jozw30

That's it for now.

A few shots showing the modification to the stop position. Plan is for there to be a cover across the core support and down the front to match the fender shape. It will clean up/hide most of these mechanicals.

Thanks!

Joe

gearheads78

awsomeness x 100

Olds Dad

Nice work Joe - see the CAD sketch - did you make the sketch for yourself, or did you have the stops fabricated?

jozw30

Thanks guys!

Yeah, I first used some aluminum flashing pieces to get the basic concept/shape to fit, then I made the 3D parts in SolidWorks using the sheet metal feature. It's nice because it accounts for the metal in the bends.

You then "un-fold" it, print to scale and voila, you have a perfect pattern!

Worked really nice and I'll be able to use the original rubber bumpers.

Probably going to work on some more body patches for a while and also order the electric windshield wiper setup (and hope I still have room for that....)

Post more when I get some more done.

Joe

nonhog

Love it!

jozw30

OK, since the last update on my 55 88 LS custom build a lot has happened personally. All good.

My wife and I decided to follow our dream to move to Arizona. We both got new jobs, packed up all of our crap and the dogs and moved.......

So, as most things in life don't go exactly as planned, I was supposed to have my dream shop built by the time we arrived on New Years Eve. Well, that didn't happen. So, while everything else has been going reasonably well, my 55 has had to sit for the most part while I finally get this completed

Should be able to get started again on the 55 in the next month or so.

If everyone is still interested, I'll get back to posting build progress on the Zombie!

jozw30

I have managed to get a few things done on the car since our move.

I got the passenger door stripped and put a patch in the bottom. it came out nice. Still needs finished welding.

Second picture shows the console I'm working on. It's a late model Buick console that I'm stretching and blending into the dash. Will use the shifter and it has nice cup holders. I will fab up a new top plate.

Third picture is a rust free four door shell I picked up in Tucson for sheet metal. I also got the rust free fenders from this car. It's amazing how nice this stuff stays out here....

Joe

oldcutlass

Glad things are working out.

Bernard099

Well your project sounds great.. Glad to see that todays we have people who really works for old cars because the mostly people more focus on the new car with latest technology and people are forgetting these oldies. Thanks for sharing the photos. please share the photos after finishing the project.

More information about vehicle accessories

gearheads78

I wait for every new post until I can dig in to mine.

jozw30

Made some progress. Got the fenders and doors lined up pretty nice and decided to finish up the reverse hood hinge stuff and fit up the front filler panel. For some reason, I can only upload one picture at a time from the iPad.....

Here's a few posts/pics showing the latest iteration of the reverse hinge setup and filler panel.

I picked up a 2011 Camaro radiator and if I'm lucky the hoses will work too (yeah, right). Getting that radiator to fit is the next task. I chose the Camaro radiator because it has the filler tube in the center. I will fab that into the filler panel with a nice billet cap. Should look nice.

Hopefully, I will have the body on a rotisserie in January and can finish up rust repair and other body mods. Car will be stripped and sealed soon as well.

Thanks for looking & Merry Christmas everyone!

Joe

jozw30

Filler detail. Looks really nice in there. Need to do something on it though like louvers for an emblem or something. Plenty of time for that later...

jozw30

Custom latch assembly. Lower part. Had to fabricate the whole front bracing system. Still need to re-create the hood bumpers. Works though

jozw30

Upper latch part. Was able to use the original mounting bracket (well, the part that attaches to the hood anyway). Everything works but I need to get the right spring. The spring that came with this cheap hot rod hood latch wasn't made for this massive hood. Got some on order. Still have to run the release cable too.

jozw30

Also, think I need to find a nice hood. This one is tweaked just enough to cause me problems. Not horrible, just doesn't quite fit right. I finally found the spot that it's out of shape and don't think I can persuade it to go back.

I'm going to move on to the other stuff while I search.

tru-blue 442

Very nice work Joe.
I don't know how I missed this thread,
but it is a good one. Thanks for posting your build.

gearheads78

Looking good!!

jozw30

Radiator install went better than I expected. I was able to cut the lower core support pan and trim the upper bar a bit and it fits perfectly! Welded in some flanges in the bottom. I used rubber grommets to isolate the radiator a bit.

