GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Interesting day.

Went to Sally’s uncle Bobs yard to get some pics of the Bedford TK cab for an interested guy.



Then headed home to move a load of firewood from behind the garage to fill a wood shed, another firewood box at the back door, and also the pile of firewood and kindling piles inside the house, Sally doing most of the hauling.

I Dennis has been working hard at getting his NASCAR chassis sorted, welded and trimmed for the 66 C10 truck he is building.
Engine mounts and various other attachments now sorted.

So the chassis was rolled outside to await a pickup to go for sandblasting and powder coating.



This things is goi go to rock for sure.


So after the firewood session, I went to fetch the jack, impact gun and an extension cord from the garage and brought them up to the house.

Removing the fist Galaxy wheel bolt...........


Surprise !!!!!!!!


Domed and loose face, I was expecting a 60’ degree taper.




13mm shaft.



Threaded shaft - 38mm



Total length..... 62mm



Alloy wheel bolt hole base..... concave.



Thickness of Ford mounting surface 11mm versus Mercedes Benz at 25mm



And then lastly, depth of threaded Ford front hub 27mm



Lastly, mocked up, just put in place after checking.

Mercedes Benz front wheel fits comfortably without fouling up anywhere.

I had not lowered the car to get the body and wheel arch closer to the ground.



But it looks OK to me.

[Grizz1963]

Spigot rings to reduce 66.6 to 57.1 arrived in the mail yesterday.


Good look and feel.



And offered up, not yet installed as I want to flat back the inside of the faces.



So one problem solved.

Next unsolved is finding good, high quality adaptor studs.


Been away in Brighton for a two day meeting

Sunset last night.



And view from breakfast this morning

View from the table.



Remember Dennis sent the frame out for blasting on Sunday, last night he sent another picture





Called the blasters on the way home tonight to ask about my parts for the C10

Nope, still waiting

[Grizz1963]

When progress is not progress.


Called the blasters on the way home last night to ask about my parts for the C10

Nope, still waiting

Lady on phone said they should be done by Friday 13th.

Let’s hope it is a good day.

[Grizz1963]

I am known for doing things the difficult way.

Was chatting to a cousin in Cape Town earlier.

He suggested using Wurth Time Sert inserts to drop the thread size in the hubs to M12 so one can use standard wheel bolts.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-Wurth...r/153370492469

Obviously need to find the right insert to give the right thread result, ie. 12 x 1.5 to take the bolts.

Opinions, experience, advice?


Thanks

[Grizz1963]

Had @PaulY over here by 09.15 today.

He needed to go look at a Mini Cooper S for his son about 25 miles from my place, and 80 miles from his home.

If he bought it, the car would need top come back to my place to wait for recovery to his place in Essex.

So we headed out to go look, Paul with a torch, thick insulated mat and a wad of cash.

Short story, the seller was not 100% truthful, and Paul walked away.

He did also bring along an almost new hardly used double DIN radio to sell to me for the Galaxy

Ultimately I did not pay for it, Paul left it here with the understanding that he would find something to trade for some time in the future.

Needs a plug, and telephone microphone, and to be fitted.

Pretty chuffed yes.





Lastly........

We all have seen this in real life, I suspect.




Back in a bit.

[Grizz1963]

After a couple of weeks of researching and trying to get some answers as to how I was going to get the Mercedes Benz wheels onto the Galaxy, I happened on a guy who specialises in Alloy wheels, attachments, and adaptors.

I was really keen on the stud insertion idea as it’s done a lot for racing applications which surely tests stuff more than a school run.

Anyway, after about 10 exchanges, he suggested I machine the M12 bolt holes to accept M14 wheel bolts

With vernier in hand I had established that the existing holes were 13mm anyway.

Having ally spigot rings fitted to keep the wheels in place, the lug bolts only exert energy to keep the energy centralised.


I liked this diagram, helps me understand what the parts are about.



So......


Action.

Cheap enough drill bits to fit into a 13mm Chuck, Tool,Station only 5 miles away.....



Two bought, just in case.



Indoors workshop....

Yes, I do pay the mortgage.

Wheels ready to be worked with trepidation



Sally on standby, camera and her critical eye on my trueness of attack.



I was amazed at how little material came out of the 20 holes in the end.



Result.

Spigot rings also seated with help of a wooden block and mallet.



