. The cold was not helping with the hard, brittle plastics. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2154.HEIC On and on and on we went. Nick systematically removing parts, creating piles in order of importance and function. At some point the cooling system was drained. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2160.HEIC Then raised up to be able to crawl around underneath and remove more parts. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2166.HEIC There……… https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2163.HEIC https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2167.HEIC https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2158.HEIC Some people have asked why I am chopping up a lovely looking car like this. Or why not restore the car. A few pics may give an idea. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2156.HEIC https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2171.HEIC https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2170.HEIC Eventually we got to a point where the engine hoist could be brought out and wheeled under the car, attached to the engine and the engine mounts unbolted. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2174.HEIC The combination of stretch on the lifting strap, and the fact that the hoists hydraulic ram was not fully extending, having been in the shed for 5 years, and possibly needing a bit of attention, meant that we could not lift the engine and gearbox out of the engine bay. So I pulled out the grinder and made some space https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2183.HEIC I also strapped my one strip light to the boom in order for us to see clearly what we were doing. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2178.HEIC https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2180.HEIC RESULT….!!! https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2184.HEIC Knackered, Happy, the pair of us had won round one. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2189.HEIC Which left us with a large hole, and as Nick said, thankfully we do not have to refit it all. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2187.HEIC And big holes if you look, throughout. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2195.HEIC At this point we decided to close the shop as it was dark, cold and 5.30pm which meant hick had to get to Rochester Cathedral. So a final pic from day one……. Heart ripped out https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2196.HEIC |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Rezin Rockit Donk anyone?
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_5521.JPG And the graphics moved up slightly on the hood. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...bc269d3fbe.jpg And then the quickest, dirtiest colour change. I like some orange, but this is too much right now. However, masking and added detail could work too. And the pig was moved to the side of the hood. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...c7ad0ac251.jpg Long time before any of that happens though. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Long day for Nick and I Today.
Started before 10.00 and finished by 18.30 in the dark and cold. Started like this, and it got better, but not much. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2209.HEIC Will post update in the morning. Tired. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Being Awake since 03.20 sucks.
Stripping the MX5 donor - Part 2 When we started stripping the donor, @nickwheeler told me that getting out the wiring loom and the dash etc out would take longer than the engine and gearbox. Keep in mind that neither of us had ever stripped one before, so a lot of mini-dead ends, fighting parts, and trying to remove parts that maybe did not need to be removed. Like the exhaust down-pipe to where the catalytic converters been cut out. So Nick landed by 9.45 and a coffee and chat later, we were going at it. I had opened the shop by 08.00 anyway and moved some stuff about already. It was a long day really, and pics all look the same, but we were busy all day and again, some jobs were a nightmare. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2211.HEIC Including setting fire to the car, what a stinker that was too. ECU hidden in the footwell behind a rusted down footplate, and all the fasteners rusted to hell. Captain Grinder to the rescue. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...E782AB410A.jpg Speaking of useful tools. The strip light did duty all day for us, lighting up the interior as we went along. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2225.HEIC I managed to get the steering wheel, airbag etc off without hurting myself. That’s a lot of clever stuff right there. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2221.HEIC Nick kept reminding me, we were fortunate that it did not have to go back together there. And we took a brief respite to go offer up the clocks to the Rezin Rockit dash. Looks like it should work. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2218.HEIC Then back to the struggle, which was real. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2223.HEIC Marking the loom clearly as we went along since starting to remove it all the day before yesterday made a ton of sense. As does plugging as much of it back together again before stashing it away. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2227.HEIC Eventually leaving us with this lot, plus the engine loom reattached to the engine etc. This pic taken by 4.30 https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2231.HEIC By 5.30 this was the scenario….. Time flies when there is a lot to do. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2236.HEIC 6.15pm And having gone back like a drunk wanting to get one more kick in into the guy on the ground, Nick and I had pretty much run out off stuff to do and it was getting cold again. But we went back to remove the wipers, arms and motor as, if you recall, I had removed the screen and 3 original wipers months ago. I still need to figure out if I can run the final car through MOT without wipers if the screen can be folded down onto the bonnet, in effect leaving it without a screen. So by 6.30 this happened………….. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2237.HEIC Leaving us with this. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2239.HEIC It was a long, rewarding day. Tools packed away, coffee, warm up and more chat, planning and scouring Kitcar Solutions website for bits I will need next, like a pair of rubber gearbox mounts. For today I have to remove the fuel pump, sender unit and raise the rear to get the propshaft out. Then swap around all the piles of car, parts, scrap before Christmas. The MX5 fuel tank seems inaccessible so another plan will be made. Not removing that rusted rear subframe. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2229.HEIC Later gang. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
First a video summary of yesterday and a countdown by @nickwheeler.
