Bob is finding lots of surprises in the body. Being a bodywork newbie I asked "So what do you do when you find a pin hole just hit it with some spot putty?" His reply? "No I poke at it with a screw driver (Phillips)" He could tell by the look on my face I was shocked. "Well now's the time to find out if there is an air pocket there and fix it. If it is all painted and sitting in the sun that air pocket may pop and you don't want that happening after its painted" Good point I suppose. You will see in the pictures all the green epoxy primer spots were all the holes he filled in. He did a bunch of work in the door jambs and a bunch more on the firewall too. It's coming along nicely. The pictures don't look much different but when you are standing there in person seeing it boy you can tell he has done a LOT of work. He also did the driver side rocker panel and wheel well. I'm really happy with the progress. Getting closer!
I did some tinkering this weekend. I played with the dual carb linkage and the throttle & TV cables. So much for using the cables I had. I ordered up a whole Lokar kit with everything I need no more messing around. The bracket I got didn't work out. Hell it wasn't even close to working. I also installed the 700R4 geometry corrector. I took the mocked up waterpump riser off, cleaned everything, polished all the bolts and re-installed it permanently. The spacers are all installed on the lower crank pulley and I'm happy with the way it lines up. I took the plastic (Mock-up) alternator bracket off and made the permanent one out of aluminum (that was a shit load of work) so that's done. It took me a couple of tries making spacers to get it lined up perfectly but we got it. Bob shot some filer primer on the body and it's just about ready for blocking. He is having fun with the doors for sure.
Okay so I went and got the belt at NAPA it took me two tries and I'm going back one last time. The first one was too long (by a lot), the second one (Pictured) is way better and will work but I think I should go one tick shorter. I still have some adjustment on the alternator bracket. The thing I'm a little concerned about is the crank pulley contact area. It doesn't seem to be a whole lot. If I get a shorter belt it will increase the contact area slightly. I'm worried about slippage does anyone know the minimum contact area? I found info on the Arc of Contact but it only referenced a 2 pulley configuration and I think it was more about electric motors driving things. What do you all think? Worrying for nothing? My luck I'll start it up and it will squeal like a stuck pig.
Not a whole lot to report. The body is ready to be shot in high build primer and the final blocking should begin this weekend. I worked on smoothing out the hinges what a bitch smoothing out sand castings. It took me about 3-4 hours and I got the driver side done. All the door gaps look great as well as the body lines. I'm very happy with the way it's coming along. I was getting a bit discouraged because it just doesn't look like its moving. The progress is slow on my end (seem to be a bit overwhelmed) but I made myself a list and I'm taking one thing at a time and just plugging away at it. Winter will be here soon and then I can concentrate on it a bit more during my yearly time off (usually 2 weeks). Hopefully interior in the spring and then we hit the open road! Okay back to reality, plug wires and exhaust hangers this weekend and a trip to the DMV. With any luck she will be registered by the weekend. I keep saying one step closer but I'm starting to wonder; if I'm getting one step close how the hell far away is my finish line? Canada?
Getting there! Looks good! What color? We are heading out in my 34 2dr for Ohio to the pumpkin run. Then off to crusin the coast. You should be ready to cruse next spring?
Just a quick update. I cleaned the shit out of my garage so now I can actually move in there. Been doing a bunch of little things. I installed the horn, radiator, trans cooler, exhaust hangers are done and started some of the under car wiring. The car is now registered too so we can hit the road come spring time. I also installed the fuel sender unit. I had to make an adapter because the arm was hitting the side of the tank. What should have taken 10 minutes took about 3 hours. Story of my life though. I had a stack of steel disk's hanging around so I used one to make the adapter. Kinda why I never throw anything away. I'll use it some day is my mindset.
It was a busy day today. I mounted the cowl lights, put the doors on (with the help of the wife), drilled the holes for the side mirrors, and fit the door handles. I also cut the knurls off the door pins. I just want to tap the pins into place not press them in. I will be cutting them to length and cutting a groove on the end to put a c-clip to hold them in place.They'll be easier to get out in the future.
Thanks guy's. Hoping to start playing with some seats soon. Still have to do the grille and the hood too. Hell I have a pretty long list still!
Not a lot to report. I lost my Mom on 12/9 and although I have had plenty of time to work on the car, I just don't feel up to it. I have played a little with the bracing behind the dash but little else. I really have no excuse either because this has been the hottest winter on record. Had all the windows open on Christmas day. In CT that is unheard of. I did figure out what my window regulators and door latch mechanisms go to. I needed to find new door handles and cranks because mine were pitted. They are from a mid 60's Kenworth truck. Go figure! Hoping to get back at it soon. Spring will be here soon.
Jim, I'm sorry too, Moms are very special people. Look after yourself and your family, cars not going anyplace, and you can get back on it, when the time is right.
Thanks everyone. She was a special lady and I miss her terribly. She was living with my family and I for 3 years and have literally turned our lives upside down for her. It's kind of a double edged sword. On the one hand I'm sad she is gone but on the other I'm so happy because she isn't suffering anymore. As for the car? I know I'll get back at it. I've come too far on this project to just give up. It's just gonna take some time to clear my head.
Hang in there Jim. I have really enjoyed reading your thread, and progress at your pace. After all, these cars just fill the gaps in everyday life; for me anyway.
I attempted to calm my nerves today. I went down to the garage and worked on the soft top for a couple of hours. I took lots of internet pictures with me. I have been unable to get anyone with a real 34 Tudor to give me accurate dimensions so I said F%@K it and just winged it. I measured and measured and using painters tape have it all laid out. The wife gave me a hand. Stretching the tape out over an 8 foot span is pretty tough to do alone. I used a 7" cutoff wheel to form the front corners and a 9" cookie plate to form the rear corners. I put a slight bow in either side because they didn't come straight from the factory. Then I came upstairs and remembered that I have a 1/25 scale model of a tudor sedan. I'm going to pull some dimensions and see how close I am. I kinda like it where it is so I may just start drilling holes. The nicest part was a couple hours of total bliss not thinking about anything but the car and my sweetie by my side.
I don't recall you asking. Front to rear about 6" from edge, front to rear @ center, side to side at first wood bow, side to side at rear. Across the roof in front is pretty straight, rear has very slight bow. Front to rear bows quite a bit being narrower at front. Hope that helps a little. John
I posted a thread on Monday and posted on 3 other sites (one pertaining strictly to model 40's) and got no response. I did not post on this thread though. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/34-sedan-soft-top-dimensions.1003344/#post-11317622 I wasn't looking for the actual dimensions of the hole (though it is nice to have) I was looking for placement. Like how far from the edge of the windshield (center) does the hole start? And how far from the edge of the back window (center) to the edge of the opening and the same with the sides. I took the dimension for the sides at the hinge. Thanks for the help.
I took my time and bent all the aluminum channels for the soft top and I got them all laid out. I'm happy with the way it's coming out so far. I got the rivets, adhesive, and my drill at the ready and I think tomorrow I am going to commence drilling about 300 holes (just a guess) in my roof.
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