Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Very nice!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Looks great! Those small touches really add to the final product so much.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Looks great Rian .

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Here's some scripted valve covers:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=702296

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Nice work rian! Oh and that vw is sweet:metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

great job painting and polishing the aluminum valve covers and air filter .
the other valve covers you like are from a 283 with the Chevrolet script .
I have been trying to find a chrome 6 cyl nova SS valve cover ,
it has the Chevrolet script like the one in your picture
but I ended up with a plane chrome 6 cyl valve cover from ebay.

on your turbo 350 trans mount bolt holes some of them had metric bolts
and the older ones were standard threads .
so that's how they get stripped from people putting the wrong bolts in them .
also where the shift lever bolts on they can be metric or standard too .

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Thanks Bill.

Certainly do, and the inspiration mostly comes from here.

Thanks John, 10 yard job. That paint sucks.

Thank you mate.

Glad you liked the VW, I like a lot of stuff, so like to share.

I think you are right Jim.

When I shone a light up the bolt hole, there was pretty much no thread, so I knew both had to be redone, it's such a simple process.



Got in from work tonight and Mrs Boss said in passing there was a parcel for me in her car.

Unpacked it...... Joe Gibbs HR-1 oil for running in the motor and some thread sealer.

Getting excited about getting the motor back together with all the new parts.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...srgws73i2.jpeg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

This weekend should prove interesting.

Lunch for those attending and working will be limited to off the fire Spare ribs, Spicy chicken wings and South African "Boerewors" go Google that.

Another puzzle piece arrived today, well, two of them.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sozc01hxe.jpeg

So much looking forward to this next step.

Weird that.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Love that table cloth and more parts is always good .

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Parts are looking good. If I was a little closer I would drop in for the feast this weekend. :lol::lol:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Indeed John, parts are good.

Table cloth was EBay.

And that would be great...... Having you,over for lunch.



Funny how every time you think you can sit back, something else pops its dirty little head.

I knew my collectors on the headers were not perfect and when I blasted them over the weekend, I realised the gaskets were not going to last very long.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sfyjxfedb.jpeg

Note the knife edge.

Needed fixing or replacing.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sbyyaiarl.jpeg

Purely by coincidence a pair of 3" header reducers came up for sale today, Paul Y saw them and texted me a heads up.

One short phone call, some PayPal cash and I am awaiting these units.

To be spliced onto the headers after some pie crust and modification.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...spsoatwla.jpeg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...s7bhxq6qu.jpeg

Hopefully at some point I will run out of things to fix.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

If you run ot of things to fix you can always come and fix mine .

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

looking good Rian, liking the valve covers painted!! wanted to let you know your bumper guards came in, they said they got my message about the address change after they sent them to me! so I will hold them for you til I see you at Clem's!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Happy to help as always mate, just shout.

Thank you for helping me get those Chad.

Massively appreciated, I will collect them in October when Imam over there.


Tonight though, I am drinking.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sssykblpr.jpeg


Tomorrow we build a naughty little V8

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

:metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Rock and Roll !!



Well, not sure who still follows the build, but I guess it has turned a corner after this weekend.

Friday nights Rum and Pepsi was rather good.

Saturday morning Paul came around, followed later by mate Martin and then later on my very good old friend and riding buddy Kevin on his new R1200GS Adventure with all bells and whistles. He had needed some head clearance space.

Paul got here around 10.30am with a box of taps, dies and an ignition unit to be used later in the day, which turned out to be 7.30 pm.

He also brought me these two little treasures...... I just need to find a pair of Chevy Rallye wheels to go with them.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...scmpwzffl.jpeg

Between us we did a variety of jobs with Paul doing all the clever stuff.

Which includes tapping all the threads till the tool spun about freely.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...swddrp7vo.jpeg

For any of you who have changed a camshaft like we did before, think gynaecology 101.

Used a dome headed bolt from one of my tins of stashed random nuts n bolts which fitted the end of the camshaft, the other end I cut the head off, and it fitted into a piece of snooker queue with exactly the same thread, This created a steady handle for introducing the shaft very gently.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sawk9qn84.jpeg

Once all the internals were oil bathed.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sdjjqpcdn.jpeg

And I had covered the whole of the camshaft in graphite grease. All this cleverness thanks to Paul who has built a few motors in his life.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...stf41cczf.jpeg

I then carefully threaded it all back into place...... With the master supervising.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...scaj0d0tw.jpeg

By then Martin and his mobile phone as well as Kevin had arrived and the kettle went into overdrive.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...swkb7xhua.jpeg

We carried on with the reassembly up to the point where it suddenly dawned on me that with being so bloody preoccupied with getting the new job right, I had completely forgotten to lap in the valves...... Aaaaaaarrrrgh..!!!
Paul volunteered to carry on with that, while I started the fire for lunch that still needed to be cooked, it was now after 13.30

Paul doing my dirty work...... Lapping in the valves.

VIDEO HERE:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...s26vjur42.jpeg

Lunch at last.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sq5yqeeoa.jpeg


After lunch both Kevin and Martin left, and we got on with the rest of the build.


