Had to think for awhile who else was there... and it's Mr. February in this year's calendar-Bill Leigh with the blue '71.
I remember him being there now.
SShink said
Jun 23, 2013
Making some progress:
-Wheel well trim is installed
-Door handles/locks installed
-Engine wiring harness in place
-Engine, trans, and headers installed
Tomorrow plan on finishing the engine bay component install, mock up the shorter drive shaft since the BOP rear yoke is further out than the Chevy pumpkin, and paint some more parts. Only 994 more things to do.
Involved my son Erik to get his car DNA flowing.
Tim H said
Jun 27, 2013
Stopped by to see the blue bomber. It's not a bomber any more and it looks better than the pictures show. Stan you're doing a nice job on all the details. The car could definetly qualify as a trailer queen but I know you and your better half will be driving the heck out of it. Great job on the restoration.
You should be on the road in a week or so. Keep up the attention to detail.
SShink said
Jun 27, 2013
Thanks Tim. A BIG part is because of your help!
Houston... we have window felt and glass that goes up and down! Thanks to the Glass Dr.
993 more things to do.
BLyke said
Jun 27, 2013
So are there "993 things on the wall" and do you just "take one down and pass it around"? looking good Stan
gearlube said
Jun 27, 2013
Very cool attention to detail. Noticed you even painted the window frames inside the doors. Can't wait until you sell this to me!!
Lost in the 60s said
Jun 27, 2013
gearlube wrote:
Can't wait until you sell this to me!!
SShink said
Jun 27, 2013
gearlube wrote:
Very cool attention to detail. Noticed you even painted the window frames inside the doors. Can't wait until you sell this to me!!
The price just tripled...
Tim H said
Jun 28, 2013
gearlube wrote:
Very cool attention to detail. Noticed you even painted the window frames inside the doors. Can't wait until you sell this to me!!
Dude we even painted the inside of the doors, fenders, quarter panels, fender wells and trunk with about a gallon of rust inhibitor primer and then top coated it. I think Tina will have something to say about the sale like NO SALE.
dashboard said
Jun 29, 2013
Car looks great Stan, what's left to do? Who is this Glass doctor you speak of? Do you have a "fire it up" date.
SShink said
Jun 30, 2013
Made good progress today.
-Finished off everything in the engine compartment other than cleaning and installing the carb (Belts are on and adjusted too.)
-Bench bled and installed the master cylinder
-Installed the headlight grounds, headlight buckets, trim, headlights, park lights & grill. Now she has a face again, and love those big 2 headlight eyes!
-Installed the new fuel sending unit and gas tank including connecting all the vent lines
-Put it up on stands for tomorrow's exhaust install
Kevin, I hope to start it up by the end of next week, and if all works well... get it to Goodyear for an alignment and then start putting on some test miles. Only 888 things left to do...
Scott Parkhurst said
Jun 30, 2013
Can't wait to see it rolling!
Chris R said
Jun 30, 2013
It rolls right now if you get a couple of guys to push it. Stan can sit behind the wheel and make engine noises.
Tim H said
Jun 30, 2013
dashboard wrote:
Who is this Glass doctor you speak of?
I'll give you one guess
SShink said
Jul 1, 2013
Got the exhaust in today, which is a big hurdle because it's not one of my favorite things to do.... Chad stopped by and gave me a hand. Thanks Chad!
Some assembly required!
John D said
Jul 2, 2013
I keep looking at this thread and thinking - it's a full-scale Chevelle kit... with no instructions!
I keep looking at this thread and thinking - it's a full-scale Chevelle kit... with no instructions!
You nailed it John on the head! That's exactly how I've felt on the reassembly part... I go to bolt something on, and wait a tic, I don't have any or the right hardware, or now where it goes. So, it's trip 495 back to the hardware store for more fasteners.
We did an o.k. job of bagging and tagging when taking it apart, but of course I'm still missing some of it, and some was too rusty to re-use. I've consulted the assembly manual a few times, asked others to send me pics of their Chevelle or Elky in specific areas, and I still have a few holes that I look at and say 'what went there....?'. Luckily Tim has his photographic memory and can pull any fastener out of the bucket we put some of the stuff in when it came off, and knows where it goes. Problem is he doesn't live in my shop! Lol
The other good advice I took from him was to buy the body fastener kit from NPD. It was $200, but each group of fasteners is bagged with a label where it goes. That has helped too. I should have bought the same kit for the interior though...
