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

[Grizz1963]

Remember the Bead roller?

Me neither.

In the end in order to stiffen up the bottom edge of plate, Nick put a return in there.

17.15 now…… time flies.

Quick, efficient and functional.

Start with glazing pliers to pull back the planned section.



Then some supported hammer work.



And tighten it all up with some dolly work.

And just like that, no more Rolf Harris jokes.



Next up 101 holes for all the retaining bolts and Nyloc nuts.

Measure, mark, punch, drill, grind back burrs, try all holes………



Holes all holed.

Long way to go yet.



Because the sheeting was from a build 11 years ago, surfaces were damaged.

So a belt sander with used belt was run over the surface.

Followed by me on sandpaper to get even consistency, and Nick on Scotch pad duty to get it looking more brushed than scrapped.



Followed by loads of cleaning with thinners and panel wipe……. Standing back, waiting for it all to dry and the new surface to appear.

A few silly grins, a mini-high-five and then time for commitment, well, we really should have been committed a long time ago.

I opened the Polyurethane adhesive and spread it generously on the old, holed firewall.



Nick had the pleasure of slipping the new plate in place while I took a photo, unfortunately I was a tad slow, so just imagine his manic grin when laying the plate against the adhesive, never to come off again.

More holes, a ton of parts and bolts fitted.

Some clamps to reinforce some load bearing areas’ drying tightly.



And looking down, so much tidier.

A whole day spent on doing it right.



So at 19.30 we shut shop, came inside and I cooked some rather nice chicken thighs with Cajun and plum sauce on rice, along with a celebratory beer for Nick and my usual rum and Pepsi.

A long day, but great results.

Nick ticked the job list off, we are over halfway, but being held up by the fuel tank that is not yet made, and a few other issues.

But we did agree, it would have been easy to just throw this all together in a week, but at this pount, this is a great little build.

Monday morning and it is Back to reality.



Later gang.

[realvc]

Prayers for Bonnie.

I am "smiling madly" here in Arkansas because of your progress.
You and Nick both have some Mad Skills.

Now looking forward to hearing it run and seeing it in motion.
Rezin Rocket on the rise.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Prayers for Bonnie.

I am "smiling madly" here in Arkansas because of your progress.
You and Nick both have some Mad Skills.

Now looking forward to hearing it run and seeing it in motion.
Rezin Rocket on the rise.

Morning Vince,

Prayers were answered.

And yes, we both just seem to get on with stuff.





Friday, and the week from hell ain’t over yet.

More training and bo110x from 9.45 onward, but hey………

Tomorrow’s Saturday.

Got nothing done this week except screwing with screws.

Windscreen screws painted as I could not find 40 new ones to hold down the strips I painted last week.



Removed the clamps and pushed the centre loom through the firewall.

Two more looms to get fitted over the fenders.

Really happy with how tidy it has come out.

Compared to what we started with.



In other news, the puppy is back, still in isolation, but seems fully recovered.



Looking forward to the weekend, still a few hours to go.

Onwards as our friend @pauly says.

[Grizz1963]

Good morning after a very short night.

I cooked Nick, John the lodger and myself a lovely chicken curry last night, and in my own case, drank way more than I should have.

Well, a second rum is a rare thing. But usually results in a restless night. But it tasted so good.

Yesterday was one of those MANY JOBS MAKE A DAY kinda days. Another of those fine tuning, redesigning as you go along jobs.

I had a full sheet of 6mm ply from when I built the teardrop trailer 12 years ago.

And was loathe to cut it up…… Nick insisted that it was what I had saved it for… to be used.

Transferring the layout from the original cheap n nasty ply to the final version took a lot longer than planned.

But we know these jobs take just as long as they should.

It went in and out no less than 10 times to make the basic shape fit, and also for the steering column shroud to fit around and leave room for the vinyl and foam covering.



In Out In Out In Out……..

In Out In…….

Drivers side is slightly lower to cover fuse boxes, pedal boxes and various bits of low hardware.



Next up.

Fitting the instrument cluster.

That took forever.



Eventually happy, very happy.

Switch gear and side panels next.



At some point John the lodger came back home and as always, came to look, advise, help, poke fun.

And took some pics neither @nickwheeler nor I knew he was taking.



No, I have no clue either, but obviously busy with something that consumes time and necessitated being on my knees.

Still not done.



Fettling a piece of wood for 2 hours etc.

Started like this.




Sorted some stuff, tidied up stuff and got tools and materials out.

Nick was early, no ringing bells afaik.

By 11.00 I had to run to the village to pick up another brake master cylinder ordered on Friday. £70.00 or about $100.00 at a guess.

Also pharmacy to get some Actifed for Sally who has been sick most of the week and something for me.

Bolted on.

Shiny.



