Popular Post f100_dreamin Posted August 2, 2016 Popular Post Posted August 2, 2016 So, seeing how my VL project was pretty much done (for now) the wife and I decided it was time to buy a nice big cruiser. Actually that's a lie, I found this on trade me, it tickled my fancy and I sent the link to the missus, now she has wanted a 63/64 Impala lowrider for pretty much as long as I've known her so I figured I was pushing the proverbial uphill, so to help my case I followed the link with a selection of 61's in lowrider style. And what do you know she was keen So with the car being in Wellington and myself being in Auckland I asked a couple of awesome OSers if one of them would be able to look at the car for me. Turns out Seedy Al was just down the road from the car an he kindly agreed to look at it for me. Gave me a good run down of the car. Money was transferred and the car was transported to Auckland!! Here's some pics: So it's a 1961 Belair, 235 cube blue flame 6 cylinder, 3 speed manual column shift, it had an average respray in the states, and has just had the roof painted by the previous owner, It needs both front floor pans replacing, all suspension bushes replaced, get the wipers working, replace all the suspension bushes, replace all four shocks, get the brakes up to spec, replace the headlights (which I've started today with a semi sealed upgrade) Have ordered most of the parts from chucks restoration, and they should be here tomorrow so will update thread then. More pics for Fred, And the best thing it is...... It fits in my garage, Discussion Thread 21 Quote
Popular Post f100_dreamin Posted August 2, 2016 Author Popular Post Posted August 2, 2016 So here are the parts that have turned up from chucks, Both front floor pans: All four shocks: And front and rear suspension bush kits, brake hoses (still need to source one more front hose) brake wheel cylinders (again still need to reco/source a r/r cylinder) a drum brake self adjusting kit, I also have started converting the headlights to RHD and moving away from sealed beam to semi sealed halogens in the hope that I may actually be able to see at night So the overall plan for the car once complied is to bag it, probably on 100 spokes, spats, some Mexican blankets on the seats (even though they are in good condition already), some lace/flake on the roof, and lastly a V8/auto conversion just to make it a bit lazier to cruise. Like to discussion: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/53628-bens-61-belair-talky-talk/#entry1739480 11 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted August 16, 2016 Author Posted August 16, 2016 So have done a bit of work on this old girl. Have replaced all the rear suspension bushes, the rear shocks and am just working on the rear brakes replacing the wheel cylinders and fitting a brake shoe self adjusting kit, no pictures of that as its boring stuff. Don't worry though I do have some pictures. Shakotom kindly loaned me a couple of Hundy spokes so I could gauge what size I wanted as you can get them in real OG 13x7 which will be too small in my opinion. You can also get them in 14's but they are only 6" wide so I'm thinking they maybe too skinny. Or they do them in a 15x8, which is what these are. The 15's seem to be the logical choice, they still have that huge guard/small rim look, but I cam still run a reasonable width tyre, but I think the 14's may look better/more traditional, Oh and here's a rough paintshop job that I did to give me inspiration Chur 9 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted September 1, 2016 Author Posted September 1, 2016 So ordered the parts that I wasn't able to get from chucks, from rockauto they took two weeks to turn up which was agony haha, but in the end I was able to finish off the rear end And tonight made a start on the front end, kinda sucks knowing that I'll be putting standard height springs back in but want to keep things simple for compliance. Anyway got the L/H upper an lower control arms out, am gonna have to try match up some ball joint boots up as the ones on it are in shit condition so fingers crossed that I can find something to work. Also had to remove the steering shaft to get the upper arm out an in doing so found a crack in the rag joint, so that will need replacing too. Will get the other side apart an then sort out what to do next. 3 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted October 15, 2016 Author Posted October 15, 2016 Well the front end is all done, pretty much the same recipe as the rear: new shocks, suspension bushes, ball joints brake hoses, brake shoe hardware, new steering rag joint. Had issues with the fuel pump too, it stopped pumping, I've pulled it apart and everything seems in order put it back together and it is now working but I'm not 100% trusting in it. Car is now booked in to have floor pans and seatbelt mounts done at end of the month at Tin Tricks/Custom metalshapers In other news I sold my VL so that has freed up some coin to put into this old girl, so will be ordering a smaller grants steering wheel (as my larger frame struggles to get between the seat an steering wheel), set of 100 spokes and airbag kit very soon I've also been shopping on my second favourite website (behind O/S obviously) rockauto.com and bought a few maintanance items. Carb rebuild kit, new fuel pump (am still a bit suspicious of the current one), engine gasket set, new universal joint for the drive shaft (current one has a bit of play in it) Once I get it back from getting floor pans it will be a case of refitting everything putting a temporary high stop lamp in and going for compliance and seatbelt cert. Discuss here: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/53628-bens-61-belair-talky-talk/page-2#entry1751549 