GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Skipped the bootfair today due to ongoing insomnia.

Things to do when you don’t want to do what you really should be doing.

Skip dive.

Rescue big chinks of lumber.

Did I mention Free cash before?

Along with these two lengths, one is over 9 foot, I also got a 3 foot and 7 foot length to use.

Decided to make something in keeping with the tongue in cheek nature of the carport.





Extra outdoor varnish on all sides.



Router into action, freehanded writing.



Then colour infill for the letters.



Resulting in this once mounted.

And a silly grin.






Dennis was out in his NASCAR 66 C10 at a show yesterday.

Went down a treat.

Then later he and stepson (read no2 son) Brian worked on Brian’s Willys to get that going.

Some crazy plans for it as well.






Really looking forward to being there in person soon.

[Grizz1963]

So in preparation of possibly dismantling and dropping the fuel tank to get to see the wiring, I lifted the rear end, again.

I’m wondering how many times this thing has gone up and down since it got here.



Anyway, another small job done.

Fitted the handbrake cable spacer Nick turned for me from some Nylon he had, added a circlip and hey presto…..

Next job will be to remove the wheels, AGAIN, and set the handbrake and pads to a level where it is functional for the MOT test.





Weekend almost over.

Need to go find something in the garage though.

[Grizz1963]

Thinking

Thinking

Thinking


Noooooooo, not what you are thinking, or is it.





Lace roof painting.

Net curtain from my old neighbours home after she sold it.

.

[Grizz1963]

After leaving Craig to deal with the temporary roofing felt job once rain subsided, he managed to get it done inbetween day job nd rain.


And as a temporary fix, I think it looks great.






It also allowed him to move toys and stuff about, including the space where the workshop/stables panels were since November.





A load of motorbikes nd scooters suddenly found themselves indoors in the dry as well.

Imam pleased for his toys sake, as open storage is not ideal.

My S10 had lived indoors all its previous 20 years and 38k miles and since coming here is outdoors, so I am eager to get the Rezin Rockit done to vacate space for both to be under cover.

Or sell the S10 if the right buyer comes along.

[Grizz1963]

Sometimes payback works in a weird way.

A friend asked if I could help with the car he bought for his daughter as her first car. As he thought she may reject it as it is not exactly a new shiny car, and small things can set them off to reject as not pretty, fashionable or whatever 18 year olds want. I said he should give her a bus pass, that would make any car look heavenly

Despite these trucks being all metal.


Thought I would share a quick, easy fix on here.

I have done it on a few cars before and it works like a charm.

Raw, unpainted plastics tend to go grey and dull over time.

Something the sun and oxidation does.

So you can use raw linseed oil, other oils, or plastic refresher in a can, elbow grease or paint the plastics…..

I found a heatgun works well, controlled and kept at a safe distance, moving constantly, you will see it change as you go along.

Door handles.

Before:



After:



Light surrounds……





After



Bumpers come up in a similar way.

Adds “value” by making cars look cared for.

Well, fixing it up is caring, Innit?

[Grizz1963]

Thanks to @redratbike for selling me these 4x100 wheels in 14” size.

I have something in mind for them.

Wheels make me happy.





Ohhhh, and it is the weekend.

Beer time.

[Grizz1963]

Thanks to @westbay for poking his fingers in my wallet like @pauly does……

I now have some of these badges headed my way.

Certainly apt for this build.

[Grizz1963]

Few small tweaks today.

I actually drilled and tapped another earth……



After more digging around we found that the fuel pump relay was not working correctly, so John bridged it and it fired right up.

More testing after opening it up showed it could be closed and be made to work. So a brilliant bodge installed, closing the switch permananetly.

I need to get a working MX5 relay like this to replace the fitted one.



So then 20 litres of fuel into the tank, and a small prayer we turned the key.



And after all the ups n downs, it fired up, lumpy at first then settled into a idle.

Revving it up reminds me of an Alfa Giulia when I was growing up.

Once over the jubilation, trying to get the heater/blower fan going was a major fail……….

To be revisited another day.

Next job was to bleed the clutch master cylinder.

Lots of murky brown fluid.

Failed to get it sorted as well.

So I took the MC off and inspected it.

Looks like a replacement may be due or recommended.


I am guessing it is an original Ford part though.

[Grizz1963]

So after yesterday’s final fiddling and finding the relay needs replacing or repairs, currently bodged to work by closing the switch manually with a stick, we had the engine fire up.


There are a few more jobs to do, including finding a replacement clutch master cylinder, blower unit fix, upholstering the dash, fitting instruments, switches, inside panels, setting the handbrake to full capacity, dry run testing on the farm, draining all coolant and replacing with anti-freeze based coolant, then possibly final nuts and bolts check, followed by a prayer and MOT.