I did remove the front wheel after lifting the Galaxy up to trial fit one of the wheels.

However, it became apparent that the Ford wheel bolts are too short to safely get purchase in the hubs.

So I went back to my searches and bought a set of:

20 X M14 X 1.5 50MM LONG RADIUS ALLOY WHEEL BOLTS FIT MERCEDES VIANO VITO

THREAD = M14X1.5

HEAD SIZE = 17MM

COLLAR = RADIUS

THREAD / SHANK LENGTH = 50MM

All of our products are of a high quality, We do not sell any cheap inferior products. Made in Italy, Fully TUV approved with Bimmec packaging where applicable.





Lastly........


A bit of fun.


This car will never be Prozac with a full NASCAR livery, but maybe a wink every now and then.


Ordered replacement centre caps to replace the Benz items.


A nod toward Harley my loyal helper.





So now we wait.

[68Timber]

I have the same Pioneer radio, it was in a truck I bought last year. If you run the USB plug to wherever you keep your phone, it works both as a data cord and charger. Bluetooth works well. It doesn't have much power compared to other double-DIN radios (14w/ch I think?) but it does have a lot EQ adjustments to get the sound dialed in the way you like it.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

I have the same Pioneer radio, it was in a truck I bought last year. If you run the USB plug to wherever you keep your phone, it works both as a data cord and charger. Bluetooth works well. It doesn't have much power compared to other double-DIN radios (14w/ch I think?) but it does have a lot EQ adjustments to get the sound dialed in the way you like it.

Excellent response, thank you.

I look forward to getting it fitted when I get a chance.

Most importantly for me will be getting my mobile phone to work.

In the U.K., mobile phone use is massively policed and prosecuted.

So it needs to be right.

[Grizz1963]

Did about 60 miles today.....

Went to fetch some free furniture for Sally’s spare room which she is getting ready for a lodger too.

On the way back, I came Up to a roundabout on a left hand curve where I needed to scrub off speed a bit.

Suddenly I felt some vibration on the left front wheel.

Pulled over, inspected and drove off carefully to pull over in a nursery car park to check the wheel nuts, all good.

Full lock, nothing hanging off the suspension or front end

Then drove the remaining 25 miles cautiously with the brakes juddering and clearly not capable of handling an emergency

Why???

I hear you ask .....

Coz I chose not to take recovery service on this car.

This means I will be getting it serviced and stuck on a machine this week as it’s been shouting for a service since I bought it.

Getting the brakes seen to will be part of the job.



So.......

Leaving, empty.



Headed back, before the brakes threw a wobbly, the guy gave me a set or genuine Seat Alhambra roof racks too for the Galaxy too.



More the sort of look expected from Prozac..... Loaded.



And of course carried upstairs and set out.



Remember the state of my wing mirrors??

Been looking for a set, but not prepared to pay the prices charged online.

Then tonight a surprise call from MercDan to say he had possibly found me a pair of working mirrors from a Galaxy that was being stripped and broken up.

Still to be collected and then brought over to my place.



Amazed that the weekend is pretty much over again.

Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Did I mention that Christmas does not do it for me, due to its commercial nature and the absolute gluttony associated with it.

Tonight Sally brought me a shy gift.

A Christmas tree.



So to celebrate the tree, I bought the Galaxy a microphone for the @PaulY radio that’s waiting to be fitted.




And on the way to work this morning I booked the Galaxy in for a service that will include new discs, pads, filters and lubricants.

That’s booked for the 16th.

Now my head is wondering if a reprogramming or chipping for this motor is doable, and worth doing.

[Grizz1963]

Measure Twice

Cut Once.


Remember that bit of advice?


I did not.


Also thought I had ordered Optimus Prime centre caps for the wheels.

But it seems on delivery that I did not order them.



I did not even get out of my work suit, straight away popped the Benz cap out and tried the new spider one on.

Poop.



Compared to the Benz item, which is 70mm this 57 mm spider ended up too small.

I think I measured the spigot ring reducer, which is 57.1 and seeing the cap advertised, just hit the buy it now.

Now to see if I can order some 70mm caps.





In other news.

Harley, my buddy, my cat, my therapist has been a bit off colour a few days.

Eating changed, and also drinking a lot, including from the toilet and kitchen sink, both never done before.

This morning she was shouting from 05.00 till after 08.00, so I booked her in at the vets for 6.45 tonight.

