Jeff’s ‘69 Valiant

[Jeff]

What a nightmare these things are, dash panel out, glovebox insert out, just to get to the securing nuts!
As you can see, the vents have taken a hammering, they are so brittle and so discoloured. I guess that’s what happens to original ones that have been in there since 1969.
Replacements are available but before I buy those I’m gonna try and 3-D print a couple see how that goes.
I can get NOS ones for $150, or repro ones for .$80. Only come in black. Let’s see what I can make.

IMG_6340.jpeg (110.54 KiB) Viewed 821 times

IMG_6339.jpeg (223.39 KiB) Viewed 821 times

[Jeff]

So at the moment, as well as those windshield defroster hoses, designing vents, I am making windshield washer setup, don’t like the original floor pump, as it is a source of water inside the car. Got a new Speedo cable to go in, and waiting on the hydraulic hand brake doodad to come in from Horton hot rods.
That’s a Canadian store. Really trying hard not to buy from the USA at the moment. Once above is all done, car will be ready for safety, I will be away all of September, but hoping to get to the track early October.
That should give me an idea of what I need to do over the winter.

[Jeff]

1st iteration, next version printing now. Think this will work just fine. Have to paint them of course.

IMG_6344.jpeg (170.05 KiB) Viewed 736 times

[Blue]

Thought you would have had the heater out of it by now…

[Jeff]

Well, it ain't stock... But neither is the rest of the car...... That's the defrost sorted. Next while the dash is out, a new speedo cable.

[Blue]

Loving the brown interior!

[Jeff]

I will take the heater out next year, but with it in maybe drive it October/ November?
Still needed to do something with the vents. 50 cent fix!
The Brown does take some getting used to, especially the various shades!

[Jeff]

Speedo all in and working. Next, and last job to get done for the Ontario safety inspection (apart from windshield washers) is the parking brake.
All those parts on the 8.8” Ford rear, have been deleted or modified.
So decided to go the hydraulic route. Easier and cheaper.
This arrived today, and should do the job. Tomorrow, I will start designing a mount for it.

[Blue]

Not seen that style before, I assume the knob pushes down and stay locked?

[Jeff]

Yes blue, push brake peddle, then the park-Lok button.
Release brake peddle, rear wheels are locked.
To release, just step on brake peddle, and it releases
Automatically.

[Jeff]

Just made this mount up in a CAD program. To mount the parking brake knob onto floor.
Made so many parts for the nomad in the past, now time for the Valiant.

IMG_6347.jpeg (149.63 KiB) Viewed 618 times

[Jeff]

IMG_6348.jpg (113.3 KiB) Viewed 604 times

Finished mount with Park-Lok installed. Designed and printed in less than 2 hrs.
These 3D printers make basic fab work so bloody easy. Perfect fit, and less than a $1 in material.

[Blue]

Nifty, Its about time I got in on this 3D printing caper, its brilliant for things like that.

[Jeff]

It’s perfect for this kinda stuff Blue. And with the different types of materials you can print with, it’s amazing what you can do.
Shame I can't see it. This carpet is like an old sack. I am sure when I replace it, I will see more of the mount.
That is the Park-Lok button in. Next weekend hopefully get it plumbed in. Billy has all the good tools for that, none of the cheap crap.

[Jeff]

The under dash column trim is not as easy as gluing it back together.
So I scanned the profile, and printed two side parts, that will be glued on the front of the panel. Again, it’s not stock, but I can’t spend $200 on a repro one.
The curved bottom break, I will do the same, but affix to the rear.
Once painted, I think it will look OK.

IMG_6364.jpeg (319.08 KiB) Viewed 334 times

IMG_6365.jpeg (311.13 KiB) Viewed 334 times

IMG_6366.jpeg (199.39 KiB) Viewed 334 times