[67_LS1]

Hopefully on a time-and-material basis this time

 

[Hotwire]

Alright guys, back at it and now getting hourly pay, so things are looking up. This guy found me at the NC chevelle show 1.5 hrs away and literally lives 7 mins from my house, he's seen me driving around and the car at shows. He's building muscle cars and hot rods to owner's spec and has asked me to come in to lend a hand and also wire things up. Trying to get adjusted to working 2 jobs, hoping the extra income will manifest some updates to my rust bucket.

This is a 71 chevelle that's been handed to a couple shops, we're gong through it to get it as finished and reliable as it can be. Holley sniper setup, rewired engine bay, and am cleaning up under the dash.
Before:

This is after, but I had not dressed the wires up in loom or terminated the battery connections.

Who wantsa meataballa?? Previous shop "installed" dakota digital gauges:

This is after, waiting until we reinstall the dash to clean up the radio and steering column wiring

 

[BillK]

Looks good. I have always been amazed when looking at some of the most beautiful cars until you see the wiring and it is a complete mess.

 

[67_LS1]

Glad to hear you’re being compensated by the hour. Getting into someone else’s mess is a complete unknown.

 

[RChurch]

I started a business several years back (not car related) and like you, I wanted to give the customer the best. If they wanted "A", I gave them "A, B and C". I was quickly going broke with labor costs when my mentor told me, "Randall, Good enough is good enough. Give the customer what they pay for. Nothing more, nothing less. When you go to the store and buy a loaf of bread, they don't give you two loaves to keep you coming back. If you want two loaves of bread you pay for two loaves of bread. Give them what they pay for. That's all they expect. It's a quality job and great customer service that keeps them coming back."

 

[64SS427]

You’re an artist! I rewired my car 15-20 years ago, had never done anything like it before. Used a Painless harness. It was a learning experience! Everything works, but I wish it was as neat as yours

Devin

 

[71350SS]

Alright guys, back at it and now getting hourly pay, so things are looking up. This guy found me at the NC chevelle show 1.5 hrs away and literally lives 7 mins from my house, he's seen me driving around and the car at shows. He's building muscle cars and hot rods to owner's spec and has asked me to come in to lend a hand and also wire things up. Trying to get adjusted to working 2 jobs, hoping the extra income will manifest some updates to my rust bucket.

Bingo. I learned a long time ago that I'm not working for free on sympathy jobs. You pay for my skills and ability. I don't see how anyone could flat rate a wiring job. Everything of this nature should be time plus materials.

That is how it should be and a brand new wire harness should also be provided. Flat rate on a wiring job like that is just too tempting to butcher stuff to try and save time.
I once had a job as a helper in a large Ford dealership 1977. The lead mechanic would tell me to punch in and then out (on electrical problems & elec.repairs) when I finished anything electrical he assigned me to. I didn't know it at the time but they would have to call in our times spent to the local Ford admin. when any problem cars had to be worked on. So even they paid hourly for time spent on wiring problems.

 

[Narti]

Please come wire my 70 when the time comes!!! I hate electrical!!

 

[Chevymec]

That previous wiring was horrible. Nice work!

 

[Hotwire]

Buttoned up the wiring last night and let the big block breath! Happy to report 0 issues and man does it sound healthy. I'll get beauty shots when it's finished, think I'll be over there Sunday to help install the bumper and valances.

New video by Jeff Bowne

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Cam]

Nice work, Jeff. Just think of the synapses you are building. The more you do it the faster it should go, to a point.
In one sense you are a volunteer fireman. Your are stopping fires before they happen.

You know what they say, "If you want something done, give it to a busy man."

 

[Hotwire]

71 Chevelle is ready to go to it's owner!! The sniper has a weird throttle issue like the engine vacuum is holding the throttle blades shut. We're extending the throttle cable mount on the cam to help with that. BUT all electrical is solid and everyone is happy. After driving that warmed up 454 I understand the big block torque statement. Trying to nudge the throttle blades open with that sticking issue just lit the tires up with 0 effort. Next up is a 60 something Catalina. Will have pics and info soon!

New video by Jeff Bowne

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Xplantdad]

You do PCB layout work? I've been in the PCB manufacturing industry for a bunch of years off and on...In CA and AZ.

 

[Hotwire]

You do PCB layout work? I've been in the PCB manufacturing industry for a bunch of years off and on...In CA and AZ.

Yessir, was in pcb layout for 22 years, just switched into IC layout, pretty much the same song and dance but it's a new challenge, was seriously burned out.

Back up to operating specs after surgery, little slow, and still figuring things out but I'm elbow deep in the 1964 Pontiac Catalina. Beautiful car with 60k some original miles. Original wiring harness looked good but had been cut into so went with all new AAW setup.

Pontiac 400 with triple deuce fuel injection, Holley hp efi setup, tkx 5 speed, 4 wheel disc, has umi suspension pieces with QA1 coil overs. Had the frame blasted and powder coated, this was before the engine color changed, never knew how much I hated sanding until I had to get every nook and cranny of that block and heads..

Bought a brand new Dakota digital gauge setup then proceeded to blow it apart and create a custom gauge panel out of it, will have pics when we finish up. Added vintage air, 3 relay fan setup, and relays for the headlights along with aftermarket stereo and amplifier. Going to have passenger lighting under the front seats and front foot well areas. I'm tired!!

 

[Hotwire]

Here's lighting mock up for the gauges, changed needle color from Dakota digital red to a factory ish orange and are flooding with green light to partially mimic factory lighting.

Also the rod shop I worked with to do the 53 GMC shut its doors. I had no idea and heard about it through Mike Finnegan on his YouTube channel.. Was sad to hear but explains why I never got a call on the Chevy sedan they were building.

Here's the last videos I got of the show truck being loaded up to be sent home with its owner.

Backing out of shop

20220425_182617.mp4

drive.google.com

Setting off alarms

20220425_182752.mp4

drive.google.com

Goodbye to a fun challenge

20220425_182817.mp4

drive.google.com

 

[Hotwire]

Car is just about ready to fire. Made up spark plug wires Thursday and interior is complete. Put warm Leds into the bottom of the dash to light up the front foot wells and put a pair under the seats to light up the rears as well, they really made a difference.

Custom gauges made from guts of a Dakota digital setup, vintage air controls hidden behind factory setup, retrosound radio, hoping to be a fun cruiser. Waiting on brakes and exhaust then we'll be able to fire it up!

 

[blm]

That is an awesome looking Pontiac.

 

[Hotwire]

I agree 100%! Working on it is making me pick my rust bucket apart. 😢 Next up is color matching the hoops and brake drums to the top of the car (but satin finish) and polishing the ribs of the brake drums. Feels like the car grew 8 ft now that it's together.

 

[schovil69]

This has been a fun thread and it's only two pages!

On the '53 pickup, do you know where the back up camera was mounted at the rear of the truck?

On the Catalina, what lights did you use for the rear seat courtesy lights?

 

[DUKE 69]

Awesome work, Jeff but it sure looks like your garage is just a wee bit too small...LOL!