Thread: 06 Trailblazer fix ( not so much a Hod Rod )

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Maybe this is dumb but thought I'd might as well go through the fixing of my boys First car. It will probably always be a hot rod to him. Got it from the local Salvage yard, an 06 with 120k. It seemed real nice inside for once and he really likes blue so I bought it. The only whoops I did was not check the oil or service on it. Oil was just touching the dipstick and I checked the sticker it was 8000 miles past due. No not 8000 on the change, 8000 past due, 11,000 miles on the oil. I'm sure that's the first time and they were on their way to Jiffy Lube when they wrecked it We'll see how that part plays out. Otherwise got it tore apart and no surprises.

Heck, and they wrote that off ? Here in NZ., that would be a bread and butter repair unless the cost of parts are stupidly expensive which surely in America isn't the case. Hope the engine appreciates fresh lubricant and fires right up without no after affect in blue smoke from the tailpipe. I think back to my very first car that I had to work for and save bloody hard for but it also taught me to appreciate and look after my processions, 1952 Hillman Minx, how google that and have a good laugh.

I googled the 1952 Hillman Minx, I think its awesome, it would be a real head turner here . We actually drove the Trailblazer 2 1/2 miles home and it seems quiet and doesn't smoke, although it could be 100 turns from a spun rod. I paid $1200 for the Trailblazer and got a whole parts Trailblazer from my neighbor for $400. After the body shop pulls on the fender supports a bit and materials for the paint, I'm hoping to have it done for a little over $2000.

After I got out of the Corps in 66 my cousin moved to Ca. and stayed with me for awhile. Somewhere he acquired a Hillman though I don't remember the year. It was a bear to work on as nothing fit. I later found out most everything on the car was British Standard or Wadsworth or a combination thereof. I used an Arkansas speed wrench on everything I could.

OK I'll bite.

Please define Arkansas speed wrench.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

After I got out of the Corps in 66 my cousin moved to Ca. and stayed with me for awhile. Somewhere he acquired a Hillman though I don't remember the year. It was a bear to work on as nothing fit. I later found out most everything on the car was British Standard or Wadsworth or a combination thereof. I used an Arkansas speed wrench on everything I could.

American threads and English (Imperial) threads differ, and Imperial thread and head sizes differ amongst themselves too, for example a spanner for a 1/2" British Standard = 7/16" Whitworth.
The only threads that are compatible are UNF and SAE, although they too differ (if my fading memory serves me correctly,) in 9/16". (Or is it 7/16"? I forget. It's one or the other.)

...and I too am curious as to what an Arkansas speed wrench is...

These are a couple of examples of what I've known for years as Arkansas speed wrenches.IMG_6402.jpg

Oh the good old adjustable wrench as we would call them " Crescent " but that is a registered trade name we shouldn't as they come from many different manufactures now of totally different quality. Are those left hand ones Ken ?

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Oh the good old adjustable wrench as we would call them " Crescent " but that is a registered trade name we shouldn't as they come from many different manufactures now of totally different quality. Are those left hand ones Ken ?

Reminds me of a fellow I once knew. I was stationed with this guy when I was on active duty with the reserves. The 1st Sergeant called him into his office and sent him after an axe. The guy left the office to quickly return and left again with a red face. Shortly thereafter the 1st Sergeant came out laughing and explained that the guy came back into his office to ask if he needed a right or left handed axe.

Got the Trailblazer back from the frame machine and got the gaps looking real nice . Welded in the different bottom brace got the coolers back in, went together pretty good. My boy is getting pretty excited to drive it with his school permit. He's using my Cavalier right now and he doesn't seem to like it as much as I do.

Thanks for the update with pics too.
I'd agree, it's looking good.

When the AC compressor clutch dies-put a 69 in belt on which will bypass the ac and fit everything else-------

Nice new ride for your son. Hopefully the Level B's don't eat it. Nah, the tractor of a friend will do that pulling it out. That will be a nice ride for $2k all done. Good work!

Got some more work done on the Trailblazer, Lucky me found that the bubles on the hood wasn't just paint but body filler that was lifting because of rust under it. I ground all that out and started over on that, thankfully that was the only filler I found in the replacement panels. The doors were pretty rusty on the bottom lip on the inside so I sandblasted the inner lip to buy a little time b/f they rust though. I had the doors in the shed for 2 days without and sealer on them and they were already rusting like crazy again. I wire brushed em up and dug out my por 15 that I used a few years ago and brushed that on the bottom of the doors. I'll shoot some single stage blue over that and hopefully it holds out awhile, It can't be worse. Just in case your curious, this is what a por 15 can looks like after it's been opened once and you try to open it again two yrs later, it seals well.

Good luck with por!