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

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 69Tom

New grille looks good Rian.

Thank you Tom,

Certainly has grown on me.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I was just relooking over your pictures Rian, and noticed that you have a tilt-column? Is it solid?

Hey Bill,

Tilt column works too.

Have used it to get the ideal position.


Saw this in a hospital today.

U.K. company too.


Would they sell a meter length of this or similar for less than the cost of a stolen kidney?




Could work well as the visible part of a modified “Visible pump”

Will call them tomorrow.

[Grizz1963]

My friend Lee the lawyer in St Louis texted me this afternoon to ask what I was going to do now the “Money Shot” pic had been achieved and the Blazer was finished....?


Women....!!


What do they know.


I was actually down at the garage out on the drive, trying to figure why the radio had stopped working in the Blazer.

First clue was this, after I removed some mangled duck tape from it all.



Looking at the radio from underneath the dash.

Evidence of household wiring, duck tape, electrical box junctions and some crimped connections.

Clearly a brain surgeon in attendance.

How anyone can think that these sorts of repairs or installations are worth spit boggles the mind.



Mate Martin called me at some point in the afternoon to see what I was doing tomorrow as he is having a new screen fitted to his Porsche in the morning and then visiting someone a couple of miles from where I Live, so wanted to pop in and see how much fun I was having.

He suggested I remove the radio outright and start from the furthest point, repairing and replacing, soldering and heat shrinking all the wires in a more logical, decent and safe way.

Done.



Looking in there, the camera loses the perspective of just how badly it actually is behind and under the dash.



At 3’C or 35’F on the drive with a gentle breeze to aid the chill, and failing light at 4pm it seemed logical to call it a day for today.

Closed up shop and headed into the village to get a relay and some connectors to use on installing the LED light bar for reverse.

Friday night after a short week........

Rum-0-Clock.

Later.

[Grizz1963]

Chilly winter weather and a cutting breeze stopped me doing anything constructive yesterday.

So most of the day spent indoors watching telly, eating rubbish.

Mickey came around with a self propelled lawnmower, needing a service and more, non starter, yesterday.

Probably needs anew diaphragm and possibly a plug and fresh fuel.

I will take a look soon.



More randomness.

Got this reminder today on FB.

Amazing that I bought this more than 11 years ago.

Delivered by a former friend.



How I wanted to get it eventually



Spent a few hours today in the garden, cutting back some shrubs quite harshly, as well as tidying the front hedges.

The main trimmed bush scraped past anything driven down the concrete strips.

Ideally I want to move the drive strips over 18 inches to straighten out the path.

But that’s another days job.



After the trim and tidy up.



More in a bit.

[Grizz1963]

So after a few hours tidying up the garden and filling a wheelie bin to its pressed down brim, I had a coffee, chatted with Dennis about the new steering wheel and the fact that some brain surgeon in the past had refitted parts of it upside down, I also need to buy some more parts, including the horn parts and indicator cancel.

I am sure this cat has a camera or microphone up my butt.

When I left the house after chatting to Dennis, she as sleeping on a fluffy blanket in the lounge.

Before I could even remove the light and lenses, she was down there, shouting at me before settling down on a piece of carpet I use when crawling around under the truck.




So I started one side, and found 5 cut wires and about as many badly connected wires.

The cold made the wires very stiff and my fingers slow, but it was a job like many others that needed doing.

Spaghetti a-la Brain surgeon.



I initially covered up all the cut ends and heat shrunk their ends and then used a white marker to mark them off.



Once I had spliced and soldered the wires, I slipped the heat shrink over the joints and using a lighter completed the actions.



Passenger side done.



Coffee time again.....

Check internet, check Tinder, check forums, back to work.

Drivers side, as bad as the other.



And once finished, one more heat shrink to slide over the join and heat up.

A bit tidier in my opinion




Finally I decided to test the lights, brakes and wiring, using modern technology as Harley had at this point gone back indoors, it was dark and cold outside, so she was a sensible girl, leaving me to test alone.

VIDEO FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT.

https://youtu.be/Hy4Naj2Iz5A

That concluded this wasted weekend.

Back to work tomorrow.

Radio and engine compartment wiring tidy up next.

[Palf70Step]

Nice job Rian. It always feels good to clean up a mess like that and it work to boot!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice job Rian. It always feels good to clean up a mess like that and it work to boot!

Much Much happier Bill.

I just hated the look of it, and more importantly the fact it was so badly done and liable to fail at any time.


People who do such terrible work never realise that doing it right takes just as much effort and time.





Quick overnight update from Dennis and the gas station replica and storage space for collected treasures that he is building.

I guess they are never truely done.

He is busy painting and staining the last few interior boards and trim, but has started to mount some of his treasures collected over time.


Concrete island and drive still to come for the restored gas pumps and other equipment like tyre changers he grew up with, all restored and painted correctly.







Looking forward to when the air is plumbed in and the driveway bell and tyre pump both work as well.