Really was an amazing feeling getting to this point. I am so pleased at the pace we were able to lay out for the two days. Resulting in this video: Click Link. . https://youtu.be/KrMioNy9z80 This morning I needed to get some food early, before the world and their cat was out in the shops. So I popped into Aghabridge and bought a roll of brake pipe and also a pair of M8 rubber mounts, to create the gearbox chassis mount. The rubber mounts were £18.00 for the pair, kinda eye watering, but I did not have many options as I may be getting onto this sooner than later and postage and shipping is a bit silly this time of the year. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2267.HEIC Back home I dealt with a load of work related stuff, after all, work does come first. Then later I popped down and lifted the rear end, fought the exhaust system, broke two 1mm grinder blades as the exhaust was not cooperating. Then cut the hangers out back, and managed to cut the pipe over the rear axle, rescuing the small resonator which looks to be stainless. I also got the impact wrench and removed the driveshaft bolts, ticking off another item on the list. Then I got inside the car and got to the final item……. Fuel tank parts. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2280.HEIC Final tally…….. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2281.HEIC The next job was to pack all the parts that had been removed, back into the car, tidy up the carport. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2286.HEIC Then came the shuffle….. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2289.HEIC Also got the hoist in on the motor as it was not in the right place, middle of the carport. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_2292.JPG And a mobile engine and gearbox. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2304.HEIC After a lot more pushing and shoving I had the carport sorted. The MX5 is ready for @KevFromWales to collect it again……… At this point Mickey came around to check up on me, he had had quite a few pints at lunchtime and managed to sleep all afternoon . Typically he asked why I had not called him to come and help……. Drunks….. bloody useless on a job, just get in the way. Anyway, I was happy. 5.30 and today jobs were wrapped up. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2302.HEIC I am on vacation from tomorrow, so a few things may happen. But I am also spending some time with Sally as she is incredibly tolerant of me and my garage time. Merry Christmas everyone. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
This morning when it got light, I went to look, gloat, plan, but it did not last long as it is chilly and damp outside.
Ready to be dragged up and out the front for collection. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2314.HEIC Engine bay certainly is empty now. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2316.HEIC Also tried my Paul Walker gearknob. Bit early, but we can dream. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2317.HEIC First day of my holiday, loads to get done, aside from the build. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
[quote author="@nickwheeler" source="/post/2711958/thread" timestamp="1640340530"]An engine dangle is a good use of a few minutes, even if it's just to illustrate what the engine and gearbox mounts need to be.
Now that it's movable, just lining it alongside the chassis would be a good start.[/quote] Hope this is what you were thinking of @nickwheeler. As the hydraulic ram needs to be serviced. So I did very little but accomplished a load. Took a load of firewood and dogfood to some homeless kids living in a rotten caravan. Then back home, cleaned up and moved stuff around in the carport area. Moved the fiberglass body out into the open and got some masking tape, and a few lengths of tile battening. Then rolled the motor next to the chassis and marked out with the blue masking tape where the engine mounts are on the MX5 engine. Next was a stick to show where the bulkhead is, and thus the rear of the engine. Third line is where the mounting bolts for the gearbox sit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2328.HEIC https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2329.HEIC Lastly, I took the car off the rollers and pushed it up against the hedge, hopefully if @kevfromwales gets it all together, he will be collecting the shell on the 6th or 7th of January when he is delivering a car nearby (50 mile radius ) I also completed the shopping list and rebolted it onto the car. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag.../IMG_2331.HEIC I have no car plans for Christmas day except to be nice to Sally and her family. But in the mean time…….. it is spinning around in my head. Peace out. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Post Christmas plans??
Really wet and miserable out there, so…. More relaxing. Maybe a trip over to Essex to meet up with @pauly to return his blasting pot, pick up a fuel tank strap from him, and have a quick natter. Also at the same time, collect a hardly used Stainless Steel rear silencer that was fitted to a 1.6 Ford Ka belonging to @kevins daughter, but she found it too loud and raucous. Thanks Kevin. . Sounded perfect to me……. Antisocial Thuggery planned for 2022 14 inches of box. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...cca29c89ea.jpg And imagine the twin peashooters poking out the side in front of the rear wheel. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...3350bb7b8d.jpg In the mean time……; Hand me those Lindor Salted Caramel chocolates. Boxing day fun continues. |
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