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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Remember the movie JAWS?
Every time you think it is safe…… Felt like that last night. I constantly hope to be finished with the grinder on this built, and then it has to come out again. Last night, after removing the side handle (I hacked a finger tip doing this 30 years ago) I slipped it from the diff, up the transmission tunnel to get to the 6 rusted in bolts and cut them back in order to remove the rubber boot on the handbrake lever. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Then, taking the best part of an hour (yes, I am extremely patient) a load of Duck oil and a screwdriver, small ball pein hammer and a ton of up and down, in and outing, I tried to get the button to release so that I could hand operate it. FAILED TOTALLY. It moves in and out, but only with serious persuasion. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds In the end I walked away as I could not figure how to get the rubber handle off, without damaging it. I sprayed more Duck oil in from both ends, using the extension to get in from the bottom. Seems this has truly succumbed to 15 plus years out in a field in Scotland. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
What happened to the old abandoned chevy blazer? What was it's final state? Ever find out what movie it was in?
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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Quote:
. [font size="4"][font color="e619bb"]Polishing a Turd ? [/font][/font] 1979 Chevy Blazer. Rough as a Badgers Butt. But would you? V8 Auto This is how I saw it in June 2016 on a driveway where it had stood for 13 years. http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psie0jw1lv.jpg First gas stop and certainly will not be the last time. http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps7ywkje40.jpg Comments, opinions and suggestions welcome. Talk to me. [font size="7"][font color="e61928"]REPORT STARTS ON PAGE 5 FOR REAL.....[/font][/font] [font color="1979e6"][font size="6"]FULL SERVICE MANUAL HERE[/font][/font] http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/tech...ice_Manual.pdf [font color="19e633"]VERY COOL THREAD HERE[/font] http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=331470 [font size="4"][font color="e68d19"]ORIGINAL IMPORTER FROM CALIFORNIA FOUND......[/font][/font] By the 1st January this was the look. And then the Money Shot. http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3eoimavh.jpg SOLD OFF IN AUGUST FOR A NETFLIX FILM ROLE. NEW PAINT REVEALED MARCH 2020 https://i294.photobucket.com/albums/...ps184l9hws.jpg The Blazer ended up in a new series of Netflix https://i294.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2teyq1l1.jpg . Best of all....... https://i294.photobucket.com/albums/...pssfmvbire.jpg Chuffed a heck !!! [font size="7"][font color="1bef00"]Road Tax Free from January !![/font][/font] Got to be a good thing too. Interesting how these are seen in the USA May 2019 pricing. https://i294.photobucket.com/albums/...pspxbafbvp.jpg |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Handbrake seized up.
Take 2 Using vice grips on top, undo mounting bolts, clevis etc. Remove. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Then using the bench vice to support the handle, and a ball pein hammer on the ratchet catch, I managed to slip the handle off the lever. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And eventually……… Culprit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Button, felt washer, spring and a support washer. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And the inside…… more rust. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Solution…… Some coarse sand paper on a shaft, slipped over the release rod and a load of rotation and in and out movement. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Also the felt washer clearly needed to be replaced. Where to buy these little parts from though. Bugggerrr. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Around 12.30 Nick came sauntering down the garden path. Coffee time. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
You know those tubs or tins of absolutely useless nuts, bolts, screws, fasteners, springs etc?
After coffee, I headed into the back corner of the garage and started to rummage through my useless tubs and tins……. Much to @nickwheeler ‘s amusement, he even recorded the madness. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So……… I found a spring. And some felt that I used to use on my woodwork to cover ornament bases. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So I made a four layer washer while Nick made the spring fit, we needed 4 washers to take up the space as the spring was shorter than the original. Assembled, and filled with white grease to prevent some future corrosion https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next up, I made a failed collar to hold the rubber collar, washer and tunnel together…. So Nick started another, using thicker aluminium and better planning, while I got distracted by another job. Much better. Note the directions, clearly written on the one side. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Blowing up? Nick underneath, getting it down. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds It will get unscrewed one more time at least….. When I get to carpeting the floor as well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Nick Reassembled the handbrake cables and was happy to pronounce a functioning handbrake. It needs adjustment, but hey……… It is fixed. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So while Nick cut, measured, cut, ground and made up the last part for the rebuilt handbrake lever and fittings, I carried on with a job that had been spinning around in my head for some time now.
