Projects from The Compound

[classicJackets]

Skipped here from the first page - Before I go back and read all of it I have to say: Awesome Datsun projects! I'm incredibly jealous of the ones your brother got for free and basically free. Here on the east coat people want lots and lots of money for Datsuns, even when they don't run..

 

[mistervelocity]

Appreciate the comments. There's more updates coming but my computer keeps locking up and trying to update.

The story behind 'cheating the reaper' has to do with the accident that started the build. Short version is...15 years ago I was on my way home from work (this was my daily driver for years) when a sweet 19 year old girl pulled out of a parking lot on my right to make an illegal left across 3 lanes of traffic. There was a planter median to my left and cars in the lane to my right leaving me no path but to go directly through her. I anchored the brakes but there just wasn't enough room to stop. I hit primarily my right front but somehow managed to make contact with the other 3 corners as I spun around 1.5 times. As I spun, both my fat *** and the seat I was sitting in went out the passenger side door and skipped across the pavement. Police report said I was thrown 30 yards but a witness later told me it was more like 20-25 feet. After an ambulance ride and a couple days in the hospital I went home with a scull fracture and some lasting back, neck, and nerve problems. By all accounts I could have easily died if things had happened slightly different. My truck was certainly totalled given the fact that the driver's door and tailgate were the only undamaged panels. I could type pages about how things didn't go my way from a police/insurance standpoint but that just digs up old wounds.

 

[mistervelocity]

12-6-14
Anyway, when we left off I had it mocked up but needed to move the crossmember. Pulled the engine ,stripped the frame and disposed of a few tack welds to drop the crossmember out. Tacked the crossmember back in about 3/4" back. Decided not to drop it. Note the added hole in the forward upper control arm mount that gave me a bit more clearance for the fender. Made a cardboard dummy so I could reference the fender to the wheel. Trimmed out my C-notches for the rack. This area isn't even close to done yet. Set the engine in place and installed the Alternator and brackets. The engine is placed high enough that the bottom of the scatter shield is even with the front crossmember and transmission crossmember. The carb flange is leveled and there is driveline clearance under the cab floor. There's really just enough room in the sweet spot. A little tough to see here but there isn't quite enough room between the alternator and the rack. It technically fits but there isn't full range of adjustment so I'll be dropping the rack just a shade. At this point I'm working on the pedals. I'll post pics when the task is completed.

 

[mistervelocity]

A couple side notes...
Got the shop furnace dialed in. Even when it gets down in the 20s I can get a nice comfy working temp within a couple hours.
Also, I did some more shuffling of appliances and put the old Frigidaire on full time duty.

 

[mistervelocity]

Short update; Still chipping away at the welding/grinding on my '35 chassis. Hope to have it primed within the next couple weeks. Pics coming when there's something new to post.

In preparation for the April swap meet I've been collecting salable parts on PickNPull 1/2-off days. My count at this point is (2) WC T-5s and (5) Explorer 8.8s with limited slip 3.73s and disc brakes. Hoping to pick up a couple more T5s before April. Anyway, I spent about 5 hours today stripping the rearends down and cleaning them up. Tomorrow they'll get a quick coat of black paint and get reassembled.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Smart way to make some extra cash! Always nice to see what you are up to!

 

[mistervelocity]

It does make for a nice cash infusion at a traditionally slow time of year. I used to do Saginaw 4-speeds (back when you could still get them cheap), then recently moved to T5s. This is the first year I'll try the 8.8s. So far the 5-speeds seem to be the easiest money. I just keep an eye out for anything I think I can turn for a profit. Over the years I've learned that presentation is 80% of it. I certainly don't try to represent them as being better than they are but shiny always sells better than greasy/rusty.

 

[wasfast]

What an extensive number of great projects of all sorts. Was a bit surprised to see you are in Hillsboro. I lived on 26th and Baseline in the mid 70's, graduated from Hilhi in 1977. More of the "small world".

 

[mistervelocity]

I'm about 2.5 miles east of there on Cornelius Pass (used to be 219th back then) and Baseline. If you haven't been around here in the last 20 years you'd have a hard time recognizing it. A LOT has changed. I grew up in this house and when I was a kid there were only 3 other houses visible from my place and 5 cars backed up at the 4-way stop at rush hour. Now, I'm totally surrounded by suburbia complete with a shopping center across the street and the intersections of 2 4-lane roads 100' from the corner of my shop. They're breaking ground on the last parcel of unused land in my area for more apartments and high density housing. I can't wait to get out of here. I'll be heading to Idaho in the summer of 2017 after my daughter graduates. The only upside to staying is that large lots like mine are getting pretty rare so hopefully it'll be worth something when I'm ready to sell.
...and don't even get me started on the politics around here.:tard:

 

[mklotz70]

Looks like I've got a ton of catching up to do.....but I'm here

 

[sean Buick 76]

Its always cool to see your updates, you are very skilled!