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...svwg78j7r.jpeg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Im still following ,loved the video ,looked like a fun time over there . It's a shame you are so far away as I have some Rally wheels and even some really nice center caps .

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Thanks John,

I have a set identified and bought for a few Dollars in St Louis, the problem is their weight, they are almost 26kg each.

So if I can find some over here.......


Centre caps Paul brought have seen much better days, but we beggars cannot be choosers.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

So we then reassembled head one, new springs and tiny collets were a pain in the butt....

Fitted new valve stem seals etc. I do like the look of new hardware in place.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...saoqetapu.jpeg

Ready to go back on, bolted into place, torque wrench standing by.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sagcsg3hu.jpeg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...s65vtqlhn.jpeg

Once both were fitted, torqued down and the new oil filter and five litres of expensive oil for running in, added in it was the turn for another clever truck......... Answers on post cards.

Power drill priming oil pump and getting oil circulated through all the galleries.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sr6cemaov.jpeg

By 8pm we were done and Paul left before 9pm, he can tell of the rest of his night.

Happy Happy.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...s4pv64b1h.jpeg

Motor on the stand last night.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sbsahmi19.jpeg

Martin has been very patient with his engine stand and hoist, so by 8.30 this morning he was phoning to ask about getting them back.

By 10.30 he was parked in front of the garage.

Cuppa tea, chat and then down to the garage to dismantle everything.

Engine back on the hoist, by this time Mickey from next door had popped around too.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...snulxk07j.jpeg

Back on the pallet, headers on etc.

URL=http://s294.photobucket.com/user/niknakpix/media/2015%20Continues/image_zpsqzjssplk.jpeg.html]http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sqzjssplk.jpeg[/URL]


Mickey from next door was very impressed. Though he told us his car had self destructed on the motorway this week, so,I scavenged a few bits off it.

Including this,section of bug trap mesh.


More will come to light soon.

What I can mention publically is that Mr Bomp Marier in Oregon gets most of the blame for my next trick.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...smevb9fsb.jpeg


Watch this space.....

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Im staying tuned in ,motor looks great .

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

I "might" have found you a pair of wheels.

Watch this space.

P. :D

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

I'm here too.

You guys did a lot, all I did was goof off and drive.

Engine looks good.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Thanks John, it's this whole community that needs to take credit for it, the support makes it all worthwhile.

Yeeehaww....!!!

You go boy.

Look forward to hearing all about it.

Got your part today as well, will pop it in the post.


Goof off is perfectly fine, you have already sweated the big stuff and earned your break.


Today I worked in North and West London with a colleague, so when we called it a day by 3.45, I hit the road a cross North London to Real Steel, purveyors of all things American.
I had a short shopping list for Paul Y and mate Martin and needed to be back in Kent at Ebbsfleet International station to pick up Nicola and Hannah who had been on a 4 day city break in Cologne, Germany by 6.45

I decided after looking at my water pump, which worked perfectly, that I would replace it with a new one while the motor was in bits, at £39.00 for the pump it made sense.

I also bought a new transmission oil filter and gasket as the gearbox is getting a shift kit fitted when I do the filter.
Anyone with tips, advice or experience of fitting them..... Now is your chance.
Please tell me all you know.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sqde6t6zc.jpeg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sxfdcs34u.jpeg

I thought the pump really is rather good looking.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...s8njbcdmm.jpeg

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

you lot seem like the kind of people I need to hang around with! you should all move closer to me!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

you are a lucky guy to have so many good friends that like the same stuff.
were those hot wings for lunch? i'd come over there for hot wings...
nice job on the engine, closing in on a major step. congrats...

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

They better have been hot wings!!!
Is there any other way to eat chicken wings??? LOL!

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Nice work on the engine Rian. I always like getting the motor built, it feels like a major milestone. Doing the shift kit should be pretty easy. The B&M instructions are usually easy to follow. Just read carefully and don't rush.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Morning [JP]
I guess you are right. It is more useful being able to go see each other, I popped in at Martins yesterday after work, on the way home to drop off his spares and also check his progress.
However, Paul is 45 miles one way, Martin 15 and Kevin 21 miles in another direction, so we are not on each other's doorsteps.
It's why I always PM new guys like you as soon as you get on here with my phone numbers and contact details in case you need help, advice etc.
I am sure you can find a nice place to move to right between all of us.....:mm:
This is a great community, and we can all benefit from each other's abilities.

Clem, those are the sort of friends we all like.
Hot wings for lunch yes...... The only way to eat wings for sure.
Fortunately Nicola bought two packs as she knows we all Klimt into them. There was other meat as well. I did forget to bring out the coleslaw she bought as token vegetable option....;)
Thanks on the engine, as you say, closer..... Still a few things to do.

Yessir!!!
Hot wings for sure, no other way to eat them I my world, thankfully everyone here liked hem that way.

Thank you Dale.

Stuff like building the motor is so far out of my comfort zone, the most I ever did before would have been oil, filters, plugs and condenser on my old Datsun and other student cars. With company cars the last 25 years you are not permitted to do more than check oil, washer liquid and top up fuel.
The shift kit scares me a whole load......
Again, mostly one just hears horror stories.
No rushing for sure.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Well, a bit of light hearted fun tonight.