How to balance the number plate, light and toolbox to the left which left a large vacant space on the right. I always wanted the car to have a 4x100 space saver spare wheel and a simple brace and jack. Planning was to just bolt the wheel in the rear boot of the car. Simple really. But if you recall, the car came with a spare wheel carrier, long since removed. So while Nick fabricated, I searched, and then started to fabricate as well. Space saver and carrier. Studs were 4x108 Ooooopps, too big a gap. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Unless you managed to move the studs closer to each other. And remove years worth of rust from the threads. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Is this close enough? Moved the studs closer didn’t I? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next job……… Tack and stick weld for deep penetration. Then copy three holes over to the rear tailgate, drill holes and test fit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Backing plates cut from horrible checker plate. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Not yet fitted, but you get the idea. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Bracket and wheel nuts painted Satin black, Nick and John were super excited watching my work become ever more beautiful. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I masked up the space saver after giving it a good ScotchBrite scour, clean-up Black centre and the mustard/sand outer rim should look like the wheels fitted to the car. Well, sort of. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And result. Could possibly paint the rim gold if it looks like it needs it. Rear was painted all black too. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And while I was working on the spare wheel, which is really just to get me out of trouble, Nick fitted the brake reservoir that @glenanderson had sent earlier in the week. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I must say, I am really pleased with the jobs done today. More progress made. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
After another rubbish night, I was woken by the cat I do not own.
After feeding him, he went out to sit and watch is property. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So this morning I fitted the newly welded and painted spare wheel carrier. No plan to add an alarm switch to the spare, so deleted that. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Masked up the space saver that I had painted black last night after deflating it, tucking the cardboard under the rubber. Ready for paint. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Once the paint partially dried, I removed the cardboard barrier. Happy with that. Tidier than it was 24 hrs ago. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Once spare was fitted to the carrier I fetched the old license plate and the new one. Ugleee vs pretty. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Then pushed the car out into the sunlight. Really happy with the look, except the roofrack, or is it roll bar? https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Next job was to start on the side panels in the dash to start figuring where to exit the two footwell vents. Dash back in. Ohhh, and I redid the scrim foam on the screwed up kick panel. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Marked and made the first hole. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Also made a pair of super ugly joiners for the blower to get to the vent holes. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds The back ends will be bonded straight onto the sides of the blower unit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
First bootfair of the year.
Two hours out and back. Back to yesterday. While I worked on the heater blower and dash panels, Nick continued with the rear wiring and lights. Found this unholy mess……… https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Resulting in 6 hours work to get right, to be tested later today. And as always, nothing is easy. He ended up having to cut the mounting bracket bolts as the rivnuts just spun around, and the space up the rear of the body is very limited. Leading to this. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Much grinding, fabricating and time wasted fixing a previous builders mess us, we got to this point. Mazda MX5 loom spliced into Ford parts. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And back in the body. Threaded rod still to be JB Welded in place to hold brackets. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Wash, rinse, repeat on the other side. Waterproof Connectors were a bit of a “bargain” at £16.00 for the box. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds After much planning, measuring, I made up the “ducting” for the blower unit to hopefully connect with the director nozzles. Then started to attack the actual blower unit box that was made up weeks ago. I do love a step drill. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Too late for tears. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Possibly the most useful and underrated tool in this whole build. Powerfile rocks. Get one. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And ready for the ducting and base plate to be glued on. Hope it all comes together. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Saw this on FB this morning. A hot MX5 under there. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds What shall we build next then? |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
First bootfair of the season today.