START UP VIDEO:


https://youtu.be/26uEIRMZdrk


And yes, I certainly am pleased.


Thanks to all who had a hand take the time to post comments, advice, and chat.

[Grizz1963]

So the 2022 🇺🇸 Road trip is on.

The full report will be here, please follow the link as I am not going to copy and paste the whole trip bit by bit.

THREAD; https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...p-grizz-report




Here we go again.

Covid-19 screwed up a few years……

So the 2022 trip will be three weeks and a whole lot longer than any previous trips.

My weapon this year, thanks to Dennis again is this Chevy Silverado.



FIRSTLY THE RULES: To all those who objected to my last report and the censorship, please UNSUBSCRIBE NOW

SERIOUSLY, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE

So the link to the censored 2019 trip is here

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...z-craig-dennis

The 2018 road trip with Three men and a Rental car as Part1 followed by Part 2 where Craig and I took a Chevy 5.7 liter truck to go picking in Iowa, Illinois and various other places for another great week was unforgettable.

We have managed to Bully Dennis into joining us again.

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger

This trip had followed a few that I had done before in the USA

Thread links below.

So, what do you do after an absolutely awesome American road trip in 2017 where I managed to break a Dodge Hemi Challenger before the owners 60th surprise birthday party?

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...d-small-update

Which had followed the first trip to meet Dennis and a first trip using his Dodge in 2016

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2016-best-trip

Which had of course come about as a result of my first road trip to America when mate Martin and I had flown into Texas and got to get in at Gas Monkey garage and a load of other amazing peoples garages.

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...chevy-roadtrip


This year promises to be filled with old skool rods, cars, bikes, food, guns, beards, tattoos, visiting a dying friend, some new interesting people and places not visited before including, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nebraska and the bonus ball would be a visit to, or a meet up with a South African bike builder friend in Rhode Island, which would add a lot of miles to the trip.


It should be a good one this year and ideally I should launch a blog where everyone has access and I get to moderate it along with my sidekick craigrk who is sadly stuck in a Seychelles resort with his family


I hope to make it as far as Rhode Island to spend some crazy time with this mate, another South African expatriate.

Some race car action, museums, lifestyle reports, side by sides and offroad fun and of course FOOD.


My 2022 Rhode Island target is this builders shop.












Looking forward to a great trip and meeting more interesting people associated with cars, trucks and general goodness.


Being able to share it on here..


“Buckle up and shut up sunshine” a famous person once said.

[Grizz1963]

The 2022 USA Roadtrip is already coming to life.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...p-grizz-report

Was contacted by a guy I saw in Kansas before, where I had planned to stop by……

Always something interesting in a barn, sometimes it takes a while to come out the barn.

He is patient, fair and people trust him.




Wonder if I should hook a trailer as well when I head out.

Just in case ya know.

[Grizz1963]

Mailman and EBay made me happy.

New clutch Master cylinder came.

Design is a bit different.

First thing I noticed was the guide at the mouth of the unit where the rod enters to hit the plunger.

It was not present on the other unit, for whatever reason.


Hopefully it is a quick fix tomorrow morning.

Would be nice.





At least the weekend has landed, heat predicted so be careful out there.

.

[Grizz1963]

So the first job back home tonight was to cut the new MC and grind it to fit around the brake booster mounting foot.



Clevis fitted, clutch pumped and bled…..

Car started, 1st and 2nd engaged with the rear in the air.

Brakes tested, clutch tested some more, clevis adjusted, still not quite right….

Shortened and found to not be quite right.

Called out Mr Grinder….



Refitted.

Perfect, gear change smooth…….

Till it went PoP !

Dismantled, and rewelded.

Refitted, works well, clutch pedal too high……

And POP it went leaving the clutch fixed in a position.

Removed the Slave cylinder, and clutch back in position, wheels turning freely etc.

And yes, cleaned up, ground back tidy.



So I removed the Slave cylinder completely and will be buying a new one as @nickwheeler had suggested in the first place.

Lets see what the spares shops have in stock tomorrow.

Hanging loose with the Rezin Rockit.



And removed.





So clutching at straws.

While I have other stuff to deal with.

Friday night .

Drink??

[Grizz1963]

Still not bought travel insurance or booked a taxi back from the airport…..

Probably should get my finger out and get to it.

Packing?

Last minute job.

Chatting with various people around the States, it seems there may be a fair distance travelled this year.

I am going to try make it to Jonesboro Arkansas to see my old friend Steve Hansen (Twice awarded the Purple Heart &#128156 and also to see if I can track down a State Trooper I want to speak with.

BRING A TRAILER has been mentioned. Still contemplating that.