In the mean time he is also helping Adam and Hanna build the house and shop on their property next door. So not a lot of free time.

Have a good week.

[Grizz1963]

Been a busy week at work, not truck time.

Not that Imhad time after dark to go fiddle with it anyway.

This morning early, Dennis and I were chatting again.

He was not impressed, no television because overnight 12 inches of snow had mode its way onto the deck and all over.

Seems they have a load more snow forecast for today.





Get yer skates on.



Friend Tyler who works for MoDoT (Missouri Department of Transport) was out all night, driving snow plough and gritting trucks.

I think the world does forget how much work happens behind the scenes, and that departments like MoDoT have all staff, Male and Female trained on all equipment and all work day and night to keep themroads moving in all weathers.

Tyler’s truck back home



So what does an insomniac like Dennis do when the weather screws up his world??

Restore a small gas pump of course.



I certainly am thankful we did not have this snow, the U.K. would grind to a halt for a week, with many idiots doing stupid stuff on the roads.

[Grizz1963]

After more than a week of not touching the Blazer at all.

Harley was stir crazy this morning, so I decided to let her go play outside.



Two weeks ago when I was driving the truck I felt the power steering was really Snatchy, now most of us would not say no to a bit of snatch, but in this case, not ideal.

So I checked the power steering belt and it felt a bit slack, but not madly so.

I also opened the steering pump reservoir and found the cap was fitted in a half asssed way, certainly not securely.

I really despair at the lack of decent maintenance this truck has had over time, but getting it all right, bit by bit making it safe as I go along.

Fresh new water pipes, and beyond this one, the pump.



Opened up, I found there was not even a drip on the dipstick, not empty, but well below level.

So I drove in to Hoo St Werburgh village and the local motor spares shop, got some power steering fluid and back home.

Topping up and closing it correctly.

Once started, smoooooth..... operator.

Power Steering reinstated.



Next up was the matter of my air cleaner on the Carburetor, it’s a Summit product, triangular, not sure one can find a replacement filter element, so going to remove the 5” air filter and replace with a new unit when I order one.

See the face?

Happy Holley



Told her she would be getting a new bonnet (hat) soon, she was beside herself.

Whhhaaaahhh.




Amazed at how easily this truck starts, even in the cold and when not started for some time.

Some random engine revving for the petrol,pervs....

CLICK LINK.

https://youtu.be/jJgSw2sm444


I also reconnected and secured the air horn button that had come unstuck when Imremoved the radio previously.

Radio wiring to be addressed soon enough.

That concluded a short day out.

Happy.

[Indian113]

If there isn't any fluids in reservoir then Nothing can Leak Out! Some people think like that. Sad but true

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Indian113

If there isn't any fluids in reservoir then Nothing can Leak Out! Some people think like that. Sad but true

So sad.

Puts Darwin into perspective.



By 13.00 this was the depth of snow, more to come.

A lot more.

[Indian113]

Up North of Dennis wasn't much better! I had about 8 inches of that Beautiful STUFF, Thank God for a 2 stage snow blower. My Back can't take that Manual Dragline anymore.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Up North of Dennis wasn't much better! I had about 8 inches of that Beautiful STUFF, Thank God for a 2 stage snow blower. My Back can't take that Manual Dragline anymore.

I think they have too much space to deal with.

And a dragline... nope.



The Kent Breakfast Meet is a Facebook group, as long as it’s American, but not exclusive and not brand or, year and model specific

I had not attended for a couple of years since taking my 66 C10 apart for restoration.

Started and kept alive by El Presidenté, Gene, it is a great meeting, currently hosted by The Woodman pub at Goathurst Common, TN14 6BU in Sevenoaks with loads of parking and very willing staff, family owned, serving a variety of breakfast items, I chose a small breakfast today and good, bottomless coffee for £7.00. I always expect heartburn from these breakfast specials, no heartburn equates good quality food.

So a bunch of pics, hope you enjoy.

Meeting is every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, 9.00am to 12.00 but we were still chatting in the car park by 12.45 today.

Bring the wife and kids.





Looking down at part of the car park. More were to come.



So got up at 8.00 am and moved cars about, then headed out via my local serviced gas station, added 40 litres of fossil fuel to my reservoir and hit the road at 70mph.

This Blazer does want to go.




Running down the M25 it went beautifully.

Got to the venue, parked up and took some random pics.

Then went indoors, got to meet with a bunch of guys I remember from before and more guys, new to me.

Best part of this meeting is that there is 100% no Dick-Swinging, just camaraderie and sharing of knowledge and friendship.

El Presidenté as a Gene is called tongue in cheek.

Does like a good fry up.



My diet sized breakfast still was more than sufficient




Once we had all eaten, chatted indoors, people floated outside.

It was a good day at 10’C or 50’F





Panel on air, supercharged.




Jag is a “new build”

[realvc]

Your not a project fits right in with that group.

What are the specs. on your engine? It must be pretty healthy to run that carb.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Your not a project fits right in with that group.