Very full of sellers. 90% probably just clearing rubbish from homes. Pink sh!t. Interesting observation was that there were very few non English speakers. I guess Covid, inflation, lack of employment etc all impacted that sector of the market. What I did find was the following. 6 Plant pot dollies £5.00 Unused/new Denim shorts £1.00 Motel sign for my shed 50p Two Bee signs 25p each Angel wings for Sally’s shed £1.00 Pink giraffe toy for Bonnie 20p For mate Craig. New yellow wheel £2.00 2 mobility scooter wheels £5.00 Chicken £1.00 https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Another bootfair tomorrow. Will think about it today. May give a miss. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Rear lights reflectors are a bit worse for wear.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Looking for something else in the garage, unearthed this very slimline light. Ideal for use as a rear foglight, a necessary evil on UK cars. Bracket ready. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Fitted. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Another job done today was making up the front and rear brake lines from the master cylinder. A clever trick Nick figured out was that the Workmate bench has a groove fitted that is ideal for straightening the inner coil of a roll of brake pipe. Easy stuff if you know what you are doing. Nick does. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds @nickwheelers very long time mate Richard popped over in his Triumph TR7 for a check in on the build and a coffee today. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Headed out, I had to go take a look. I really like the standard alloys fitted to it. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Slow progress, but progress nevertheless. I also sold the wheels used for rolling the Rezin Rockit around till now to a nice chap for use on his Fiesta. He arrived in a 51 plate Mini to collect his bounty. We closed shop by 7.30pm so that I could spend a bit of time with Sally. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Carrying on with the blower heater unit….
We wonder where the time goes on this build, here is where. Best part of a few hours. First side exit in place, this took a lot of time, due to various angles of intersection. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Into position goes no 2 after a lot of trimming etc. Side panel and vent all need to be in concert. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Bonded in place and fixed with tape, lets see what happened overnight. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds While the glue was drying on the blower, I returned to the kick panel I previously managed to screw up royally. The foam had dried on the board, so glue on the new vinyl and backing…… https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Result. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Right,mguess,it is 11.15 so I need to go outside and finish a “pivotal” job started last night. More about that later. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
John the lodger.
Always watching. https://youtu.be/cs92Uegzap0 Headed out to work on more stuff now, maybe. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So.
What happened next? The screen frame came off after sitting there for weeks. Up to the house, laid out on the table, raised on a 2x4 to enable accessibility. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Glass goes there. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Of course smearing the adhesive along the frame in order to ensure complete filling of the grooves has repercussions. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Thankfully the right tools often make stuff easy to fix. Scrape and cut……. Job done. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Followed by thoroughly cleaning the glass before adding a MARMITE tint strip along the top. Held in place by masking tape till dried in place. After all the cleaning, an old friend was called back into service. Yes, you saw that right. RAIN-X https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Frame then returned to the garage, fitted, removed and another layer of low density, self adhesive foam added before fitting a second time. John the lodger was home for the day today and rather than sit indoors, was enjoying playing out back as well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds While he was inside the car, checking out the tint strip for obstruction, I added the front bumper spoiler. Looks like what I have been looking for, for some time. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Pushed out into the late afternoon sun, it looks good enough to me. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Finally pulled off the masking tape that held the tint in place while it dried fully. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And lastly…….. Another 2 minute movie for the fans. Lets see how many people click through and look what happened. https://youtu.be/LyXJr79nwsg Three days off work has delivered good progress. Quiet without @nickwheeler today. But then I did not do a lot of stuff as I had also offered Sally some of my time. Back to work tomorrow. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
More side build silliness coming up.
I bought a pull along wagon chassis from New Addington/Croydon area off FB Marketplace 30-40 miles from home. All four wheels and inner tubes are blown out as the owners husband used it to move large paving slabs. I cannot fault his thinking as I moved 4 16inch alloys and their tyres on mine on Sunday, all loaded at the same time. Fortunately I have a business meeting in Richmond later today so will pick it up on the way. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Plan is to build it like this……. And to add paint and some “hot rod graphics” and to then use it like that. This is the one I have, it is on regular wheels, bit mocked up for the photos to give me a better idea of whether is should be built. I think it looks OK. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Bonnie the pup came over with Sally as well. Loves a soft toy. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Have a good day out there. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Collected my new chassis for the build.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Need to order some wheel hubs as the wheels don’t have any. A variation on the theme, bringing in a Radio Flyer. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Forgot to mention.
Basic, first fit and it seems the side panels and vents will speak to each other in the final fit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Fingers crossed they do when the dash goes in as well and final screw together happens. . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Been thinking inside the box again.
