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

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Two Stepps forward, one step back.
It'll be fine, you're a great Team.

Absolutely Harald

Just keep going.




Well

That used part did not work.

Part he had to sell was wrong side.

After some digging around he pulled one out.

But same flaw and damage.

Walked Away. Around the corner to an engineering shop.

Where the shift extension came from.

20 minutes consultation later……

I will try fix it myself.

Drill this out @8.5mm





Then tap and fit this.



Delivery 9-16 June.

Wonder if they are delivering on foot.

[Grizz1963]

Came home today and the mailman had delivered a new edition of the Illinois Route 66 guide for me.

Thanks @jagwinn for taking the time to show me a kindness when it was needed.



Guess it means a road trip has kinda got to be done.

[Grizz1963]

Was chatting with Dennis, and also Alistair, and it is interesting to see how prices are all over the place for flights.


[quote author="@alistairk" source="/post/2733616/thread" timestamp="1653581945"]@grizz I've no idea. Ticket prices seem to be up and down all over. Jiggling a few days either way seems to sometimes affect the prices quite a lot, or going a week earlier or later. Obviously avoid peak school holidays, etc. and special events in either UK or US (like thanksgiving or 4th July whatever)

Just play with Skyscanner / Expedia whatever and see how it shapes up.

I think my tickets were like £460 but the swine then said that didn't include hold baggage! BA is becoming EasyJet... I paid £50 for my return home bag but I took a seat upgrade with free bags on the way out as they made me a nice offer

Also be aware BA have told me "car and motorcycle parts" are prohibited items in hold baggage now...

So a bunch of stuff ended up coming home in the boot of the LTD. Hopefully it all makes it here OK...[/quote]


You are right, prices are erratic.

Agreed, they become sneaky.

I was just chatting with Dennis.

Then went onto Google for direct flights to St Louis,

However, not available.

At £683.00 though, I am going.

BUT……

The price is cheaper right now, were I to buy (got to sort a new passport and ESTA visa) than in 2019 when I went.

[Palf70Step]

Got the road map set yet?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Got the road map set yet?

Not yet Bill.

Need the time to be approved by my boss, they prefer us not to take more than 2 weeks at a time.

But then I need to figure a new route for 2022.










Friday.

Message from @craigrk in India.

Seems the new [font size="4"]RR[/font] LED lights have arrived, not,sure,what the final delivered price was.

Also got some nice new number-plates ordered and delivered in 48 hrs.

Time to start tidying up the interior some more.

Carpets to be cut and glued some time today as I am working from home.








Happy Friday indeed.

[Grizz1963]

Being out in the garden before 06.00 this time of year, does have it’s perks.

Same can be said for insomnia and being done with early morning admin before 06.30 as was the case yesterday.

First training meeting of the day was -9.15 on Teams.

So I thought getting these to front floor sections wrapped up, made sense.

Sections cut from the roll of carpet I bought.

Contact adhesive both sides, laid down, trimmed, stretched, glued on the rear and two parallel sets of 10mm staples run in.

Perfect. I hope.



Other side.



Done.



Happy with that.

A small carpet will protect the heel area on drivers side.

[Grizz1963]

So……

One of those awkward jobs done after work.

Well, the prototype really.

As I only have enough vinyl for one go at making the black gearstick gaiter.

First job was to remove the rubber from the original MX5 rubber unit.

It will be used to hold down the final gaiter…… far from a professional job, but anyone is welcome to pop over and make me one or mail me a complete replacement piece.



Measured and filed away the excess.

For those who forgot….. the extension of the gear stick makes the sweep more exaggerated so the hole has to be bigger.





I fetched the roll of “Rusty patina” vinyl originally bought when I wanted to buy @pedalcarjoe ‘s wagon, from the garage,

Initial plan was to make 4 piece pyramid.

Then lodger John arrived with 6 mini Pork pies, and a tub of Chicken Kiev Scotch eggs, a Sprite for me as I never use alcohol if power tools may be used and a Desperado beer for him.

“Why not cut a huge circle, pierce the centre and drape it like a skirt, pin it top and bottom…. Job done”

BUGGGERR…..Of course he is right, or is he.

Both options.



Draped.



Captured.



So……..

Will it work??



Later today I will cut the black to size.

Then the transmission tunnel carpet has to be measured, cut and glued down.

Followed by refitting the floors, seats, maybe even the last time.

But first, I need to get some new work shoes and apply for a new passport.

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@cynicaldave" source="/post/2733956/thread" timestamp="1653769635"]Don't stop posting 😮

I know I don't comment much, but I'm thoroughly enjoying following along....
It's the first thread I turn to...
Can't wait to see it on the road😁[/quote]


I think some days I just feel that I am not sure if I am wasting my time as it takes more than a few minutes to create this content.

