The Wanderers build

[superbuickguy]

A junkyard is a great place to buy those parts, vans use the same parts and the steering column is much easier to remove.

I have a couple other columns, including one that's a twin to this one... but yeah, been surfing the local Upullit, it's where I got the valance.... their columns were no savable - they even have an 86 Suburban there... .but no, not worth pulling. As far as vans, you'd think there would be tons, but nope, astro vans, sure, minivans... but no full size.

 

[superbuickguy]

and it works.... but first a bit of forcing into place

onto the next problem... I think I found the issue they were fighting... there are no dash lights, worse
compare this picture to the one before

it's grounding through those two gauges. Also, no dash lights - the only difference between those two pictures is I pulled the light switch on to test dash lights...

and since you asked about the c3
the 496 fits right in

 

[superbuickguy]

big hole fix

use cutout as template

ran out of time here

for added joy, I'm doing this simultaneously

yet another C3 (this time, mine), coil on plug and port efi.... you know, something simple.....

 

[superbuickguy]

and then, paint

two birds, one paint, weld-through primer
and closer

a bunch more trims and here we are

now to remove bolts and get onto the bigger holes

about 60% of the first hole welded...

not hard work, just dirty and dusty....

 

[superbuickguy]

lawns

and heat

get in the way of builds... or in this case, deconstruction

bigger hole

template process

not sure when I'm going to work on this next, next week is going to be pretty busy
at least one hole is done

 

[superbuickguy]

because a day isn't complete without breathing grinding dust

it's a lot of work to make an interior which floats

this is a new one on me... look to the right of where I cut through the brace... it failed at the bend...

in addition to this really weird rust/fail

cut the rest of the problem area out

mark out templates

first test fit

 

[superbuickguy]

time to start filling the next holes... but first... more removal

chop chop

fit

tack

weld new in

then make a replacement for what I don't have

and installed

more layers coming soon

 

[NevadaLover]

Some projects become a nightmare quickly, but for you I see a wonderful blazer upon completion, good job!!👍👍

 

[ITTOG]

Did you ever consider replacing the entire floor pan? It seems it may have been faster?

 

[superbuickguy]

Did you ever consider replacing the entire floor pan? It seems it may have been faster?

that would be a ton more work - finding a drilling spot welds is a lot of work and quite time consuming. Also, that wouldn't fix all the issues - those rear, lower kick panels aren't available (or at least I never found them), nor are those supports.

 

[superbuickguy]

more floorpan....

fitting

beat a radius into the back corner

test

MP&C I'll never be, but this should be good enough

lots of tacking

then weld

once that was fitted, it was time to work on the lower metal

nice to see that there isn't even a hint of being the same

fits a lot better when it's cut in half

still need to make the step back down to meet up with the side panel

I'll likely make that back piece into a another piece to make it fit... but that's for tomorrow.
Good night

 

[NevadaLover]

Patience!

Good thing you have it.

 

[superbuickguy]

Patience!

Good thing you have it.

I have very little patience, but what I do enjoy is metalwork... but you bring up a very good point, do what you love; hire out what you don't - otherwise, you'll hate what you're doing and for this kind of stuff, that's deadly to the project getting finished.
this actually had more metal work in it...

and someday, when I feel my talents can take it on... I have a car that will have the same level of metalwork as this car...

 

[superbuickguy]

the raw material

 

[superbuickguy]

moving forward
but first, someone was giving me grief about how he had no idea how there could be a leak with new weather seals....
oh I dunno, maybe through all those bolts that are just above the weather seal?

today I picked up some doors... they are a lot better then what I have but...

seriously... speaker holes? I know a guy who can metalwork - so this saves me about $500...

that said, these may become backstock if I find better
oh china, did you even use a Blazer when you made the stamps?

lots of chopping

how to weld with a copper backer

once you weld it, this is what the 'back' looks like

then tack in place - this, in my opinion, is where lots of experience really helps, you intuitively know what you can stretch to make fit and what you can't

note the roll dolly? it allows me to knock the metal into the 'stock' radius

think the mostly finished looks okay

then the end of the wire - at this point, I had 3 hours in this

the next... I think a key take away here is - just becomes something comes in one piece, it may be easier to make it more pieces.... this, probably, is going to get chopped again where it meets the rocker panel