The Rags interior.
 

Since i be doing this a while. I figured I would start a new thread instead of clogging up the what have you done to your chevelle thread.

When the dash pad came I couldn't control myself and put it and the dash emblem in. Instead of cleaning and preparing the old parts.

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I have disassembled and cleaned all electrical parts in the steering column. They are done. I cleaned and greased the 2 bearings. I did the interior column parts like I did the body. Removed all paint and now they ready for sealer. Then high build and sanding. It is still raining here so that will have to wait.

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And the pieces i will get to sanding tomorrow if the weather is bad still. Or after I paint the stuff that is in the wings waiting.

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Now off to work LOL.

Yesterdays adventure after my doctors visit was. Painted the steering wheel and horn button, lower air vent that shows and the under the hood section of the steering column.

Steering wheel turned out amazing. I am floored it didn't sag run or have dry spots. Alot of different angles and tight spots getting paint everywhere. I put it on a extra steering column I modified to do it. It was a usual 68 wheel cracks everywhere. Gaps in the ring. Better out of the 2 I had tho. Under the horn button area I got a permanent resident now. Some kind of tiny bug in the paint. My brother and I call them paint bugs. Little green guys. You never see them Untill you spray paint. They seem to be attracted to the smell. Little Kamikazi's

Horn button masking the little aluminum trim areas was a trip. It was the Elky's blue one. The black one I had was to pitted on the trim line to be repaired. Pic is blurry but I will have a better one once the SS emblem comes and the horn buttons are in on the wheel. It is a satin color and it about half dry just turning in the pics. I checked it last night it was looking alot better.

Vent piece was in the bed and broken when I got the truck. Little fiberglass work you cant tell it was ever damaged inside or out. I like when that happens.

Soon as I get some coffee in me I headed down to assemble and clean the horn contacts. Assemble the lower column parts. Then see if the upper interior parts need any touch up work before primer.

My interior air exchanger box I restored years ago. Took it apart and cleaned repaired and painted the inside so it will never rust. If i get primered the parts I got. I guess I will tackle cleaning the underhood air parts so they don't look like a 50 year old Greek tragedy.

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Missions accomplished today. Got horn contacts on horn button.
Cleaned heavily greased and assembled the lower steering column.
Assembled the Vent deflectors and installed on the lower vent. Had to replace the spring parts they were rusted.
I was looking at the column parts to be painted. I joined the lower 2 parts, blended them together. I like it. Got those now only 2 parts primer sealed.
My elusive horn emblem is to be shipped monday. I called them.

No work tomorrow. I have been informed it is a family day. To grandmas and we going to the Pumpkin patch to get the boy his pumpkin.

All looking good ,going to be first class.

I still pluggin along. Get up real early and put in just about a whole day before my real work starts. It been cold and rainy so the column parts were on hold.

I been cleaning switches and braces for the back of the dash bezel. Choosing the best part from the set of 4 I have. Windshield wiper and Headlight switch. Those are done. I soak the non-electrical parts in cider vinegar 3 days then they clean up with just a scrub brush. Eats any surface rust and turns it into a clay like substance that washes right off.

I also disassembled and cleaned Then re-assembled the dash air and heat slider controls. Oiled cables basically made sure it all worked and looked like new. Cleaned their switches to without saying.

Well today was the perfect day for paint temp humidity and zero wind. I got the column done. It in the back behind the steering wheel pic. The Horn emblem took a tour of the country going to the wrong places. Before it finally made its way here. I can't hold the camera still to save my life so there 2 wheel pics.

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Been stretching my 4 wiring harness out across the world in the basement. Checking testing cleaning before modifications are made then a re-wrap for that artificial stock appearance.
I am using a newer style serpentine drive system and a newer alternator. And wiring up the gauges in the dash. So I studying up Jethro Bodine style. Furthering my 5th grade Edumication.
Wiring diagrams are my friend right now.

And we had the regulator cut off the outside wiring harness for the air conditioner. So we making the needed repairs and modifications at the same time.

Got the temp gauge whooped using the idiot light wiring on the temp.
Oil is a no brainer it is a actual oil line from the engine.
Need to find out what the gauge needs for a shunt.
Tach wire and oil line, I will run out with the Air stuff so it is in the ball park of where it needs to be.