And I do see this as a record for my own reference.

This is not a pity party or anything like that, but it amazes me at times when clearly (I wrote and post on another 8 forums) people only read the photos, and then ask some pretty stoopid questions.

And if you point it out, they either leave or make some limp wristed comment .




So, to answer your request.

Today I did two jobs, along with buying a new pair of work shoes and a £39.00 pair of very neat flip flops, not garage level either….

Some gardening, taking aound 50 photos of myself to try get a passport application in. And it kept failing me, as it saw my eyes being shot (not) and then my face and the magnolia wall being indistinguishable……

Eventually made it to the garage around 3.00pm.



But I also made up a plate for the removable show plate to fit on the front















There was more done.

Pics uploading as I type this up.

[Grizz1963]

Part 2 of yesterday’s short day.

Changed all the nuts for Nyloc’s

Cut and fitted some high density foam to cover the protruding bolts etc.

Carpeting will be next when I get some more in.



Both sides done, floor down.



Then measure and cut the two parts of the transmission tunnel from the remaining carpet.





Resulting in these weird shapes.



And draped in position.



These will be glued in place once the gearshift is locked in place, @nickwheeler has a plan for that.

Then the gaiter bolted in place and holes for the stick and parking brake cut in the carpet, plus fitting.

Seats back in and bolted down.

Bootfair totally sucked, cold outside today, and possibly rain this afternoon.

[Grizz1963]

@nickwheeler came over for a while today.

We both kinda lost our mojo and not a lot got done.

But stuff got done.

Richard his buddy popped over……..

In a red 4 door Metro they built a couple of years ago.

Cool, standard looking transplant.



And



Rear view.

Any ideas on what it is packing yet?




And looking around it, serious load carrying capacity.

I love Slotmags.



165/55 - 14 inch steels.



Looks like a pretty standard car.



It certainly is not, and I love it.

More in a bit.

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@nickwheeler" source="/post/2734061/thread" timestamp="1653852234"][quote source="/post/2734059/thread" author="@skodacious" timestamp="1653851102"]That Metro looks like a proper little sleeper. Would there be a turbo hiding in there somewhere?
[/quote]It's a VVC, with a mildly ported head and the later engine management. Which should be nearly 160hp. Stock K-series turbos want to fit where the radiator is in a Metro[/quote]

[Grizz1963]

I need prayers too………..

Did the DIY renewal of my passport after about 50 photos and 9 submissions failed the test.

I eventually submitted a 50% liable for success photo.



Lets hope HM Customs etc, approve of the pic I submitted.

[Grizz1963]

From the Metro owner.

The Metro has been my daily for almost two years and Nick had a big hand in putting it together, the plan was to make it look as much like a factory built car as possible and 99% of it is MG Rover parts bin, mostly MGF bits for the mechanical upgrades then a rare leather interior, electric windows etc from higher spec Metros. I absolutely love it but will sadly have to move it on soon to pay for my TR7. Glad you liked it Rian, really good to see the progress on the Rocket since I saw it a few weeks ago. They effort on the little details now will make such a difference later

[Grizz1963]

So, is there a road trip in the future?

Let’s see if this gets replaced with a new one.



Sometimes, as @merlind100 Richard and @nickwheeler said to me yesterday, sometimes we are so close to the work we are doing, that we cannot see the progress ourselves.

Yesterday, even fitting the removable license plate mount to the front bumper became an issue, with me walking away in a huff because I could not get the second R-Clip inserted fully, so I went to make coffee and grab a pack of Pork Pies. Nick pushed it through later when the car was up on the jack and axle stands to fit the 3rd newly made brake line.

So plate in position.



While I played with the inner carpets etc, Nick made up a pair of braided stainless steel hoses.

One for the rear end that had failed, and another to replace the new rubber front hose I bought earlier on.

Now the whole lot are uniform.

After much pumping and checking, all four corners are bled and feel good. Plus they seem to work in static testing.

One litre of Dot 4 has made its way into the system, soon to be drained and replaced with fresh new DOT 4

Handbrake will get set too.

Nick,took a better photo of all the hoses together, but this will have to do, my eager, out of sync pic.



Back to the interior, trimming and making fiddly bits…..

Nick made a couple of Slim hexagonal nuts with a 10x1.25 thread, to use to make a locking nut for the gearstick, in order to lock it in place. Locktite later.



Also delivered by the Man from DelMonte was a vacuum fitting for the brake booster.

Nice job there too.



While Richard was here I carried on shaping and planning the carpet over the tunnel.

Cutting out the handbrake lever gaiter nd holding plate sized hole to allow lart one of the fit.



Next up, a folded back collar on the rear edge, glued in place, and the gearshift hole to be cut in.




