Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT Mixed Grill - From London , England - GRIZZMAKES world

[TomGW]

You say, "rear tyres are toast", so presumably new tyres are needed.
IMO you need 'taller' tyres. You have gone from 70 profile 15" to 45 profile 17", which is a significant part of the visual problem. It will also impact ride quality too. The overall height of the new wheel/tyre combo is less than the original. I think that this era of car doesn't really suit low profile tyres anyhow.
My suggestion would be to check how 55 profile tyres on the 17" rims would fill the arches before you start lowering.

 

[Grizz1963]

You say, "rear tyres are toast", so presumably new tyres are needed.
IMO you need 'taller' tyres. You have gone from 70 profile 15" to 45 profile 17", which is a significant part of the visual problem. It will also impact ride quality too. The overall height of the new wheel/tyre combo is less than the original. I think that this era of car doesn't really suit low profile tyres anyhow.
My suggestion would be to check how 55 profile tyres on the 17" rims would fill the arches before you start lowering.

Original rear tyres, one was cracked as per photo.

Tyres on the alloys are all very low mileage and can be seen in pics posted after collecting.

I am absolutely aware of visual impact of 45’s

I would be happy to go to much higher sidewall ratio.

Personally I prefer taller side wall.

 

[Grizz1963]

Hey, do you know how many photos I had to zoom in on, before I could find the date code ?

Easter egg hunt ?

The kitty hair around it would have made it easier...

I certainly missed a trick there.

.

 

[Grizz1963]

So I took the car through to the front for a few side on pictures.

Then took it for a drive to allow everything to settle down.

Came home and made some measurements.



Also below is a BEFORE and AFTER pic


Pics below of course.

.

 

[littlebean]

love the before/after pics - car looks brilliant on those wheels, worth the wait to see it (no I didn't wait patiently I had to do diy & gardening to stop myself from constantly refreshing the thread.................)

 

[Grizz1963]

Center caps.

I am surprised nobody has offered to print some on their 3D printer yet.

Maybe some interesting logo on there, you know…… the sort of thing that would complete the wheels in a Grizzification way.

So with my searches for a smooth, domed type of center cap with 150mm diameter and about 7mm depth, all coming up empty handed, I decided to go make some myself.

But before that, I had ordered some 75mm center bore caps.

I also tried some coffee bottle lids that I had stashed for size.

If I wanted to leave the wheel nuts exposed, these would have been perfect. Glued in place with small blobs of Sikaflex type glue like the stainless bowls were before.

Pictures below.

But making my own was a nice little adventure to try out.

I was going to use my wood lathe and some thick plywood and probably 1.5mm ally sheet metal that I had laying about.

Scavenging around my garage, I managed to find a bit of ally, which would be just enough.

I also found a small bit of 18mm plywood that was filled with nails, staples and screws. Obviously used on more than one job before. Once cleaned up it could be added to my bits needed to proceed with the design and making up of the bits I needed.

In 1977 at school, I started doing technical drawing as a subject, which I did for four more years until I left school at the end of 1980 to join the military.

I still have all of my draughting tools and this instrument set.
The outside shows that even as a 13/14 year old kid, I wanted to be or at least live in America.

So I started to prepare my materials.

The wood lathe allows for a 110mm radius or 220mm diameter to be spun and worked.

So the corners of the ply was removed to allow the ally plates to be screwed down “Safely” and the ally plates, similarly lost their corners.

Materials prepped……..

Time to make a coffee.

Of course.

.

 

[Grizz1963]

love the before/after pics - car looks brilliant on those wheels, worth the wait to see it (no I didn't wait patiently I had to do diy & gardening to stop myself from constantly refreshing the thread.................)

Well……..

There is more.

As you may have noticed.

All in good time.


My YouTube channel has more advanced content

 

[bugnut]

I like the small jar lid centers. I loved the drafting set, they were on the way out as I learned orthogonal drawing. The stickers on the box are priceless. So you were a pilot at an early age, building your own planes!

 

[Grizz1963]

I like the small jar lid centers. I loved the drafting set, they were on the way out as I learned orthogonal drawing. The stickers on the box are priceless. So you were a pilot at an early age, building your own planes!

I don’t think we could afford those models.

But friends who had more than us, would build the models, tanks, planes etc and not use the water transfers.

50 years ago.

What happened?

 

[Finallygotit]

Time!

 

[Grizz1963]

Time!

Absolutely

 

[Grizz1963]

So I waltzed into the shed to try create these things.

First step, find tools, recall how they work.

Get the plywood screwed to the backing plate.

Three different chisels later, and we had a hollowed out section.

So I screwed an ally plate to it.

Took a hammer handle, some bees wax polish and started forcing the ally plate into the inverted dome.

Followed by a sharp cutting chisel to separate it out.

Two of the discs did try to decapitate me in their bids for freedom.

So once I had made the four discs, I could try them for size and fit.


Obviously there is cleaning and sanding to get done.

