[Skippy597]

Not a real productive week but got some stuff done. I realized when I did my drum brakes I forgot the parking brake levers that go behind the shoes. I dug through my box of parts and found them and finished up my parking brakes with new cables from inline tube.

I also pulled out some old exhaust tube that came with the car, cut it, fitted it and welded it up and now I have some temporary exhaust. I have a full flowmaster stainless 2.5" kit but since I'll be running different headers with my engine I didn't want to have to adjust all the tubing twice. Plus my buddy can run these when he's ready for an engine on his 67.

I am also waiting on my third firewall pad to show up before I can start installing the wiring harness and everything else. I've had a heck of time with the last 2, first was completely wrong, second had black tar paper instead of rubber backing and looked terrible. Hopefully the new one will be fine.

[Skippy597]

Well all good things must come to an end a day unfortunately my labor strike is over, back to work I go. And this means very little free time for the car, it will probably be spring before I make real progress again.

I did however finally get a firewall pad that fit well enough to install. I tried both REM and OPGI and wasnt.happy with either. However the third and best yet... JEGS! It's not perfect as one would expect but fits much better than the previous two. Super surprised and relieved.

This was a big piece of the puzzle so I can assemble the dash and firewall. Hopefully will be able to run wires soon but doubtful as my schedule gets pretty full.

[Skippy597]

Finally had some time to get back on the project. And unfortunately after watching pole barn garages episode with his 64 lemans 4 speed, I realized I needed a console in my life... $&#*;#(_!_)#!#%@"#:*!!!!!! Well ok, so I sold my super shifter 3 and now had to unf**k my floor which through cutting and beating previously I made room for the super shifter setup. So I ground off the JB weld which I used to fill the voids (wasn't really proud of this anyways but it would have been fine), then decided just to match a patch panel instead. I have never made a patch panel before and I have only welded about 3 times previously, But I had a piece of scrap metal and and a dream. I made a template, cut it out, cleaned it, used an old starter and a hammer to get the slight curve for the hump and tacked it in. It turned out great I think. I then covered it in ecthing primer and seam sealed the edges inside and out. Now I'm waiting for my shifter porch to get here to finish it up.

I had found a used and broken 4 speed console on eBay for $200. The plastic base was broken by the metal looked good so I took a chance. Well, unfortunately they did a terrible job packaging it and it showed up even more broken'er than I expected but the metal top still looked decent. I remembered having an auto console in the garage and so I got to work.

I took apart both consoles, cleaned up and repainted the metal pieces, cleaned up the plastic base off the auto console and fixed the cracks, along with reinforcing the holes with washers. I took some quick measurements off the broken 4 speed one and started cutting. Painted it black, reassembled it and now I have a very usable and almost presentable 4 speed console. Overall I'm very happy with it, it will serve me well.

[Skippy597]

More pictures

[Skippy597]

Also started an Instagram following the build @thegtolmost for anyone interested.

[Skippy597]

Here's the atrocities I committed against my pristine floor prior. Really surprised how much I had to clearance for the shifter. Yeah, it didn't hurt me to cut out all the badness I had done, just hope my car forgives me.

[Skippy597]

Recently switched shifts at work and it has allowed me to get some more time in the shop. Haven't made a lot of progress but any progress is still good.

I got a set of seat brackets from Cipher auto and although they are nice they still didn't fit the car. So I had to cut the fett off and reweld them to work, but that's ok I finally mount the seats in the car. They are super comfy TMI cruiser classic seats and I'm very happy with them overall. Still getting the height dialed in but I can adjust it more down the road.

Pulled the seat out and laid down some kilmat sound deadener and next I'm onto the wiring. I've got a full AAW update kit and I'm not looking forward to it as I hate wiring, I'm not bad at it I just don't like it.

One thing I'm not sure about is if I should paint the interior now before I put it together? The car will be riding in primer for now but I could spray the interior nightwatch blue so that the jams are painted. I have never sprayed anything but not super worried about spraying out of sight areas. Also if I'm doing that should I color match the dash or leave it black? Opinions appreciated.

[67Lemons]

Those seats look nice & great job with the killmat. I would paint the jambs now & paint the dash black, not sure if that’s correct or not but makes sense to me.

[Skippy597]

Block got hot tanked and everything looks good to go so my machinist will be punching it over and letting me know the final bore so I can order pistons. Planning on Ross/Butler 24cc dish pistons for a CR right under 10:1 with the speedmaster 72cc heads. I am going to check true combustion CC before I order pistons and may go with 22cc dishs to put me a hair over 10:1. Along with my scat forged 4.25 crank and a set of scat 6.8" I beams.

Cam choice at the moment is butler/comp Hydraulic roller 236/242 on 112 lsa. I have tried multiple times to reach Tim Goolsby at bullet but no luck. Would love a custom cam so I'll probably wait for him but plan on it being in the same area.

For lifters, still deciding but the Gaterman GP1008 looks really good but there's not a lot of reviews on it. However if I can find them in stock I think I'll try them and report back.

Other random stuff I converted my cigar lighter to a choke pull switch. I stole the idea from one of the Toms on here and it turned out great. Also here is the GTO grills that I'll be running but since THIS IS NOT A CLONE, I will be running the Pontiac emblem as shown. I just like the grills.

Next up is I need to stop being lazy and run the wire harness... Ugh.

For lifters

[Skippy597]

Update

Got a set of AMD bumpers and installed the rear. Overall I'm very happy with them. I wouldn't say they are concours quality but nothing on the car is and having the rear on looks great.

Got the dash wired and installed and started running the wires where they all go. However when I bought the car it was stripped so trying to figure out routing takes a bit. I don't care if it's factory so I'm mostly just using best judgement.

My son and I threw the carpet in along with the center console to get an idea of how it's gonna look and it was definitely good motivation to move forward. I need to pull back the front to make some more holes for the clutch master reservoir and tube and then I'll start buttoning it up.

And finally my pistons showed up. Some Ross/Butler slugs in the 20cc flavor. Still waiting on my dowel pins and then off to the machinist it all goes.

[Skippy597]

I'm having trouble uploading pics right now. I'll do it when I get home

[67Lemons]

FWIW I couldn’t find the Gatermans recently so I sent them an email, they referred me to a distributor who has them but they are $599 now, for that price I’d probably go with the Evolutions.

[Skippy597]

Originally Posted by 67Lemons

FWIW I couldn’t find the Gatermans recently so I sent them an email, they referred me to a distributor who has them but they are $599 now, for that price I’d probably go with the Evolutions.

Funny I did the exact same thing and came to the same conclusion.

[Skippy597]

Pictures

[Skippy597]

Some more pics
Also look how cool that KRE intake is!

[blueghoast]

WOW||||| Nice intake, I like it.

GT