Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Finally got off my butt and now l have a big ole hole to fill. ;)

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Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Driver side minitub is coming along. Decided to fabricate the rear piece of the wheelwell after wasting a day trying to beat the stock piece into submission.

Found out my new belt sander has a whole lot more power than my old one. Got careless and it grabbed the piece I was cleaning up and wrapped it around the lower roller. Had to partially disassemble the stop to get the piece out.

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Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Beautiful work as usual Vic!

Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Thanks, Dale!

Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Despite a one-week side trip to NC to get the Powermaster unit for our GN rebuilt, there's actually been some progress on the Fairlane. The driver side minitub is pretty much complete, the new trunk drops are done, and the trunk floor is taking shape.

Before the trunk floor can be finalized, I had to mount the '87 Blazer EFI tank. I wanted a mount that was removeable - just in case, but the way it had to fit in there meant no conventional straps. The rear of the tank was already sitting on a 1" ledge so I fab'd up a cross bar for the front. It has tabs that bolt into captive nuts on the subframe rails which will make it easy to drop out in the event I need to do so. To hold the tank in place, I machined four keepers that positively locate and clamp the tank pinchweld seam.

When I get the remaining trunk floor panel measured, bent and in place, I'll cut an access panel into it so I can easily remove the pump. Those of you that kept up with my last truck build may remember I failed to do that and was rewarded with a trip home on a U-Haul trailer. Never again. ;)

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Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Trunk floor continued. I'm not sure this is going to work out the way I have in mind. Need to think about it while doing some 12oz elbow curls.

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Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Decided the panel covering the gas tank would look a little better if all the sides sloped downward so I used CAD (cardboard aided design) to assist with the fitment.

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Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Nice work Vic, coming along nicely

I may be getting closer to my panel bond step

Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Thanks, Jim, keep me posted on the panel bond project. Always interested to know how it all goes down.

The fuel tank cover is taking shape. I have the fuel filler and access panel openings cut. I used a 2.5" hole saw to make the first cut and then a 3" hole template to fix the location more precisely. From there I took measurements for the access panel, drilled the corner holes and then used the metal death wheel to connect the dots. By the time I got to the last cut, the edge of the wheel was loading up with metal and I got a little heat on it, but not enough to mess anything up.

If you don't recall my strategy for the filler cap, I made a split ring surround on the lathe / mill that will slip under the filler cap assembly. I needed to do that so I can clamp the hose before putting the fuel tank in because I don't have enough room to do it after the fact. The filler assembly has just enough clearance to go thru the cover. Once in place, I'll put the split halves together to hold it all in place. I'll post photos of that step in a day or two.

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Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Looking great Vic....as usual..!!

Re: 65 Fairlane pro-touring build
 

Thanks, Greg, I always appreciate your input!