1964 Nova Wagon “Plank”

[K85 Octane]

Actually installed. I trimmed the male end of the seat belt to fit inside the VW female. Works perfectly. The seat bracket is all the way to the floor. I had to cut the underside of the tubing to weld in some plate and nuts. Fits really good. I haven’t had it out yet to adjust things, waiting on a new steering wheel. Also sold my rear bench to another wagon guy locally. Going to enjoy the extra capacity for now until I have time to retrofit a new backseat.

Also, no extra holes in the floor

 

[K85 Octane]

FINALLY got one side done on the 3157 conversion
Passenger side is gonna go a lot smoother I hope. Oh darn it, forgot a picture with the new lenses on. So happy to just have one side done. Only been almost a year

 

[K85 Octane]

Yeah, passenger side went a lot smoother and way cleaner behind the lens and I took it for a spin to get more 3157 bulbs. I can say the seats and center console make this so much nicer to drive.

 

[K85 Octane]

So I’m crazy and sun stroked working on replacing shocks and leaf bushings. I expected to press or beat the ever living shnot out of the bushing but was pleasantly surprised to find these. This car doesn’t seem to be in the kind of shape where someone was working on it seriously enough to swap bushings.

Are these factory? Or replaced before. If it was the last owner, that means these only lasted 2 years :/

 

[K85 Octane]

Nah, they gotta be factory. They are rubber and these bolt ain’t been touched.
(Similar to the tank straps and tank undercoating, not sure how the PO managed to have the tank “professionally cleaned out”)

But check this out. Weird idea for the hanger bolt. On top of that, it’s splined. Crazy.

 

[K85 Octane]

Red cause race car
These might be the original blue shocks from 1964.
The hat hardware was a pain as anticipated. Had to slot them for a screwdriver backer and ended up welding through the hat and into one bolt. Gave me the idea to put a booger on each one to stop them from spinning.
Also pick up this rear bumper. It’s in great shape except two dents. $25 and miles better than my old one.

 

[K85 Octane]

Plank drives sooooooo nice now. All of the noises, clanks, clatters, and oil canning sounds are gone. It’s so quiet. Only problem I’m having now is a slight pull to the left. That started a month ago. Tires are equal. Not sure, brakes stop straight still, I guess just overdue tie rod ends. Ball joints were done by PO.

Also got me a new wheel for it. It’s a knock off Nardi, which I ordered a blank one and still got this. Cut up a YouTuber (Sarah-n-Tuned) sticker to cover the Nardi logo.

 

[K85 Octane]

PO put the headliner in and it looks really good. However, when it’s hot out this trim starts to fall off and drip whatever glue was used. What should be used to hold this trim on? Passenger side has already fallen off and Im pushing the driver side up constantly

 

[K85 Octane]

Homies? Trim glue?

Also, got a couple “Amazon Special” 3 point seats belts. Going to start on that install. Should be nice with some shoulder belts in it and a little safer feeling. Going to take a page from Matt’s Off Road Recovery (and others before him) when it comes to B pillar mounting. Shooting for similar but hoping for a cleaner finish.

 

[Wes Harden]

3M Hi-Strength Spray Adhesive 90, Clear Glue, Permanent, High Strength Bonding, High Tack, Bonds Laminate, Wood, Concrete, Metal, Plastic, 17.6 oz Net Wt, NOT FOR SALE IN CA AND OTHER STATES https://a.co/d/07ejalM1

 

[Wes Harden]

Can't buy in Ca so you know it's good

 

[76zimmer]

That trim loks like “pinchweld”. It has a perforated metal strip inside of flexible vinyl/ plastic covering. If the metal gets rusty or just old, it looses its ability to hold shape and spreads out and falls off. You can try taking it off, and pinching the gap closed and see if that will help, and as Wes suggested add some weatherstrip adhesive too, that might get it done.

 

[K85 Octane]

Nope, strictly rubber trim to cover the edge of the headliner and trim. I had that pinch stuff on the ‘68 c10 weather strip. I’ll have to look for CA approved glue lol

 

[K85 Octane]

 

[K85 Octane]

I finally got that rear bumper installed, drove around without one last few months. $25 worth it

Also installed a better front grill. $50 worth it

No pictures tonight, update later. Been driving the snot out of it. Those suspension items and seats made it so nice. Wish there was budget for carpet and weather strip, quiet the thing down some. Later. Got a Nova meet Saturday to attend. I'll get some pictures. Also heading out to Palm Spring area again at the end of the month, that will be 160 mile round trip. Should be cooler

 

[K85 Octane]

Before


After: has a couple small dents, but overall much straighter and better chrome condition. Perfect for $25

Before


After: zero breaks and straighter, old one had lots of breaks. $50 is also perfect for Plank

 

[Wes Harden]

View attachment 488894

That the one on Foothill in Upland ?

 

[K85 Octane]

Yes sir! Hahaha
Same one I took a picture at last year. May have put it in the PAD thread.

 

[K85 Octane]

Just came back from a long drive. 78 miles one way. 156 miles round trip according to Google Maps. All highway, constant speeds of 65-70, original 230 i6, Powerglide.....

12.68 mpg
At a constant speed far faster than originally intended. I'm sure 55-60 would net more.
Not bad when you consider its age and that I'm in my highway gear while inside the intersection. lol

 

[K85 Octane]

So some may have seen my pierced radiator.

Attempted to install a fairly nice looking cheapie aluminum radiator from Amazon. Ends up 3/4" too tall among other things I'd have to fix. Defeated

So I glued the rubber back on the headliner. Win
Pulled rear door card off and tinkered. Good
Pushed tailgate dent out, looks straight. Better

Decided to open a can of worms unknowingly and proceeded to make snow angels on the concrete. Ohhhh Plank has a secrete I found the border but was too tired to finish. Lots of thick bondo, all the way up and to the tire. Shit