The plan all along was to fit an inline tap or control valve in the heater hose from the engine. BUT……. Then I started wondering, would it really make any difference if the coolant just circulated through the heater matrix permanently And if one used the blower to push air through it onto your feet only when you wanted hot air to circulate there. That way, you never interfere with the circulating volume or thermostat where it passes by. Do keep in mind, this is a g |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Loads if day job stuff done, customers, emails, calls etc.
Managed to pull some mangled shrubs out and cut the front hedge for the first time this year. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Late afternoon I went down to the garage after some water feature cleaning and repairs. Started and completed the small side panels. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds One done. Happy. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And a pair of them done. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Sneaky photography. Enough. Weekend ahead. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
ROAD TRIP ANYONE
I have seen this for sale in Colorado And been thinking, buying it and getting it to Missouri to Dennis’s place. Insuring and ownership on his name, and I then pay him for the insurance and become the named driver. Should extend my road trip potential. A Big Block chevy C30 dually under there, 41k miles done. And $1000.00 Colorado Dollars plus shipping to Missouri. Opinions? Agent Orange anyone. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Specifications. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Can you smell the dust and brown interior. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Is there any mileage in this hare brained idea? |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
In other news…….
Bootfair was a touch sparse. But. Chicken for Craigs wife £2.00 Tiling hammer for Craig £1.50 4 pound weight £1.00 JD glass 50p Bowls £1.00 Ceramic knobs £1.00 Body hammer £1.00 Pair of headlights £2.00 (for sale) https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Not much, home by 7.45 for breakfast. Garage in a bit once yesterday on the Rezin Rockit is written up. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Lots of yard work this time of year.
But tried out the side panels. Looks like they will be good once bolted down. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Plan with the heater pipes was to just do a straight and return system. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Until the last screw on the matrix, along with its hollow clamp started to fight me. After more than an hour of fighting it, destroying the Philips head screw, finding and cutting down a new one and still failing, I walked away. One little screw. Hopefully today when Nick is here, and I have a spare set of hands, to align the pipe, hold it in place and screw the screw in once the mini clamp is in place, I will be able to tick the heater off the master list. Seriously. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Between us, Nick and I were never 100% happy with the original position of the radiator and the cooling fan was a problem to fit. So yesterday he dismantled the fan, its frame etc, and with some spacers, grinding and magic, got to move it all 25mm closer to the radiator, yet retaining the frame. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Creating new brackets, welded onto the ARB mounting plates gave us enough space, and a new, horizontally mounted radiator that also benefits from maximum exposure. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds The original top mount brackets I made, have been modified and hold it in place, without any tension or torsion. I will do some final weld up and tidying where the edit has happened. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Looking a whole lot better from the front now. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds The radiator hoses all need replacing as the reroute and new position is different to the low, flat MX5 design. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Coffee, then headed out. Later. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Well……..
Thoughts are brewing. And someone was helping me, NOT. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Great little RV. All depends on its running condition as to it's suitability for your purpose. No doubt that Dennis could get it good and ready. Tempted to inquire as to your plans for it after your trip.... biting my tongue.
Nice work on the heater side panels. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
That a cool van camper but the 400 would be a smallblock. No bbc in vans until early 90’s
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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Quote:
I would be happy to see it go to a home. There are a few challenges in this for me. Thanks, and yes, I am happy with the progress, slow as it seems. Quote:
I am not too clever with these things, I was under the impression it was based on cubic capacity. Every day is a school day. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Sunday was a “slow” day.