We had hoped the Ford reservoir would fit…..

Looked like a good fit, even initially back to front, but alas…….. the legs are too big to fit in the new holes, which means it needs a different, new reservoir.






Next up, we started to lay the wiring looms for the umpteenth time.



Fuse box and clutch hose mocked up and made up.

Looking encouraging.



Progress.

Looking tidy.



Nick had brought treats for around lunch time.

Short bread cookies.

Time to stand back, discuss, grin, gloat, coffee, plan, enjoy the progress.

Loads of stuff happening in the background, not captured.



More in a bit.

.

[Grizz1963]

Another of those fine tuning, redesigning as you go along jobs.

I had a full sheet of 6mm ply from when I built the teardrop trailer 12 years ago.

And was loathe to cut it up…… Nick insisted that it was what I had saved it for… to be used.

Transferring the layout from the original cheap n nasty ply to the final version took a lot longer than planned.

But we know these jobs take just as long as they should.

It went in and out no less than 10 times to make the basic shape fit, and also for the steering column shroud to fit around and leave room for the vinyl and foam covering.



In Out In Out In Out……..

In Out In…….

Drivers side is slightly lower to cover fuse boxes, pedal boxes and various bits of low hardware.



Next up.

Fitting the instrument cluster.

That took forever.



Eventually happy, very happy.

Switch gear and side panels next.



At some point John the lodger came back home and as always, came to look, advise, help, poke fun.

And took some pics neither @nickwheeler nor I knew he was taking.



No, I have no clue either, but obviously busy with something that consumes time and necessitated being on my knees.

Still not done.

[Grizz1963]

Amazing how much time goes into planning.

Thinking how to solve a problem.

What materials to use.

Finding the right materials.

Making a template.

Copying it it onto steel.

Cutting, shaping, drilling, screwing, shaping, grinding, fitting, tack welding, dismantling, full welding, test fitting 6 screws, celebrating.



John the lodgers pics help tell a story.



And mocking up.

Brains go here.

ECU

Keep in mind, the original engine wiring loom needs to come here and be connected to control things.



Welding.



NIIIIIIIIICCCCE !!!

Secure, high and dry.

Ready to be plugged in and tested (much later)




Remember those other little jobs that consume an inordinate amount of time?/

These hinges needed to come off, be cleaned, wire brushed, prepped, painted and refitted later.

Typically one of the countersunk head bolts/screws refused to budge, so drilling out the head with three different drillbits was necessary.

Where does time go?

Two of each of the replacement screws will hold up hooks to support and keep the wiring loom tidy and out the way……

Tempest Fugit.





Last engine bay pic for the day.

Diagnostic plug mounted on the opposite fender , allowing for some symmetry in design.

Loads more to happen today, Sunday.



And lastly……….


A QUESTION TO YOU ALL.


DID WE ACHIEVE ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES?


85mm








Breakfast next.


.

[Braunschweiger]

The engine bay is really clean, everything fits together perfectly, nice that the MX5 lives on. Here my former MX5 on the way to Cornwall, stop in Rye and back in Dartmoor.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

The engine bay is really clean, everything fits together perfectly, nice that the MX5 lives on. Here my former MX5 on the way to Cornwall, stop in Rye and back in Dartmoor.

Very nice.

Remember next time.

My kettle is always on at ME3 8RB





And in other news.

Raffle Tickets available for this new build at US $39.00 per ticket today.

Built in the Philippines to all out Driver Style.



Loving this car.

[Braunschweiger]

Wow, that's a real hot rod and a lot of work went into it.
Thank you, we look forward to visiting England again, last time we stopped by your place and drove up the East Coast to Faerby in the Yorkshire Dales, in the middle of nowhere, was lovely and delicious food.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Wow, that's a real hot rod and a lot of work went into it.
Thank you, we look forward to visiting England again, last time we stopped by your place and drove up the East Coast to Faerby in the Yorkshire Dales, in the middle of nowhere, was lovely and delicious food.

Holiday food is usually good.

My mother was a housewife all her life, and we very rarely ate in restaurants growing up.

Her favourite was holiday food, or dinner at a friends home.

Look forward to switching the kettle on for you.








Nipples.

@nickwheeler has been looking forward to to this so much, he even remade them once.

Throttle cable measured, cut, soldered and finished up, fitted and functioning smoothly from the first fit.

All about the planning.

Old vs New.



It also became a day of tying some smaller loose ends, making mini looms, welding in forward earth mounts.



New Side lights/indicators are smaller than the previous ones, so getting them fitted became a wasted hour…….

Plan B will be employed.



Making up retaining clips ultimately failed to deliver a secure mounting for the lights.

On to Plan B.



Next up Nick added the new LED headlights and tested the functions.

