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

[Grizz1963]

Quick update.

Added and duplicated some of the suggestions made by the build team yesterday after I posted on the bonnet/hood.

Plus the law according to @jimi which resonates with most of us.





Mate Kevin popped over from Maidstone around lunchtime to collect a kitchen table I had stashed in the garage.

Of course he wanted to see what the progress looks like in real life.

Once down there, he noticed the headlights and how faded they are.

So asked how I had done the lights on the Galaxy before, so I fetched the G3 compound and 5 minutes later…….

From this.



To this.



I guess that means I have a set of front lights to sell to anyone who needs to buy a pair.

Or trade me for some modern headlights for the Rezin Rockit.


.

[Grizz1963]

Popped down to my favourite tyre shop this afternoon after work to see if they had a couple of part worn tyres to sell or fit on two of the rims for me.

Weirdly, the last four they had replaced on a car were 195/60 - 15’s

The 175/45 - 15’s fitted to the 8” wheels were a bit resistant to remove, but came off.



Then the first one would not seat the bead, despite all sorts of actions.

So Jacob went on to the next one.

Easy peasy, and back to the first one…..

Resorting to fire.

Except it would not ignite….. so no spectacular photo.

Still, more bouncing, and an upright airing saw it pop on eventually.



£20.00 paid for the quick change, and I had a set of tyres to use for the mocking up that may just stay on.

Compared to the stretched tyres fitted to the wheels, the 195’s are taller and wider of course.



And enough tread on there should I decide to run with these.

Though the sidewall profile at 60 is quite tall.



Ideally I would like 225 wide on the rear.

Cold weather forecast for a couple of days this week.

[Grizz1963]

Mate Martin sent a screenshot from his phone.

Seems my old Blazer, repainted for a job, has been sold on EBay.



I do hope the new buyer is happy and enjoys it.

[Grizz1963]

@nickwheeler spent the whole day here.

Simply put….. A Hero in my book.

We worked from 10.30 to 5.30 with a 45 minute lunch break.

It was 5’C out on the driveway and under the carport.

Dry and no wind meant it was not a bad day.

After a coffee and a chat……

The shopping list bonnet was removed off the MX5, and the chassis and body both pushed up the drive and out the way.



Then we got going.

Nick tore into the front end, engine compartment with a gusto, removing plastics, filters, ducts etc.

I started at the rear, marking and removing all electrical cables, the loom, all in one piece, both of us figuring it out as we went along.



An hour or two later it started to look a bit messy.

The cold was not helping with the hard, brittle plastics.



On and on and on we went.

Nick systematically removing parts, creating piles in order of importance and function.

At some point the cooling system was drained.



Then raised up to be able to crawl around underneath and remove more parts.



There………







Some people have asked why I am chopping up a lovely looking car like this.

Or why not restore the car.

A few pics may give an idea.








Eventually we got to a point where the engine hoist could be brought out and wheeled under the car, attached to the engine and the engine mounts unbolted.



The combination of stretch on the lifting strap, and the fact that the hoists hydraulic ram was not fully extending, having been in the shed for 5 years, and possibly needing a bit of attention, meant that we could not lift the engine and gearbox out of the engine bay.

So I pulled out the grinder and made some space



I also strapped my one strip light to the boom in order for us to see clearly what we were doing.







RESULT….!!!



Knackered, Happy, the pair of us had won round one.



Which left us with a large hole, and as Nick said, thankfully we do not have to refit it all.



And big holes if you look, throughout.





At this point we decided to close the shop as it was dark, cold and 5.30pm which meant hick had to get to Rochester Cathedral.


So a final pic from day one…….


Heart ripped out

[jmarkha1]

amazing progress for a day - those rear tyres are so much better than the rubber bands - 60 profiles will fill those arches nicely ����

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by jmarkha1

amazing progress for a day - those rear tyres are so much better than the rubber bands - 60 profiles will fill those arches nicely ����

Morning mate,

We were extremely focussed all day.

