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

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Rock and Roll !!



Well, not sure who still follows the build, but I guess it has turned a corner after this weekend.

Friday nights Rum and Pepsi was rather good.

Saturday morning Paul came around, followed later by mate Martin and then later on my very good old friend and riding buddy Kevin on his new R1200GS Adventure with all bells and whistles. He had needed some head clearance space.

Paul got here around 10.30am with a box of taps, dies and an ignition unit to be used later in the day, which turned out to be 7.30 pm.

He also brought me these two little treasures...... I just need to find a pair of Chevy Rallye wheels to go with them.



Between us we did a variety of jobs with Paul doing all the clever stuff.

Which includes tapping all the threads till the tool spun about freely.



For any of you who have changed a camshaft like we did before, think gynaecology 101.

Used a dome headed bolt from one of my tins of stashed random nuts n bolts which fitted the end of the camshaft, the other end I cut the head off, and it fitted into a piece of snooker queue with exactly the same thread, This created a steady handle for introducing the shaft very gently.



Once all the internals were oil bathed.



And I had covered the whole of the camshaft in graphite grease. All this cleverness thanks to Paul who has built a few motors in his life.



I then carefully threaded it all back into place...... With the master supervising.



By then Martin and his mobile phone as well as Kevin had arrived and the kettle went into overdrive.



We carried on with the reassembly up to the point where it suddenly dawned on me that with being so bloody preoccupied with getting the new job right, I had completely forgotten to lap in the valves...... Aaaaaaarrrrgh..!!!
Paul volunteered to carry on with that, while I started the fire for lunch that still needed to be cooked, it was now after 13.30

Paul doing my dirty work...... Lapping in the valves.

VIDEO HERE:

Lapping valves - YouTube

Lunch at last.




After lunch both Kevin and Martin left, and we got on with the rest of the build.

[flashed]

Im still following ,loved the video ,looked like a fun time over there . It's a shame you are so far away as I have some Rally wheels and even some really nice center caps .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Im still following ,loved the video ,looked like a fun time over there . It's a shame you are so far away as I have some Rally wheels and even some really nice center caps .

Thanks John,

I have a set identified and bought for a few Dollars in St Louis, the problem is their weight, they are almost 26kg each.

So if I can find some over here.......


Centre caps Paul brought have seen much better days, but we beggars cannot be choosers.

[Grizz1963]

So we then reassembled head one, new springs and tiny collets were a pain in the butt....

Fitted new valve stem seals etc. I do like the look of new hardware in place.



Ready to go back on, bolted into place, torque wrench standing by.





Once both were fitted, torqued down and the new oil filter and five litres of expensive oil for running in, added in it was the turn for another clever truck......... Answers on post cards.

Power drill priming oil pump and getting oil circulated through all the galleries.



By 8pm we were done and Paul left before 9pm, he can tell of the rest of his night.

Happy Happy.



Motor on the stand last night.



Martin has been very patient with his engine stand and hoist, so by 8.30 this morning he was phoning to ask about getting them back.

By 10.30 he was parked in front of the garage.

Cuppa tea, chat and then down to the garage to dismantle everything.

Engine back on the hoist, by this time Mickey from next door had popped around too.



Back on the pallet, headers on etc.

URL=http://s294.photobucket.com/user/niknakpix/media/2015%20Continues/image_zpsqzjssplk.jpeg.html][/URL]


Mickey from next door was very impressed. Though he told us his car had self destructed on the motorway this week, so,I scavenged a few bits off it.

Including this,section of bug trap mesh.


More will come to light soon.

What I can mention publically is that Mr Bomp Marier in Oregon gets most of the blame for my next trick.




Watch this space.....

[flashed]

Im staying tuned in ,motor looks great .

[Paul Y]

I "might" have found you a pair of wheels.

Watch this space.

P.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by flashed

Im still following ,loved the video ,looked like a fun time over there . .........

I'm here too.

You guys did a lot, all I did was goof off and drive.

Engine looks good.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Im staying tuned in ,motor looks great .

Thanks John, it's this whole community that needs to take credit for it, the support makes it all worthwhile.

Originally Posted by Paul Y

I "might" have found you a pair of wheels.

Watch this space.

P.

Yeeehaww....!!!

You go boy.

Look forward to hearing all about it.

Got your part today as well, will pop it in the post.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I'm here too.