Headlight Buckets got to meet Mr Hacksaw.



With the result being rather rewarding.








This in turn resulted in a good outcome that will necessitate removal of the existing radiator mount points, and remaking the retaining top brackets.

Remember them from a few weeks ago??

Now with the headlights bowls reduced in sheer size and depth, allowing the LED lights’ heat sincs to work fully, the radiator and original fan should fot.




More little jobs were done and I did woodwork mostly through the day.

More about that later.

Nick had to head home after 4.00pm for a family gathering, so I carried on till about 18.45 with woodwork and bracketry before shutting shop.

With the clocks changing on Sunday, it felt weird closing shop with some daylight still visible.

Oh, and Sally had been feeling a bit rough the last few weeks.

She tested positive for Covid.

Perfect.

[Grizz1963]

I guess the question does come up: “So what has Grizz been up to while Nick is seen working?”

Yesterday I carried on with those jobs that progress the build invisible, not just coffee and biccies, but fitting, unfitting, measuring and cutting, filing, screwing, unscrewing etc.

Have raised the bottom of the instrument cluster to allow a full, clear view of them all.



Then destroyed the binacle.



Too late for tears.



Ultimately, it was a failure.

Number two for the day, after the side light mounting failed to deliver fully and securely for Nick.

Sandwiches for lunch, coffee, biccies etc…..

More planning, cutting, fitting, hoping.



Happy with the positions of dash switches.

Yes, that’s the lot.

I hope.



More cardboard and masking tape work to create the templates for the kick panels and tunnel panels.

Odd shapes and non symmetricalfit means it all takes time.

And more time.



Then transferred to the hardboard and a load of filing, cutting, shaping.

In and out.

Resulting in this.



At which point I pulled the plug on the day and came in.

My back was saying it was enough, and to be honest, no jobs needed doing.

A good weekend again.

No massive big bang progress shots, but many hours filled with small jobs.

Progressing.




PS. I need an MX5 Fog light switch, seems the one from the car is broken somewhat.




Have a good week all.

[Grizz1963]

Having tried to make the cluster work as it is…….

A nights sleep, relook at 06.30 this morning, had me dismantle the dash again and bring the cluster indoors.

A couple of people including @kevins and @redratbike made suggestions along the same line.

I decided to dismantle it.

Will need to get some clear polycarbonate and frame it.



And thickness



I think there is a load of mileage in redesign here.

Will look again tonight after work if I get time.

Later gang.

[Grizz1963]

Sally is a donkey, not much stops her. Certainly not Covid.


Thanks for the care messages for Sally, the dog and George the cat and of course compliments aimed at @nickwheeler and me.


In the mean time I have released an album to help generate funds for the body and wheels that need painting.


Hope it sells well and generates sufficient funds.

[Grizz1963]

Ordered a couple of new switches yesterday.

Rear fog lamp switch (need to still find a slimline one to fit)

An one of these to replace the cigarette lighter plug with.

Thanks to Nick for the suggestion.

Better than plugging a USB extension into the cigarette lighter to get the same result.



On the way home last night the traffic was light so I took a chance to go past my turning to the industrial estate to see if they had some 75mm M6 countersunk Phillips head screws or are they bolts?

To mount the bonnet/hood hinges and allow enough length to hang some supports from under the scuttle into which the wiring loom can rest.



Time consuming jobs, detours etc.

Makes for an interesting build.

[jmarkha1]

amazing progress team Grizz.
love the album cover - genius...

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by jmarkha1

amazing progress team Grizz.
love the album cover - genius...

Thank you


A comment on GJ led to my asking Fil to create it.

Just made sense.


One for Fil and other fans of free or almost free cash.

Bought from my favourite scrapyard.

Cheap.


Record no 111 vice.

24kg weight.

£10.00 bargain.

[Grizz1963]

Popped out to the metal recyclers yesterday to see if I could find something that is already bent in the shape of the instrument cluster to cut down as a small peak.

No luck, but a beer keg rim would work.

Except it is just too ugly and heavy.

But while rummaging I found a complete, hardly used Record No 111 vise/vice (never sure what spelling is correct.

Asked about it.

“Gotta weigh it mate, then ask the Guv” came the reply.

5 minutes later I had it for £10.00

Now I need a bigger welding table.

I also picked up a few loose bits, declared them and got them for free.







On the way home I made two stops, first to pick up so e brake fittings with no nuts, and then at the local motor spares shop the nuts at 40p each.

@nickwheeler was helpful in sharing a pic for the new guy at Aghabridge of exactly what was needed as he could not locate them, based on my description.

So brake lines can be added now.




And following a 3 hour online training session, Sally and Bonnie popped in so the dog that still is in isolation, as is Sally, could run around in my back yard.

Amazing that 10 days ago this was a very ill dog with Parvovirus.

