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Bringing an F100 Back from the Dead

Discussion in 'Off Topic Hot Rods & Customs' started by Mike Lawless, Nov 1, 2021.

  1. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Thanks Will. I did spend a bit of time getting things aligned as well as I could.
    I did not use the cowl weatherstrip at all. I didn't see any point to it as the rest of the hood is not sealed.
    As for hinges, I think I just got lucky that mine were in good shape. I cleaned 'em good and used spray grease at the pivots. But, they are mounted to the fire-wall as low as they will go!
    The word is that the re-pops are pure and utter crap. Maybe, from the description you give, maybe one, or maybe both, might be aftermarket. I was reading a post on the Ford truck forum about a guy who goes by the handle, "The Astronaut," do a full on restoration of a '65, and really going the extra mile and then some. He disassembled the stock hinges, drilled and bushed the pivot holes, and used hardened shoulder bolts for the pivot pins. Very slick!
    And what I used for the hood bumpers was furniture leg feet. About 3/8" tall with a screw hole in the center. It's like that's what they were meant for. Maybe that's what the factory used originally! I will say, that the hood closes with a gentle push.
     
  2. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Spend a good deal of time and elbow grease getting the side trim back in shape. It had clear anodizing, and they were scratched, dinged, and dirt, dirt, dirty! First I cleaned 'em, then used Easy Off oven cleaner to go after the anodizing. It didn't strip it all off, but it attacked it enough to make it much easier to sand the remnants off. First with 180 grit, which revealed the dings, so I massaged those out with a little pin punch using a block of aluminum as an anvil. Just worked 'em out a little at a time until I got most of 'em out. Then wet sanded using 220 at first, then 320, 600, 1000 and finally 1500. Then buffed 'em. Came out rather purty!
    I used new clips from Carolina Classics. And man o' man, those retentions nuts for the cowl pieces were hard to get to! It was through the foot vent port in the kick panel area. Woulda been easier if I had skinnier arms. The right side was a particular pain because the AC hoses were in that area too.
    But all installed now.
    Also cut out some templates out of kraft paper for the scallops that I'll paint in the near future. They'll be maroon like the roof and wheels. Maybe a turquoise pin stripe around 'em DSC01813.JPG DSC01814.JPG DSC01815.JPG
     
  3. HotRod33
    Joined: Oct 5, 2008
    Posts: 2,570

    HotRod33
    Member

    Truck is looking better every day
     
    Mike Lawless likes this.
  4. I like what you have laid out for scallops. You won't know until you spray them if you reached your goal but they aren't real large which usually overpowers the rest of the vehicle. The hood is a large area of "blah". Not meant to be offensive just seeing where you are going one way or another. :)
     
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  5. Mike, I have a huge soft spot for those Fords. The first truck I bought with my own money was a 1966 F-100 Custom Cab long bed. I think Mom and Dad only let me buy it because they never thought I’d get it running! I will have another some day. Yours is truly Righteous and looks great!!
     
    chryslerfan55, Mike Lawless and Thor1 like this.
  6. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Scallops!
    Went out to a "Cars 7 Coffee" gatherin Saturday morning while the weather was nice. After I got back, no chores to do, even wifey was off doing wifey things. So, I got into it.
    I had made chip board templates a while back, and those made the layout very simple. A few taps of tape to put 'em into position, then just go around 'em with fine line tape. That plastic masking sheet works great and it saves a lot of time.
    Then I scuffed the areas with medium brown scotchbrite, did the wipe-down and mixed up the same color I used on the roof and the wheels.
    A couple coats is all that was needed.
    So, let that cure for a few days and I'll pull some lines around 'em. I was thinking teal/turquoise, but after putting down a small sample just to see, I changed my mind. I ordered up a small can of gold. I think that'll be the ticket!
    FurdatCaea&Coffee.jpg
    DSC01816.JPG DSC01817.JPG DSC01818.JPG DSC01819.JPG DSC01820.JPG
     