Just easy basic need to get done stuff before re-wrapping the harness for that new prettied up pretend factory look

I finally found a wiring diagram that is close enough that I can buy the vowels and solve the puzzle Alex.
I going to look up and order all the relays and thermal override and resistors, blower motor.
Now i gotta hunt up some plugs on the other harnesses that fit the gauges so i can get them in.
Pluggin along

Got the evaporator box assembled. Heat box and it are in. Ran the wires and assembled and hooked it all up. Sat on the frame under the hood a long time.
Making progress.

I sat in the car and tested everything it seems fine factory wiring wise.
I stripped open the extra wiring harness. Pulled wires the right color and the right connectors, plug ends for the gauges I got. today I will put the right color wires in the connectors and put them in the car. I got a copper oil line on the way for the oil gauge. Should be here tomorrow. I have to add to more dash lights. The factory gauges take more bulbs.
I am not sure but there is a yellow wire with the right connector extra in the harness. I got to look it up but it sure looks like the power for the clock feed was there if it had a clock or not.
I been cleaning contacts on the underhood wiring. That harness is in surprisingly good shape which is encouraging. I got to run all the grounds on the body under the hood still.
That is a pain I found out doing the air harnesses ground. Because I put so much primer and paint on everything. Cleaning a spot to put one. POR15 just don't come off with out a serious fight. Or the epoxy primer. But I guess that is a good thing it won't be rusting again.
I got everything in triplicate like i said so far it seems. I bought a basket case from a guy who had been stripping these cars to make one for years. His wife said just sell them and I will buy you one that is done if you promise to never work on it. She was tired of the mess. He had a good heart but he lacked what was needed to complete anything. He just got lost.
Anyway to the point. It is taking time searching out the small parts and correct bolts in the vast collection of junk I have.

LOL I talkin about him collecting junk. I been adding to it for 10 years myself. Forget what all i had and just anything 68 related if it passed by me I snatched it up.

I Couldn't stand it any more. I organized the parts on the bench. Scrubbed it down and put down cardboard. Then a towel. Broke out all the new parts and started assembling them. Oil line came. Bulbs should be here monday. It covered in painting plastic now.
I got a few odds and ends to tie up. It getting real close to having a dash in it again.

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That dash looks better than new .

Looks brand new. Class A job

Time for this weeks episode of Randy's Rant.
Ya know My cars came from michigan, texas and missouri. The 3 I combining for this one that had titles.
I see people trash talk peoples restorations by the parts used and the way they are assembled. Because it isn't in the book they bought.
Well unless there was a nationwide conspiracy to defraud cars in the 60's and 70's then the books they use are a guide and not gospel.
My cars all have the same wrong parts on them. Not what I seeing what they should have in certain peoples trash talk. I am a expert sessions when they are discussing weather a car is authentic or not. Seems alot of under hood left over 67 parts were used in 68. Or everybody got together and put the exact same parts on across the country. You see the condition of the cars I starting with. I doubt anybody changed oil on them much less changed parts. Low mileage ragged out trash.

Any how what got me going on this rant. My ignition switch wouldn't fit. I had 2 different screw on pieces and it wouldnt fit with the bezel I got. Well I got the other different parts and the bracket on the back of the bezel and the part that fits in the bezel were different. It handled now but it just made me think. Wow some people read alot but never actually worked on these cars.

Well I am test fitting things using one of the old gauges and dash that I had laying around. There is a way to get this stuff all to fit I am sure of it. And a order of assembly which makes it less a nightmare. Oh we having fun now. In, out, in, out. I using the old stuff testing do don't marr the one I using.

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Most people who trash talk cars don't own one and have no idea what they are talking about. I have learned to ignored them.

True. I was just aggravated that day. Car clearly had parts that were not shall we say concourse restoration from the factory and it was causing me grief getting the ignition in. But having so many extra parts saved me I pulled the right part off of another dash.

I am waiting on the bulbs to come now it ready to go in. Killin me here. They were supposed to have come yesterday.

Well the tracking number says my bulbs for the dash lights and turn signals etc are in cincinatti. Maybe I will get them today so I can continue tomorrow.
I found 20 for 12 bucks on E Bay. Which is alot better than 45 dollars for them cheapest I found locally. blister 2 packs for 6 bucks what is that? They are 25 cent a piece bulbs.

