Laughing Coyote

Roger, I know this is probably a silly question to ask, but do you have an estimated time frame when you think you may have your master piece done? I'm still amazed at how small the hardware is and how you can fabricate stuff that small. Keep up the great work.

Thanks for the comments Paul and Gary. I will keep the pictures and information coming as I make progress. The brakes are done so now I will be working on the engine run stand (exhaust, gauges, switches, etc) to get it ready to run the engine. Now with the car also able to roll outside I will be starting on the body work too. Chris, I can understand your excitement on seeing it completed. I too can't wait until it's all finished. I never really gave it a hard thought yet. Just drive it and enjoy the hard work that went into it. I will more than likely join the AACA chapter in Tucson. Do some local car shows probably. I would like to take it up to the show in Pine Top (Run to the Pines). I could only imagine taking it to Hershey. That would be super great, but getting it there would be a killer since I'm on the other end of the country, but you never know. It seems like you have a lot more car events going on in your area and the more eastern states. My main focus is to get it done and then see where it goes from there.

Time for an update on the project. I managed to get all the brakes installed along with the booster and master cylinder. Now I just have to bleed the system and it's done. Took the radiator out to another shop to have them test it since it was free to check it. Once they had in in the water tank and turned on the air, man it looked like a fish tank with all those bubbles. Needless to say the core is shot. Imagine that. $550 for a new one from Classic radiator or $400-$500 for a re-core from the place that did my heater core. Or I could just use a nice new pretty aluminum one for $130. I'm sure that would look just great. Naaaaaaaaah, I will have to save a few more penny's a get it re-done or bought. All for the love of an automobile.

That's one nice looking lathe. Love old machinery just as mush as old cars.

This week I will be working on the brake system for the car. I have everything I need to do it now. When I was at the auto parts store today picking up my new master cylinder I grabbed two pipe elbows so once the brakes are done I can build my exhaust system for the run stand.

I'm about 20 miles east of Tucson just off the I-10. The scenery does change a lot from NC to the southwest.

Hey Paul, Hope you had a good time. Thanks for sharing the pictures. The 406 is pretty sweet. How close did you get to Tucson?

Chris, Looks like you have a nice project your working on. You've been making good strides at it. I didn't care to much for all the grease and grime when I was tearing mine down, but it's sure a nice reward putting them back together when all the parts are clean and new. I guess it's all part of it. I would do another one once I get the chance. Keep at it.

Today I got the fresh air tube installed on the passenger side along with the rubber boot and heater box. Had to order the rear shocks from an auto parts store and will be here tomorrow. Also picked up some gear lube for the differential. That's filled and off the to do list.

Thanks for all the comments. Still have a long road ahead, but gaining. I installed the front sway bar today and this weekend I will re-do the firewall insulation and heater box and get that all wrapped up. Now that I can roll the car I will start on the body work along with getting the engine ready to run.

Update: My package arrived yesterday with my new cushion links. They look great. This afternoon I decided to cut off of work a little early and get the car back on the ground. The cushion links went into the mounts nice. The hard part was getting all the bushing shafts thru the new rubber bushings. Once I got that done then I was able to bolt up the front of the leafs and then work the backs. Took some effort to get everything all back together, but it's done and on the ground. Have to go buy the rear shocks and gear lube. Next stop getting the engine running.

Yea. It gets the job done really quick. Doing some repair work on his Cat skid steer. I got some great news today. My cushion links are done and were shipped out today. Now I can get the rear suspension finished and get the old girl back on the tires. Can't wait.

I got an update on the cushion links for the rear suspension. They should be completed next week. Then I can get the rest of the suspension hung and get the car back on the ground. I finally got some clips that will hold the firewall insulation in place. The metal ones that are supposed to be OEM quality just bent and fell apart. The ones I had to use are plastic. Not to thrilled about that, but what can you do when you can't get quality anymore. Once I get them all in then I will hang the heater box. Have some other things I will be working on while I wait for the cushion links. I've been trimming my 80' of oleander bushes the past few days and my other neighbor that owns a rock company told me when I get done to get the cat. The key is in it.

Came across a nice old Pontiac. Looks really clean for the price. Just throwing it out there. https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/5771008225.html

John, This is the Unimog you need for the farm. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/5747452390.html

Looks like I will be able to do a little more on the car this weekend. I had my heater box seal come in so now I can get the fresh air tubes installed and the heater box finally. I will also be painting the bumper brackets as soon as I repair the one hole. While looking over the local CL I found a set of take off mufflers from a new Mustang. They will work out nice for the engine run stand when I get closer to running the engine. Can't beat $30 for the pair.

Thanks Paul. Yes, I will be driving it and maintaining it just like if I bought it new. Can't keep them in a glass case. Have to enjoy your hard work and efforts sometime. The bolts that held on the front brackets have an elliptical shoulder by the head so all you have to do is loosen the nut and turn the bolt and it would raise or lower the brackets inside the oblong hole. No need to cut holes bigger. Those engineers sure had things figured out way back then.

Just a little update on the old Merc. I had to do a little stencil job for the powder coaters just recently. They where in a need for two templates so they can apply a special coating to two round disc's that were gold plated and polished for a telescope project for the U of A. I was able to make them a nice vinyl mask like I did on the car frame and firewall. So in exchange for making the templates I had them blast all my bumper brackets. One of the front brackets needs a little attention. Someone decided to make a hole a little bigger???? I also have been working on my laser room so I can get that up and running in a week or two. Been a flurry of activity. I hope my mounts get done soon. What to get back to the car.

Nice looking project. I wish my body was that straight on my Mercury. Going to look nice when it's all cleaned up.

That's a good question Bleach. I just spoke with the company on the phone and asked if they can re-do a radiator from a 1960's car. I will ask them about a re-core once I get ready to get it done. If not I have another company I can try. Thanks for the compliments hursst. It's been a fun adventure so far and I hope some of the tips will help other folks out there on their projects. I do plan on showing it, but as far as a Grand National Award you never know. Looks like you have a really cool MG your working on. That will be a neat little car to zip around in when it's done.

It's been a while since I posted any progress. Still waiting on the rubber bumpers so I can install the rear axle assembly. I got the firewall insulation in, but I need to purchase the rubber sleeve that connects the fresh air vent on the passenger side before I can install the heater box. I manage to pick up a new toy. No it's not a car (I wish it was), but it's a 75 watt laser engraver/cutter. I will be using it for the business for the plaques and awards that I do along with the iron work. The nice thing is that, say if someone needed a gasket that is not available I would be able to design and cut one. The possibilities are endless of what I can use it for. So I'm in the process of building a air conditioned room in the shop so I can get it set up in there. Other than that the Mercury progress has been slow, but not totally forgotten about. I did get a price one redoing the radiator. $120 complete. Not a bad price.

Great job Paul. Moving right along.

Just a post of what I came across on the local CL. Nice boat too. https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/5688860081.html

Thanks John. I hope so soon too. I didn't know you got that hot out there. It's been averaging 102 - 105 with about 30% humidity and a dew point over 50. It gets pretty darn hot. Looks like you never have a slow day there. You're always working on something.

You're not old Roger. Just vintage. Keep at it. You impress us all with your quality of work.