Day 71/72/73 - 4/20-22/12

Very productive weekend we just had. Got the entire rear window channel in and almost all welded around. All the measurements I took before cutting the rust out helped the fitment of the metal a lot. I now have an almost done Monte/Chevelle hybrid. Friday evening:

Plug welded the area where the rubber will sit. All the tacks from last time.

Trying to see and hold it because I'm a lefty.

Calm cool Saturday night, Dad broke out the bug zapper and plugged it into the garage door plug.

Finished up the tacks Sunday.

We also got the last channel piece in, you can see the where the seam will be along the top.

Tried an electric angle grinder instead of the pneumatic grinder and it's more efficient. I'll use it along the rest of the opening. Monday the 23rd, ordered some molding clips from Dan's Classics because Gold Eagle was out. New vinyl for the top will be about $130.

     We're coming! Stay tuned...

Portland Swap Meet weekend 2012

For as long as I can remember, we have gone to the Portland Swap Meet. Same stall since the building opened and before that, Dad and Grandpa had a stall in the original Expo center building which is still there. I used to come on just Sundays but eventually and more currently, I come on all four days. It's fun to see all the old guys talk and see what everybody has to swap. Peter my brother and I sold some tools and that was the majority of our table this year.

See you next year!

Day 69/70 - 4/8 & 4/9/12

Easter Sunday is here again. Threw my new halogens in from Christmas (I don't know why it took me so long to put them in). All the hours spent polishing the bumper, headlight doors, and grille really set the front end off, I'm happy with it.

That's it, final fit of the front (except the passenger park light molding).

Day 70 - 4/9/12

Before: (roof skin along the passenger drip rail)

After: Dad brought home some titanium putty from work and it lives up to it's name! Took a grinder to sand it down!

Day 68 - 4/4/12

Back for some more Chevelle fun. Finally, we tackle the rear opening today. The "new" channel piece I ruffed out and ground down to fit was actually the correct size so we threw it in. Worked a little on my brakes today too.

Reinforcement made up. It's not the prettiest thing, but you won't see it.

Made the final measurements and got it tacked in!

We got the bigger piece in, now time to cut down the other side.

Cut down, still need to do a lot of fitting though.

In favor to keep the ball rolling, I jacked up the rig and took off the drums and shoes to get new linings put on. Grandpa helped out and took the parts to Ott's Friction Supply. The drums are a little over, but I'll run them with oversize linings. Anything is better than Chinese drums.

I have multiple service manuals but just to be on the safe side, I took a bunch of reference pictures to make sure and the springs and bracketry go back on correctly. Wouldn't want to forget one!

Cleaned up the springs and bracketry with our trusty parts washer. One of my favorite tools in the shop.

     See you soon..

Day 67 - 3/31/12

Major steps taken today! I borrowed a spitznagel (dent puller outer) from a friend from church. It will assist in body shaping. We used it along the line of welds on the roof above the front seat. It had a little con caved canal from the splice of new and old metal. Although, we didn't want to pull it all the way up, because then there wouldn't be anywhere for the body filler to go. So by pulling the roof up a little, it will require less filler.

We were in such a groove, I forgot to take pics of it in action. Basically, it's a spot welder that welds pins to a dented surface. Then you grab the pins with the puller, and hammer the dent out.

One of my birthday gifts from Dad.

 No more Frankenstein's head! I get to just watch, but it's still fun to see how it's done.

Day 66 - 3/24/12

Well I'm back, after a long break. That rear window opening has been getting the best of me. Anyway, we rolled out the ol' Chevelle for the first time this year. It was nice to work outside for a change, got a taste of spring/summer weather today.

 Getting some sun.

Finished up the welding/grinding on the front as well as rear package tray area.Getting ready for mud.

Air buffer with sanding disc on it. Makes quick work of the nas T paint around the welds.

Sanding away.

 Good to be outside.