Drum roll and Rimshot. We got dash bulbs.

I did the underhood wiring harness today. Same ol, took it apart cleaned connections, inspected wires.

Seems somebody left the wipers on and turned the key off in this cars history. Tsk Tsk.

It rained sleeted or snowed something and froze them down. Hit the key and they froze down. Instant melted wires.

Never crossed anywhere. but they were stuck together. Insulation melted together on the 2 affected wires.
So I pulled them out and soldered the ends on a new wire of the correct color and put it back together.

So it is rejuvenated. Joke is once the engine goes in I will rewire for the new alternator. HEI. But that factory voltage regulator will be there looking like brand new doing nothing.

I a funny cuss ain't I? Go through all this restoration of things making sure they perfect knowing it going to be modified. But I like the stock body parts to be there and look like they should even if that system has been upgraded.
I do my best to hide the alterations and make it look factory. Like the frame and suspension stuff. Alter the geometry a tad and boxed in the control arms. Look under there you would never know.

I got dealer stickers for it when it is done. Maher Chevrolet. My buddy says it is truly a Maher chevrolet now. Hand built by a Maher. He is a retired chevrolet line worker. We hang out in the shop. He jokes with me saying I fixing the stuff they should have done in the first place.

Did you have the dealer stickers made up? If so where and can you post of pic. Always thought this would be a good idea.

No I googled chevrolet dealerships and my name just popped up. I called them and talked to the manager. He sent me the stickers. I actually was asking if they had the chrome type from the 60's. He said they were not there then all he had was stickers they put on the new cars. I got the stickers but i don't know where at the moment. I looked briefly when I put the back window in.

EDIT: If I find them I will post it. I know I got them still. I did the old put them up so I wont loose them deal. I remember doing it but can't remember where I stashed them.

I got the gauges in and that was a long hard deal. Air vents in the way of everything. It is wired. heat and air controls in and that where I stopped for the day.

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I got the dash complete now. I got steering column to finish I need the cover and a ash tray. New I mean I got tons of old ones. But the dash itself is done. Wiring vents etc etc.
I really like the gloss black on the column and the glove box.
I was like a kid again.
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Looks very nice ,cant wait to see the rest .

I am doing side windows.It took 2 days to clean and grease the track, get the funkmire off the window. I working on getting passenger window in now. This looking like a 2-3 week job. I sat in the backseat with a bucket of water a rag and a parts brush cleaning down in there for a hour.
Things we go through to re-live our youth LOL.

Your doing an awesome job on that car.
and have posted great pics of the progress.
Ten thumbs up.

Thank you. I do my best on my shoestring budget. I do all the work nobody else has ever touched it.

Like you said, the things we go through to relive our youth. And the time you spend on it will be well worth it. I like the dash too.

Thank you to.

Well I was looking to buy a few things for it last night. I getting the column cover. And I need the firewall steering column part for a clutch. So I can get the column in adjusted and done for good. But there are no ashtrays. OMG panic sets in, LOL. I went down and dug through my old parts to see the damage. It is perfect on the dash side ands black. Just has 40 years of cigarette ashes inside of it. Wet and glued down. I wanted a new one because of that. But today I will happily clean and install it. Looks fine with it shut.

I got the rear passenger window in yesterday. Now I have the cozy wings all apart. Polishing chrome so I can pick the best ones for reassembly.

I doing the same thing now. Do a easy thing. Like the ashtray. Get motivated then tackle something rough a while. Makes me feel like I getting something done. All work and no play makes Jack I dull boy thing.

NPD does have a complete ash tray assembly minus the spring for $56.95.....part # C-12009-118A..........and its black.

LOL I just spent the whole day fixing this one. But i may get that later. I sure would have got it this morning before I started on this one. Under the years of wet ashes were of course rust. So I spent the day needlessly it seems now. Wet sanding with vinegar. But it looks good so all was not lost.

Thank you Ken I will find and bookmark that. And see what other things they have I may need.

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Same ol here. I got the passenger side cozy wing assembled and in. I need to clean the chrome for the weather stripping and install that. So I can adjust the cozy and back window before putting in the side glass.

