A '54 named Busty

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by joedoh

classic parts I think is shut down for COVID, because I keep getting emails about my window frame screw/sleeves that I ordered being backorder. they should have literally thousands in stock.

Well that sucks, and I order from them too, I like them better than LMC.

Originally Posted by joedoh

looking good, I like the multisegmented eye gauge pods. pareidolia is what its called I think.

you know you are making me Google that right? ha ha

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by LT7A

To me that gray appears purposeful and is in support of the exterior. If you actually used primer as a finish coat in the interior, it would be flatter and in my opinion far too literal of a connection with the patina.

True

Originally Posted by LT7A

Any objection to using Dupli-Color or Rust-Oleum spray undercoating? Probably available off-the-shelf in one of your local auto emporia.

Thought about it, but the completionist in me wont allow it.

[Gregski]

exhausting evening in the garage last night, she just did not wanna go back together upon final assembly, it was the strangest thing since I had her on again off again two dozen times for trial fitments prior to that, go figure

and I do not recommend putting the front clip back on as a solo act, it is so difficult and frustrating, but it came down to the battle of the wills

pics are kinda from a funny angle to avoid the sun as it was setting int he West

[Gregski]

alright I have to be honest I am super proud of the way this bottom grille piece turned out, the way I modified it to go around the radiator (which now sits in front of the radiator frame instead of behind it or inside it) because I did it totally blind, I did not measure it, I did not moch it up, I think I was just sick and tired of taking things off again and putting them on again that I just went for it, it was such a huge risk, but it turned out perfect, what do you all think?

by the way I found these little nuts and bots to use to secure the nose to the base of the grille instead of rivets so hope that will turn out proper, it did in the mock up stages

[Gregski]

so some pics with horibble lighting, but I didn't care I was pooped, and I just sat there in my raggity camping chair drinking a flat warm beer and stared at her

[Gregski]

here she is pushed out to get some fresh air

[Gregski]

playing around with different angles, this is looking up at her from the base of my driveway - I just love that stance, can't wait to drag some speed bumps in her

[8man]

It's a TRUCK! Next up, driving!

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by 8man

It's a TRUCK! Next up, driving!

bro I just realized that YOU have been there with me all along since the beginning, hewk I think you was the very first post, so guess who get's to ride Virtual Shotgun, that's right, my dog Tanner, but you get to sit in the middle, LOL !!!

[8man]

I'll take it!

[Gregski]

this is an ignition switch - and today we are going to wire it

a little history, background, and general B.S.

back in the day ignitions had wires coming out of them and life made sense

then sometime in the 70s under the auspices of "security" the government may have influenced the automakers to move the ignition from the dash to the steering column and split it into two or more units

being a cynic I lean more towards the follow the money conspiracy theory, and ask, why sell one $25 dollar part, when you can sell two $25 dollar parts (an ignition key cylinder, and an ignition switch)

as far as shoving the ignition cylinder into the steering column then using a metal coat hanger to toggle the actual electronic switch a foot below it being more secure, um noooo (my '81 Celica was stolen by a bunch of joy riding kids with a fork, kid you not parked in Kaiser hospitals parking lot, very first space next to the GUARD BOOTH, and my '85 Blazer was stolen with a flat screw driver on the cons first night out of jail, buddy is a sheriff and knew the con)

[Gregski]

so we are replacing a two way OEM ignition which had two positions ON and OFF, shouldn't that be OFF and ON, but anyway you get the idea, and a separate push button (I am speculating on all of this from the remnants that I found in and under my dash, so please correct me if I am way off base here since I never actually fired up the rig this way)

[Gregski]

we are going to be installing a "universal" [pronounced: "doesn't actually just fit into anything without some modifications"] ignition, which ran probably on factory cars/trucks somewhere into the early to mid 70s

we like the simplicity and togetherness of such a unit as it combines the stock ON and OFF ignition with the Push Button all into one, giving us OFF ~ ON ~ START and technically Accessory positions so:

ACC - OFF - ON - START

but we will not be using the Accessory position at this juncture for two reasons:

1. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

2. Hot Rodders do not use the radio, the enjin is their sound track

C. We will not be installing the power heated seats, headlight wipers, power mirrors, power door locks, heated visor mirrors, heated steering wheel, etc. until the NEVER PHASE !

[Tempest67]

the truck looks great.... love the stance too


keep up the good work

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

the truck looks great.... love the stance too

keep up the good work

thanks mate, appreciate the feedback

and I know we have not discussed this in great detail though I may have touched on it, 3,712 posts ago, but I am going to go out on a limb here and just assume that the reason the front end is a bit cockeyed down and to the left (driver side) is that the tire pressure in the front drive side tire is only 14 PSI while the pressure on the opposite side (passenger) front tire is 34 PSI, ha ha

well, simple fix, just let some air out of the other tire till they match right?

[Gregski]

so I like to call this my EVERYTHING except for what ya Need drawer !

and I am sharing this in pics because you can't make this stuff up...

[Gregski]

so keeping this simple and hoping it will work, went with 10 gauge red power from battery and blue (pronounced: "purple") signal to the starter solenoid wires as it was the thickest Napa had, honestly I would have been fine with 12 gauge as that's what the factory runs on the second and third gens anyway

for the pink wire to the HEI (pronounced: All In One) distributor I went with 14 gauge cause that's what I had already

and that should be it, that should do it, notice there are no fuses, actually a fuse pre ignition in an HEI application is frowned upon

for the lower amperage (less than triple digits in my brain) I like to use the belt and suspenders approach and crimp and solder my connections before I heat shrink them for extra protection and durability

[8man]

I agree with the crimp/solder/shrink method.

Also, that's a good looking work bench you got there!

[Rusti]

Looks really grate that truck! Nice and clean work on the ignition switch.
So long
Arnd

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Rusti

Looks really grate that truck! Nice and clean work on the ignition switch.
So long
Arnd

thank you I appreciate that

[Gregski]

She Ronnin' !

1954 Chevy Advance Design Truck aka "Busty" - First Start?!

[edgeleycanuck]

Originally Posted by Gregski

She Ronnin' !

1954 Chevy Advance Design Truck aka "Busty" - First Start?!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Awesome, very happy for you, great perseverance, you'll be driving on your birthday! Thanks for all the effort posting your work!

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by edgeleycanuck

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Awesome, very happy for you, great perseverance, you'll be driving on your birthday! Thanks for all the effort posting your work!

thank you so much, however UPS begs to differ as the undercoating I am waiting on won't show up till the day after, LOL

Update: On Sunday May 24th the undercoating arrived in my town Sacramento California, took it five days to get to my state from St. Louis Missouri. I've played this game before with chemicals, and they don't allow them to fly, so they have to go by train or semi truck, hmmm wings full of explosive fuel on a plane = ok, a 12 oz can of paint, oh NOOOOOO !

[oldman3]

Congrats, sounds great...Jim

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Congrats, sounds great...Jim

I know right? thanks Jim, I can sit there and listen to it all day, ha ha she even let me know she has plenty of oil and didn't need all of it by dumping some on the garage floor, how cool is that, love that type of feedback