Morning spent in the garden with some jobs that needed doing. A lot of stuff still to do as plants do not stop growing just because I am having fun or not, in the garage. Filling in the pie cuts in the top brackets, painting them, Hammerite painting a few grinds and welds on the chassis all takes time. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Once bolted in (again) the wiring to the headlights, side lights laid out. Radiator hoses in the new position are all being replaced with new, easy bents and straight runs. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Another overdue job was to make up the final solid legs for the passenger seat, which is mounted slightly higher than my drivers side (long torso, short 29” legs) Recessed, captive nuts and a foot to spread the load both ends. The rear one in fact more of a reverse “C” to use the body mount, thus leaving space for the new roll bar mounting footplate to sit with sufficient space to work with once I get back to that and weld new mounting plates to the chassis. Yup, still not done welding. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So getting it in position and tacking the top and bottom plates in place meant an interesting technique to say the least. But all good and done. Nick was not happy with my welds and whisked it away when I went to make some coffee and added more weld to it 😁 I guess we both do this, checking and editing each others work at times to maximise things like strength and aesthetics on the build. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Happy family. Pic taken for a nosey lady friend in Tulsa, Oklahoma. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Nick carried on with more small jobs, and there are a ton of them, fitting the correct tensile bolts to the steering shaft, checking brake lines, spacing the front grille, which will be getting another edit next weekend to allow easy fitting of the hood/bonnet. Amazing how much stuff you end up doing 2,3,4,5 times. Only a car builder will understand. How many times has it been up and down, how many times have the wheels been on and off……. Too many questions. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Late day job as we ran out of jobs to do. The CAD filler panel for the grille and radiator, both to deflect air over the radiator and to fill that ugly hole looking into the engine https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Light spray of black paint to blend it in a bit. That works. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And front view. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Despite what seems an age, and it has taken some time, these jobs are all part of the bigger picture. I need to get over to Car Builder Solutions this week to buy all the needed hoses, bends and connectors for the cooling system Just need to find some time to get to it all. Thanks for checking in and keeping a vigilant eye on us. Thanks for all the comments and advice as well. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
MESSAGE SENT TO SELLER.
Hi Steve, That orange G30 ‘76 Chevy camper you have. Do you know much about it? I need to drive it to St Louis, Missouri, or have it trailered if not at all safe to hit the road. There are various ways of doing it. BUT as you have warned me away before when I was interested, I would also be very happy to take your advice. I usually come to the USA for three weeks every year and have access to all sorts of cars and trucks at Dennis Jones’ place in St Louis, but the idea of buying and driving something stupid like this, leaving it in the USA and then using it again the next year, does appeal. We know these things are nearly 50 years old, so stuff can be very worn, old and unreliable, but some 50 year old cars are well kept and would be happy to just keep going. So I guess asking your opinion or knowledge on this is what I need. Thanks Rian in London, England (well, Rochester, Kent really) |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Thanks Rian. Appreciative of you welcoming me to check in on that rig as well. But I have never found the need to get in the way of a friend's opportunity. Even if you didn't get it, I could not in good conscience pursue it although I think it is cool. It is not high enough on my target list and I already have vehicles I don't need. I think it's cool though, and could see having something like it someday. If you get it and use it over here for a few years for your trips and decide it needs to go away, feel free to let me know at that time. But I best focus on what I already have, haha. Thanks.
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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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I was hoping to dodge a bullet here. Have messaged the seller anyway. Sat at a hospital (Princess Royal University Hospital) in a carpark for 70 minutes yesterday, waiting for a parking space to open. None opened, so I drove around to a shopping centre and paid my £2.00 for two hours limited parking, (do not return for 4 hours or get a £100.00 fine) Went in, did some work and left. Not ideal at all. In fact quite stressful, but hey…. We all have different problems. Got home late as I made a couple of detours and all I did was walk down to the carport, found the original transmission tunnel carpet, saved to be used as a template as it is wedge shaped. I need to order some automotive carpet and make up the carpets at some point. Interestingly, we know there are no symmetrical lines to the body. Case in point…… How the hell do you build a mould and actually manage to make the two tunnel sides so differently. Making the new one will be interesting, but at least there is a template of sorts. Ebay has a 3 meter by 1 meter roll of black carpeting for £25.00 delivered. I think the buy it now option sounds good. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds @nickwheeler and I need to make our 3rd visit to Car Builder Solutions too, to go get the hoses, connectors nd bends for the cooling system. |
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
Progress…?
