SkinnyG's '61 Chevy Apache 10

In reply to SkinnyG :

I don't know why, either. I just know that stainless is sensitive to tungsten shape. I'd rather weld aluminum, it's easier to deal with...

Wastegate plumbed.  I TIG'd the merge into the downpipe, then TIG'd the elbow to the Wastegate flange, then cut a wee disc of 2.25" to fill the gap, welding it all in place so that (theoretically) nothing warps or moves during the weld.  I've let it cool completely in place, and will see how bad it is later.

Working on the rest of the downpipe, intending to take it to a band clamp by the trans.

Picked up an air body saw at Princess Auto on sale for $17cdn, in joyous anticipation of the impending future.

I don't think I like V-bands all that much.

I finished the downpipe to where I want a band-clamp down by the trans, and added the remaining O2 bungs as well as a bracket to support the down tube to a engine/trans stud.  I will finish the exhaust once I take the cab off. Hooking up the exhaust is a pain - there are 5 v-bands that all have to magically line up, and I only have two hands. There were words.  But it's in now.

I forgot to mention - the boost controller and AN fuel lines arrived Friday.

Trial fit of intercooler.  Required some cutting of the rad support, but it looks like the grill will fit fine with zero cutting to it. I will likely do a light skiff of black paint to hide it better.

Boxed in the chopping I did on the rad support for the end tanks and inlets/outlets, and got the bottom mounts for the intercooler mostly done. Wow that took a lot of time.

Fabricating the cold side. I bought the wrong reducing elbow.

The only silicone coupler I could get in town was a 3"-to-3.5", which I could NOT, for the life of me, get onto the LQ4 throttle body. I searched on eBay and bought a 3"-to-3-3/4" 90° elbow, which should be here in a week or more. In the mean-time, I threw a hose clamp on the 3"-to-4" 90° just to see if would even remotely tighten. Oh. Interesting.  It does up and holds tight. Hmmm.  Figures.

So, I piped the rest of the cold side, and since this picture was taken I welded the blow-off-valve mount in place.  I have also spaced the rad out 1.25" to theoretically fit an AC condenser between the rad and the intercooler.

Inner Fender video done.

Excellent!

Now that the turbo plumbing is done (attached the blow-off valve, not shown), I really needed to know for myself if the hood will fit over the fenders.

First I had to re-shape the hood hinges.  No room for springs, so the spring "ear" was cut off and re-flanged for strength. Then placed in the engine bay and clearanced for the fenders and flanged.

The hood had about 5/8-3/4" trimmed off the inside edges around the wheel humps, and it fits!

Very cool. 

Being skinnyG, I expect some kind of genius strut situation to hold up that massively heavy hood.

My vote is for front tilt. Like the awesome truck it is. 

Possibly suicide doors as well.

With the patina. 

Pleaee?

I'm still waffling between trying to keep the patina, and just a full-on proper "please stop rusting" paint/resto. I really can't stand rust. I -will- really drive this sun/rain/sleet/snow, and I think 60 year old paint isn't the best for that.

Research indicates hatch struts from a Blazer should work well.

The older I get, the less I care for the custom bodywork thing.  Stock appearance, cool wheels, and freaking low; that's what I like.

SkinnyG said:

Stock appearance, cool wheels, and freaking low; that's what I like.

I would sub, oh wait, I already do subscribe to your newsletter.

The older i get, the more i appreciate the approach you have. 

I don't remember: bags or static?

Ordered my A/C components, because I need to figure out the fitment of the condenser and whatnot.

Somebody posted their order on one of my FB 60-66 groups, and wow - that's cheap (and yeah - you're looking at Canadian dollars for my order)!

Took the hood back off (dang it's heavy).

Sent a list of rust patch panels to my local supplier to see if he can better some pricing.

Mounted an Express van P/S reservoir on the motor; comes with a return for the hydroboost.

Not much else today.  Feeling a lull in energy.

Humph. Turns out the under-dash evaporator unit cannot be shipped from the supplier for whatever reason. So - tried another supplier.

3"-to-3.75" silicone elbow arrived.

I didn't even try to fit it - it is too short, and makes the tubing interfere with the alternator pulley.

I'm going to stick with the 4" elbow.  If it's an issue under boost, I'll make an aluminum elbow and use a simple reducer.

Oh - BOV mounted.

Need to make IAT and Meth bungs.

Oh, and here's the first of the "I clearly didn't plan this thoroughly enough:" the oil return I put in the pan is right where the motor mount ended up, which was too close to fit any of the AN fittings I have; they all hit the motor mount one way or another:

So I bought bought a 90° elbow, which didn't fit because now the flared end hit the motor.

So I hacksawed it in half, cut it down, and re-welded it as a 45°.  I'm sure you can buy these, but this was easy.

Then I used a 45° AN fitting to get the hose to it.  Looks like it will clear the AC compressor, and I'll likely put some rubber hose around the braiding so it doesn't machine its way through things.

Except it looks like I clocked the turbo compressor and turbine in such a way that the supplied oil drain AN adapter (angled slightly to clear easily) won't fit.  Figures.  So I lengthened it two inches, and (what the heck!) ported the adapter for nice flow.

Other than running the turbo oil feed (I need a 90° elbow so the hose won't kink/hit the hood), this concludes the plumbing of the turbo.

Easy to make what you need when you have random parts and a tig! 

bump just cuz ....

Aw, shucks!

Nothing new to report. 

I did receive all my A/C stuff - hoses and fittings, under-dash evaporater, condenser, compressor adapters. The originally-ordered under-dash unit was canceled on me by the seller - from China.  I don't really watch or read the news, so I did not know what was going on in China until shortly after they contacted me saying they were not going to ship it. I found the same unit for a bit more money out of the states. With the parts in my possession, I can continue fitting everything.

Contacted a relatively local company that does blasting, run by a guy I went to highschool with.  Waiting for their reply.  They apparently can come out to my house and blast it all here, and specialize in alternate media so as not to destroy the body.

Got a quote from our local KMS Tools on rust patch panels.  Pricing works out to pretty much what LMC Truck charges if you factor in shipping.

Ordered a timing belt kit and seals in preparation of swapping motors on SkinnyKid1's Civic next week.

Also ordered a timing belt kit to do the 4AGE in my Locost Super 7.

We're just now into Spring Break, and we're curious to see if the Province will shut down schools because of Covid. I would be pleased to get a longer spring break, but really pissed if I have to spend it being sick.  Two edges that that sword, I guess.

Trying to get my "turbo installation video" done.

So, nothing really cool to show off in pictures yet.