Front Sheetmetal On

Bob Ertzinger and Tony Cetta came down yesterday and really helped me install the front sheet metal on the Ford.
I had painted the under side of the front fenders with a bed liner type of material by DuPont. This is to try to keep any rocks picked up by the tire treads from putting spider webs in the top paint. Hope it works.  We put the right upper and lower fender together first. Then we put the right running board on, which also attaches to the rear of the front fender.
Next we put the left top front fender on and then the grill was installed. Next the left lower fender went on and then the left running board.  Quite a lot for the day. We ran out of Stainless Steel 5/16 bolts so called it a day. I couldn't have done it with out those two guys.  Got more bolts and nuts today. Still have three smaller pieces to install on the very nose.  Need to finish up wiring the front head lights and parking lights first.
Gonna take a break for a week. Headed to Maui.  Life is good.

Another Good Day

Went down this morning and picked up the back fenders and the running boards Jeff had just finished painting.  Brought them home and then Bob helped me install the rear window and front windshield. Both went very smoothly and no broken glass. Will start installing the front fenders and grill this next week.  Won't get the bed painted until late April or May.  Still a lot of other stuff to do.
Time for a beer.

Runs like a sewing machine.

Got all the wiring stuffed in as well as I could an then installed the radio and speakers. It didn't work. Quit for the night and found this morning I had a blown 10 amp fuse. I must have hit a ground with the hot wire as I was hooking it up. Quick fix with a new 10 Amp fuse. Got an antenna in the mail for it today and works great.
Hooked a battery up and jacked up the rear end.  Had to put some gas in the carb to get it started. Ran fine and heated it up to 170 degrees. All gauges and lights and other stuff works okay. I pushed the brake in and put it in gear. This is the first time the transmission and rear end made movement. All seems well. I didn't run it through the gears to see if it shifted okay. Will wait till I get it all together to give it a test ride.  Next, the front sheet metal goes on.  Been a good day.

IT WORKS!

After talking to my Friday "Car Guys Group" I got some great wiring information.  Rollie  Kinneer showed me where and how the transmission safety switch was wired and Larry Gerdom explained all the rest of the "Mystery wires I didn't understand. Most of which I will not use. Some of it is for cruise control that I may hook up in the future. 
Today I wired in the transmission switch and hooked up my testing equipment after I put the gauge cluster in and hooked up three more ground wires. I was happy that everything worked except the horn and brake lights.  I found out the wires to the horn ring at the top of the column weren't hooked up. With that fixed, It worked. Next I found that one of the wires I put on the brake light switch wasn't shoved on far enough to make connection. Easy fix. I had my best helper Nancy come out and push on the brake pedal while I had the test meter hooked up to the rear wires. Hoot, Hoot, it worked.
Still nothing smoking so I might just be flat assed lucky.
I have three nuts and clips that hold the gauge cluster in to install, and then start bundling the wires up in the dash.  Looks like tomorrow I will be laying on my back.
Next, I will put a battery in and try to start it.  MOTHER OF PEARL. life is exciting.

Almost a Sparky

I have all the wire installed and now ready to put the gauges in. Bob came down and helped me do some testing. I hooked up my 12 volt battery charger to the battery wires (without the battery) and set it on 2 volts for testing.  Didn't want to smoke anything yet.  The head lights and dimmer work. The air conditioning fan works. The window wipers work. Tail lights and parking lights work. Power for the radio works, but not installed yet.  Can't get the turn signals to work yet. (head scratch).  I have some questions on some of the extra wires coming out of the S10 steering column. I don't think I need them, but will consult an expert. (Yes you should Norm).
 Got to get this sorted out before the rest of the sheet metal goes on. This has been the most challenging part of this build for me so far. So, what can you ask out of an old Plummer.
Boogie Til Ya Puke!

Steering Column in

I recovered from my birthday, so it's time to get back to work.  Installed the steering column yesterday and hooked up the bottom end to the power steering rack. Now I have to figure out all the wiring that hooks up to it. May have to down load a schematic of an S 10 steering column.  The weather is getting better and quite comfortable working in the garage right now. Got a call from my painter Jeff this morning. He is starting on the back fenders and the running boards today. He will do the box after that.  Time to hit it. Get er done.

A/C wiring done

Got all the A/C wiring installed and the drain hose in and clamped down to the frame. Have one ground wire to run and then put all the wires in some Power Cord. Got a few other wires run to the fuse block. Not too many more to run on the drivers side and then I can put the steering column in permanently. The cold is back so will have to wait a few days til it warms up again. Guess i'll work on the spinning wheels in my wood shop. It's always something.
The big diamond birthday tomorrow. I will be 75 years old tomorrow. Who da thunk I would last this long. Got too many projects yet to finish. Can't go just yet.