I have been working on the right side quarter panel this week, making a few small patches and this lower patch panel. It should look nice, at least better than the old patch that was there before, which was simply pop-riveted on top of the old rusty metal. Unbelievable. I would have done more, but the weather has been very hot, so I only put a few hours in each day.
As I wait for Top Gear to start up season two, I've been watching the new Speed TV show, The Car Show. Adam Carolla and panelists Dan Neil, John Salley and Matt Farah team up for this new series in which everything in the automotive world is fair game. I've enjoyed it so far...but I don't think it will last.
Tommy and I went to Englishtown Raceway Park this week on invitation to race during the July 20, 2011, 41st Annual P.C. Richard & Son Summer Motorsports Spectacular. Tom win's the first round, but a flat tire left us unable to compete.
I replaced the old lower windshield frame on the '66 today, and it came out real nice! I welded it from the bottom, so there are no holes to fill and no leaks when we install the glass. Then I POR-15'd the frame and under the dash, as well as the inside of the window A pillars. We test fit the glass and it fit perfectly. The cowl is still a little bit off, so I will continue to work on that next time.
I also sanded the firewall and cleaned up the trim tag. I've been sanding the entire car over the past few days, and there is almost no paint left anywhere. It's time fro some more metal work!
I noticed the other day that the electric fan in the '71 Chevelle wasn't running, and the motor was definitely hot enough. I checked the wiring, the fan, the relay...ended up being the thermo-switch in the head. So after a useless catalog search at the local NAPA, I just ordered a new one from Jegs. I also hot wired the fan to run with the ignition on, so I wouldn't overheat,, but then noticed it was still working intermittently. WTF! I replaced the relay, thinking that HAD to be it...nope. Only thing left at this point was the ground wire, so I moved it, and that seems to have done the trick. The new thermo-switch came today, so I swapped it in, and I think that we are back in business. I also stopped at Inman Auto Parts and picked up a set of 1979 Cadillac El Dorado rear brake pads for the '71 Chevelle, which eliminated the annoying rear caliper clicking.....for now.
I stripped most of the paint off the '66 Chevelle, and found a few holes where someone used a dent-puller on the drivers door and fender. I'll have to weld them up properly. Just a little bit of paint stripping left to do on the roof and trunk areas. The doors, fenders and quarters are done and ready for the DA.
I have been working on the right side quarter panel this week, making a few small patches and this lower patch panel. It should look nice, at least better than the old patch that was there before, which was simply pop-riveted on top of the old rusty metal. Unbelievable. I would have done more, but the weather has been very hot, so I only put a few hours in each day.
