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#101 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Small steps.
Seems I work hours on end, and nothing happens. One explanation is that all and every part needs some work before mounting to the wagon. These side markers/327 emblems are a good example. They needed to be polished, and while I was at it, I decided to paint the black areas. To make things just a bit more interesting, the top one, on the left hand side is off a 307 car, and I painted the zero to a two. I'll look for a 327 emblem at some later point, but for now we have to make do with the painted one. ![]() The front is coming nicely. The bumper is still not perfect, but compared to before, at least it's much better. This is a good lesson to me: No more cars with crooked and bent bumpers! Actually I was going to stay with the patina look, but it kinda got out of hand. I painted some details today, and will probably get the head lights mounted this evening. ![]() All side marker lenses are cleaned up thoroughly, and polished, all tail lights are new, as are the park/turn signals in the front, and the headlights. The wagon cleans up pretty nicely, even if the chrome leaves some to desire. |
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#102 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,100
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
It's looking really nice so far. Good progress.
__________________
"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#103 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Working on it Ol Blue K20
![]() I've ben polishing parts and mounting them. Vacuumed all five doors, if you count the tail gate, and rust proofed them with Dinitrol ML. Today I finally got the left side head lights mounted and connected, even adjusted, and the front suddenly looked ready for the road. I changed the wheels on the right hand side (only had the left hand ones changed for photographic reasons earlier *grin*). When I was at it, I adjusted the toe, as the ride had felt a bit erratic when I came home from the paint shop.The old tires were worn on the insides too. I had to adjust a good amount before the wheels tracked parallel. Then I just couldn't help myself, but went for a bit of a shake down test. It now rides straight and nice, and the 327 has a much better bite, which stems from a really poorly adjusted throttle linkage. The previous owner has probably never had the secondaries open at all! How much is in the last quarter of the primaries and all the secondaries? Can be a hundred ponies? Small ones perhaps, but it sure feels a lot quicker. ![]() Still lots to do, but it looks almost ready for the mayday cruising. ![]() Oh, and still a week to go. |
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#104 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,100
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
I wasn't worried about the ponies....I was worried about it's appearance. ...lol! Keep up the good work
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#105 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TN.
Posts: 8,097
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
That is an Awesome job you have done.
You will make the May Fest. Do you have a Picnic basket to put in the back Like you did with your Flat bed.?
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________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build |
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#106 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Thank you Getter-Done for the kind words. I actually have put a
surprising amount of hours into this project this winter. I almost beleived my friends, that say that we don't get as much done nowadays when we've grown so old. ![]() judging from this winter, my age (53) is not yet a problem. Oh yes, we're hard core picnicers, so now that we don't have a pick up bed to sit on, we just bring the old picnic table I inheritad from my parents, a few fold away stools, gas burner, coffee grounds, water... You get the picture. |
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#107 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Ol Blue K20, we need ponies to get the wagon moving. No use if it
sits like furniture. I worry about everything *grin* I took out the wagon to be able to change my dad's tires today, and as we had a wonderful warm afternoon, I stayed out, and cleaned the windows inside and out. I just had to snap a pic of my wagons. ![]() I worry about the interior too, so I mounted the driver's door panel. The vinyl on the original armrest was broken, so I had ordered new ones from Eckler's. https://www.ecklers.com/late-chevy/i...-332000-1.html On that page the text says among other things: These door armrest pads are manufactured to perfectly replace your originals, while giving your Full Size Chevy a great renewed look. The edges look like a 12 year old with a sharp knife would have cut them out, and I had to re-drill the mounting screw holes. I actually threw the right hand one back into its box, because the original looks better. The result is good enough for me, as this is no restoration, but these arm rests are definitely no concours quality. New cranks provide some bling to the interior. ![]() The lock knobs, that supposedly are for this kind of Chevrolet weren't exactly a "bolt on" deal either. I had to drill and tap them to get them to fit low enough, so that the ends go down into the door panel. These aftermarket parts really make time fly. ![]() |
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#108 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2004
Location: Miss Co Arkansas
Posts: 679
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
The old wagon looks wonderful! Really like the color you chose too.