How do you define it when you are so close that things blur in your line of vision. I guess the latest order off eBay is a bit of a refocus. Still a ton of cosmetic and setting up things to do, and for anyone who has not done this sort of thing themselves, or judge progress by the money they pay others to do the work only to then show off “their build” it is never going to be easy to understand why the car was not started over Easter or last weekend, or last night. Still, it will happen. @nickwheeler are probably as tired of fitting and removing the wheels, axle stands, wiring loom etc as the onlookers. Sally is a saint, putting up with it all, allowing me to go play most times I want. Remember the Moonwalk some of you sponsored her so generously for? That is on this weekend, and all I am contributing is to pick her up at the station on Sunday. Poor show from me. A very good friend (whom I have never met in person) gave me a real wake up call yesterday, pointing out where my priorities should lie. And he is right. But in the mean time, progress I guess can be defined by ordering 3 meters of carpeting for the car. Ohhhh, and buying £51.18 worth of Unleaded, that is 31 litres or thereabouts. Optimism is good. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Hope to get to Car Builders Solutions to get the radiator hoses and bends after work today. Almost the weekend. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
FRIDAY 13th
BOOOOO…. !! https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Not that that is a problem in itself, but time is counting….. Or something like that. Hoses bought for the radiator and cooling system, £60.00 Fitting, priming, antifreeze etc, Weekend job. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Mate @Craigrk is flying to India for work in two weeks time. I asked him to look into alternative LED headlights for the Rezin Rockit for me while out there. I can get these for around £80.00 each here in the UK. BUT - Aliexpress who do not shop to the UK it seems (I am often wrong) will supply them for around £30.00 each in India. Watch this space. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Summer seems to finally be here. Hedges need to be cut, lawn mowed etc, so a load of non car build jobs to be done. Have a good day, it is Friday after all. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Right.
So where were we in this build? A never ending list of smaller jobs, all taking up time. The floors on the body have a weird diagonal join in the front footwells and revised resin and matting which brought a 15mm height irregularity into play. I had got a load of fiberglass matting and resin from a member on UKGSER last year with all intent to use it to create a level and stronger floor, but fiberglass is ambarsteward to work with and ultimately I decided to go for a plan B solution to the floor and position of the pedals. So the fiberglass matting and resin is again up for grabs if someone can use it and wants to collect it. PM me please. So yesterday morning I spoke to Mickey over the fence about some thick ply offcuts he may have, Failed, he had none, but knew where two 4x6 foot “used” sheets of 15mm ply was dumped at his sons home. So we jumper in the S10 and headed off to go scavenge and collect them. One was unused, rectangular and missing a 400mm strip the other must have done duty as a floor in a van, one side grubby, and a load of dried out paint on it, plus random cuts to it. Some more loose bits came home too. Love my Chevy, don’t use it enough but it is always ready to work. Treasures, and free money again as they were headed to a skip. The better sheet was already stashed in the garage for future reference. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So the usual CAD work commenced, keeping in mind the two sides are completely different. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Then transferred to the ply that I had cleaned up of the paint with a grinder and flap disc. Thanks @nickwheeler for photography duties. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds What the initial wood repaired and levelled, along with some brutal grinding down. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Pedal view. There is another complete sheet of cut to size ply covering all of this mess, with the carpeting attached, going in and that will be like a bung, holding the transmission tunnel carpet etc in place. Bought a yoga mat this morning to use as padding/insulation as there was nothing waterproof that I have direct access to to fit to the ply and to absorb the wear of heels under the pedals. All of this has added a good 20mm or so to the floor, making the pedals easy to reach and use. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Foot rest to the left was cast in Oklahoma in 2019 on the road trip and has been waiting to be used on something interesting. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds More in a bit about the rest of yesterday’s expectations and actions for those awake enough to have read this far. Later. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
@nickwheeler popped over yesterday afternoon and propped up with coffee proceeded to measure, mark and cut some pipes.
Ask him about the difference between 100mm and 165mm (😁 And no, he did not screw up) https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Most important bend……. Negated the need for more 90’ bends and connectors. Top of radiator to thermostat entrance, somewhat offset from each other on all planes, horizontal, vertical and diagonal. Cut. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Looking goooood. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Air intake refitted. Awesome !!! https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Bottom hose was a cinch. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Ohhhhh and just to mention, Nick clocked all the clamps and left it looking way too tidy. He demanded I paint the ally pipe black. I think not. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
One of those random posts today.