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  7. NashRodMan
    Joined: Jul 8, 2004
    Posts: 1,989

    NashRodMan
    Member

    Mike,
    I love the scallops!! That's saying a lot coming from someone who lives on the southeast coast of Massachusetts!! hahaha I love the color match too. Truck is looking great! I'm thinking of scallops similar to yours and whitewallwill's.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  8. Good progress. :)
     
  9. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Thanks Nash!
    It seems that style is the ticket for these trucks. I stole the idear fair and square from a satin black version I saw on the internet. It had whitewalls and spider bullet caps. I liked that a lot!
    Then I saw Whitewall Will used that style too! So, not original, but it works. At least I'll be the only kid in my town to have 'em!
    So yesterday, I dug my striping brushes out. They haven't seen the light of day in well over 45 years. I also had a can of 10 year old "One Shot" lettering enamel. So I pulled some lines on a piece of sheet metal since I've been out of practice for a LONG time.
    Oof. Y'know the saying that it's like ridin' a bike? Well, that don't apply to striping!
    Nope! No how. No way!
     
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  10. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Door lettering is well under way, as is doing an outline pinstripe on the scallops. One thing is certain, I can't do this stuff for a living anymore. Not only am I a bit shakier than I once was, but man o man was it hard to get back up off the floor!
    I used the age old method of sketching the lettering out on chip board paper, thent went around the letters with a perf wheel, and then after taping that to the door, used a pounce pad with black chalk to transfer the lines.

    It came out fair. I still have to add the word "fabrications" below the main signage. Y'see, although there ain't no such a thing as Lawless & Sones Fabrications, the word fabrications has many meanings. Not only do I fab stuff out of metal and sometimes wood and plastic, but my sons and I can also fabricate stories! My onldest was a really good story fabricator when he was little!
    The gold pinstripe around the scallops really does it for me color wise. While no easy, it's not as hard as the door art. But then I haven't outlined the scallops on the sides yet.

    DSC01824.JPG DSC01827.JPG DSC01830.JPG DSC01828.JPG DSC01829.JPG
     
  11. That's nice Mike, but I was waiting for the video. LOL.
     
  12. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Soon! I have my production team and Emmy Award winning videographer working on it!
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  13. Lawless and son's fabrication so to be live, LOL.
     
  14. NashRodMan
    Joined: Jul 8, 2004
    Posts: 1,989

    NashRodMan
    Member

    Man, you are talented with the brush!
     
    LOST ANGEL likes this.
  15. Holy crap Mike that looks awesome. I'm heading outside to kick mine in the door.
     
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  16. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Thanks fellers!
    Well, I think this thread has run its course. The Ol' Furd is pretty much complete and running well. Even looks OK.
    There will no doubt be refinements as time goes on, but it's a capable shop/farm truck.
    Here we are doing truck stuff! 20230404_112620.jpg 20230404_112613.jpg 20230404_112559.jpg
     
  17. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 13,959

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That turned out pretty neat! I like the scallops and your door sign.
     
    THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER likes this.
  18. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Thanks Billy! It's been a fun project, and honestly I'm a bit lost now that it's where and how I planned it. At least for the most part. I was not seeking perfection, since this is a driver. If it gets bonked in the parking lot, fixing will be relatively easy. The drivetrain is simple as economy and reliability were the goal.
    Of course, there will always be stuff to do to improve on it.
    And you can see that right here, on........The Hokey Ass Message Board!
    Guess I'll return to home improvement projects to keep busy!
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2023
  19. Finished!! Come on - never finished. I certainly enjoyed the ride. This thread will still serve as my template. Finish up those Home Improvement projects then start the next Rod. I want a 30-31 Model A so if you get one I'll fan boy through the build.
     
    brEad likes this.
  20. NashRodMan
    Joined: Jul 8, 2004
    Posts: 1,989

    NashRodMan
    Member

    Yep, what Will said! Although taking a break to do some things on the honey-do list will be a nice distraction for a bit...until the urge to build another comes by. You know it will, LOL. I'm still working on my 55 Chevy truck and already looking into the future and knowing that I cant sit still. I need something for my brain to think about and plan. That used to be house projects but no so anymore (although they are still there, ha).
     