Thorough inspection and it seems she has a massive mass inside her mouth, under her tongue.

Either an abscess from a fight (she does not fight) or a cancerous growth.

If it is the latter, it’s bad news.

Antibiotics and steroid injections and booked in for a week from now.

Let’s hope it is an abscess.

[Grizz1963]

All I wish for her is comfort and no pain.

She is not exhibiting much pain response, but cannot seem to eat and drink.

Sitting motionless on the armrest next to me, even her purring has gone, and that’s where her name came from, the loud, Harley Davidson like purring at all times.

The dribbling is a clear sign that all is not well.

Wish I could help.

[68Timber]

Hope she's OK. We have 4 Mini-Lions here, so fully get it.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

Hope she's OK. We have 4 Mini-Lions here, so fully get it.

Thank you very much

Yes, they really are family.

And Harley has always been my dog at home.

Fiercely loyal and a shadow

I can only hope against hope that this recovers for her.

[Grizz1963]

I guess it is still progress as parts come in.

My Hermes delivered the new Mercedes Benz Vito wheel bolts today.

Longer than the Ford Galaxy items as the Benz alloys are quite a bit thicker.






Not sure when I will get a chance to trial fit the wheels and tyres, but certainly looking forward to seeing them on and the first drive.

[Grizz1963]

Taken one of my left over vacation days today.


Sally is off work too. Has 5 days in a row.


Mini road trip planned later, after I do some more online study modules.


Hopefully all will be good on the mini trip, with a result.


Still wet and cold outside.

[Grizz1963]

Vacation today.

Lazy start.

Cat



Did some online training modules before we left.

Then headed down to New Romney in the Galaxy after getting a call from We Weld Engineering yesterday to collect the Chevy C10 parts that I dropped off on 4 November for blasting and priming.

When we got there, I loaded the parts.

Much more space than in Prozac of course.






Once all loaded, I paid for the work that had been done.

I was quoted at £30.00 per piece.

The job seems to have been done with a gentle, sensitive hand.



Once the job was paid for, Sally and I headed homeward via McDonalds, and I got us each a kids meal and coffee.




Check out the street name for heading home.



So then headed homeward via Morrison’s to get some food.

Then home to unpack the treasures.

[Grizz1963]

.

For those interested in just how badly my ‘66 panels came back.....


Click on the link https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...wpost&t=585901


It should get interesting now.

[Grizz1963]

Last entry on here about my ‘66 C10 as it has its own thread.

THREAD HERE.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=585901


Will post random stuff from England for those still interested in my ramblings.

Seems there are still guys looking.

Thanks.





Bit of history here......

Been asked by a few people why I started the resto on the truck when it looked so shiny before.

Of course the results of the Blasting and etch priming kinda answers it. It was in much worse condition than the photos implied.



Harley in June 2013 when the Chevy landed, as always inspecting and ensuring my safety.

With restarting the truck resto now, I will miss her if she ends up not making it after Tuesday.



Currently I am feeding her 1/2 a chopped chicken breast twice a day which she is managing easier than the dry food or even her favourite Dreamies

This behaviour is also completely alien to her, only the last 10 days or so has she jumped onto kitchen units and been trying to drink from any cups in the sink, I now leave a cup of water for her..... she never used to do it, so another sign that all is not right.



So truck as it stands now.




Was chatting to my cousin in Cape Town yesterday about the cost of the blasting, at £240.00 for 8 pieces.

He felt it was a bargain, compared to the cost of my time and materials, as did I.

If you look at the other sides of panels and the Complexity of cleaning them up for repairs and paint, it would have taken a lot longer than 3 hrs per panel to clean and prime at £10.00 per hour.

Sally and I went down to the garage to grab some more detail pics yesterday.



Speaker hole needs to be closed up too as part of the repair work.



I think this will be interesting....

Yup, scares me.






Garage temperature this time of year stays between 0’C and 6’C if it warms up.

Yesterday was 3’C which obviously interferes a bit with working in there.

Hence the small caravan on the drive that can be heated really fast and is insulated to stay warm enough for welding and also for priming panels once welded and finished up.




Should be gooderer.... 😉

[Grizz1963]

Got a message from @forddan @mercdan last week to ask if I would be interested in a pair of used wing mirrors for the Galaxy.

Of course, and at £20.00 for the pair it was a no brainier.

