I have been working on installing the front and rear suspension and routing the brake lines. Because I would be doing a lot of flaring, I decided to purchase a turret type flaring tool. When I first used it , I found that there was a groove on the outside of the flare. I contacted the supplier who told me that it might be caused by a cheaper copper nickel alloy. I was skeptical because I didn’t have that problem with my old double flare tool. However, since the turret tool was so much faster and easier, I got a short length of another brand of brake line. The new material didn’t have the defect. With that problem solved I routed the brake lines. I initially used a 90 degree fitting on the front caliper but I wasn’t comfortable with the routing (see left side in picture below). When I used a 45 degree fitting, the flex line was further away from the tire without going through the control arm (see right side). On the rear, I used thru-frame fittings with flex lines at each caliper to make it easier to change the brake pads.
I got the body back from the blaster and discovered lots of previously hidden opportunities. There were numerous areas that had been leaded. Many of these areas had deep cracks and scratches. I was told that when repairing lead with body filler you should use metal filled compound. I used an aluminum filled material and it appeared to work very well. Other areas had dents and holes that had been filled with body filler. I filled these with regular body filler. The two lower front cowls were too badly rusted to repair. For these I ordered replacement panels. I will weld these in at a later date. In the mean time I painted two coats of PPG epoxy primer followed with two coats of PPG high build primer. Finally, I need to recess the firewall and replace the front floorpan. I don’t have the tools to form the trans tunnel and the existing firewall has so many holes and repairs needed that I’ve decided to just purchase these parts. They are available from EMS automotive, Absolute Sheet Metal and Direct Sheet Metal. Does anyone have any experience with these suppliers or any recommendations?
Looking good Gene. What is that gizmo in the lower right corner of the last pic? And, can I borrow your new flaring tool?
Bill, The gizmo is the pump for the quick jack I use to raise the cars. It’s kind of a mini lift. The flaring tool is available anytime.
The Jalopy Journal