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 2, 2013
I buy kits from AMK. You could've bought the whole Master Set for what you are doing....
dashboard said
Jul 2, 2013
Lost in the 60s wrote:
I buy kits from AMK. You could've bought the whole Master Set for what you are doing....
Cheepest part of the rebuild is the above kit.
Chris R said
Jul 3, 2013
dashboard wrote:
Lost in the 60s wrote:
I buy kits from AMK. You could've bought the whole Master Set for what you are doing....
Cheepest part of the rebuild is the above kit.
Even when you have all the original fasteners. Buy the kit anyways. No one wants to see those ugly old fastners on a nice restored part and to try and make all those fasteners look nice is too time consuming to be worth it.
Tim H said
Jul 3, 2013
Chris R wrote:
Even when you have all the original fasteners. Buy the kit anyways. No one wants to see those ugly old fastners on a nice restored part and to try and make all those fasteners look nice is too time consuming to be worth it.
That's why they make little paint brushes and small jars of paint.
Chris R said
Jul 3, 2013
All the stores around here are sold out of jars of patience thats required to do all of those fasteners. I have however, taken a flat peice of cardboard and punched holes big enough to hold them and sprayed the heads to improve their appearance.
SShink said
Jul 3, 2013
Chris R wrote:
All the stores around here are sold out of jars of patience thats required to do all of those fasteners. I have however, taken a flat peice of cardboard and punched holes big enough to hold them and sprayed the heads to improve their appearance.
See... there is a little bit of a trailer queen in all of us!
dashboard said
Jul 3, 2013
I also made my 500th trip to the hardware store nuts and bolts isle a couple days ago. When the guy asked what I needed, I looked at him and asked how much for the entire isle. I’m starting to think it may be cheaper in the long run to just buy a hardware store.
bowtie said
Jul 3, 2013
Chris R wrote:
All the stores around here are sold out of jars of patience thats required to do all of those fasteners. I have however, taken a flat peice of cardboard and punched holes big enough to hold them and sprayed the heads to improve their appearance.
I do that a lot, but I hit them with the wire wheel first, then cleaner. Makes them look pretty good.
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 3, 2013
bowtie wrote:
Chris R wrote:
All the stores around here are sold out of jars of patience thats required to do all of those fasteners. I have however, taken a flat peice of cardboard and punched holes big enough to hold them and sprayed the heads to improve their appearance.
I do that a lot, but I hit them with the wire wheel first, then cleaner. Makes them look pretty good.
Blast cabinet...
Chris R said
Jul 4, 2013
Lost in the 60s wrote:
bowtie wrote:
Chris R wrote:
All the stores around here are sold out of jars of patience thats required to do all of those fasteners. I have however, taken a flat peice of cardboard and punched holes big enough to hold them and sprayed the heads to improve their appearance.
I do that a lot, but I hit them with the wire wheel first, then cleaner. Makes them look pretty good.
Blast cabinet...
Yup. Did a lot of that on Mikes car when Dave had it.
SShink said
Jul 6, 2013
All I can say is... too much to say right now with all the progress. Basically, as our Navy friend says, it's running on ships power, and made it's maiden voyage to Goodyear for an alignment this afternoon. Needless to say, with only one drivers seat, and the back seat installed. Still need to finish the front carpet and door panels, but that's basically the end of the big stuff! Of course, with help from the glass doctor on the windshield and all the other areas he touched.
I'm exhausted after working it almost straight through since Tuesday afternoon... Doing a small to big block and 4 speed swap in 2 weeks seems like a walk in the park, but it's been a great learning experience. It's running like a top now, so I'll let a couple of pics do the talking.
-- Edited by SShink on Saturday 6th of July 2013 09:05:59 PM
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 7, 2013
Look out Car Craft, Stan's on his way......
Tim H said
Jul 7, 2013
Stan
I know you think it took a long time to get to this point but you only took 9 months almost to the day. A little more than 2 months of that was in paint jail. A lot of people take years to build one to this level if they ever get done. Go back and look at all the posts and all the work that went into this car and I think you'll be amazed by how fast it really went. The car looks great and you did a very fine job of detailing every little part.