I was chatting with Dennis’ son last night, he is travelling a lot for work right now, but like his dad, he is a funny guy without knowing it.


One of the things I enjoy about the travels is getting dirty with the people I meet, sometimes more than other times.


Part of our conversation made me chuckle.





I am so ready for this trip and the planned parts, as well as the unplanned.

[Grizz1963]

Postman knocked, no signature needed.

New Slave cylinder



Got fitted tonight, bled the system…….



All good.

Clutch worked.


I also set up the handbrake and made sure it is up to MOT Standard.

Locking nuts ensure a decent handbrake.



Job done.

[Grizz1963]

Who remembers this far back??

On delivery, cleaning and bleaching it became apparent that the bonnet/hood has some old damage.





So a plan was hatched, to buy some covering stickers via a member on here, who is most welcome to make himself known, he has been involved in previous builds.



Too many choices, but in the end I committed to one.

This will only happen after a successful MOT test.

Looking forward to it.

[Grizz1963]

Seems true…….

Another role in film.



Certainly beats getting broken for parts.

Glad I managed to help rescue it.

[Grizz1963]

Checked in on the flight.


Now we just need the rest of the process to go reasonably smoothly, get my butt in a seat and get to St Louis

Then relax.

[Grizz1963]

Another small job was to refit the hood/bonnet last night.

I am really impressed with the fit of everything as it came together.



John and I had a few good chuckles while assembling it.

Nice tight fit.





And the two of us actually gloating and wondering what else we could do.

Celebrate sounded like a good idea.




And a short video of the first time I tried the clutch and brakes out.


VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/JrLxGl6EZAs


A short road test is also planned for today over on the farm road.


More later, hopefully.


Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Back to the 2022 Road trip.

Listed here:


https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...p-grizz-nascar



So JB told me he had a surprise for my visit……

And the only clue was that it has wheels, knowing him, it could be between 1 and 18 wheels.

So I drove down from Kansas to Oklahoma to visit.

Thanks for lunch and the rides JB.

I feel pretty privileged and honoured you let me in there.







Of course preceded by a long ride to the state line in this beast.

I can only say that the GODZILLA motor kicks like a mule.

And the ride is incredibly smooth for what should really shake and break the passengers.

And this is no different a smooth ride than other open tops I have driven or been in.

A job execution way beyond expectations.













And a little video.


https://youtu.be/8df0VG81INA


Yup, much horsepower on this trip.

[Grizz1963]

Soooooo.


Lunch in Oklahoma with JB.



He had told me there was some surprise with wheels.



But knowing him, it could be anything between 1 and 18 wheels.



So the video tells it all.



https://youtu.be/9_ABb3E69N0



So we went off for a Mexican lunch and the largest Margarita in history.



A very comfortable ride for sure.



Got messaged today that the rear silencers may have fallen foul of the impact wrench too.



This may be raucous.

[Grizz1963]

Having bought the Microbe completely “Sight Unseen” getting it delivered, starting it up without any silencer or exhaust was interesting.

The delivery guy is a bit (read lot) of a petrol head. @mercdan has bought from him before as well.

His tattoos made me smile.

Guess the ride.





I did a drive by after agreeing to buying the car, and kinda just shook my head.

It was a rough little thing.







Once it was home the idea was to park it up and leave it alone till the Rezin Rockit was done and MOT’d

But then I realised that MOT, Road Tax and insurance would lose me almost two months of unused time if I got it done before leaving on the USA roadtrip so plans changed.

I started to clean it up, getting to know it.

Realising along the way there were going to be some serious challenges, including the broken off exhaust.

Still, as @pauly says……. Onwards.

[Grizz1963]

Thought I would share a quick, easy fix on here.

I have done it on a few cars before and it works like a charm.

Raw, unpainted plastics tend to go grey and dull over time.

Something the sun and oxidation does.

So you can use raw linseed oil, other oils, or plastic refresher in a can, elbow grease or paint the plastics…..

I found a heatgun works well, controlled and kept at a safe distance, moving constantly, you will see it change as you go along.

Door handles.

Before:



After:



Light surrounds……





After



Bumpers come up in a similar way.

Adds “value” by making cars look cared for.

Well, fixing it up is caring, Innit?

Bumpers Before the heat gun.






Halfway there.





And after, does look a lot better.




A lot of cleaning ahead still.

More later.

[Grizz1963]

Road trip update.

I got to go up for a flight with one of Adam’s buddies yesterday.

This trip keeps giving.

There’s more on the road trip thread.

Brad coming in to land.







VIDEO HERE:

https://youtu.be/JO5EADV9Fpc


Yup, life is good.

[Grizz1963]

Etch primer.








And more.






So what next……?


Off back to Oklahoma to a big, BIG scrapyard to search for a few things.