Fortunately I had used that drum sander before cutting the plates so the finish was already textured and ready ultimately for paint.

More in a while.



.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Hi Jeff

Look at the photos I posted earlier with dimensions.

It’s all there.

You caught me - I have a terrible habit of only clicking on pics that look interesting - that excludes charts. I also suffer from not remembering what I looked at several days ago. Whatever you do, will, I am sure, look great.

 

[Grizz1963]

You caught me - I have a terrible habit of only clicking on pics that look interesting - that excludes charts. I also suffer from not remembering what I looked at several days ago. Whatever you do, will, I am sure, look great.

Naaaahhhh

Not caught.

We all do this.

The sheer volume of information we have to process is daunting and your mind will protect you from overlad.

But they were there to see

 

[Grizz1963]

For those who want to see the process of just turning some scrap aluminium into some scrap center discs

Here’s your chance watch the video.

.

 

[gman007]

Rian
Those center caps look great and even more so because they are handmade by using what materials and tools that were available. This type of craftsmanship requires creativity and skill.

A machine made part might be more precise and four center cap might be more identical, but what is the creativity and skill in buying a machine made part?

It seems you are planning on painting these center caps. Personally, I like the silver center and gold wheel contrast specially if the caps are polished to a mirror finish. YMMV!

I also have a comment regarding the subject of the value of a video which has been bought up here a number of times. This particular case is a prime example of why I like and appreciate your videos. While based on your written description and photos of your process, I kinda could follow what you were doing, it was the video that clarified any ambiguity and was very informative.

Thank you again for sharing and for the time and effort that you spent on making the great video.

 

[Grizz1963]

Rian
Those center caps look great and even more so because they are handmade by using what materials and tools that were available. This type of craftsmanship requires creativity and skill.

A machine made part might be more precise and four center cap might be more identical, but what is the creativity and skill in buying a machine made part?

It seems you are planning on painting these center caps. Personally, I like the silver center and gold wheel contrast specially if the caps are polished to a mirror finish. YMMV!

I also have a comment regarding the subject of the value of a video which has been bought up here a number of times. This particular case is a prime example of why I like and appreciate your videos. While based on your written description and photos of your process, I kinda could follow what you were doing, it was the video that clarified any ambiguity and was very informative.

Thank you again for sharing and for the time and effort that you spent on making the great video.

Once again, Thank You very much.


Bit late after about 14 coats of primer, paint, clear lacquer.

BUT in retrospect….. polished ally centres to tie in to the rim edges and all the silver paint, would have been great.

 

[Grizz1963]

Center caps.

Edges trimmed

Cleaned up

Etch primed

Gold paint added

Paint tested for matching

Absolutely not what I was looking for.

250ml of BMW gold paint bought £29.00

More coats added over gold.

Much better then.

Added 5 coats of clear lacquer.

Shiny. Shiny. Shiny.


Now need to figure a way to mount them securely.

Original 6mm bolts broken off in alloys.

Yes, galvanic corrosion.

No, I am not

Pics



.

 

[Grizz1963]

Oldsmobile question again.

I was rummaging around under the front seat yesterday and found some empty plastic juice bottles and the original rear view mirror.

I had not realised any of this was there, despite cleaning the interior shortly after I got the car.

I actually added a suction cup type stick on mirror because I like to see behind me.

Anyway………



I need to get the mirror back inside and up on the glass.

What do you guys use for fixing mirrors back in ??



You know, the little metal plate that the mirror screws or slides onto.



Thanks. .

 

[littlebean]

those centre caps are great - also great (maybe better even) is watching the process involved, just for that I'll forgive you the delay in showing the wheels on the car........

 

[PaulMc0308]

Oldsmobile question again.

I was rummaging around under the front seat yesterday and found some empty plastic juice bottles and the original rear view mirror.

I had not realised any of this was there, despite cleaning the interior shortly after I got the car.

I actually added a suction cup type stick on mirror because I like to see behind me.

Anyway………



I need to get the mirror back inside and up on the glass.

What do you guys use for fixing mirrors back in ??



You know, the little metal plate that the mirror screws or slides onto.



Thanks. .

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/t...s-heavy-duty-adhesive-pad-fixg218-727126.html

 

[bugnut]

never used it but see it on the rack at the auto parts store

Permatex 81840 Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive​

 

[jbmatth]

I don't recall the brand but have used similar to what bugnut posted, it worked great and held well. The center caps came out very nice, I'm curious how you will attach them.

JB

 

[Grizz1963]

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/t...s-heavy-duty-adhesive-pad-fixg218-727126.html

Thank you

never used it but see it on the rack at the auto parts store

Permatex 81840 Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive​

Thanks for posting this up.

I don't recall the brand but have used similar to what bugnut posted, it worked great and held well. The center caps came out very nice, I'm curious how you will attach them.

JB

Center caps are still an unknown thing.

Plan A failed to even take off.

 

[Grizz1963]

Sorted

“Bring it in mate”

No charge.