Now she is nonstop.



Day job is a bit hectic at the moment, and working face to face most days means no chance for quick win jobs.

The weather this week is also less than ideal with cold and rain forecaat.

Have a good day.

[Grizz1963]

I wanted to go play a bit last night after I got home and did for 20 minutes, then the chill, and wet decided it was less than pleasant out there and I came inside.

I was going to make some under dash hook brackets to hold the wiring loom up and out the way, but I got very wet out back digging through my scrap pile in the hope to find some ready made bits to adapt.

While I stood deciding what to do next, I made a short clip of the rain falling on the tin roof of the carport and driveway, enjoying the fact I had a dry space, despite now being soaked myself.

Sent it to my brother “Dozer” in South Arica and a minute later he replied with……. “Hey, why not mount that 7.5 ton truck valence as a bikini roof on,the Rezin Rockit?”

What a great idea to at least investigate.

So with so e trimming, figuring a secure method of fixing, it could be a starter.


So, this…….




Goes there:






Masking tape, sharpie, jigsaw, powerfile, fixings……..

Hey, a job for another day.

Maybe.

[Braunschweiger]

You have to love the idea, crazy, keep it up.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You have to love the idea, crazy, keep it up.

I do like a bit crazy.

Normal is boring.




Got a call from Darren today.

Followed by some photos……

Headed in the right direction.





And sparkly.





Can you tell what it wants to be yet?



More work to be done tomorrow.

I do Need this.

[Grizz1963]

PS: Also made these…….

Bolted in under the hood/bonnet hinges against the firewall, under the scuttle with inverted T’s welded in place, they will be mounting points for the wiring looms.

Small jobs ehhhh??





Weekend ahead.

[realvc]

A gas tank for your Rocket project.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

A gas tank for your Rocket project.

Morning Vince,

Spot on, yes.

This is week 8 after I dropped off what I had hoped would be a 2 week turnaround job.

Still, it is progressing in the right direction.





25 days without a phone or internet, wifi etc when you run a home based office…..

And mobile reception that does not receive any signal.

So yesterday, I actually walked out of my Friday meeting and killed some time.

Weirdly, at 4.00pm a BT Openreach telephone technician arrived, two hours later magically…….. Phone and services restored.

So what else did I get done.

I bit the bullet and cut back the instrument cluster face and peak.

Hacksaw job.

Then took a long tome to shape and file and grind it to a point where the next phase could be started.



This was a very high risk manoeuvre as it was snowing intermittently outside the garage which makes plastics extremely fragile.

I knew I had this piece of plastic for the last 10 or more years, found it, marked out, Stanley knife, prayed and snappe…….d.



More cutting, grinding on the bench grinder……

Loads of scratches……..



Then some towels, cloths and G3 rubbing compound, an hour later I was halfway there, drilled a hole for the speedo reset button.



Followed by more finger polishing, grinding, filing, you get the picture.

I am happy to say, it is far from perfect.

But good enough.

Don’t like it?

Come over, make a new one, fit it.



Next up.

Inbetween helping the telephone company guy sort out my phone and internet, including removing some plugs to speed up my internet microscopically the next job surfaced.

Making a template for that little peak to finish off the cluster once fitted to the dash, after the vinyl is ordered to cover it all.

CAD Rules as @nickwheeler says.



While working on this, I also decided to try fit the cluster from behind, and not out front as planned.

This reduces it by 12mm

And still fits and allows the three loom plugs to be connected (I hope)



After some fine tuning, grinding and a load of bending I think we have a workable solution.



It will get bonded around the trim, and the vinyl will get tucked in behind the clocks etc.

Work in progress yes.



I also sanded and painted the piece and then closed shop at 7.00pm as my bones were chilled working out there with snow still swirling about.

This morning I noticed the outside temperature is at -2’C

Where is summer now?

[Grizz1963]

Today was a great day.

Loads of progress, but apparently none visible.

As mentioned by @nickwheeler that’s where we are at this point.










So what did we get done?

Nick made some brackets, welded some on, drilled holes and generally got a load of invisoble jobs done.

Oh, and he smashed some rear lightbulbs on the driveway.

I did some woodwork, metal work, grinded and grinded some more on the dash and cluster.


I also dug out the Rocketpigs that @peteh1969 had 3D printed for me.

They need painting and detailing.

Still trying to figure what to do with the paint.

[Grizz1963]

So back to what took 6 hours yesterday.

@Nickwheeler was on electrical and bracket duties.

Making, shaping, welding earths, fuse box brackets etc.

Time flies when you make stuff to last.,
















At 5.30pm the wiring loom was removed AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY for the last time for some repairs by Nick.

Leaving the under dash support looking a bit lonely.

More fun later today.