Just needed to race against the clock.

Even the 45 minutes lunchtime was actually used planning.



Rezin Rockit Donk anyone?




And the graphics moved up slightly on the hood.



And then the quickest, dirtiest colour change.

I like some orange, but this is too much right now.

However, masking and added detail could work too.

And the pig was moved to the side of the hood.



Long time before any of that happens though.

[realvc]

Great progress!

It was good to see your tear drop trailer in back of your garage.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Great progress!

It was good to see your tear drop trailer in back of your garage.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!!

Hi Vince,

Thank you.

I was talking about that build to someone recently, still a nice trailer.

A wonderful festive season for you and your family.

[Grizz1963]

Long day for Nick and I Today.

Started before 10.00 and finished by 18.30 in the dark and cold.

Started like this, and it got better, but not much.



Will post update in the morning.

Tired.

[Grizz1963]

Being Awake since 03.20 sucks.


Stripping the MX5 donor - Part 2


When we started stripping the donor, @nickwheeler told me that getting out the wiring loom and the dash etc out would take longer than the engine and gearbox.


Keep in mind that neither of us had ever stripped one before, so a lot of mini-dead ends, fighting parts, and trying to remove parts that maybe did not need to be removed.

Like the exhaust down-pipe to where the catalytic converters been cut out.

So Nick landed by 9.45 and a coffee and chat later, we were going at it.

I had opened the shop by 08.00 anyway and moved some stuff about already.

It was a long day really, and pics all look the same, but we were busy all day and again, some jobs were a nightmare.




Including setting fire to the car, what a stinker that was too.

ECU hidden in the footwell behind a rusted down footplate, and all the fasteners rusted to hell.

Captain Grinder to the rescue.



Speaking of useful tools.

The strip light did duty all day for us, lighting up the interior as we went along.



I managed to get the steering wheel, airbag etc off without hurting myself.

That’s a lot of clever stuff right there.



Nick kept reminding me, we were fortunate that it did not have to go back together there.

And we took a brief respite to go offer up the clocks to the Rezin Rockit dash.

Looks like it should work.



Then back to the struggle, which was real.



Marking the loom clearly as we went along since starting to remove it all the day before yesterday made a ton of sense.

As does plugging as much of it back together again before stashing it away.



Eventually leaving us with this lot, plus the engine loom reattached to the engine etc.

This pic taken by 4.30



By 5.30 this was the scenario…..

Time flies when there is a lot to do.



6.15pm

And having gone back like a drunk wanting to get one more kick in into the guy on the ground, Nick and I had pretty much run out off stuff to do and it was getting cold again.

But we went back to remove the wipers, arms and motor as, if you recall, I had removed the screen and 3 original wipers months ago.

I still need to figure out if I can run the final car through MOT without wipers if the screen can be folded down onto the bonnet, in effect leaving it without a screen.

So by 6.30 this happened…………..



Leaving us with this.




It was a long, rewarding day.

Tools packed away, coffee, warm up and more chat, planning and scouring Kitcar Solutions website for bits I will need next, like a pair of rubber gearbox mounts.






For today I have to remove the fuel pump, sender unit and raise the rear to get the propshaft out.


Then swap around all the piles of car, parts, scrap before Christmas.


The MX5 fuel tank seems inaccessible so another plan will be made.


Not removing that rusted rear subframe.






Later gang.




.

[Indian113]

Just keep going Forward one step at a Time. My grandson has a Miata I would rather ride my motorcycle than try to fold up and get into his car! What you're doing to that one will be quite and improvement.

[clemdaddy]

Morning Mate
Looks like a fun and all consuming project you got going (how unusual).
Hope you have a Merry Christmas Rian and find some time to relax and enjoy the season.
Christmas Day is going to be in the mid 70ºF here in Arkansas, we will be breaking records, flip-flops and shorts in winter... crazy.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Just keep going Forward one step at a Time. My grandson has a Miata I would rather ride my motorcycle than try to fold up and get into his car! What you're doing to that one will be quite and improvement.