As always, thanks for checking in and commenting. I have not done anything like this for some time. Well, since my charity bicycle ride a few years ago that so many people supported. And that went beautifully because people literally donated what they could. From the coins in their cars to some amazingly generous and large donations that had me choking back real tears. Sally is doing this Moon Walk from a point of real conviction and the least I can do for her is to spread the word. If you feel this is not your circus, not your monkeys, it is quite OK. But if you feel inclined to donate any amount to this worthy cause, please follow the link and donate. Sharing the link, if you feel it may help spread the word is good too. I can only thank you deeply on behalf of Sally and those who benefit from Breast Cancer research, male and female. Click the link to see more and decide if this is a worthy cause to contribute to. https://eur03.safelinks.protection.o...amp;reserved=0 Thanks again for any responses. Remember the 24th January this year. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I believe it is still open for donations, any size would do. Sally and Sal (Sally) have completed the full Moon Walk. She reports that they are both knackered. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds AND THESE MEDALS ARE FOR EVERY ONE WHO PARTICIPATED. THANK YOU AGAIN. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds . |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
Header tank has been a PITA for @nickwheeler and I.
Various options, from a Cripple Cock cider bottle to a home made, 3” exhaust pipe tank and a walk around the bootfair today all failed. I was going to try UncleBob the hoarder to see if he had something interesting or random. Most of my day was spent around Sally, and the crazy woman, despite no sleep and doing that 26 mile night walk, fetched Bonnie and came to play with her in my garden, you call that loyal beyond any shadow of a doubt, and that is to a dog she made a covenant with. Eventually at 5.00 she went home to go crash and rest, so I went to the garage, only to get a call from @brachunky way up north on a farm, we spoke for an hour about our home town and what an 1150GS with 80k miles was worth. After that I dug out this little tank in the hope it would work as a header tank. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Then realised it was just not going to be right. Planned position was drivers side inner wing. Then I fetched the original MX5 unit, oddly shaped to fit into the tight space in the engine bay. Everything back to front…… https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Tried to figure out how to make it work. Pulled out some compressor hose that @disasterbus dropped off here months ago. Went round to Mickey to try find some small jubilee clamps, failed, then came home and robbed two from my 7 horn La Cucheracha air horn trumpets that Nick does not like. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds An hour later, some brackets made, painted, the front grille moved back, to allow the hood to close. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And finished. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I am pleased with that. Looks good and another small job done. Planned on some painting of the boards I did for the floor yesterday, but decided a mug of tea and a cheese sandwich sounded better. Shop closed by 7.00pm. Happy. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
The coolant overflow tank looks like it's snugged in there pretty well. Congratulations to Sally, that's a huge accomplishment. The walk and the fundraising! Funny that you mentioned the la cucaracha horns. My grandparents gave a set of those to my dad, he installed them on our Suburban, and he loved having that. My grandparents had a set on their car which my brother and I now have, that plays the bugle notes for an infantry charge.
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Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
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Interestingly, the quote below was from Nick who I pay around $70.00 a day to come play as pocket money (he is unemployed) and he seems to like spendingnot his own money in various ways. You might just as well as refitted the original off its blacksmith's bracket. That was just ugly; it wouldn't have annoyed you every time it ruined another MAF sensor. Not sure I understand the MAF comment. But the other bracket comment is possibly aimed at extending the time he is here on the build, getting easy money. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
A hectic day, including 2.5 hr national meeting in which I was mentioned twice for different things, both good.
Left early and saw this threatening signage, wonder why a road being resurfaced, needs CCTV What a screwed up world this has become. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Afterwards I needed a bit of random distraction. So took the seats out, cleaned the inside of the car and masked off parts of the tub, then painted. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Masked https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds One side. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Both sides. Just looks tidier. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I also painted all sides on the floor boards. Just to help weather proof them a bit. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And all done. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Binned the sponge roller I had used and cleaned up my hands, pushed the Rockit back under the roof and shut shop. Before I left, I noticed this nursery of new baby spiders. I wonder how long average house or garden spiders do live. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds I prefer not to mess with them. |
Re: GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project
So it has turned out that there are a few people who really wanted to see Napalm Nellie as baptised by @pauly rolling down Route 66 and others looking for interesting cars, trucks and life in general in the 🇺🇸
A few screenshots from chats with Dennis and JB Math again confirmed that like @alistairk experienced, there are helpful people out there. Needs to be read in sequence. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Speaking with Dennis yesterday it turns out there is no title for the camper. So I think this plan will be shelved. And confirmed by JB Math as well. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So for now, it seems Napalm Nellie has to be put to the side. Something else will surely pop up. Who knows. |
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