Speedometer and gear indicator came in. Tomorrow I'll pull the instrument cluster, install the speedometer, put the dash back together then move on to the carpet, seats and door panels.
End is in sight.

Ok, back on the car today. Three things to complete before the carpet, seats and door panels go in:
Finish installing rear window chrome trim
Adjust window glass fit and
Remove instrument cluster, change out speedometer, put in gear indicator and reinstall cluster

Rear window trim was a PITA but eventually beat it into submission. Aftermarket trim never fits like factory, thus the hassle. Took about 3 hours. A little tweaking left but real close.

Adjusting window glass: More hassle. The gap between door glass and quarter window glass wasn't right and didn't respond to usual adjustment techniques. Got the gap close but not quite factory correct. I'd cleaned and lubricated the regulators weeks ago but didn't replace the nylon rollers. Should have. Finally decided that worn rollers were causing the bad gap. Finally found replacement rollers. After being told by 4 suppliers that they were out of stock and back ordered. Asked who the manufacturer was, called them directly. They had em. I'll have em Saturday.

Didn't start the instrument cluster because the first two issues ate the entire day.

Pics manana.

Removed the instrument cluster from dash then removed the speedometer from the cluster. This Speedo is the one with no opening for gear indicator.

Installed the gear indicator in the "column shift speedometer", the. Installed that speedometer into the instrument cluster.

Cluster with right speedometer :



So, thIs came out:

This . Went into this



Then that speedometer went into the cluster.
Cluster goes back in the dash tomorrow.

I put the star washers under the grounding screws as suggested by the manufacturer of the instrument cluster.
Some, but not all, of the instrument lights started working.
Called the manufacturer again and he says, "Box it up and send it back. We'll make it right."

If every part I've ordered for this car had worked the first time I'd have finished this resto months ago. But, they didn't.

Lemme see, what parts and repairs took more than one try:
Patch panel fit (several)
Motor mounts (tried 3 before one worked)
Flexplate (first one ate the starter bendix)
Starter (see above)
Rear axle (was gonna use original 10 bolt; geared too high for the new Tran ny) Had to find a 12 bolt
Transmission: Took 3 rebuilds before I got one that shifted right
AC brackets. Aftermarket bracket kits didn't fit. Made my own.

The list continues but I'm getting tired thinking about it.

Mas manana

Ok, I haven't died and I haven't given up on this resto.
I've been spread thin with other projects and continue to have challenges.
But, the end is in sight.
Today the radio and amp were installed. Waaay more sound than my old military ears (read DEAF) need but even with my severe high freq loss it sounds great. Original radio was AM only. Very basic.
This one is AM/FM, blue tooth capable, whole deal.

AC is blowing cold.... after some frustration OF COURSE. Pulled vacuum, charged it; wouldn't cool. BAD words, lots of em.
Let it sit over night, fired it up, cooled like a champ.
Valve was stuck and overnight the oil had a chance to free it up.
Good start on interior today.

Carpet laid out to settle down and tighten up.



Headliner, rear view mirror bracket and visors installed:



And, as a reminder, what she looks like.... well, kinda. Pine pollen has covered everything here in ETex. Glamour shots after she's finished.



Oh! My other projects; my 110 year old cotton gin resto project:



This is one of four gin stands I'm restoring. If interested, there's a separate thread for this one.... somewhere on this forum. Haven't updated it in a while either.

And, between the chevelle and gin I'm working this old dozer clearing some cut over ETex land. And, sometimes I drop a log on the dozer and knock off the exhaust pipe. I know, build some sweeps so that doesn't happen. I am.... next week

Square Body, some shots of the truck you spotted in the background. Still needs some trim and a white pinstripe.

Well at least you found a wallet during your troubles.

Drove it to the inspection station today then to its new home in my garage.

A few tweaks needed but drives/runs great.

Changing the rear ended requires a Speedo gear change. I was showing 75 and getting passed by tractors pulling hay balers. Not really, but it's prolly showing 10 mph more than it's really moving.

Needs a stronger radiator cap. Had a 13 and needs an 18 PSI; done.

Right rear brake was dragging a bit, backed it off, good to go.

That 396 (prolly pushing 420 horses) doesn't like 87 octane gas. That's what I had at the shop. Clattered a little when I spurred it. Have to feed it some octane.

I'll post some glamor shots soon.