3 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted October 18, 2016 Author Posted October 18, 2016 So I've ordered an airbag setup from Simon at Airridenz (look him up here: https://m.facebook.com/airridenz/) Am very excite! Plan is to airbag it before cert and compliance so we can roll the summer legal, wheels have been put on hold until we see how much $$ is left over after doing the floor pans and seatbelts. Simon also put me onto have a contact at the mount who sells decent quality 100 spokes however so they are still in the pipeline. Parts from rockauto have been shipped and to my surprise all from the same location, on the same shipping docket! Hopefully they avoid being shipped via Belgium this time. 5 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted October 21, 2016 Author Posted October 21, 2016 Christmas came early!!! Also forgot to mention earlier. I sent my wiper motor off to be repaired, Wayne Grimmer at Western auto electrical did a fantastic job and for a reasonable price ($320inc where as a new one was $550-800 depending on whether I imported myself or went through chucks) the fuel gauge didn't work it always read full. I carried out checks to make sure that it wasn't a faulty sender or a short in the signal wire, which it wasn't. Sent the gauge to Robinsons instruments who found an internal short and repaired if for $160, So now all the electricals are working good (except for the dash lights which isn't very high on my list of concerns) Now the waiting game to send the car off for the floor pans/seatbelt mounts begins. Then install airbags, refit interior, cert, compliance, Drive.......... if only it was that easy haha 9 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted November 6, 2016 Author Posted November 6, 2016 Went to Custom metalshapers today to drop the seats off so that Matt can finalise seatbelt mounts, luckily for me both the front and rear upper seatbelt mounts are a major so that's hurting the budget a bit, but with the kids going in the back you can't put a price on safety. On the plus side one floor plan is almost replaced and the quality of work is fantastic Here's the old girl in her temporary accomodation: New floor pan: And here's the state of the other side yet to be replaced: Hopefully not too much longer till she's back home and the airride can go in! 4 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted November 14, 2016 Author Posted November 14, 2016 Small update. Have been getting all the bits and pieces ready for the cars return (which has been delayed, but more on that later) just got all the airbag brackets back from powdercoating, All my parts turned up from rockauto so should be able to minimise the leaks, get a decent supply of fuel, and get rid of the minor driveline shudder, New Grants steering wheel has turned up, just waiting for the bosskit to turn up. So exciting to have all the parts turn up. It's like Christmas all the time haha Like I said unfortunately we have run into problems at the metal workers, Clint has been out and feels that the rear floorpans are too thin and as such he won't cert the seatbelt mounts. Fair call obviously, so new floorpans are on their way to Custom metalshapers and all going to plan they will be able to start on them next week and have the car back to me by the end of next week. Then I'll paint the inside of the floor with POR15, etch prime and underseal the underneath. Then it's onto the airbags!!! Got to add one more picture and while it's not related I'm sure most of you will recognise Shakotom...... That's right it took 4 of them to get one silicone hose off of a piece of alloy pipe, 3 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted November 14, 2016 Author Posted November 14, 2016 Also, Discuss here //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/53628-bens-61-belair-talky-talk/page-3#entry1773980 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted November 15, 2016 Author Posted November 15, 2016 Had an update from the metal worker: So happy with the work! 6 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted November 28, 2016 Author Posted November 28, 2016 Well I got the old girl home at the weekend, so now the hard work starts for me! My dog Ziggy keeping an eye on things Started with a fun job, scraping off the old seam sealer, the missus is chomping at the bit to get the car done so I put her to work to help scraping it off. All done now so hopefully this weekend I will have the rest of the floor ready to por15 and Seam seal Really stoked with the quality of work from Matt at Tin Tricks/custom metalshapers Look him up on Facebook under Tin Tricks! Hopefully have some regular updates from here on in! 7 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted December 4, 2016 Author Posted December 4, 2016 Well the tedious job of stripping the remainder of the floors has been finished. Not a fun job at all, and not made easier by the fact that the previous owner had used contact glue to put the carpet in so there was a nice layer of hardened glue to get through before I even got to the paint. Before: After: Also had a fight with the knotted wire wheel, I lost: While my son slept today and I was on limited noise allowance from the wife I made a start on some of the little engine jobs, I replaced the side plate gasket, replaced the rocker cover gasket, fitted a new fuel pump, fitted a new set of ht leads. Doing this work highlighted a few things. Firstly getting the dizzy back in (needed to be removed to get the side plate off) is a real pain in the arse as it drives the oil pump too and getting that lined up took me a while as it feels like it's all located an the engine starts an runs but has no oil pressure. Secondly the valve clearance needs to be set as there is no clearance at all. There's is still more gaskets and seals to be replaced but they are at the bottom of the priority list. Tomorrow I should be good to wipe the floor down with brakelene, and put the por15 metal prep down, then Tuesday all going to plan should see the first coat of por15 and seal sealing get done! Feel free to tell me there was an easier way to have done this: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/53628-bens-61-belair-talky-talk/page-3#entry1773980 1 Quote
