Larry Lucast wrote:

---

That is nice looking.
I am jealous that you are getting things done while I am mostly procrastinating. Whose fault could that be?

---

 Your wife's...

Pulled the old shifter linkage and did some troubleshooting on the range of movement.

From the looks of things, the PO put the engine back a bit too far, with homemade engine and tranny mounting supports. the shift lever on the column hits the valve cover.

It looks like I can cut off an inch or so, it is currently about 5" from the center of the shaft to the current connecting rod shaft.

Have a Lokar (or that style) kit on order and looks like this will allow a normal range to all gears.

Currently it was not possible to downshift to 1 & 2

it actually hits the cover at the mid-point of the range, can only go down.

it is almost hitting the firewall now, so choices are limited.
Think taking an inch off will do the trick

If you need it cut and welded, I know where that can happen...

Lost in the 60s wrote:

---

If you need it cut and welded, I know where that can happen...

---

 We will see, think just cutting and drilling a new hole should do it.

There is a ~3/16 hole closer to the shaft that may work out,

Once the new parts are here it can be mocked up, probably will get it cut before so it has the full range of motion

Are you working on the Camaro this winter?

Haven't yet, but I dug it out of all the "stuff" I piled around it all summer over the weekend. I REALLY need to get back at it. I have an inquiry out with a guy in OK that has an NOS tail panel and right front fender too. It would be nice to have to make a quick road trip...

BLyke wrote:

---

Hope it works out on the NOS parts, seems you are always up for a road trip when parts or a new car are involved.

---

 Or winter vacation in Florida...

Lost in the 60s wrote:

---

BLyke wrote:

---

Hope it works out on the NOS parts, seems you are always up for a road trip when parts or a new car are involved.

---

 Or winter vacation in Florida...

---

That is a good option too!

Well with a bit of effort, some cutting, welding, rework, Boy Scout knots, as well as some trial and error, the Catalina now has a fully functional gear shift.

The lever on the column no longer stops at the valve cover.

The Parking brake has a new cable and is fully functional. the speedometer drive gears have been switched and should soon provide an accurate indication of MPH.

The old semi-shiny gas cap without a seal has been replaces too with a new one with a decent seal

-- Edited by BLyke on Sunday 19th of December 2021 02:07:26 PM

At this pace, you're going to be ready for cruising season in 2 weeks...

Lost in the 60s wrote:

---

At this pace, you're going to be ready for cruising season in 2 weeks...

---

 Have you been using the time away from working on the Camaro to work on your stand-up comedy routine??

It will be good to go for BTT50's for sure.

Have some home projects that will be starting after the holidays. 

Progress continues
Now have a functional shifter and a reasonably accurate indicator

Yearend update, hope to keep making progress and will be making updates every 1-2 weeks to help stay on track.
Feel free to bug me if it seems that things have stalled 
Updated gauges to use a chrome mounting that was in the Nomad when I got it.
Working on rerouting wiring, may have to shorten most of it, good news is ~75% was completed and working. adding 12 volt wipers, th400 kickdown, Backup switch and Neutral safter Switch, as well as a Small "defogger" just to have for a rainy day
the little one purchased was way too weak, so im making a "hot rod version" with much larger and higher static fans, we will see how that goes,
Happy New Years to all my NSC friends!

Thanks Mitch, someone needed to do it
Happy New Years to you too!

Time for an update....
The new wiper motor is now in and the switch was modified to go in the top of the dash and use the original knob
Also have the heater ready for some paint and then installation, there will be plenty of air going to the windshield which was the main goal

Well, look at you, Mr. Tinsmith !! That defroster housing looks might nice.

I have New Port wiper system in my '38 as well and the control knob was originally on top of the dash then too. They sure didn't change placement of that for a long time. The PO of my car mounted the tach up there, so the wiper control is under the dash. I hope you bought the intermittent controller as well. On misty days, it gets really old turning those wipers on for a couple cycles and then off for 30 seconds... I keep telling myself I'm going to get that "this year". Uh, huh, I've had the '38 for 9 of those "years" now...

I should just go online and order it, and new blades, right NOW, except I can't remember if the blades are 7 or 8".