Just think how much faster you will build the next one after this learning curve.
Tim H said
Jul 7, 2013
I showed my wife the pictures and she said Wooow!
I guess it's no longer a project
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 7, 2013
Tim H wrote:
Stan
I know you think it took a long time to get to this point but you only took 9 months almost to the day. A little more than 2 months of that was in paint jail. A lot of people take years to build one to this level if they ever get done. Go back and look at all the posts and all the work that went into this car and I think you'll be amazed by how fast it really went. The car looks great and you did a very fine job of detailing every little part.
Just think how much faster you will build the next one after this learning curve.
You had a LOT to do with that and I'm sure he will acknowledge your skill and quality work on his show board...
DavenSonS said
Jul 7, 2013
VERY NICE!! Looking forward to seeing it at Car Craft
dashboard said
Jul 7, 2013
Looks great!
Did you drive it to Good Year with the top down? You’ll have to tell me what it’s like to drive with the top down, I’ve forgotten.
How was the alignment after all that work?
67ss said
Jul 7, 2013
Sitting here looking at the pictures and my son says I want to ride in that car. Looks super nice can't wait to see it in person.
bowtie said
Jul 7, 2013
Looking real good, your motivation over that amount of time is incredible. What'cha going to do in August when it's done? You'll feel bored.
Chad said
Jul 7, 2013
Cant wait to go cruisen ! Great job!
OscarZ said
Jul 7, 2013
It's looking great Stan! Appears you'll have it done and ready for Pan-O-Prog!
Chris R said
Jul 7, 2013
Now thats what im talkin about. Im looking forward to see the paint and how well they did.
Jon H said
Jul 8, 2013
Lookin' good!
I'm curious to see how many parts you will have left over that were originally on the car. I seem to always have a box of "unnecessary" parts after reassembling a project.
Derek69SS said
Jul 8, 2013
Jon H wrote:
I'm curious to see how many parts you will have left over that were originally on the car. I seem to always have a box of "unnecessary" parts after reassembling a project.
That's called "Rap's Law of Inanimate Reproduction"
If you take something apart and put it back together enough times, you will eventually have enough parts to build two of them.
SShink said
Jul 8, 2013
Derek69SS wrote:
Jon H wrote:
I'm curious to see how many parts you will have left over that were originally on the car. I seem to always have a box of "unnecessary" parts after reassembling a project.
That's called "Rap's Law of Inanimate Reproduction"
If you take something apart and put it back together enough times, you will eventually have enough parts to build two of them.
That's funny... I was looking at the bucket of fasteners that weren't used and wondering... how many of those should I have used but didn't, and did I compromise anything by not using them?
I guess after all, they are pretty basic machines, and what's wrong with a few missing fasteners here and there as long as they aren't related to going fast, stopping, or turning!
SteveS said
Jul 8, 2013
Looks great Stan! Tim's right, the amount on things you've touched on this car in a short amount of time is pretty amazing. So, how did the new gears sound?
SShink said
Jul 8, 2013
SteveS wrote:
Looks great Stan! Tim's right, the amount on things you've touched on this car in a short amount of time is pretty amazing. So, how did the new gears sound?
Thanks Steve. Saturday I drove it a couple of blocks to Goodyear and then to the BP station nearby for gas, so maybe put 2 miles on it. I also babied it since I only had 7 quarts of tranny fluid since I hadn't driven it enough to add/check/add to get up to 10, so kept it at less than 30 mph. I didn't hear anything during that drive, but hope to get it on the highway tonight or tomorrow night, so will let you know. I'm sure it will be fine from the prior work you did for me!
SShink said
Jul 10, 2013
Well... up to 25 miles since the resto now since I drove it to work this a.m. for a company car show. No runs, no drips, no errors!
We are supposed to have close to 70 cars for our little Thermo King show. If anyone is in the Bloomington area, stop by 314 West 90th Street and check out the cool vehicles.
Here's proof I made it to Bloomington:
Enganeer said
Jul 10, 2013
You turned reassembly dang quick.
I have a whopping 3 miles yesterday on my 64 playing around with the EFI tuning and timing.