Then it was back to a redesign and rethink on holding the carpet and gaiter in place around the gearshift.


YOU SEE………

THIS IS WHY THIS IS TAKING SO LONG.

CAR BUILDERS TANGO….. TWO STEPS FORWARD, THREE…….


More CAD and woodwork.




Bevelled back somewhat




Remove part of Donor from tunnel. And yes, it is needed.



Fits, bolt heads recessed.

Needs black paint. (Where is Nick 😂 )



Early finish.

Monday morning and back to work.

[Grizz1963]

Would you pick up £135.00 if it landed in your way….?

I need to put an edge to the new drive planned for when I get some time.

Down the side to retain the garden.



Sally’s son is redoing his garden, and it all has to be new, no cleaning up and reuse

So I went 6 miles to rescue these 25 450x450 slabs and 4 shorter ones after work.

Glad I have a wagon.



And ready to be used when I get to it.

Plan is to pressure pressure clean them all before using.





You go do the maths.



As an aside, filled the car today.

Diesel price per litre.




Thank goodness for free cash laying around.

[Grizz1963]

Report back from Nick tonight.

Old and New brake lines..



Fitted the rear one.



Onto the coolant elbow.

Some heat and gentle Dremmel work.

Gave this.



Tapped M10 and filed flat with most of the repair piece.



Repair piece screwed in so Nick can clock the hose (which he still needs to make and solder in)





And there you have it.

A highlight of the week, on a Monday evening.

Chuffed yes.

[Braunschweiger]

But... yes, you do that and pick it up. The pipe connection looks good.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

But... yes, you do that and pick it up. The pipe connection looks good.

Pipe connection………?



@nickwheeler knocked on the door

But

But

But

But…….. it is only Tuesday evening.

Sally was having dinner, I had already eaten, so we decamped to the kitchen.

Nick is amazing in the way he can contain his obvious excitement and pride.

Pride - rightfully so.

Excitement at completing this bit of reconstructive surgery on the MX5 cooling system pipework that he knocked out in no time.

I was super chuffed and impressed, thankful, pleased, all of the above.

Mr Smug-Mug



Love the detail he turned in here.





Final fine tuning to be done when fitting back on the car.



And of course the whole problem solver.



Thanks a million Nick.

The highlight of the week became even Highlightererer.

[Braunschweiger]

Sorry for the wrong term, does "hose connector" describe it better? But whatever, good progress.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

But... yes, you do that and pick it up. The pipe connection looks good.

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Sorry for the wrong term, does "hose connector" describe it better? But whatever, good progress.

Harald,
Rohrverbinder Schlauchverbinder, alle sind gut genug. Ich vermute, die meisten von uns hier sprechen viel weniger Deutsch als ihr sehr gutes Englisch. Ich denke auch, dass es bei medizinischen oder technischen Beschreibungen zu einer komplexeren Situation wird, richtig zu übersetzen.
Vielen Dank für Ihre anhaltende Unterstützung und Ihr Interesse.

[realvc]

What he said, yeah that's it.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

What he said, yeah that's it.

Thanks Vince.






So at last.

Carpet time.

Transferring the shapes to the carpet…… know how to do it?

Use blackboard chalk, draw the edges, and push the carpet down on it.

Cut out.

Job done.



Prepped the hold down as well, as I do not have any more vinyl left over, and am not buying a massive piece just to get a small 12x12 inch pice to cut out.





Next up………..

Glue time.

Contact glue is an absolute barsteward.

But the first tunnel section was down, after getting the safety harness bolts ready, cutting the holes in the carpet.



Fine threaded bolts with thin heads.



Using the Hooker Harness on the drivers side and the Simpson on the passenger side meant different fixings.

Fortunately it all works.



Passenger side.



One small job to do was to seal all the original MX5 gearshift plate to the transmission tunnel.



Next up was the big butterfly piece.

Thankfully David was out for a smoke, so I pulled him into the job as it needed four hands.

The contact adhesive is strong, and goes off really fast.




Pleased with the outcome so far.

Then Sally came and I came indoors to cook dinner.

Mote in a bit for those awake, interested, bothered to check in.


Back in a bit.

[Grizz1963]

Errrrrrmmmmmmmm……





Watford Gap.

[Grizz1963]

I was delivering oop North.

And hoping to snag this old man……..



But common sense prevailed ultimately.

Maybe another day.

[Grizz1963]

‘Schmidt used to run a 400cc super scooter engine, “too scary” so downgraded to 250cc



Next door neighbour has some interesting, weird, rare, unusual stuff.

RO/80 is fitted with a V4 Ford engine.





Two owner 1937 Ford Flathead V8

Was replaced with the Jag that had the bonnet above.