You asked me about if I was building "Morio Style" but I am not sure what that means lol... maybe because I am a Canadian lol...

 

[DrRick]

Wonderful read! Love watching your very high quality projects move from concept to completion.
Any updates?

 

[mistervelocity]

Thanks for looking. There are updates to post, just need to sit down and sort through all the pics and do some typing.

 

[mistervelocity]

The frame for the 35 is painted and has been mocked together yet again. Still haven't installed sway bars and the brake lines aren't run yet. No weight on the rear gives it a Baja Bug stance. That probably won't be addressed until close to the end of the build.

 

[mistervelocity]

Meanwhile in Compound-East (Idaho)...
My dad picked up a '36 pickup. It was built around 20 years ago by a diesel mechanic and then inherited by his grandson. Some of the build was done well and some really needed to be redone. Since it had sat for a few years, the brakes needed work. Then the engine developed a noise and got 86'd in favor of a Vortec 350 crate motor we located near my house. He's also revamped the dash and fixed the crank-out windshield that had been welded shut for whatever reason. He has it pretty well sorted at this point but keeps going back and for the on whether he wants to keep it or sell it and look for another.

 

[mistervelocity]

Focused a bit of attention on the Cutlass. New G-force crossmember, Painless lock-up kit, rear diff cover, and an A/C rebuild and conversion to R134. Then made my annual trip to Pendleton for a car show. My brother traveled with me in his '36 pickup and our dad came from the opposite direction in his '68. We met in the middle.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Great updates! Nice to see things coming along!

 

[mistervelocity]

Thanks for the encouragement, Sean.

Here's a couple side money deals. Bought and sold the 5 8.8 rearends. Those went quick! Also picked up 5 T-5s and flipped them. 4 got the input shaft modifications and 1 was left alone.

 

[mistervelocity]

While I was in 8.8 mode, we slapped one in my brother's '36 pickup. Even got my nephew involve a bit. Huge improvement over the old 9".

 

[mistervelocity]

I finally got around to finishing the custom hybrid wheels on my 510. The outer hoop was cut from some 15"x7" Jeep Wrangler donors (backwards so the valve stem is now on the inside). The centers were sectioned from early Datsun Roadster 14"x5" using a brake lathe, plasma cutter, jig made from an old brake rotor and scrap metal, and a bunch of time. End result is a 15"x7" Datsun Roadster rally wheel. Only set on the planet as far as I know. The inner bead was MIG welded and I had a buddy TIG the outer bead. My brother was kind enough to shoot them "Tuscan Olive" which is like a dark army green with gold flake in it. I'm still on the lookout for some nice Roadster caps.

 

[mistervelocity]

Random photo of the house. The lawn is even mowed!

 

[mistervelocity]

End of summer update...


My dad tossed a cheap repaint at his '36. The TruSpokes are being traded away in favor of some Torque Thrusts.

Flipping another batch of 8.8s.

Did some riding.

Ordered up some bed parts for my '35 pickup.

Exhaust repair on my brother's VW bus. There's always work to do on that thing.

Got a bunch of cedar chips spread around the shop.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Nice to see you are making your expected progres! The dirt bikes look fun!

 

[mistervelocity]

Started a new project recently. My buddy, Marc and I are building ******* bikes together. Kinda scrambler/dual sport/rat bike/WTF direction. He's starting with a CX500c and I'm basing mine on a GL650i (Silverwing). Both are from Honda's "twisted twin" family. I'm collecting parts before I tear mine down. Marc's was an abandoned build that is being set right. The ammo cans housed the battery and all the wiring -- poorly. We immediately 86'd them. The seat mount was really sketchy and the monoshock isn't really done very well either. We shaved and welded in the rear hoops that had been hacked out by the previous owner. 5th pic is just set together mock-up. He has tire, pipe, etc on order. Also picked up a CX650 roller for cheap that we may swipe the frontend from.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Ah cool bike projects!!