Chris R said
Jul 11, 2013
I didnt know you worked for Thermo King. I thought you worked for Ingersol Rand.
SShink said
Jul 11, 2013
Chris R wrote:
I didnt know you worked for Thermo King. I thought you worked for Ingersol Rand.
TK is owned by IR. Technically I report to corporate IR org structure, but work out of the TK location as I'm in a business facing role, so TK is my focus.
bowtie said
Jul 11, 2013
I have a guy from Thermo-King who buys parts from me. His name is Vladimir.
SShink said
Feb 15, 2014
Well, since it's snowing and I'm just hanging out in side... I went back to 1 year ago today and pulled up some pics of the resto status on the vert at that time. Hard to believe it was totally in pieces this time a year ago when I look at the finished (well never finished...) product in the shop. I can't believe the work Pops (Tim H.) and I put into that thing! Mostly pops on the body work!
I attached some refresher pics for those that weren't around, or like me forgot how much work this sucker was. Enjoy.
Had to think for awhile who else was there... and it's Mr. February in this year's calendar-Bill Leigh with the blue '71.
I remember him being there now.
Making some progress:
-Wheel well trim is installed
-Door handles/locks installed
-Engine wiring harness in place
-Engine, trans, and headers installed
Tomorrow plan on finishing the engine bay component install, mock up the shorter drive shaft since the BOP rear yoke is further out than the Chevy pumpkin, and paint some more parts. Only 994 more things to do.
Involved my son Erik to get his car DNA flowing.
Stopped by to see the blue bomber. It's not a bomber any more and it looks better than the pictures show. Stan you're doing a nice job on all the details. The car could definetly qualify as a trailer queen but I know you and your better half will be driving the heck out of it. Great job on the restoration.
You should be on the road in a week or so. Keep up the attention to detail.
Thanks Tim. A BIG part is because of your help!
Houston... we have window felt and glass that goes up and down! Thanks to the Glass Dr.
993 more things to do.
looking good Stan
Very cool attention to detail. Noticed you even painted the window frames inside the doors. Can't wait until you sell this to me!!
The price just tripled...
Dude we even painted the inside of the doors, fenders, quarter panels, fender wells and trunk with about a gallon of rust inhibitor primer and then top coated it. I think Tina will have something to say about the sale like NO SALE.
Made good progress today.
-Finished off everything in the engine compartment other than cleaning and installing the carb (Belts are on and adjusted too.)
-Bench bled and installed the master cylinder
-Installed the headlight grounds, headlight buckets, trim, headlights, park lights & grill. Now she has a face again, and love those big 2 headlight eyes!
-Installed the new fuel sending unit and gas tank including connecting all the vent lines
-Put it up on stands for tomorrow's exhaust install
Kevin, I hope to start it up by the end of next week, and if all works well... get it to Goodyear for an alignment and then start putting on some test miles. Only 888 things left to do...
It rolls right now if you get a couple of guys to push it. Stan can sit behind the wheel and make engine noises.
I'll give you one guess
Got the exhaust in today, which is a big hurdle because it's not one of my favorite things to do.... Chad stopped by and gave me a hand. Thanks Chad!
Some assembly required!
I keep looking at this thread and thinking - it's a full-scale Chevelle kit... with no instructions!
You nailed it John on the head! That's exactly how I've felt on the reassembly part... I go to bolt something on, and wait a tic, I don't have any or the right hardware, or now where it goes. So, it's trip 495 back to the hardware store for more fasteners.
We did an o.k. job of bagging and tagging when taking it apart, but of course I'm still missing some of it, and some was too rusty to re-use. I've consulted the assembly manual a few times, asked others to send me pics of their Chevelle or Elky in specific areas, and I still have a few holes that I look at and say 'what went there....?'. Luckily Tim has his photographic memory and can pull any fastener out of the bucket we put some of the stuff in when it came off, and knows where it goes. Problem is he doesn't live in my shop! Lol
The other good advice I took from him was to buy the body fastener kit from NPD. It was $200, but each group of fasteners is bagged with a label where it goes. That has helped too. I should have bought the same kit for the interior though...
I buy kits from AMK. You could've bought the whole Master Set for what you are doing....
Cheepest part of the rebuild is the above kit.
That's why they make little paint brushes and small jars of paint.