I sanded the paint got the trunk passenger side done. I going to put another coat of clear on it. But it is looking good. I need better weather for that tho so in the spring.

Got the ash tray in and adjusted. Steering column and cover firewall block done. Wires in under the hood I got to attach them along their paths.
Nothing visually making a impact. Looks basically the same so no pics LOL. Just doing all the thousands of little odds and ends. Jumping from place to place. Work a while discover I need something. Like the door weather stripping chrome to body needs some kind of foam deal. Jump to some thing else while I look and acquire the part or material needed.

I just about to take the drivers seat out and take a chain saw to it and modify the seat frame. Get that baby so it adjust like a more modern car. I want the seat back a inch more and a little more recline. It won't adjust but it I never adjust my car or truck. They stay where i like them. So I will make the needed modifications and once it is recovered you will never know. The change will be so slight.

A purist would be crying big doe tears I am changing everything on the car a piece at a time. A restomod that looks completely stock as long as the hood stays shut. Except 4 pieces of chrome that are wrong for the year. And paint choice of course.

I about to head down and play now. Late holiday start. We having a little family time this morning. It is rare we all off and together at the same time.

I had a head crack on the van. So the chev getting a break. I pullin the engine on the van.
And let me tell you that is fun.

Bore it new pistons got another set of heads. Got to get the driver back on her feet. Then we return to the never ending project.

I just got off the horn with the boat place. Mercruiser engine should be shipped very soon.
I think the van gonna like this alot.

My X Mas present has arrived.
Now since it is a mercruiser does it mount right inside the rear doors on the van?
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How many Horses ?

205-240hp depending on 2 or 4bbl. With 208@50 duration and 430-440 lift.
I will put my cam back in later the one I have got ate. 210-215@50 500-510 lift. I got a elderbrock intake and 65000 volt HEI for it. Basically waiting for the 276 thousand mile 4L60E to wear out so I can put in the 700R4 I got and gut the computer and go carb.
It a sound foundation to play with.

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I be finishing up the van soon and getting back to work. Van fired first time a few minutes ago. Now I got to put the front end on water in it and burp it. Then I can clean this mess up. So I dont get oil on the chev. Mercruiser runs good.

Can wait to get back at doing the chevelle.

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Safarcruiser engine is done finally. I am waiting for a steering box I going to put on. I actually was working on the chevelle this morning. I put away the press and engine hoist. Sorted window and interior parts for the chevelle. Re-tooling so to speak for the next events concerning the chev. Arranging parts and making the list what to do and what i need next.

I finally chased down all the leaks and rattles on the van. Got the steering box on. Turns out it needed a trans mount. But it is over.

I actually worked on the chevelle all day yesterday. I got the gauges fuse deal in. I made it from the extra wiring harness. It uses period correct glass fuses. I made it from the footwell fuse box. I cut out the part that said gauges even. Mounted it under the hood. I used the vacuum boot to bring the gauge wires and tach lead through the firewall. I got one more of those boots I will use to bring the copper oil line through. It rigged but rigged in a 60's parts kinda way. I like it.

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I worked since 5am. Finally got the drivers side cozy wing done. Polished the chrome, cleaned the non showing parts. I bought the rubber for it.
I restored the rubber against the glass. 1500 sanding sponge for buffing. Stiff brush and a terry cloth rag. PB Blaster in a cup. Used the sanding sponge with the PB and scrubbed the rubber. Made it soft, took the dry layer off. Made like a rubber looking paste. Really impressed. Same color as the new one.
I spent 8 hrs on it. Every nook and cranny looks new. Ready to go in the next time I work.
But the important thing is I am back to work on it. Still got ungodly amounts of work left to do.

I see windows being listed as in body. But they are inside to and I doing them with interior. So does that count?
Anyway I been cleaning and greasing the tracks. I had to replace one of the rollers. I got the passenger door handle greased and in working. I got to buy the drivers side. Out of 4 of them I don't have a decent one.
I had all the parts laid out and just tried to unravel the mysteries of the pyramids yesterday for a while. These things been out over 8 years.
Today's adventure will be cleaning and greasing the track on the passenger window itself. The vynal covering the guide on the metal part of the window is missing. So today I will McGyver it up and make a new one.
I just pluggin along still.