 

[mistervelocity]

Overdue updates.

Marc's C-monster has progressed nicely. We got the new tires mounted, rebuilt the front forks, totally redid the monoshock (and still aren't done yet), and installed the new bars. He's got all new lighting to be installed still.

My Silverwing, now known as Zero, has been stripped of all unnecessarys. Knobby tires are now in place, forks rebuilt, new bars installed along with grips and mirrors. I have a plan for the lighting but haven't bought parts yet. Next major step will be nipping the rear of the frame and then raising the rear suspension. I also have a huge pile of touring parts to sell off.

 

[mistervelocity]

My dad got new wheels and tires for his '36 to compliment the new paint and brightwork.

On my '35 progress has been less dramatic. The bed and tailgate parts have been sealed. Some more paint removal and then the passenger B-pillar was removed to be straightened. Apparently the damage my fat *** did when I was ejected couldn't be corrected with it in place. It was a major chore and I have my dad to thank for tackling it. Hoping to see some real progress soon.

Other than that I've just been busy with work since summer is the busy time. It's starting to taper off now so I expect that I'll be spending more time in the shop in the coming months.

 

[mistervelocity]

Raised up the rear suspension and bobbed the frame on Zero.

 

[mistervelocity]

Blue '36 is currently for sale. My '35 is on indefinite hold. Planning to dig in to the '66 El Camino soon.

Subtle progress on Zero...

 

[slodat]

Re: Projects from The Compound -- Pics back up!

Price on the '36?

 

[mistervelocity]

He's asking 25K https://boise.craigslist.org/cto/5381662904.html . Not sure how much flex is there. I noticed a couple pics in his ad are from before he had some interior work done. The pics in the snow were taken last week when I was there. I drove it a bit and it's actually a nice driver. Surprisingly quiet inside the cab compared to all the other 30s Fords I've driven.

He's also got his '64 El Camino listed too https://boise.craigslist.org/cto/5382693292.html . Not a thing wrong with it, just ready to move on to a new project. He's been talking about either another '35/'36 Ford or possibly an early '60s Impala.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Very cool projects, nice work!

 

[mistervelocity]

Thanks, Sean.


Blue '36 sold today. Now on to the next one. Might show some love to my '66 El Camino next if he doesn't find another early Ford.

 

[mistervelocity]

6 month update...

Finished up (mostly) the scrambler projects and have been riding them around. We did about 100 miles today on a mix of freeway, twisties, county gravel roads, and even a few miles of rugged logging roads. These things are stupid fun!

 

[mistervelocity]

Also payed some attention to the '66. Blew it apart and gave it a Scotchbrite massage followed by a coat of satin clear. Have to give my dad most of the credit for taking it apart and putting it together. My brother shot the clear. Also had the original 327 rebuilt, rebuilt the 4-speed, new u-joints, resealed rearend, rebuilt radiator and carb, new master cylinder, all new fluids and a new windshield. It's all ready to cruise, I just need to get fresh tags and put some miles on it.

 

[sean Buick 76]

That's awesome I like the idea of clearing the car instead of trying to fix the paint issues. On a nice car like that without much real rust it's kind of an all or nothing kind of things... Either do a full paint job, or leave it alone. But your clear coat idea protects it while you can have some fun driving it. Good stuff!!

 

[mistervelocity]

Glad you like it. With the exception of a small spot at the bottom of the passenger fender and then a couple small pinholes I found (actually expected much worse) when I pulled the rear glass, it's remarkably rust free for being 50 years old. We also did our best to work out any dents or creases that had been accumulated over the decades. Being a one family car since new, it's still amazingly intact. The only things not original is the alternator and the carb, although the carb is correct for the car. I made the decision to run the A833 overdrive but the original Muncie is safely stored away. Every other item on it came from the factory.
I figured, rather than hide the history and commit to a full repaint/resto, I just embrace it. I have a feeling it'll get more attention this way anyway because, let's be honest, a restored El Camino isn't all that exciting.

 

[madoc1]

wow, that 327 came out nice! are those the original ex.manifolds, and if so, what did you treat them with? good woork.

jim

 

[mistervelocity]

They are. Bead blasted then painted with VHT "cast iron" header paint. As it ages it turns a bit more goldish but wears well over time. I've used it on several projects with good results.

 

[mistervelocity]

...aaaand I'm back.

A lot has happened so I'll try to migrate and merge content from other places to fill in the last 3 years.

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