Technical What did you do with your car today? * NEW*

cleaned up the interior , ripped out the old wiring and underdash heater and duct work..old firewall padding.....getting ready to install later model steering column

 

Stripped out the rest of the dash .. Gauges .. etc.... pretty cruddy back there.... 74 years worth .....content with todays progress.......

 

Drive the Coupe to work.....again!
Last saturday, I put a 1/2" spacer above the front spring, cause it was too close to the frame. I didn't want to notch the frame.

 

NADA

 

Side trim, gettin there!

 

after weeks of delays and issues I am getting ready to run this Olds on the stand, I hope!

 

Dropped the 7 off at the exhaust shop - the one task I despise doing. Whilst she was away, got busy with the hood. Louvers are cool until you have to strip and sand around them.

 

made template for gauge panel , fabricated ignition and radio delete plates , mocked up steering...

 

Took my new to me '68 top loader apart for a rebuild and cleaning. learning as I go, took me three hours and a few cuss words.

 

I finally put all the new window run channels in the doors and rears 1/4s, installed the new glass and my NOS vent shades. I had to install the 1/4 glasses and accidentally broke one so off to the local shop to have one cut using the other one as a template. Then install the 1/4 glasses with those small PITA hollow rivets, these aren't that easy to locate! Then they need to be carefully peened over.
Then drop the gas tank off to be 'Deep' cleaned by the gas tank guy. It had been [Poorly] sealed at some time previously, there was no way I'd use it in current {internal} condition although on the outside it looked fine. Once cleaner it was time to line it with Red Kote polymer liner making sure I get a nice even coat on all surfaces including seams, corners, filler neck and pressings. Then hang it up to drain and dry. This is a local product manufactured in Ohio and better than many other similar products on the market.
Tank is all set up now for in-tank pump, all I need to do is adjust sender float and then the tank's off to be painted silver frost / galvinised finish.

 

My radiator sprung a leak (there was a slight crack at the top seam) So I pulled it out to solder that up. So it only takes a few minutes to remove the hood , then remove 6 bolts and flip the front out of the way for easy service.

 

cut the fender mount arms and sheetmetal off a '40s GM radiator surround and narrowed it to fit a '38 Chevy radiator in a '39 Olds. (not original frame so no pics)

 

removed an old boiler at work..the shell was exactly the same sheet metal gauge as the 50 Desoto and had curved ends..great fab material...got the front , back and both sides.....free to boot

 

27 April 2024(2) (youtube.com)

 

Got home and fabbed up sheet steel template from boiler cover.. Next.transfer to aluminum ….Finalize gauge and switch layoot

 

I did nothing today, went out and shut the door between the two halves since the temperature dropped enough for the heat to kick back on in the back half.
Probably why I ache so much, stupid weather.

 

Well yesterday I loaded up “ol every day” and took my Tudor body to my favorite upholstery shop to do the top and headliner before I set the body back on the chassis. Doesn’t seem like much when I look at what others get done, but then I’ve done the patch panels and hammer dolly crap, oh yeah and the sanding. A retired painter friend sprayed it, we keep him locked away. Chassis is done, starts , runs and stops. This is the second build for this sedan, first in 1974, now 2024. Yep same car, same owner

 

^^^ nice tow truck!

 

Covered the hole in the door not a professional job but I am not professional and i think it looks good enough

 

@nobby If you don't want to use blocks under your tires, you could drop the legs on your hoist so it gets along with the dropped axle. Saved this picture showing how someone did it to a modern lift. When I built my cherry picker back in ancient times, I made it low for the same reason.

 

Changing winter studs for summer whitewalls.
Also remowed rear brake drum first time in my ownership and noticed backwards installed shoes.
I pretend i didnt notice it and put tires in place.
No eonder it didnt stop very well.
Gotta take time and put those things in correct orientation.

 

Also did little "check the ranch" cruise.

 

I can just about jack the front up on the axle to get the lift under

 

Dropped axle and small tires require a different approach at times.

I like my low clearance cherry picker because with the tires on the ground I can also roll the car back when pulling engines. Seems more stable than the engine swinging around when the hoist is rolled back.

On the other hand when I want to jack up my hot rods to work on stuff, I usually have to jack up one side and put a block under the tire to be able to get my jack under the middle of the axle.

 

I finally located the roll of bitumen board, made some templates and cut the required patterns after I masked the areas up for some spray glue. A PITA to install between skin and frame however it's OEM and better aesthetically than using dynamat. I also did the gas tank sender.

 

Well made I to the upholstery shop last Tuesday, and back again on Wednesday. Got the top done the headliner, and some old style wind lace for the doors. The Hidem is on it’s way, some where’s in the postal world. Hope to finish up the rest of interior trim this week and get the body back on the chassis.

 

Taught my 16 year old how to seat rings after an engine rebuild.

 

Gettin ready for …….

 

Charging the battery - some tire money is coming soon and I want to be able to drive there instead of taking just the wheels.

 

Working on getting an early Chrysler style alternator mounted onto the 354 Hemi. No options with the Cragar 4x2 intake. So, a grinding and a welding I go.