So next thing he sent a pic with the message to say he had them.



This afternoon he called to ask if I was in a hurry, should he deliver.

Of course I said yes please and an hour later he was here in one of sin George’s cars,a hot little red Ford Fiesta, lowered and on alloys.

Delivered, Harley had to inspect, in spite of not doing too well.

One needs a new glass.



Covers need some paint.



After Dan left, I packed them away for future reference, well, after tomorrow as the Galaxy got dropped off this afternoon for a full service and new discs, pads etc.


Harley came and settled down on my leg, again, even the way she is sleeping, not the usual way.

Old age sucks.



Weekend over again, got a fire tonight, so the room is warm.

Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Took the Galaxy in for a service today.

Remember when I bought the car, I was told the brakes were in desperate need of a service.

They were.having done about 250 miles since then they went very bad last weekend when I fetched the furniture for Sally.

Weirdly, I never noticed till I got home that there was a message on the dash “Service Now”

So I told the mechanic to run through it and address everything that needed doing.

A few pics.....

Dirty underside.



Rear brakes



Not good



Front end





Front pads.....



So new discs, pads fitted all the way around.




Digging around further, Ivan came up with some interesting surprises.....

Shock retaining washers and nuts......

Old and new.



Yup, it is dead alright.




Replaced and serviced parts have made the drive feel much smoother.

Not cheap, and actually more than I would have liked to spend, but now I seem to have a decent car again.

Oh, and lastly....

Dennis in St Louis sent through a pic of his service station.

Almost a Christmas card pic for men.





.

[68Timber]

Surprised to see that. Don't you have to get yearly MOT inspections? I thought those were somewhat thorough. Sorry about Harley. I missed where you mentioned he's 15.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

Surprised to see that. Don't you have to get yearly MOT inspections? I thought those were somewhat thorough. Sorry about Harley. I missed where you mentioned he's 15.

Morning.

Yes, the inspections should be thorough, but there are still friendships, relationships etc that exist where a friend may pass a car on stuff for a friend to go repair at home etc.

Not much one can do about that, and in my case, I am certainly not clever enough to do a full inspection to get that kind of reassurance, looking at its history, it was very clean and seemed to be well maintained over the years.......

Buyer Beware springs to mind.



Thank you regarding Harley.

She was certainly part of my life and made sure anyone who visited here was given the security check over and then welcomed as family.

Some animals just fit in well.

And she was part of the forums, often by her own insistence, to be in cars, the wood shop, garage etc.

The house is certainly quiet without her being around me, talking, to me constantly, waking me at 5.30 for her breakfast etc.

And it will be quiet going forward.

But we get over this sort of thing.

The memories and many moments of laughter she induced will stay.




Interesting to see Photophukit has killed a bunch of recent photos again.

Not sure if anyone else has experienced that.



Almost the weekend.

[Grizz1963]

Photophukit seems to have a mind of its own right now.

Nicola sent a few more pics of Harley that I suspect many of you will enjoy too.



Loved a fire, also fearless of them, like with power tools.




Surfing the web.







Sweet innocent cat.




And where this story really started

December 2010 when I moved to this house and bought the Sachs Madass.

Security checked by her.




And a final good bye from Harley the Fearless.

Set up in her new job now........

A happy girl.




The house has been empty for sure, and one sees her and looks for her in all the places she should be.

She will be missed,

[Grizz1963]

Earlier this week a big or important part of the “build” arrived in the post.

Microphone for the Bluetooth telephone system and radio.

Will get fitted as soon as there is a bit of decent weather and time.



More than to happen.


Been a bit of a hectic week.

But at least today, despite a load of stuff to get done at home, also delivered a bit of action in the Galaxy.

Took it in to Just Tyres to see if the Mercedes Benz wheels would fit, using the longer Vito van bolts.

Before

Really tall.



Fitted, and though not settled once off the jack, it is still too high.

I think some lowering is in order.



Tyres then removed from the wheels and tossed in the rear.

I will go back for some new tyres to be fitted once I have refurbished the wheels.

Sally took a pic facing rearward.



Went home via some shops and then to Tool Station to pick up two cans each of Etch primer, silver paint and clear lacquer

All for £33.00

As this quote from a friend in the USA reads.

I started with a $750.00 banger and spent $1000’s on it.



And the wheels with some of the damage visible.



Looking forward to this.


Rain just needs to stop.