What are the specs. on your engine? It must be pretty healthy to run that carb.

Hi Vince.

It is a healthy motor for sure.

350/TH400 combo.

[Grizz1963]

Nice rear.







Just a number........



Till you shoehorn it in here....



Wrapped in this.



Driving these.



El Presidenté uses this daily as his work truck, old school sign writing, pub signs etc.

[Grizz1963]

A few more.

BACK TO THE JAGUAR

SPEC:

Paint: Old English White . Built to lightweight spec , Ali bonnet doors and tailgate . Modded braking system . 4.2 on tripple webers and omex ecu for ignition with a 3D map . Built for sprints and hill climbs but all road legal .

I asked Darren the owner about parking a long car like this.

His response about tight spaces.

CLICK LINK.

https://youtu.be/G1YSoQ5r3_Y



Do like a wagon.



For Sale.

Yes you can remove the stickers.





Really liked this.

Mechanicals under the hood, all standard.













Eventually by 12.45 we had all finished chatting, catching up etc.



So I headed home too, grinning madly, and I had a coffee date.

Good weekend over.

[Palf70Step]

Very nice gathering Rian. Lot of nice looking rides.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very nice gathering Rian. Lot of nice looking rides.

Thank you Bill.

Agreed, good selection.

[Grizz1963]

So what do you do when 13inches of snow hits you, a tree falls ove on your only road to town and work?.

Well, if your name is Dennis, you do stuff indoors.

Like restoring a small,gas pump and reassembling it.







Once all that is done, you gomfetch your tractor and push your daily banger, Lumina down the road to get to work.

But of course the Lumina is big, bulky and less refined, but great for cruising with its full fat V8 but not particularly happy in snow and ice.

So this morning Dennis decided to buy yet another truck to be his daily banger.

4x4 and all the luxuries a GMC can throw at a buyer.

I like it.



And lastly, a photo from Stas in Siberia where they throw old army great coats over car bonnets/hoods to allow them to cool down a bit slower.

Just interesting that this one,had a snow blow over it and ended up looking like a man, unhappy with the snow.



Bedtime me thinks

[aggie91]

Happy Birthday Rian!

[Palf70Step]

Happy Birthday yung'n. Hope you have a great one!

[flashed]

Happy Birthday Rian ,hope it's a great day.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Happy Birthday Rian!

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Happy Birthday yung'n. Hope you have a great one!

Originally Posted by flashed

Happy Birthday Rian ,hope it's a great day.

Thank you gents

Normal,working day.

Still some admin on my desk with an 08.00 deadline.



Not sure who gets to claim this present.....

Me for my birthday, or the Blazer because it continues to not be a Project.

Another £48.00 invested in making it even better.



Will fit it over the weekend and take it for a drive then, not sure one would feel any difference or even notice it, but like so many of the service parts I have fitted so far, they just improve the truck and probably should have been done long ago.

Later.

[Grizz1963]

Woke at 04.00

That was my night.

Chatted with Stas in Siberia on WhatsApp as the parcel I posted out 9 days ago, had been delivered

Was waiting for the sun to come upside that I could go fit the chrome birthday cake.

Lovely it was too.

0’C outside with a brisk breeze.



Cool new part to fit.



In sleeping shorts and a single hoody, it was not pleasant

Then found the old base plate fitted well.



Errrrmmm...

New one did not fit.



Fouled by the carb.



Poooop !!

So I called USAutomotive and ordered a 1/2 inch spacer.

While at it, I ordered a new PC Valve.



Delivery next week.

So that ended my planned messing with the truck pronto.

[Grizz1963]

After the failure of the new air cleaner it was off to town.

Bloody freezing outside.

Remember my favourite Turkish restaurant, the quant, small one?

It has moved next door into a larger space, part of the same building, same people same food etc.



Thought I would give it a try.

Nothing has changed, including a lovely (one of my favourites there) coffee, £7.00

Happy for sure.



Came home later after a walk about as I knew there was a signed for item coming and did not wantto miss the postman.

Doorbell rang minutes after I got in, delivered.

Opened up the had cardboard envelope and just laughed madly, then unpacked and before I could take a pic, the inspector was on the job.

Catscan.

Approved.

Thank you ems for doing this, and also mate Fil in the background who he done the original artwork and then converted it all to a cutting and printing format for Emyr to make it all up.



Love the RR stickers, and of course the actual Blazer rainbow Unicorn stickers.

This will be on the rear tailgate, with the Grizz’s in red overlaid on the name.



Went straight to the garage and mocked up the side stickers, had thought of overlaying it on the orange vinyl side stripes.

Suspect it will stay this way though.







Was chatting with Dennis earlier on too.

Another big piece for the replica gas station forecourt, probably going to go on the island between the pumps.





May not have achieved what I wanted to in one way, but a great day regardless.

Now we just need some sunshine and heat so that I can fit the new stickers.

Have a good evening.