You guys did a lot, all I did was goof off and drive.

Engine looks good.

Goof off is perfectly fine, you have already sweated the big stuff and earned your break.


Today I worked in North and West London with a colleague, so when we called it a day by 3.45, I hit the road a cross North London to Real Steel, purveyors of all things American.
I had a short shopping list for Paul Y and mate Martin and needed to be back in Kent at Ebbsfleet International station to pick up Nicola and Hannah who had been on a 4 day city break in Cologne, Germany by 6.45

I decided after looking at my water pump, which worked perfectly, that I would replace it with a new one while the motor was in bits, at £39.00 for the pump it made sense.

I also bought a new transmission oil filter and gasket as the gearbox is getting a shift kit fitted when I do the filter.
Anyone with tips, advice or experience of fitting them..... Now is your chance.
Please tell me all you know.





I thought the pump really is rather good looking.

[[JP]]

you lot seem like the kind of people I need to hang around with! you should all move closer to me!

[clemdaddy]

you are a lucky guy to have so many good friends that like the same stuff.
were those hot wings for lunch? i'd come over there for hot wings...
nice job on the engine, closing in on a major step. congrats...

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

you are a lucky guy to have so many good friends that like the same stuff.
were those hot wings for lunch? i'd come over there for hot wings...
nice job on the engine, closing in on a major step. congrats...

They better have been hot wings!!!
Is there any other way to eat chicken wings??? LOL!

[65sub]

Nice work on the engine Rian. I always like getting the motor built, it feels like a major milestone. Doing the shift kit should be pretty easy. The B&M instructions are usually easy to follow. Just read carefully and don't rush.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by [JP]

you lot seem like the kind of people I need to hang around with! you should all move closer to me!

Morning [JP]
I guess you are right. It is more useful being able to go see each other, I popped in at Martins yesterday after work, on the way home to drop off his spares and also check his progress.
However, Paul is 45 miles one way, Martin 15 and Kevin 21 miles in another direction, so we are not on each other's doorsteps.
It's why I always PM new guys like you as soon as you get on here with my phone numbers and contact details in case you need help, advice etc.
I am sure you can find a nice place to move to right between all of us.....
This is a great community, and we can all benefit from each other's abilities.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

you are a lucky guy to have so many good friends that like the same stuff.
were those hot wings for lunch? i'd come over there for hot wings...
nice job on the engine, closing in on a major step. congrats...

Clem, those are the sort of friends we all like.
Hot wings for lunch yes...... The only way to eat wings for sure.
Fortunately Nicola bought two packs as she knows we all Klimt into them. There was other meat as well. I did forget to bring out the coleslaw she bought as token vegetable option....
Thanks on the engine, as you say, closer..... Still a few things to do.

Originally Posted by Modges'66

They better have been hot wings!!!
Is there any other way to eat chicken wings??? LOL!

Yessir!!!
Hot wings for sure, no other way to eat them I my world, thankfully everyone here liked hem that way.

Originally Posted by 65sub

Nice work on the engine Rian. I always like getting the motor built, it feels like a major milestone. Doing the shift kit should be pretty easy. The B&M instructions are usually easy to follow. Just read carefully and don't rush.

Thank you Dale.

Stuff like building the motor is so far out of my comfort zone, the most I ever did before would have been oil, filters, plugs and condenser on my old Datsun and other student cars. With company cars the last 25 years you are not permitted to do more than check oil, washer liquid and top up fuel.
The shift kit scares me a whole load......
Again, mostly one just hears horror stories.
No rushing for sure.

[Grizz1963]

Well, a bit of light hearted fun tonight.

This hobby has a way of brining out so much good in people

Ta2Don and I often share our trips around America and England with photos, or if we see interesting trucks and cars, via Whatsapp or iPhone messages.

Today he was in Little Rock, Arkansas and I was out looking for a high tensile Allen head bolt for my water pump and also some exhaust manifold bolts as my motor is missing one........ So he saw some of Rochester, and when I got home he shared parts of his trip home, including this selfie......





Interestingly, I was also in a Tuba Trucks T-Shirt. Thanks Clem.



Life certainly is good.

[Grizz1963]

Worked in Essex with a colleague today.
This meant I drove right by Del's place...... Del sold me the door, inner fenders and blower unit last year, from the same truck Martin got the cab and other bits from.