Hey Ray !

Good to see you on here.

Yes, as Ta2Don said, Progress is Progress.

I was laughing at the madness of what I am doing again today.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

Morning Mate
Looks like a fun and all consuming project you got going (how unusual).
Hope you have a Merry Christmas Rian and find some time to relax and enjoy the season.
Christmas Day is going to be in the mid 70ºF here in Arkansas, we will be breaking records, flip-flops and shorts in winter... crazy.

Time consuming for sure Clem.

I think the relaxing comes with focussing on the build at hand.

Takes my mind away from work.

Dennis was saying it is getting to be a hot Christmas.

Here’s to a wonderful Christmas for you and Kim and all the creatures.

[Grizz1963]

First a video summary of yesterday and a countdown by @nickwheeler.

Really was an amazing feeling getting to this point.

I am so pleased at the pace we were able to lay out for the two days.

Resulting in this video:

Click Link.

.
https://youtu.be/KrMioNy9z80


This morning I needed to get some food early, before the world and their cat was out in the shops.

So I popped into Aghabridge and bought a roll of brake pipe and also a pair of M8 rubber mounts, to create the gearbox chassis mount.

The rubber mounts were £18.00 for the pair, kinda eye watering, but I did not have many options as I may be getting onto this sooner than later and postage and shipping is a bit silly this time of the year.




Back home I dealt with a load of work related stuff, after all, work does come first.

Then later I popped down and lifted the rear end, fought the exhaust system, broke two 1mm grinder blades as the exhaust was not cooperating.

Then cut the hangers out back, and managed to cut the pipe over the rear axle, rescuing the small resonator which looks to be stainless.

I also got the impact wrench and removed the driveshaft bolts, ticking off another item on the list.

Then I got inside the car and got to the final item……. Fuel tank parts.




Final tally……..





The next job was to pack all the parts that had been removed, back into the car, tidy up the carport.




Then came the shuffle…..





Also got the hoist in on the motor as it was not in the right place, middle of the carport.




And a mobile engine and gearbox.



After a lot more pushing and shoving I had the carport sorted.

The MX5 is ready for @KevFromWales to collect it again………


At this point Mickey came around to check up on me, he had had quite a few pints at lunchtime and managed to sleep all afternoon .


Typically he asked why I had not called him to come and help…….

Drunks….. bloody useless on a job, just get in the way.


Anyway, I was happy.


5.30 and today jobs were wrapped up.





I am on vacation from tomorrow, so a few things may happen.

But I am also spending some time with Sally as she is incredibly tolerant of me and my garage time.


Merry Christmas everyone.

[Grizz1963]

This morning when it got light, I went to look, gloat, plan, but it did not last long as it is chilly and damp outside.

Ready to be dragged up and out the front for collection.



Engine bay certainly is empty now.



Also tried my Paul Walker gearknob.

Bit early, but we can dream.



First day of my holiday, loads to get done, aside from the build.

[jmarkha1]

another cracking day's progress by the look of it.
have a great xmas Grizz - hope you get some quality time away from work.
I'm counting down the minutes to lunch so I can sign off for a couple of weeks :-)

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by jmarkha1

another cracking day's progress by the look of it.
have a great xmas Grizz - hope you get some quality time away from work.
I'm counting down the minutes to lunch so I can sign off for a couple of weeks :-)

Thank you.

The two days taken to do the majority of the stripping could possibly be fitted in one long day if you have experience on site.

Likewise mate, hope you and yours have a wonderful festive season.

To me, as long as I step away from the day job, any other jobs are therapeutic.

Hope you get to do a load of important things that help you unwind.








[quote author="@nickwheeler" source="/post/2711958/thread" timestamp="1640340530"]An engine dangle is a good use of a few minutes, even if it's just to illustrate what the engine and gearbox mounts need to be.