This hobby has a way of brining out so much good in people

Ta2Don and I often share our trips around America and England with photos, or if we see interesting trucks and cars, via Whatsapp or iPhone messages.

Today he was in Little Rock, Arkansas and I was out looking for a high tensile Allen head bolt for my water pump and also some exhaust manifold bolts as my motor is missing one........ So he saw some of Rochester, and when I got home he shared parts of his trip home, including this selfie......

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...s8oukvb6j.jpeg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...s1hytw923.jpeg

Interestingly, I was also in a Tuba Trucks T-Shirt. Thanks Clem.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sfl8ia361.jpeg

Life certainly is good.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Worked in Essex with a colleague today.
This meant I drove right by Del's place...... Del sold me the door, inner fenders and blower unit last year, from the same truck Martin got the cab and other bits from.

So today I popped by Del's place and collected this little jewel........

Why?? Replies on a post card.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sgqseqnms.jpeg

My set of header adapters landed today as well.

Soon to be fitted.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Thanks to Paul Y keeping his eyes open, I managed to pick up a pair of 3" header adapters.

After work tonight I went to the garage and cut n shut the headers.

Started with this amount of metal on the,.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sbyyaiarl.jpeg

Then measured twice......

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sdbajgxkr.jpeg

The First cut is the deepest.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...svdgroq1p.jpeg

Cleaned, tidied and three very small slits cut into the outer pipes, then encouraged in with a lump hammer.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sufgduoem.jpeg

Welded up both of the new connectors.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sz4uaewvx.jpeg

Wire brushed them clean and then more VHT Silver added.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sbewf2r4w.jpeg


Another little job done, every little bit helps.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Nice work on the headers rian:metal:

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

that looks lile you all had a fun day with the engine build and very productive. You are certainly motoring now. Great to see it coming together

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Me?
I see you making excellent progress.
Now Im off to get some chicken wings.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Thank you very much mate.

I was pleased as well.

Little by little Andy.

Not quite as fast as you move, but getting there bit by bit.

Chicken wings..... That's a winner.

Oh, and your question "Me?" Very good, but the answer is still yes, you. Thankfully.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Woke up way too early.

Spent day with Nicola, went over to Essex to meet up with Paul Y to take him some 1" X 9" X 8" steel and steel plate to repair his trucks bedside, also to collect a couple of manifold bolts that my motor needed from him, Thanks Mate.

On Nicola's suggestion also got a few wet ones for guests, including a Russian beer.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sgwumuk5g.jpeg

Back home around 3pm we spent a bit more time together watching the Guy Martin DVD Nicola had bought ( he is her hero )

Once she left for dinner with a bunch of friends I went to the garage for a bit.

Messed around with the QTP Electronic Cutouts and headers as they are now ready for fitting and building the pipes once the motor is back in the chassis.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...swattbypg.jpeg

Can't wait to fit these babies.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sac41sdbw.jpeg

Then fitted the new thermostat housing and trial fitted the new water pump. Seems the fit is tight as the new cam chain cover I bought is thicker than the old pressed steel one.
Still, I am sure it will all be good once tightened down.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...skueqabc5.jpeg

Then back indoors for some Discovery Chanel car telly and a Brandy and Pepsi Max.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

As always looking good.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Thank for keeping an eye on me John....;)




Today I started to finish off the steering parts that I had not previously addressed after they came from the USA.

So grease nipples added and then Martin pitched for me to change direction completely..... Typical.

So they will get fitted next weekend.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...siucirjcd.jpeg


QUESTION TIME

I have bought a sexy new water pump for the 350 motor.

I also bought a new chromed cast metal timing chain cover for it recently, to replace the pressed steel, rusted chrome one I removed. The new cover has been built in already.

Seems the new cover is too thick.

If you look at the photo below, you will see that with the one side pushed flush against the front of the block, the other end lifts away quite a bit from the block where the second waterway needs to meet it with a gasket.

I looked at the old pump and cover and there is a mark where the impeller cover plate at the rear pushed against the old chrome plated cover.

Note the light coming through.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...su33mbnjk.jpeg

SOOOOO....... MY QUESTION IS THIS:


If I had a pair of spacers or shims laser cut exactly like the gasket is patterned in 3mm mild steel or even stainless (not sure which is best option tbh) and then sandwiched it between two fibre gaskets, would this be a sensible and safe option?

I copied the gasket like this.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...svwbzrz6e.jpeg

I am dropping the viscous fan and going with a pair of electric fans from a modern car on either a thermal switch or manual override, so the space lost toward the front should not be that critical.

All advice appreciated.

Thank you.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Hi Rian Your spacer idea seems like the easiest way to fix the problem. Just remember the other pulleys (crank PS alt AC) may need adjustment as well.

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 

Rian,

As mentioned, after a few beers I think the challenge is that the cover is for a 'Long' water pump set up.

I would go back to the pressed cover or find a cover suitable for a short pump set up.

Problem is that you will need to reposition the alternator etc to match the placement of the spaced out pump.

P. :D