All the stores around here are sold out of jars of patience thats required to do all of those fasteners. I have however, taken a flat peice of cardboard and punched holes big enough to hold them and sprayed the heads to improve their appearance.
See... there is a little bit of a trailer queen in all of us!
I do that a lot, but I hit them with the wire wheel first, then cleaner. Makes them look pretty good.
Blast cabinet...
Yup. Did a lot of that on Mikes car when Dave had it.
All I can say is... too much to say right now with all the progress. Basically, as our Navy friend says, it's running on ships power, and made it's maiden voyage to Goodyear for an alignment this afternoon. Needless to say, with only one drivers seat, and the back seat installed. Still need to finish the front carpet and door panels, but that's basically the end of the big stuff! Of course, with help from the glass doctor on the windshield and all the other areas he touched.
I'm exhausted after working it almost straight through since Tuesday afternoon... Doing a small to big block and 4 speed swap in 2 weeks seems like a walk in the park, but it's been a great learning experience. It's running like a top now, so I'll let a couple of pics do the talking.
-- Edited by SShink on Saturday 6th of July 2013 09:05:59 PM
Look out Car Craft, Stan's on his way......
Stan
I know you think it took a long time to get to this point but you only took 9 months almost to the day. A little more than 2 months of that was in paint jail. A lot of people take years to build one to this level if they ever get done. Go back and look at all the posts and all the work that went into this car and I think you'll be amazed by how fast it really went. The car looks great and you did a very fine job of detailing every little part.
Just think how much faster you will build the next one after this learning curve.
I showed my wife the pictures and she said Wooow!
I guess it's no longer a project
You had a LOT to do with that and I'm sure he will acknowledge your skill and quality work on his show board...
Did you drive it to Good Year with the top down? You’ll have to tell me what it’s like to drive with the top down, I’ve forgotten.
How was the alignment after all that work?
Sitting here looking at the pictures and my son says I want to ride in that car. Looks super nice can't wait to see it in person.
Cant wait to go cruisen ! Great job!
It's looking great Stan! Appears you'll have it done and ready for Pan-O-Prog!
Now thats what im talkin about. Im looking forward to see the paint and how well they did.
Lookin' good!
I'm curious to see how many parts you will have left over that were originally on the car. I seem to always have a box of "unnecessary" parts after reassembling a project.
That's called "Rap's Law of Inanimate Reproduction"
If you take something apart and put it back together enough times, you will eventually have enough parts to build two of them.
I guess after all, they are pretty basic machines, and what's wrong with a few missing fasteners here and there as long as they aren't related to going fast, stopping, or turning!
Looks great Stan
! Tim's right, the amount on things you've touched on this car in a short amount of time is pretty amazing. So, how did the new gears sound?
Thanks Steve. Saturday I drove it a couple of blocks to Goodyear and then to the BP station nearby for gas, so maybe put 2 miles on it. I also babied it since I only had 7 quarts of tranny fluid since I hadn't driven it enough to add/check/add to get up to 10, so kept it at less than 30 mph. I didn't hear anything during that drive, but hope to get it on the highway tonight or tomorrow night, so will let you know. I'm sure it will be fine from the prior work you did for me!
Well... up to 25 miles since the resto now since I drove it to work this a.m. for a company car show. No runs, no drips, no errors!
We are supposed to have close to 70 cars for our little Thermo King show. If anyone is in the Bloomington area, stop by 314 West 90th Street and check out the cool vehicles.
Here's proof I made it to Bloomington:
You turned reassembly dang quick.
I have a whopping 3 miles yesterday on my 64 playing around with the EFI tuning and timing.
I didnt know you worked for Thermo King. I thought you worked for Ingersol Rand.
TK is owned by IR. Technically I report to corporate IR org structure, but work out of the TK location as I'm in a business facing role, so TK is my focus.
Well, since it's snowing and I'm just hanging out in side... I went back to 1 year ago today and pulled up some pics of the resto status on the vert at that time. Hard to believe it was totally in pieces this time a year ago when I look at the finished (well never finished...) product in the shop. I can't believe the work Pops (Tim H.) and I put into that thing!
Mostly pops on the body work! 
I attached some refresher pics for those that weren't around, or like me forgot how much work this sucker was. Enjoy.