Now that it's movable, just lining it alongside the chassis would be a good start.[/quote]

Hope this is what you were thinking of @nickwheeler. As the hydraulic ram needs to be serviced.

So I did very little but accomplished a load.

Took a load of firewood and dogfood to some homeless kids living in a rotten caravan.

Then back home, cleaned up and moved stuff around in the carport area.

Moved the fiberglass body out into the open and got some masking tape, and a few lengths of tile battening.

Then rolled the motor next to the chassis and marked out with the blue masking tape where the engine mounts are on the MX5 engine.

Next was a stick to show where the bulkhead is, and thus the rear of the engine.

Third line is where the mounting bolts for the gearbox sit.






Lastly, I took the car off the rollers and pushed it up against the hedge, hopefully if @kevfromwales gets it all together, he will be collecting the shell on the 6th or 7th of January when he is delivering a car nearby (50 mile radius )

I also completed the shopping list and rebolted it onto the car.





I have no car plans for Christmas day except to be nice to Sally and her family.

But in the mean time…….. it is spinning around in my head.

Peace out.

[Indian113]

Great Job so far! Merry Christmas Ol Buddy

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Great Job so far! Merry Christmas Ol Buddy

Morning Ray,

Thank you and thank you.

Trusting you and Eve had a good one too.


Post Christmas plans??

Really wet and miserable out there, so…. More relaxing.

Maybe a trip over to Essex to meet up with @pauly to return his blasting pot, pick up a fuel tank strap from him, and have a quick natter.

Also at the same time, collect a hardly used Stainless Steel rear silencer that was fitted to a 1.6 Ford Ka belonging to @kevins daughter, but she found it too loud and raucous.

Thanks Kevin. .

Sounded perfect to me……. Antisocial Thuggery planned for 2022

14 inches of box.



And imagine the twin peashooters poking out the side in front of the rear wheel.



In the mean time……;

Hand me those Lindor Salted Caramel chocolates.

Boxing day fun continues.

[Grizz1963]

A bit of fun?

My only inedible Christmas prezzie.

Sally does not forget a thing, typical woman.



I mentioned in spring that I needed to replace mine.

Love it.

[Grizz1963]

OK……


So I lied.


Boxing day break lasted till 12.00 then Sally went home to cook UncleBobs lunch for the next two days, leaving me bored after having a coffee and biccies.

So, I went down to the garage to see what the measurements were approximately for the gearbox, engine and chassis.

Unusually, Sally came back because she had forgotten her phone, and came down to the carport to tell me…..

Sneaky pic taken while I was doing the mock up of whwre the gear lever comes through the floor.




So, based on my simple measurements, the red can cap shows where the gear lever comes through the floor.

The front wooden bar shows where the firewall is.



Checking the engine mounts, they seem to be 400mm apart.

Also in the MX5 engine bay.




And working back from the waterpump hose mount, you have another 400mm measurement.



Looking from the diff coupling fact to the gear shift is about 34.5 inches.



Gear shift to waterpump 55 inches
Prop shaft - mounting face to slip in 36 inches
Gear shift to engine mount 960mm

Anyway, in order to fit the engine and keep the gear shift where it was originally, will be a tight fit.

Prop shaft mount seems to be different between the ford and Mazda items, but a small issue.



Next job will be to lift and lay the engine and transmission in the chassis to see where it all sits, and then to test fit the body over it all.


Boxing day……


Also did another small job that has been long overdue.


More about that later.

[Grizz1963]

Remember where we started last year.

What a mess.

Not much to start with.



Two nuts again, as it seems to be the case all around the Rockit



More of the same.



Anyway, with various helpers, including @nickwheeler and some of my own sweat and swearing of course, we got to this point where we are today…..

Adapters taking it from 4x108 to 4x100 and wheels I liked.

But still missing some hub studs and wheel nuts.

Steels with the 175 tyres stretsched on, not the look I am going for.



So removing the wheels and adapters I was able to fit the fromt wheel stud that had been missing all along.



Used the impact wrench and wheel nut to pull the studs into place.



