[Rattiac]

Wow Rattiac.....You don't waste any time. Really shaping up. For $170 Maaco should gold plate that tank!

Yeah. and the radiator shop wanted to cut it in half to get to the dent.
 No way, I said "I'll do it myself".

[Rattiac]

This tank had plenty of dirt , beehives and trash in it. I filled it full of water to get the stuff I couldnt get out and drained it .
 I was told to fill it with water before welding to prevent explosion by a mechanic that works on the power company trucks.

Gas-Tank

 Some progress on the gas tank. (5-2-2012)
 Pulling the dent out .

Found a pinhole after spraying some etching primer.
 Ground it down and hit it with the mig . No more pinhole.

Here it is all cleaned, sealed and painted. The sealer took about 2 weeks to fully cure (no solvent smell) .

Since I needed a sender unit before re- installing the tank I ordered up some custom gauges from Classic Instruments.
 This is where the fun begins. Its almost thrash time .


I forgot to mention that most of the work has already been done. That's why it seems like im cruising through this .

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[Rattiac]

(6-4-2012)
Here's the delux sending unit classic sent me . After measuring and adjusting the sending unit to the tank depth I had to hog-out the hole to get it installed so I vaccumed out what metal shavings I could , then used a magnet , then washed it out with gas a few times . I'll be running 2 filters just to make sure. 1 huge flter underneath and a smaller filter before the carb.

ready for the install.

Made my own tank-straps for $ 9.00
 The original strap on top.

Gas-tank installed and fuel-line is ran to the pump and carb.

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I ended up pulling the tank and redoing the straps it just wasnt fitting right at the filler neck.
 Took about 1/2 or more out of the straps and its fits right now. Picked up some battery cable and exhaust pieces. Also sending the driveshaft in too .

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[Rattiac]

Driveline, Exhaust and battery cables (7-14-2012)

 Here's the exhaust ready to mock-up . Made up a wire template and  had 2 pieces bent up for me, drivers side pipe and tail-pipe.
 Y- pipe and a 25" glasspack all ready to weld.

Collector pipes welded.

Had to grind the flanges to clear sparkplug boots

Driveline , exhaust , battery cables all done.

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[Rattiac]

Here's a cool view from under the fender.

Not bad for my own built exhaust . Since the shops around here charge way too much for hotrods.



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[logride]

It's looking good! I like the exhaust.

[Rattiac]

Picked up some (16ga) sheet-metal to get started on the floor. Front and rear pieces are cut out . A guy by my work is gonna let me use his brake but...That fell thru , so I ended up paying someone to bend it . (10-15-2012)


I called speedway and ordered what should be the last of the parts I need to get her going .
 Light switch, turn signal w/ dummie loads for LED's, Brake light switch, Gas pedal (spoon), Dimmer switch w/ pigtail , and two 4inch peep mirrors.
 Workin on the floor right now , getting access doors cut for the battery and brakes.
 Even put the seat in to get that all mocked up and holes drilled.


 Started on the front floor but realized it needed a brace under the seat, so looking back at my wood photos I put a brace where the original was. Also painted the rails with dark-rust (rustoleum) so when I put the floor on top it will help blend it into the rusty rockers.

I did the floor in 3 sections . Front , back then riveted in the middle on top of the other 2.
 Also bolted in the seatbelts to the frame.


 Had a few bends put in so it was just like stock. I didnt like how the floor was kinda weak near the battery door so the part I cut out I welded underneath in the middle. now its nice and strong.


 Front section: access door made for the brakes. Toeboard, shifter and original E-brake installed.
 Used a mechanical brake switch with a lil chain hooked up to the pedal .

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[Rattiac]

Rear floor.
I had a slight up-angle put in and the rear section has a 2 inch kickup.
 Plenty of access for the battery.

Rear seat installed. Dodge caravan seats work out pefectly . I still have enuf room behind the seat to put in 2 6x9 speakers. Gotta have some tunes. someday.

The bulldog checking out his new seat while I hog out the holes in the dash a tiny bit.

Getting the dash ready.

[Rattiac]

Oh theres more.......

 I had to have some custom E-brake cables made since Ford ranger/explorer were way too long . So at $ 55 a side I had these made up . Kinda spendy but had no other options.

Spoon throttle pedal installed.

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[Rattiac]

And finally onto the wiring .
(10-16-2012)
 After going over everything. Making sure I had all switches, connectors and reading the manual about 150 times. I started on the wiring.
 Here's the fusebox mounted. Looks easy enuf . He, he.
 I decided this was a no-rush area that I wanted perfect, so if it took a few weekends it was no big deal to me.


Actually it wasnt that bad. I had more trouble with the timing than anything.

 Engine bay all done and ready to loom.
 Made sure it was all nice and neat.


Front section I decided to run up the passenger side cause I figured I had enuf things in the drivers side framerail . Just seperating sides at the moment but it all got ran into the fender mounts. Again lots of loom . I dont want a wire rubbing on anything.



 Here's the dash getting ready to be wired. Looks scary dosent it. Organized Kaos.
 Yea, I ate lunch in the car already.



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[Rattiac]

The dash

 Here's the dash all done with a really nice and exspensive set of Classic gauges .
 I wanted the gauges to be as original as I could get and didnt want to cut any holes.
 So the only thing I had to do was hog out the 2 big holes just slightly. I am really pleased
 with how it turned out and hope I did this Pontiac proud .
 I also wired in one of those cool chrome turn signal switches.

I still need to put in 2 switches for dome light, ect and the choke cable got installed later.

[chopper526]

Man, you are flying on this car!! Looking good.

[Rattiac]

Well. This work was done last winter/spring. I was in a rush to get this done in time for the Lincoln Highway trip (Hwy #1) that was coming through Utah in June. I'll post more on this later .

[Rattiac]

Fired up and a test drive.

 Well after getting it all wired . It fired up on the 3rd of October 2012 . That weekend we went camping to celebrate . The next sunday I took it for a spin around the block. Found a oil leak and fixed it . I drove great, alot softer ride than I thought it would have but im cool with that. Almost ran it outta gas all 2 gall of it.
 I still had a bunch of things to do. I have a RR taillight thats constantly on and I havent put the headlights or front bumper on yet. Needs a windsheid and some other cosmetic things such as paint and I need to sew up a top for it..........Oh also build a hitch to pull the teardrop .
 but Im so happy its running.
 Now Ive gotta clean the shop and do some home fixes . That may take a few weeks. LIFE

I snapped this pic before the wiring. Just got lucky. He dosent sit still for long.


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[Rattiac]

I fixed the brake lights and they now work properly. I had to turn the switch up-side down and convert it to a push-system instead of pull.
 Also fixed a leak or two. So no more leaks .
 Its gonna sit for a few weeks to make way for some other projects but when I get back to it I'll post up some start-up video and more pics.




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