Just need to fabricate the upper mounts which I have all sorted out in my head just ran out of time.

I need to figure out how to make the cap area look nice with my filler panel.

I think I'm going to make a piece to raise the area just slightly with a recess for the cap. I need to hide the steam line and overflow line too.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Joe

jozw30

Mounting tabs with rubber grommets.

jozw30

Radiator in place.

gearheads78

Nice clean install

jozw30

Finished the upper mounts for the radiator. Need to look for better rubber bushings/spacers.

jozw30

All tightened down.

jozw30

Filler panel trimmed for radiator cap. It actually looks really good. I need a cap and one of those pretty decorative machined covers.

Thanks for looking!

Joe

RetroRanger

That filler panel really cleans it nicely ! It's nice to see your progress on this thanks for posting

jozw30

Got back to work on the 88 today & decided to get more done on the center glove box area. I removed the giant ash trays, fabbed a panel the shape of the dash, and then sectioned the original glove box door to narrow it a bit.

The plan is to install a stepper motor programmed to open the door when the ignition is in the "accessory" or "on" position. When the door rotates open, an iPad mini will tilt forward. I plan to run the iPad for my music, GPS, movies, etc.

I think I have the mechanics figured out, just need to find the right motor for torque and programming for speed and rotation (I have help with that as I'm no EE).

Here's a few pics of the restyled dash. Think reusing the original door keeps the spirit of the original design.

Wish I could upload more than one image at a time on the iPad....

jozw30

Original glove box door cut up.

jozw30

Welded back up.

jozw30

Filler panels to replace ash trays tacked in place.

jozw30

Resized door in place (just held in with magnets...).

I may put AC vents where the ash trays were?

Don R.

Nice work!

gearheads78

Diggin' the dash mods

Eddie Hansen

Joe love everything you have done so far, your welding skills are amazing, very nice...

can't wait to see the next progress..... I have to get my own project reresurrected again ( and again, and again )


great work.

jozw30

Thanks for the compliments guys. I'm really having fun with this. Never paid much mind to the custom thing, but it just let's you be so creative. As I described in my original post. The car was a mess when I started. Not even much of a parts car, so it's really satisfying to see it coming together like this.

My welding is nothing to brag about really but I am learning and improving all the time.

I think I'm most proud of still having 99% of all of my fingers at this stage (I hope I didn't just jinx myself.....).

I hear you Eddie, this thing sat for about a year from the time we decided to move until I got here and got my garage built. Just go find some small inexpensive thing to do to it to keep you motivated and connected to it.

oldcutlass

Coming a long nicely, I like those type of projects also.

jozw30

Still plugging away, just not anything exciting. I've been reworking the floors a bit using some of the rust free sheet metal from the parts car.

I removed the gas tank braces from the trunk floor, and purchased a new tank from "Tanks". It's apparently a generic version of their 55 Buick tank. Should work fine once I weld in the recess for the EFI pump and sending unit.

Will center the tank braces and should be able to use the original straps as well. This will make the dual exhaust a bit cleaner.

jozw30

Another quick shot of the work on the floor pans.......

jozw30

New fuel tank. I struggled with some of the spot welds removing the braces, so I have a few holes to patch in the trunk pan (there were soooo many). More welding practice I suppose.

I'll get the braces welded back up next and make sure the original straps work.

Getting close to getting the body and chassis stripped and in sealer. Going to try out a DIY turbine HVLP system that I am putting together piece by piece.

Thanks for looking.

jozw30

Made some progress over the last couple of weekends.

Managed to get the tank modified for the in-tank EFI pump. Also installed the motor (again.....) so that I can modify the inner frame section to give some clearance for the right header flange. I only need about 3/8 ". Also need to cut holes for the left side dual exhaust. Chassis will go out for powder coat next.

Ordering a custom width 9" rear tomorrow that will allow me to stuff 11 1/2" wide tires in the rear. Should have it in a couple of weeks.

jozw30

Chassis with engine and trans mocked up.