58 Chevy Build

Any questions or suggestions regarding restorations
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Chev58
Posts: 133
Joined: Tue 05 May 2015, 01:25
Location: Durbanville

Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Chev58 » Tue 18 Apr 2017, 23:54

Thanks guys.
The colour choice had my stomach in knots for weeks and I am very pleased with my final choice.
The wheel colour just happened to be in that colour as it was the only ones with the sizes and offsets that I wanted(I was planning on colour matching them anyway - one less item to paint :lol: )
58 Chevy Apache

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Chev58
Posts: 133
Joined: Tue 05 May 2015, 01:25
Location: Durbanville

Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Chev58 » Wed 19 Apr 2017, 01:09

Now end November 2016 and the assembly of controls etc is now starting.
First off was sound damping matt to be fitted from under the dash to the floor, followed by some acoustic foam.
Vintage Air evaporator/vent system fitted, wiper motor and controls, knobs and switches and finding a suitable place for the fuse box, relay sets, Dakota digital interface modules, EFI ECU module - all of a sudden the large un-used space under the dash is running out fast(fitting these items in hidden places was an option, but what happens later down the road when someone needs to do some fault finding/repairs?).

The next problem was the position of the Vortec inlet manifold in relation to the brake master cylinder = no space :evil:
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Then I recall when I was assembling the inlet & plenum chamber on the motor a year ago, that both inlet plenum gaskets were the same( fetch old gaskets to confirm ;) ) so the inlet plenum should be able to fit rotated a 180 deg? :idea: and so it does, throttle body and air filter will now sit on the left side = lots of space.
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As you will notice there are one or two wires out of place..........? wrong, in fact most of them are now out of place, so I had to pull apart the "cleaned up" Vortec engine harness and make it custom fit to the new locations around the motor and also include the new wiring for all the sensors supplied with the Dakota digital dash and gearshift shift transponder.
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Note the wiring seems to have reduced?
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Ok ;) progress, lets look inside.
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WTF have I got myself into now ?
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Well here goes......1 wire at a time - test, label,cut, extend, shorten and route as required.
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It took me about 10 evenings to rewire/re-route engine & gearbox wiring plus added Dakota interfaces and sensors and connect to required fused dc supplies from the fuse boxes/relays, then the wiring of the rest of the vehicle started, rear section: lights, fuel pump & sender, air compressor, rear ride height sensors mounted and wired for suspension monitoring/control - most of this wiring I have managed to hide inside the boxed chassis rails after sleeving.
:oops: I seem to have lost some fotos of this :evil:
After running the front clip wiring for lights/hooter/indicators and cooling fans & A/C controls.(just over 3 weeks worth of wiring and testing - so far so good).

Then just before X-mas, my next part for the puzzle arrives - I ordered a reprogrammed 0411 GM PCM from around 2002 GM V8 models(4 x faster processor and much more tuning capability with easier to get hold of soft ware - HP Tuners in my case - EFI Live being another option).

So I had to re-wire the existing ECU wiring to the newer 0411 unit as the ECU plugs are completely different (and I had asked the my contact in the USA to supply me with the required correct plugs and pins - thanks Lextech).

The big day finally arrived after plumbing the radiator and oil coolers and topping up fluids.(all 24L of coolant 8O )

On 26 December 2016 I turned the key and she fired up on the second attempt after removing the Plastic packaging cover off the new MAF sensor :oops: (I forgot to remove it and start attempt #1 nearly swallowed the damn thing :roll: ).
Then the wife came running into the garage trying to figure out what the noise was all about, I just did what all petrol guys do......rev it up more.

What a X-mas present from me to me - Nou gaan ons Braai en Dop gooi, I had been dreaming of this day for so long - starting the V8, not the braai ;)
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58 Chevy Apache

WCC
Posts: 115
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Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by WCC » Wed 19 Apr 2017, 15:39

Just gorgeous and what a great accomplishment to fire her up.

I will be looking out for this stunning ride in Durbanville. :D

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Chev58
Posts: 133
Joined: Tue 05 May 2015, 01:25
Location: Durbanville

Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Chev58 » Sun 07 May 2017, 18:37

Been busy with the interior stuff to get ready it for some upholstery work.
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I have used the original inner door panel to retain the profile and have added a teardrop style armrest/door handle.
The idea is to use a light tan leather on the upper section and black carpet on the lower area as per profile to break the huge flat panel look.
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Maybe I should do the armrest/door handle in black leather as a bit of contrast?
I would like a black saddle stitch running around the bolt line just as a highlight.
What do you guys think?
This is about as difficult as choosing a colour for the vehicle was :?
Comments please - good and bad will be entertained :lol:
58 Chevy Apache

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Johann66
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Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Johann66 » Sun 07 May 2017, 18:56

Wow!! 8O

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Mustang Sally
Posts: 267
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Location: West Rand

Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Mustang Sally » Mon 08 May 2017, 13:53

I find that admiration and envy are having a boxing match in my soul! :lol: :lol:
Stunning project.
Love the idea of a black saddle stitch on tan leather and I would seriously consider doing the armrest in black for contrast.

Why don't you mock it up with some cloth over the armrest to see?
68 Mustang Coupe RHD
62 Corvette
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Hi, my name is Neels and I have a problem... :lol:

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Jeffrey
Posts: 62
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Location: Boksburg

Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Jeffrey » Mon 08 May 2017, 19:02

Agree with Mustang sally!!


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Chev58
Posts: 133
Joined: Tue 05 May 2015, 01:25
Location: Durbanville

Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Chev58 » Tue 09 May 2017, 10:11

Thank you, black arm rest it is, hope fully the upholstery does not take too long.
58 Chevy Apache

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Chev58
Posts: 133
Joined: Tue 05 May 2015, 01:25
Location: Durbanville

Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Chev58 » Sun 04 Jun 2017, 23:09

Well it's been a while since my last update, a rather busy and productive while that is, my 1st sunday out of the garage before midnight to, thanks to our winter arriving. :lol:
So the last question was what to do about the door panel/handle colour combo's, well what do you think?
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Personally, I think I must remove the double stitching around the perimeter, it spoils the finish? (ie: redo the leather section in plain tan :cry: )
58 Chevy Apache

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Chev58
Posts: 133
Joined: Tue 05 May 2015, 01:25
Location: Durbanville

Re: 58 Chevy Build

Post by Chev58 » Sun 04 Jun 2017, 23:43

I have also completed the speaker enclosures for the rear and added some storage compartments that will be usefull behind the seat.
Custom built sub enclosure to specified volume to fit into available space.
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Sub enclosure and rear speaker boxes now fitted, carpeted and ready to connect.
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Amps are fitted & wired up.
Oh and you may have notice that the carpeting has been done on the cab floor too.
The kick panels left & right are custom made to fit the front speakers.
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I have finished of the center console support to mount the B&M shifter along with a custom made console plate to house the radio and A/C controls.
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Some custom fit side panels to close up everything(wiring, PCM etc)
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Now wrapped in leather ;)
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Over the last 2 weeks I managed to install and get it all working proper, full alarm/immobilizer system with central locking(now that was a challenge, as the door latches were never intended to lock, only locking the handle push button was not for me).

So today I fitted the head unit and played some tunes(needs to sound good with the V8 off too).
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The roof headliner was also fitted a week ago and I found a chrome trim to run around the edge to finish it off, instead of the original bulky rubber trim(if anyone needs the original headliner rubber trim, I have one available.)
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And then most of all.......Thank you very much to the gentleman responsible for fixing this forum, what a pleasure uploading pics now, you are a champ, well done.
I will be adding some video clips here soon too.
58 Chevy Apache

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