The rear hubs were missing even more.



Pulled into position.



And done.

Much better now.




And another small job done that takes time.

195/60-15 shod wheels in place.



Very pleased with that.

Progress.

[Grizz1963]

So today Sally and I did about 110 miles, or 175km on a quick return trip that delivered on a few levels.

Including a trip to @kevins to collect a stainless steel exhaust that had been fitted to his daughters 1.6 Ford Ka.

Firstly, what an awesome family to visit and then he gave me the 50 cent guided tour of his shop and some of the tools.

I was only envious, despite what I have here.

My favourites were a wood burner, not photographed, and his lift built into his single garage.

Absolutely functional and just so simple and well thought out.

Also seated on it……… his Lotus.

A daily driver, still wet from being out when we got there.



From there we went to IKEA for some stuff I needed to get for tje house and then back to Kent for more shopping.

Back home I gave the silencer a quick wash and then grabbed a cardboard box and did a quick side exit mock up.

I think the pipe will be needing some editing to allow the box fit and exit correctly.



Hope it works once all the bits, including the body are back in place.



Weather forecast for this week shows it peaking at 16’C later this week.

Great weather to be outside in and on tje drive measuring and making stuff.

[Grizz1963]

Not a lot done today.

But it kept me busy for a while.

First job was to try remove the wiring harness anchors that had been drilled and screwed through the inner fenders, the small 6mm nuts and threaded screws had long since become one with each other.
So a new, 10mm drill-bit and straight onto the heads while clamping the nut with a vice grip.

Drill till you have no head left, wiggle or wriggle it out through the inner fender.

Following this, start to undo the wiring from the front end.



While working, I was joined by George.

I do not even have a cat.



Eventually I had made it to this point.

Not yet finished the engine bay clear out, but I needed to refocus on the inside of the body where a load of pipes and wired went to.

Also contemplating new head lights with integrated turn signals etc, and to cut and smooth the existing indicator and side light pods so the fenders are just smooth and clear.

I think that will work.



So once a bunch of the wires from the engine bay had been chased inside the cab, I needed to start undoing them.

Unfortunately 30 years of open air driving and parking resulted in rotted out wood and vinyl everywhere.



Felt like a demolition derby, though it was done gently.



Removing all the switches, clocks and warning lights left me with a pile of VDO gauges.



Looking at the speedo, I suspect that like many kit cars, this only did the indicated mileage after being built.

Some of the parts removed to date, like the rear brake shoes clearly had hardly worked.



Tomorrow I will get back to doing the rest of the stripping.

Today the biggest time waster was actually getting the choke knob captive nut unscrewed blind, awkwardly behind the dash, but eventually got it done.

Adding the rest of the pedals and all the wiring I can get removed.



With George continuing his supervision.



Here’s to better weather tomorrow.

[Grizz1963]

Todays plan was to remove the rest of the wiring loom.

Part of it had been threaded through the body and fibreglassed into and under the channel of the entrance/door.

Unfortunately I just could not get the leverage to remove the loom while it was on the trolley.

So I fetched a mattress I have had on reserve for years. Since doing the C10 cab that I rolled onto its back, while working on it.

So I flipped the body onto its side, supported by a 2x4 and some,gravity.





Halfway there.

I also used my side cutters a few times, which would make @nickwheeler very proud.

After all, planning is to fit the MX5 loom completely, editing the bits not needed from it.




Cutters next, both sides.



Once down flat on the trolley, the next job was to undo and remove the blower and heater unit.

It may be of use to a restorer.



Undoing and removing the steering and more wiring next.



Out with that lot.



And then it was a lot clearer.

Decided to leave the pedal box in place as well as the brake m/c till I compare them with the MX5 units.



And from the front.



Happy with that lot.

More work to do for the day would get me to my objective for the day.

But I was chatting to @pauly this morning and mentioned to him as well, that this needs to continue being a pleasure and not a chore.

Sometimes a fine line to keep to.