 

[PugetDude]

Sorted

“Bring it in mate”

No charge.

Maybe after viewing the paint scheme they were all hallucinating?

 

[ChefRex]

Oldsmobile question again.

I was rummaging around under the front seat yesterday and found some empty plastic juice bottles and the original rear view mirror.

I had not realised any of this was there, despite cleaning the interior shortly after I got the car.

I actually added a suction cup type stick on mirror because I like to see behind me.

Anyway………



I need to get the mirror back inside and up on the glass.

What do you guys use for fixing mirrors back in ??



You know, the little metal plate that the mirror screws or slides onto.



Thanks. .

Apparently you didn't clean all that well,

I too have used the Permatex to reattach a mirror base.
The centers look great.

 

[Grizz1963]

Apparently you didn't clean all that well,

I too have used the Permatex to reattach a mirror base.
The centers look great.

Thank you

Plan A to mount them has failed out the gate.

More thinking needed.

 

[Grizz1963]

Today……..

I am starting on some of this.

New Tyre fitting this afternoon.



.

 

[bugnut]

I know a guy with a 3d printer. But need to have good dimensions.............

 

[bugnut]

Velcro!

 

[Grizz1963]

Velcro!

Not a bad idea at all.

Well worth the effort

 

[gman007]

Today……..

I am starting on some of this.

New Tyre fitting this afternoon.

Hmm! I know! I know!

Pedro once again called you at 3 am, this time complaining of lower right abdomen pain and asking for help! You are preparing to remove Pedro’s appendix !

Ps
You might consider sterilizing those tools using evaporust though, as I hear Spaniards are not very tough!

 

[Grizz1963]

Hmm! I know! I know!

Pedro once again called you at 3 am, this time complaining of lower right abdomen pain and asking for help! You are preparing to remove Pedro’s appendix !

Ps
You might consider sterilizing those tools using evaporust though, as I hear Spaniards are not very tough!

Appendix or Appendage?

 

[Grizz1963]

Paint done.

Polishing and wet sanding in a couple of weeks.

Tyres in progress, unfortunately over a few days.

So interior bits started getting attention.

Found the original rear view mirror under the passenger seat.

Reaffixed that, Thanks to National Windscreens.

Then looked at seat covers.

They are in crazy good condition for a 34 year old, 181567 mile car.

But my **** itching never really stopped.
So I pulled out the two Serape blankets that I have had stashed for years.

First one fitted around the rear seat.

Happy with that.

Plan is to try another one of those first time I give it a go activities.

But I need a sewing machine, an overlocker and possibly some guidance on creating the patterns I need. It will be two done, multicoloured serape on too and the support sections around the edges, back of backrest etc in a nice denim blue.

Making a full seven piece front seat cover set, using the second blanket.

There is an asymmetrical seat, two backrests, two headrests and an armrest that folds away to become the backrest to the third seat up front.

For those who don’t know……

This car is actually a 6 seater.

Three up front and three out back.

And a couple of dead bodies and a shovel in the trunk.


So I started easy.

Went for a drive and filled the car with stupidly inflated priced petrol.

Car was pretty. Fuel prices were not.

$120.00 for a 3/4 tank.

Pretty Dumb ehhh.


.

 

[Grizz1963]

Next small job (that typically doesn’t take a small amount of time) was the inner C-Pillar caps.

34 years of sun damage, one was found in the trunk and the other leaving debris like elephant dandruff on the rear parcel shelf, it was obvious something had to be done.

So I stripped both out and took them to the shop.

Wire brushed front and rear.

Painted a few coats of rattle can sepia brown to try consolidate the fibrous material they were made of, and left to dry out.

Followed by cutting fabric roughly to shape, contact adhesive and then trimmed to size and shape.

Gloated a lot for managing to circumvent this little problem.

Video of how to do this.

.

 

[gman007]

Rian
Great job on the inner C-Pillar caps! Loo very nice and professional! It seems this might not be your first rodeo in upholstery.

And as usual great video.

 

[Grizz1963]

Rian
Great job on the inner C-Pillar caps! Loo very nice and professional! It seems this might not be your first rodeo in upholstery.

And as usual great video.

Every job is different and a “first”

I guess I have done a rodeo before.

I am glad the pillar caps worked out.


Thanks as always for taking the time to reply to the various threads you follow.

Trust me….

Us authors appreciate it massively.


It certainly keeps me going.

 

[Grizz1963]

Always got **** spinning around in my head.

Have you used or got a friend who has used these?



My memory seems to be that they look super gash and floppy.

But I have been wrong before.

At £60.00 for a set, they are not high risk, but I would not walk down the street and drop ££60.00 or $80.00 on the sidewalk for someone else to pick up and go buy burgers with.

Make sense??



I was just wondering if they would suit the look of the Oldsmobile now.

Oh, no I have not asked AI to generate anything.

.

 

[littlebean]

My memory seems to be that they look super gash and floppy.

my memory is terrible but that chimes with my what I can dredge up too...........quite an apt description in fact