So today I popped by Del's place and collected this little jewel........

Why?? Replies on a post card.



My set of header adapters landed today as well.

Soon to be fitted.

[Grizz1963]

Thanks to Paul Y keeping his eyes open, I managed to pick up a pair of 3" header adapters.

After work tonight I went to the garage and cut n shut the headers.

Started with this amount of metal on the,.



Then measured twice......



The First cut is the deepest.



Cleaned, tidied and three very small slits cut into the outer pipes, then encouraged in with a lump hammer.



Welded up both of the new connectors.



Wire brushed them clean and then more VHT Silver added.




Another little job done, every little bit helps.

[62stepside longbox]

Nice work on the headers rian

[uber cool]

that looks lile you all had a fun day with the engine build and very productive. You are certainly motoring now. Great to see it coming together

[Bomp]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

What I can mention publically is that Mr Bomp Marier in Oregon gets most of the blame for my next trick.




Watch this space.....

Me?
I see you making excellent progress.
Now Im off to get some chicken wings.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Nice work on the headers rian

Thank you very much mate.

I was pleased as well.

Originally Posted by uber cool

that looks lile you all had a fun day with the engine build and very productive. You are certainly motoring now. Great to see it coming together

Little by little Andy.

Not quite as fast as you move, but getting there bit by bit.

Originally Posted by Bomp

Me?
I see you making excellent progress.
Now Im off to get some chicken wings.

Chicken wings..... That's a winner.

Oh, and your question "Me?" Very good, but the answer is still yes, you. Thankfully.

[Grizz1963]

Woke up way too early.

Spent day with Nicola, went over to Essex to meet up with Paul Y to take him some 1" X 9" X 8" steel and steel plate to repair his trucks bedside, also to collect a couple of manifold bolts that my motor needed from him, Thanks Mate.

On Nicola's suggestion also got a few wet ones for guests, including a Russian beer.



Back home around 3pm we spent a bit more time together watching the Guy Martin DVD Nicola had bought ( he is her hero )

Once she left for dinner with a bunch of friends I went to the garage for a bit.

Messed around with the QTP Electronic Cutouts and headers as they are now ready for fitting and building the pipes once the motor is back in the chassis.



Can't wait to fit these babies.



Then fitted the new thermostat housing and trial fitted the new water pump. Seems the fit is tight as the new cam chain cover I bought is thicker than the old pressed steel one.
Still, I am sure it will all be good once tightened down.



Then back indoors for some Discovery Chanel car telly and a Brandy and Pepsi Max.

[flashed]

As always looking good.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

As always looking good.

Thank for keeping an eye on me John....




Today I started to finish off the steering parts that I had not previously addressed after they came from the USA.

So grease nipples added and then Martin pitched for me to change direction completely..... Typical.

So they will get fitted next weekend.




QUESTION TIME

I have bought a sexy new water pump for the 350 motor.

I also bought a new chromed cast metal timing chain cover for it recently, to replace the pressed steel, rusted chrome one I removed. The new cover has been built in already.

Seems the new cover is too thick.

If you look at the photo below, you will see that with the one side pushed flush against the front of the block, the other end lifts away quite a bit from the block where the second waterway needs to meet it with a gasket.

I looked at the old pump and cover and there is a mark where the impeller cover plate at the rear pushed against the old chrome plated cover.

Note the light coming through.



SOOOOO....... MY QUESTION IS THIS:


If I had a pair of spacers or shims laser cut exactly like the gasket is patterned in 3mm mild steel or even stainless (not sure which is best option tbh) and then sandwiched it between two fibre gaskets, would this be a sensible and safe option?

I copied the gasket like this.



I am dropping the viscous fan and going with a pair of electric fans from a modern car on either a thermal switch or manual override, so the space lost toward the front should not be that critical.

All advice appreciated.

Thank you.

[65sub]

Hi Rian Your spacer idea seems like the easiest way to fix the problem. Just remember the other pulleys (crank PS alt AC) may need adjustment as well.

[Paul Y]

Rian,

As mentioned, after a few beers I think the challenge is that the cover is for a 'Long' water pump set up.

I would go back to the pressed cover or find a cover suitable for a short pump set up.

Problem is that you will need to reposition the alternator etc to match the placement of the spaced out pump.

P.