  21. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    You fellers are right. They are never really done.
    Now although the motor is fresh and will very likely outlast me, if a 2JZ just happened to come along (yeah, I know. DEFINITELY NOT hamb friendly, and most of ya will have to look it up), well, it might just find its way in between the frame rails. Maybe just so's people will say WTF is that?
    Of course you will see it here, hamb friendly or not.
    I also have a well equipped garage, with a lathe, a small mill, and a a host of of fun stuff. If any of ya need some light machine work done for a one off type thing, maybe I can help. That'll keep me busy too.
    Maybe. Well, probably not.
     
    brEad likes this.
  22. Ok, I had to look up 2JZ. You need a Barra my friend - I'd get on a plane to come see that. Agreed, pop the hood, wtf and a request for ID ya punk. My kid recently bought an Audi UR Quattro lookalike and suddenly I give a hoot about Euro cars. Tastes change but, digging the mind expanding approach.
     
    Mike Lawless likes this.
  23. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Will, on the show "Roadkill", they put a turbo'd 2jz in a 68 Charger. Sounds wicked! Worth looking up. And I had to look up what a "Barra" is. Yep, if one of those crossed my path, I'd go for it! I just like unusual stuff.
    Anyway, this morning out at "Cars & Coffee" with my handsome mug in da picture! cars&coffee41523.jpeg
    Plus, as of today, I am now an official member of the Pharoahs Car Club. Clovis Chapter. I mean, why not?
     
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  24. THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER
    Joined: Jun 6, 2007
    Posts: 5,731

    THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER
    Member
    from FRENCHTOWN

    I hope the guy leaning against your truck is your kin. Otherwise gauche.
     
  25. 2Blue2
    Joined: Sep 25, 2021
    Posts: 404

    2Blue2

    Liking the scallops a lot.
    Nice job.
     
    Mike Lawless likes this.
  26. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Thanks 2Blue
    French, I don't really know the guy. Although it is gauche, it doesn't bother me. He's only on the wood. It is not a show quality truck.
    At least he ain't sittin' on the hood!
     
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  27. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Well, here's a testimonial for the KNS brand vintage style hubcaps. Nicely finished stainless steel, but they won't stay on. The wheels are Wheel Vintiques "Gennie" series. I've lost two already. Maybe the wheel itself has something to do with it. But, I've bought my last of those hubcaps.
    So, Spider bullet caps. It's what I really wanted in the first place.
     
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  28. That's a bummer throwing hubcaps in the ditch. From what I understand, spider caps with mismatched painted wheels are all the rage these days!! Got mine but, we're back into biking season again and I'm trying to make our little truck a useful P.O.S. Chrome Spiders on those dark contrast wheels will look excellent. I thumbs up that choice.
     
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  29. Mike Lawless
    Joined: Sep 20, 2021
    Posts: 592

    Mike Lawless

    Thanks Will. Y'know sometimes things don't work out. Or sometimes we just change our mind and wanna do something different. It's the nature of the car scene, I reckon. I really wanted the spider caps from the beginning. It was the availability at first for the 5 on 5 1/2", then cost. The price has ticked down some. So I splurged.

    I liked the look of the center caps, and got a lot of compliments on them. As to why they won't stay on, I just don't know if it's the wheel, or the cap at fault . Maybe it's the thickness of the paint. Maybe the kid next door takes 'em. I just don't know. I'll keep 'em. Maybe I'll spend some time refining the fit....someday.
    Probably not.
     
    WhitewallWill and Thor1 like this.
  30. Mike, I have noticed that after the vehicle is "finished", it is somewhat easier to spend for parts that might have been a better choice in the beginning but were either out of budget or not available. Isn't that why many say they are never finished? :)
     
    Mike Lawless likes this.

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