The shuddering s-box- 1980 Mazda 626

[jlsanborn]

Glad to see some action in a familiar garage! Looks like a cool project too. I appreciate Japanese quality but man-o-man the '80s carbureted motors (last hoorah before FI) were a nightmare! This was the other Boy's Mitsu carby that was pretty well clapped. Johnny wasn't touching that trap so we ordered up a Weber progressive - WAY better! Fuel line, throttle cable, choke wire, vac advance, booster vac - DONE.

Are you changing color? What else is on the list?

[Low Elco]

Thanks, Johnny! He's got the carb pared down substantially, it runs pretty good.

Plans have changed a tad-I'm finding a bit more than we bargained for, and Big paint at my place is a big mess. So, after finding they could do it for what I can buy materials for, It's going to Maaco for paint, after metalwork and fill/blocking. Uncle Matt knows the owner of the closest franchise, so there's a small hookup. Plus, we'll have it stripped, so they'll just have to scuff/wrap/shoot it. Same color as factory.

What's on the list? Lemme see- finish metal pass side, straighten Nos fender, cut in and install fender, weld up antenna hole in trunk, smooth trunk dents, smooth rear lower panel dents, rebuild whole driver's lower, fix big gonk in roof, skim my work, block, prime, block. No biggie, who brought the beer?

[Low Elco]

When last we spoke, I was gonna do some fittin'. I got that roughed on Wed, then tightened up and tacked in on Sat. Here ya go-

Slit for the tail and rot at the top filler-


Tacked in-


Tail fitup and tacked-


S10 dry run-


Forward hole filled by S10- we found we had a dent ahead and up from this- dead paint didn't show it. All kinds of fun stuff happened when I welded it in. When you introduce heat, even a little, you're off to the races. Fortunately, we got behind it with a spud bar and off-dollied it back into some form of shape. Always feel up your panels before welding away, kids.

[Low Elco]

Ok, so now we gotta get the red piece in-

Not tooo shabby!


And a piece for the bottom-


And a little filler/character line piece (had to make that one)-


All together-


Not bad at all-

[Low Elco]

So tonight, we welded it in, using some new tricks from MP&C. Line of tacks, grind 'em down with cutoff wheel. Repeat. Ran out of time to grind the last round, but here ya go.

Top contour


Welded-


lower-


rear-


Now, to grind, skim and slick sand! Keep your fingers crossed!

[Bomp]

Did I miss it? How ya likin' that easy grind wire?!!???

You flat out laid it down. Great Job!!

another question,,,,, Since its a European car did you la'weld with easy grind wire?

[Low Elco]

Thanks! LOVE the EZ grind. It takes a LOT more wire speed, and lays down nice. It actually likes a really tight fitup, and grinds like buttah.

[MP&C]

Looking good!

[Low Elco]

Thanks! The tack and grind bit really helped. I appreciate the tip!
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[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Thanks! LOVE the EZ grind. It takes a LOT more wire speed, and lays down nice. It actually likes a really tight fitup, and grinds like buttah.

So ...what's the beer to EZ grind ratio? More or less than regular wire?

[Low Elco]

Ha, actually pretty low. I have some allergies from doing this for a long time, and I HAVE to wear a respirator when grinding. So, I always have something on. The fit-up and Tack was 3 beers, the weld up was 1. Shoulda been more, I did the usual "go-fast" bit toward the end. You get excited to sew it up and forget patience. I had the paint about 1/8 to 1/4 back, and only smoked it twice in all that welding, so I thought that was pretty good. TIP: I had good results with starting 1/16 to an 1/8 ahead of a tack and kinda "flipping" back to the tack. Worked well, and kinda sped up the process over straight lapping tacks.

[Low Elco]

Sorry guys. Was all stoked to kick stuff out this week, and caught a nasty cold from the kids. Me and Momma both down and out. Reports as events warrant.
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[jlsanborn]

Nice patchin going on there!

[hgs_notes]

Looks like it was a MN car. I had an 83 Celica when I was in the navy. It was a nice car and I have pondered the idea of finding another like it or a supra from that era as a future project. I figured there would be a way to shoehorn a small block in it since it had the same engine as the toyota pickups (R22) and the adapter kits for those were so common. I know where a supra is now for sale cheap too, but my plate is full at the moment. I'd keep the inline 6 of the supra though and just soup it up a bit more.

I sold the celica to my cousin who shortly there after put it sideways into a tree. It was totaled. I came across it by accident at a junkyard not long after that when I was scrounging for parts for my C-10. This was back around 1989-90. Man I've had that truck a long time. Cripes sake I'm getting old. Gonna start sounding like a full blown codger any time now.

[chevyrestoguy]

Nice work, Chip! The S-10 fender lip donor parts were a brilliant idea. I'm a big proponent of "recycling" parts from other vehicles. It becomes a quest to see what will work, and it's a lot of fun. And, it makes for a great conversation piece when you're all done, and you explain to everyone what you did and you watch their expression.

I'm going to have to try some of that EZ-Grind wire.

[Low Elco]

Thanks for the props, guys! Back at work today at 75% power and buzzin' along on pills. Maybe some this weekend. I'm a huge cheerleader for that wire. It's little different, but great once you get a grip.

The s-10 stuff just seemed familiar, and I walked 2 yards looking for something better. When I couldn't, just said to hell with it and got out my sawzall and had a party. People already are giving me the "no way" when they see it. Momma's even impressed, and she's WAY over any of this stuff.

Thanks for checkin' in on me guys, it keeps me motivated. I appreciate it.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Thanks for the props, guys! Back at work today at 75% power and buzzin' along on pills. Maybe some this weekend. I'm a huge cheerleader for that wire. It's little different, but great once you get a grip. Thanks for checkin' in on me guys, it keeps me motivated. I appreciate it.

75% for you is like 110% for the rest of us. Glad you're on the mend!

I agree on the wire. Loaded up a 2# spool of .030 and welded some fenderwell and frame pieces. On both thin and thick material it seemed equally at home. It seems to grind a bit easier, although using .030 wire instead of .023 deposits a bit heavier weld, so the grinding gains are offset somewhat by the increased amount of material to remove. Think I'd be even more impressed if I'd scored some .023 wire to begin with.

[Low Elco]

Ha, 75%. Bought all the lumber and came home and wrecked out and set posts for a quick fence job across the street. Watching The Jazz Singer with the Kid. I ain't that bright.

You should score some .023 for all the sheet work you've bitten off. It'll rock on that thicker stuff.
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[Low Elco]

Ok, made some time to finish welds out, weld up and dent fix the trunk and cut into the driver's side. Here ya go-

[Low Elco]

And the cut up other side-

[MP&C]

You're all practiced up now, this side will be like old hat

[Bomp]

Killin' it Chip!!!

[Low Elco]

Thanks guys. Took a bit of time this weekend for family/house stuff. Hoping to sling some epoxy this week, and skim it in and get it in slicksand.

[Jonboy]

Is it too late to go ahead and flare the fenders for some wider rollers?

[Low Elco]

Ha Ha. You shop managers, always trying to upsell! (LOL) He just put these on it, what it's got is what it's got.