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76/77/78 Cheyenne 1997 K3500 454 soon to be 496 |
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#109 | |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,100
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Quote:
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#110 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Thanks guys!
Today I've been working of something I didn't plan to do before after the Mayday cruise. The right hand side rear side window seemed so loose that I was afraid of it blowing off the wagon. I got it off today, and it wouldn't have blown of for sure! It was a bit of a struggle to get it out, and while I was at it, I painted the moldings, and in general made it ready for the window to go back in. Cleaning the window itself was a bit of work too, as part of the rubbery gluey strip that the windows are glued with, sat on the window, part in the opening. Over spray from a few paintjobs had to be cleaned off also. I went down to the paintshop and "borrowed" a cartridge of windshield glue and primer to really get the window to stick. Good to have some contacts in the industry, otherwise I wouldn't know where to look, or even to look at all, for this stuff. Borrowed in the sense that I'll have to pay for it later. Nothing to show pics of this time, but it's still progress in its own way, as what I do today, I needn't do tomorrow. ![]() |
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#111 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Oblong, Illinois
Posts: 7,028
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Flatbread, great job on the wagon! It looks spectacular and is sure to be a hit at the event. I really appreciate the extra effort you have put into the details as well. They make a positive difference for sure.
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#112 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Thank you, Advanced Design, The more work on details I put into the
car, and the more little modifications to suit my taste, the more "mine" it feels. This wagon still needs lowered front springs and new exhausts to really feel mine. After that is done, I might start feeling some pride for it, and that's an important part of my car ownership. I wrote something about that in the beginning of this thread. I'm kinda broad minded, and am able to feel pride of any heap, as long as I like it ![]() Aanyway... The last couple days have been filled with litle tinkerings, like adjusting the rear bumper, which now sits nicely, changing the rear shocks and cleaning the interior. And the glass, as I wrote about the other day. ![]() The top pic shows the glass, cleaning work going on (some old seal scraps under the glass), using the tail gate as a work bench. Can closest is SIKA primer. The glass didn't fit exactly to the frame, so I pulled it in a bit with the contraption seen at the bottom pic. |
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#113 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Yesterday I got my new centercaps that I had had turned from aluminum at a
friend's shop. I measured the chromed plastic center caps that came with the new front rims, and drew a plan for new ones for the rear wheels. Four Aluminum caps, with threaded holes, with the plastic ones in the center (top pic). Second pic shows a polished aluminum cap, with the plastic one under. ![]() The bottom pic shows both kinds or caps with the "SS"center logo. Too bad I only have two of those, so I have to come up with something to glue to all the caps. Same as with the wheels, anyone who doesn't know, won't probably notice the difference. Even if it's not ready, I decided to take my new wheels for a spin today. With toe adjusted , and better shocks it now rides decently. Still no door seals, so it's pretty noisy. The exhaust leaks at the manifold to tube joints too. ![]() Rinsed with water in this pic, hence the ripply look. Just to convince myself that there is a difference since last October: ![]() |
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#114 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,100
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Thar car looks great!!! You should be proud. Especially since it's a foreign car in your country and parts aren't as available as they are here...I know I'm proud!!
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#115 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Very nice of you, Ol Blue K20, parts availability is actually pretty good,
especially since you can get things ordered over the internet. After postage and VAT the parts prices get fairly steep, though. Used parts or wrecking yard parts are a different story, most American cars are not junked and salvaged, but made to run, so that's why I have gone through some extra work to make the old parts, such as my sandblasted/ruined hood, usable again. So the Mayday cruising was a success, as I got the wagon to a driveable state, and even MOT tested just yesterday. The day was gloomy, but spirits were high. In this first pic we're lining up for a parade through town. Sometimes we've been up to about 500 American cars in this parade. bear in mind, that this is a town of about 60,000 residents' so it's a fairly small place, and the American car hobby is well represented. ![]() After the parade a lot of the cars assembled to a gathering on a big parking lot. ![]() Of course we had to take our traditional family photo, but as both our sons live in other locations, there's only two of us in the pic. Your's truly and the wife in the photo. You might be able to guess who's who. ![]() Oh, and the picnic basket was in the back seat. We enjoyed our coffee inside the car today, as it was cold with a light drizzle. Last edited by flatbed67; 05-01-2019 at 04:06 PM. Reason: picnic basket related forgetfulness |
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#116 |
1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60
![]() Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 8,541
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Great build and family pic!