Only went with a 2 speed, which is a big improvement from the original, that was nonfunctional
As you know there were variable speed, well actually 1 speed but would stop when passing or driving up a hill, they literally "sucked"

Progress is steady but slow, as the rework on the wiring is getting done. Hard to see the progress but it is happening

Already appears far more neat and orderly.
I see you removed the belt clip from your Milwaukee drill/driver too...

Lost in the 60s wrote:

---

Already appears far more neat and orderly.
I see you removed the belt clip from your Milwaukee drill/driver too...

---

 thanks, and as I recall the belt clip fell off

Here is one of the before pics

Progress continues, decided to rip out the remaining firewall insulation which was pretty bad shape.
This made it a lot easier to finalize the location of new Heater/Defroster
Will clean up the rust and put something on the firewall to help with heat and noise.

Thanks Karl,
The Plans may be going to a Phase II next winter and involve moving the battery location to the driver's side fender, which would require cutting the insulation up.
If I swing back towards putting it non now i will happily take you up on the generous offer

Off topic comment...Bruce I'm not sure when you changed your avatar pic, but seeing that nice sunny warm day pic with your cars outside really warmed my heart to know we will get through this long and cold winter and how much I'm looking forward to driving the Chevelle again! Thanks for sharing it.  

SShink wrote:

---

Off topic comment...Bruce I'm not sure when you changed your avatar pic, but seeing that nice sunny warm day pic with your cars outside really warmed my heart to know we will get through this long and cold winter and how much I'm looking forward to driving the Chevelle again! Thanks for sharing it.  

---

Glad you liked it, not sure how long ago this was, but like you we are looking forward to getting back on the road!

So here are a few more updates
- Finished the plumbing for the heater
- Started on plans for a 3RD Rear light, using the same type that was in the Nomad
- Made a glove box out of an old file box I made in the 70's (the heater took up several inches, the old one was a former mouse hotel)
- Added a set of headlight visors.... Just for fun? (Or do they help keep the car "Cooler" in the summertime?)

Larry Lucast wrote:

---

The visors make the car cool anytime.

---

 Might have to keep watch over them. I'm sure they would fit my '54...

Your glove box liner is another work of creative art. ..

At least you did not commandeer "eyelashes" off a VW.

Make it YOURS!!

Karl

Thanks Guys, appreciate the support and encouragement!

Now to really focus on the electrical, it is getting there but taking time so hopefully will not make "Short" work of it,

-- Edited by BLyke on Tuesday 15th of February 2022 05:17:12 PM

"hopefully will not make "Short" work of it,"

GROAN!!You should be ashamed (or proud) of yourself.

Happy to say the wiring for interior lights and switches has been sorted out and is now ready to go.
It’s toward the end of the rewiring list since it is not “necessary”. There was not a lot to start with as much of the existing wire and parts were gone or needed rework. To figure out how to get 4 lamps and 4 switches to all work in harmony a lot of jumpers with alligator clips were used. Only 2, 15-amp fusses were blown. Discovered there is a back seat switch for the lamps, its on order and will just need mounting on the rear driver's quarter panel cover. Made my own larger schematic to check off parts of the circuits as they were confirmed.

 Also have a functioning Neutral Safety switch mounted under the car to the TH400, Reverse light switch and Kickdown switch. I will spare the details unless someone needs to know the process used.

 Wiring and sensors for the oil and water temp are next

Functional lights

Finally,
it really took a lot of other work to get to where I could hook up 2 wires for the back-up lights

Sequences... kind of like the Mouse Trap game.
Lights look nice.
Now, take a piece of 4X6 and make a buck to match the bumper and we will push those dents out on the press...

Lost in the 60s wrote:

---

Sequences... kind of like the Mouse Trap game.
Lights look nice.
Now, take a piece of 4X6 and make a buck to match the bumper and we will push those dents out on the press...

---

 Thanks

I may let the bumper wait a bit and stay focused on functional areas

I didn't mean this week. Maybe a summer tech session, club picnic on Plainview Drive ? WITHOUT the rain..

Lost in the 60s wrote:

---

I didn't mean this week. Maybe a summer tech session, club picnic on Plainview Drive ? WITHOUT the rain..

---

 Perhaps by summer I would be up for it

Completing this build is taking a lot more than anticipated

All electrical systems are a go, at least all of the ones I was working on and need to drive safely and legally.

A few nice to haves were tossed in too

Most Excellent !! You are ready for cruising...