Projects Giant speedster project

Gas Tank

I know. You probably don't care about this crappy old gas tank but I got to get it fixed and I got to put something on here. The tank was way worse than I thought. The top was rusted out too. So search up and buy a used tank that was rusty too, or fix this one for two days work and ten bucks work of solder and stuff? FIX IT! I didn't do such a super job, just adequate. I mean it ain't no speedster. I soldered up the holes and put in a new pick up tube. I scraped and ground out all (most of) the rust then treated the inside with metal prep. You like my gas tank cam? Tomorrow is drive the speedster day if I can find someone to follow me down there and make a movie. Cross fingers.

Jerry

 

Hmmm. C Grave. Sounds a little morbid. I LIKE IT!

 

I expect a man with your talents and supply of materials could fab up a thoroughly authentic 1923 Georgia license plate that would be hard to tell from authentic. Register said imposter and get your hideaway. Problems solved...

 

Your close, liki

Jerry

 

That's an undertaker's plate!

 

I have seen a few guys cut up old plates to make vanity plates they turned out pretty

 

But can they make bathroom vanities?

 

C Grave

...or a sailor's widow's plate...

 

The Move

Okay, so I cheated and took the rollback. I couldn't find anyone to help, plus it was cold, plus there was a lot of traffic, plus I was... Anyway, I got it down there. But I drove it inside. That's something! Isn't it? Had a hell of a time starting it. The battery was about dead. I forgot to charge it. Don't have the charging system hooked up yet. But it did start and we're moving forward. Clear on the deck and then the woodwork can start again. Oh, yes, I finished the gas tank.

Jerry

 

Absolutely beautiful, I don't know how you are able to sleep at night from just thinking about it.

 

Looks to me like you're plumbing up a still. Planning to brew your own fuel?

 

I just don't know, Jerry.... a little cold weather and you are ready to fold up your tent and stay home? The Speedster looks beautiful and it is nice that you were able to get it started to drive it into the building, but.... unless you had some instant soup in the Speedster oven I doubt if anything meaningful got cooked. I think I can speak for the rest of your readers in saying that we expected you to drive the speedster over to the other shop and arrive with a fully cooked 3 course dinner. You can imagine our disappointment!

 

Yak-freakin'-tastic. If this doesn't make it into a magazine somewhere once you're done there is no justice in the world!

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Posted from my steam-powered tablet...using the best Android app out there!

 

Whoa
...you better be careful walking around the tail of that beauty, you could poke an eye out.

What a gorgeous project, absolutely gorgeous!

Bobby

 

Looking good Jerry, maybe show the poor roll back some love and drive the speedster back home

 

that red thing needs stuff scattered in the background of the picture ...

 

Ain't had much to say, But I been watchin' near daily for two years.

 

What EXACTLY do you imply? Sir.

 

Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated.

Well, I've been busy. I had to put a timing belt, water pump and valve cover gasket on my little Aveo before the old one snapped. I didn't think you wanted to see pictures of that. I installed a carburetor, fuel pump and the cleaned up fuel tank on the car hauler/box truck. Incidentally, when I built that truck I never thought I'd have to haul a giant speedster around. The inside is 6-8 inches too short! I think I'm going to make a special projection in the ramp door to accommodate the speedster's stern. I drove said car hauler down to my empty unit and disgorged the old REO to empty the truck. All this took days. I also washed the speedster. Then today I wrapped the speedster in a prophylactic to protect it when I spray the wood with clear. Next door to my empty unit is Chow Trailers. They make food trailers but now they've branched out into wine racks and such, so I'll give them a plug. http://www.chowtrailers.com/oak-barrel-art/wine-racks.html Tomorrow the big paralysing snow hits North GA and all life here will stop.

Jerry

 

Who cares??? He "implied" it nearly three years ago

 

What year is your REO Jerry? '13? '14?

 

huh whats this about needing a trailer hitch now .. pulling a food trailer?

 

It's a '14. Very original and low miles. I hate to restore it. I'm more inclined to preserve it. Is there some way to preserve rust?

 

Oil. Kerosene. Atf. Fish oil, if you can still find it (boating supply).

Kero cut with a little water works well.

 

WD-40 will preserve most anything as long as you don't ever plan on painting it, (trust me on this, I worked as the mechanic in an aircraft paint shop and nothing can screw up a paint job as well as WD-40). Gibbs works well and you are supposed to be able to paint over it.
http://www.gibbsbrandlubricant.com/

 

No I mean preserve it forever. I've seen where people spray clear on it, but then it looks shiny. I've also rubbed beeswax into rust to get a browning effect. That's kind of cool. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Hey, where are all those magic spray on noncorrosive rust removers everybody is always talking about? Everything from molasses to lemon juice to vinegar. I've never seen anything work except something coming out of a blowgun or some heavy chemical process in a giant tank.

Jerry

 

Rust is iron/steel decomposing so you have to stop it in its tracks.

Iron is becoming iron oxide. Heat will take it back to iron (flakes/dust). Chemicals will bind with the rust and prevent further rust from starting. You should pick a chemical and treat the Reo so it doesn't get worse. It won't stay like it is no matter what you do, short of vacuum sealing it somehow.

 

Jerry;

The antique engine guys use Penetrol straight up to preserve original finish on early engines. It is a wetting agent that claims to go through the rust & bond it to the metal. I have used it both straight and mixed with paint. It seems to work. Probably a quick rub with Scotchbrite would reduce any shine once it is very dry.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Flood-Penetrol-1-qt-Clear-Paint-Additive-FLD4-04/100130893

It is a little over $9 a qt. in your Home Depot -- here it is $35 - I guess it costs $26 to tell me not to drink it in FRENCH!

 

Ask your naybors?

 

I read a little about Penetrol (love that name). Sounds like good stuff. One site said it was super refined linseed oil. Said you could paint it on rust, then paint over top of it. Kind of an early POR15.
All the tricks there are to learn!