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Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 ![]() ![]() ![]() support our troops! |
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#117 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TN.
Posts: 8,097
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
This goes to show that hard work Pays Off.
Great Job!!!! ![]()
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________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build |
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#118 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Oblong, Illinois
Posts: 7,028
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
That is a great picture of the two of you! And the parade had to be a fun time. Great job on the wagon. The before and after pics show a stunning improvement.
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#119 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,100
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Looks like a good time great pics. The car looks great
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#120 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Thank you Clyde65, Getter-Done, Advanced Design and Ol Blue K20 for
the support and nice words! This last weekend I was supposed to make new exhaust pipes for the wagon. A few new parts were lugged home for fabrication of the new pipes. A pair of Flow tech Raptors, and some 2-1/2" tubing. I had some lying around from earlier builds, so it should suffice. ![]() Apparently I'm getting slower, because the whole weekend went by, and only one pipe was produced. Well, while at it, the rear shocks were changed for brand new ones. Here's what the old exhaust looked like. Not a performance exhaust by any measure either. The cross over pipe was rusted through in a couple places, hence the awful sound. ![]() I tried to get the exhaust neatly tucked up along the prop shaft, and luckily the Chevy transmission crossmember is bumped up for twin exhausts, so they can be made nice and tight on both sides (As opposed to Oldsmobile crossmembers I've wrestled with). I really dislike exhausts that show under the car's profile hanging below the frame. Here's the right hand side exhaust system: ![]() The front part to the left, fully welded and ready to go back under the car. I painted all the welds with a Dinitrol rust protective heat resistant paint that contains aluminum. The rear part on the right is only tacked in this pic. 17 pieces alltogether for the whole pipe. Still only one hanger welded to the pipe. Two more will get fabricated, one at the muffler, and one aft of the rear axle. One more to go. |
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#121 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
A few days "wasted" on other aspects of life, I finally had the time to make
the right hand side exhaust pipe totally finished. I thought I'd share my view of a good hanger for the tail part of the pipe. I've used this type of hanger under my hot rod, and it worked for years. The idea is you put the weight on the rubber thingy, not a pull force. ![]() The 1/8" thick bar stock pieces go around each other, and the threaded metal inserts in the rubber is just holding things in place. The result is a firm mount, that does not wobble, and not too much vibration is transferred to the frame. These rubber pieces are about 3/4" in diameter, and the threads are M8 (about the size of 5/16" UNC), top and bottom, not through threads. I have tried hanging exhaust pipes off 2" diameter ones with M10 (3/8") threads, and the metal will rip off the rubber inside a few months. Before I made them, I felt I needed some inspiration to make my exhaust hangers, and here are a couple fun youtube clips on how to make them: A super cheap way to make exhaust hangers that takes no time at all to make Well. No, I can't imagine how this kind of hanger would do the job. In this clip we apparently will learn to do it like a muffler shop: How to muffler repair - hanger repair -muffler shop At exactly 5 minutes into this video, you can see the result. Always nice to have experts on youtube give you advice on making things for your car. ![]() |
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#122 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,100
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Cool hangers. ......
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#123 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Posts: 133
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Thanks, Ol Blue K20. Now the whole exhaust is ready and hung on a total
of six hangers. The exhaust sound is nice and growly for a little 327, and so far I'm very pleased with the result. It's just awesome, how much difference a new exhaust does, when the old one was so leaky and awful. The wagon feels a hundred times better, and I haven't even taken it for a ride yet. Got the exhausts ready about half an hour ago, it's almost midnight, and it's raining. I uploaded a clip to youtube, but I couldn't figure out how to embed it, so you just have to make do with a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dW9IKNHAnE ![]() |
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#124 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Hampton, Ga
Posts: 895
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Sounds awesome!
- Josh
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1967 Buick Special wagon 1968 Jeep Wagoneer 1958 Chevy Panel Truck 2017 Suzuki M109R |
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#125 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,100
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Re: 1968 Chevy Bel Air Wagon Project
Sounds great! Nice and throaty. ...
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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