Popular Post f100_dreamin Posted December 6, 2016 Author Popular Post Posted December 6, 2016 Finally made a change from making the car further away from being on the road, to doing something that is a step in the right direction, Put my first coat of POR15 down: Came up fantastic, I was told by the panel beater we use at work to seam seal it once it gets to the point my finger leaves a finger print but the paint doesn't stick to my finger, so while I was waiting for that I etch primed the underneath of the floor pans, I then checked and it was ready for Seam sealing. Ran a thin bead first and worked it into the Seam with a paint brush, then ran over it again with a thick bead and gently spread it over the whole Seam. Very happy with the outcome. Finally I leave you with a picture that I've been using for inspiration, if I can get my car looking half as good as the one in the following photo I'll be happy (plus the Fred needs photos and the one I posted is potatoe spec/boring) 11 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted December 8, 2016 Author Posted December 8, 2016 So I've been reading up about lowriders. Apparently wrapping the frame is common, not quite sure I'm on the same page though: Just kidding obviously, however the frame is now covered ready for the underseal to be done on the weekend. So far so good with the progress. All going to plan I'll be starting on the airbag install next week! Tell me how lame my dad jokes are here: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/53628-bens-61-belair-talky-talk/page-3#entry1773980 5 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted December 11, 2016 Author Posted December 11, 2016 Another small (but to me significant) update, the undersealing is all finished (bar one spot that needs a touch up with a rattle can) which marks the end of the compliance work, and means I can move on to the Airbag fitment which makes me very happy Pic for Fred: 3 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted December 13, 2016 Author Posted December 13, 2016 As I said before I would be starting on the airbags this week. All going to plan I should have the front bags all installed. Need to work out how I'm going to mount the valves in the engine bay as they aren't the prettiest thing in the world. Took me a little while to get the first one done but the other side should be a bit quicker. And couldn't help myself. That's sitting on the factory bumpstop. Can't wait to see it on the ground for real!! 4 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 So I've been so busy working on this that this thread fell back to the 4th page!! As as it stands. All the airbags are fitted, lines are all run, wiring is all complete. Tank and compressors all mounted Ended up having to run all the valves directly on the tank. I'm running 1/2" air brake line and when I mounted the valves in the engine bay I had issues with the upper arm kinking the line to the bag. Which in turn meant I had wasted a meter or two of line and had to buy another 6 meter length of it! As there was literally just enough supplied initially (and had I not fudged up that wouldn't have been an issue) so here's what the boot looks like Still a couple of things/issues to sort out, firstly I need to shorten the compressor wiring and cover it in the conduit I've used for everything else secondly, there is 3 fittings in the that I've got that need to be changed as they leak. I went to ENZED and got some Fraggola aluminium adapters but I'm not sure if they are the correct thread as they leak like no ones business, they wind in ok but the only leaks I have so far are those 3 gotta say I'm pretty happy with how the back sits and this is how it's sitting at the moment (the front is actually on the jack. But the battery went flat/airleaks meant I couldn't build enough pressure to lift the front) and here's a little video of me playing with the back (less weight so requires less air/before the battery went flat from the compressors running) 2 Quote
f100_dreamin Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 Worked out the photo problem, wont upload from photobucket on mobile, but works from my Desktop, Quote
f100_dreamin Posted February 8, 2017 Author Posted February 8, 2017 So Cert is booked for the 13th Feb and I've been busy working on getting everything finished, All the Airlines have been secured every 300mm or less, ive fixed the leaky exhaust, just have a tailpipe extension to weld on, the biggest thing ive had to do is make my front shock mounts, I had to get a spacer machined up to space out the bottom mount as it would've fouled on the brake line mount, and for the upper mounts i got a bit of 2x2 box section, cut it diagonally length ways, boxed the top, and welded them into the car, ended up having to trim the leading gusset as on full drop the top of the shock body fouled (Simon from Airride NZ said he uses right angle and now i can see why haha Car is booked in for a Wheel alignment on friday so i think we are as set to go as i can be, will see what Cletus finds, and fix that too haha 5 Quote
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