Ian_Greenlaw

Well I took a deep breath and had a crack at the rear tail light lenses. To my surprise the left side went in using Scott's method ( I'll straighten it up a bit later ). The right side was another story. Tried using the same method and no go. Almost though. Used some lubrication and still nope. Got my dremel out and VERY gently ground down each side.....still nothing. Used the dremel on the inside of the housing and it finally slipped into place. I think I'm screwed if I ever blow a globe !!!!....another job off the list. My friend is coming over to help with the spare wheel carrier hardware. At the top of one of the tubes where a bolt goes in, many years ago, has been snapped of inside the shaft so we are going to work on that. Keiser....you'll notice the padding under the tail light as recommended in case I dropped the lens ! Cheers Ian

I need to breathe more !

Got a little too close with the dremel. I ground a door handle pin down and as I was moving away I just touched the leather. Found a guy who came out and he did the repair.....saved my bacon !!

Great recommendation....shall do !!!!

Thanks SCott, Your explanation is excellent. I'll have a crack ( I hope they don't ) today !!! Cheers Ian

Cleaned up the glass rear tail light lenses and got my wife ( she has a stedier hand than me ! ) to paint the dodge wording. You'll notice a slight style in the words which is interesting. Any how had a go at a trial fit and can't get them in. I tried inserting the top first against the spring retainer and the bottom just wouldn't go in. Tried the bottom first and again, the top wouldn't go it. Is there a trick to it as I worried I might break one ?

Thankyou, thats what we were thinking after a lot of discussion. One of the top bolts fits perfectly and the other look like a bolt has snapped off insode the tube many years ago so I'll have to drill and retap what ever is left. That should be fun !!!

Does anyone know how the spare wheel support bar sits. Either bends upwards or inwards ???

That look awsome mate

Well done Ron....hope it all goes well. Let me know what they look for with the old cars.

The inner door skin of the car has a slight bow inwards ( into the car ) and mine is bow outwards which is causing the window frame to rub on the door skin. I made up a support using hardwood and padded the ends. To clamp the window fram I used some old TV brackets and bent the ends like hooks. Bolting the to the wooden frame gave me an even amount of holding power to pull the inner skin. I can't pull it too much for fear of damaging something or even worse cracking the welds so I'm hoping this has pulled it enough to give me that slight bulge inwards. First try and it sprung back to the original position so I'm doing it again an leraving it overnight. On the other door I've found that the upholstered door card is not flexable enough and when the garnish mould is attached its bulging. I'll have to work out how to take the bulge out again without damaging anything. I went and saw a different upholsterer and he said that they should have used a thinner and more flexable door card which would have given it a bit of flexability.........damn. He gave me some more durable clips which I'll try over the next day or so. Cheers Ian

Thanks Kevin, I did ask about that one too. That was also on Penrites list to sell only in cartons ( 6 ). They made this decision not that long ago. I think the oil would outlive me !!!! Cheers Ian

Seems that the Service Manual call for SAE160 OIl for the gearbox. My guess is that when the gear box was rebuilt they put a thinner oil in the box which is maybe why it is leaking around the layshaft. Does anyone know where I can get SAE160 oil in Australia ? Penrite have 140 but want to sell me a carton of 6 but I only really need 2 ( 1 Litre Bottles and the gearbox takes 1.2lt )

Well, had a bit of good news the other day. I enetered my car in the Motorclassica ( which is in the first week of October ) and it got accepted. Now its panic stations as there is so much to do between now and then to get the car finished. I'll post pictures of the progress but bear with me as I'll be jumping from bit to bit as I get things done to get this over the line. I'm already having issues with the front door cards as the upholsterer didnt fit them properly and they are bulging. As soon as I get this sorted I'll post some pics Cheers Ian

Hey everyone, Is it possible to tell the type of engine from the markings on the block ? The serial number has been removed and a new one stamped on it so trying to use this number is not going to work. Any help appreciated. Cheers Ian

Another bit of progress. Finally got the right hand rear panel remade which we did ourselves. Once this was installed I was able to get the rear garnish mould and the right hand side garnish mold finished and in place. Also cleaned out everything from the rear of the car and installed the two back sill covers. I had to widen the hole every so carefully with a step drill so the screws could fit. One of the holes is too large so I'll need to pack this out a bit later and I'll refit them a bit later and straighten the carpet out. Cheers Ian

I was umming and aaaring over the whitewalls. I got my daughter to do a mockup photoshop of the car, rims and tyres overlayed while the car was on its way to the upholsterer. Family unamiously ( however its spelt ) decided on the whitewalls. Look at the picture......see it looks red again !!!!...depends on the light I guess. Got one of my friends coming over tomorrow ( who also has a 34 ) to have a look and see what he thinks. I'll try and get the interior rear panel I've ( and my wife ) been working on....hoping it will fit so I can completely finish the rear of the car. Then its onto the front doors....I have to bend the interior of the door in a bit as its binding on the side window frame when I lower the window. The door ( on the other side ) has a slight bow inwards and the drivers door ( right side ) has a slight bow outwards so I have to fix that. Then its on to modifying the trim and installing the handles and garnish moulds. Cheers Ian

It weird but the photos here make the car look more a deep burgundy which is what I was after but in some shots it almost looks a red colour.

Thanks Matt. Here's a few shots with the hubcaps just sitting inside the rims. Sort of makes it worthwhile.

Finally all 6 new shoes for the ole girl. First time in 40 years !

What a great 34. It looks complete.....got any engine pictures ?

Cleaned up the two I bought home yesterday and got the blue protective stuff off them and I think they will look the part ! Shoved one next to my wife's car.....lol

This forum is so good.....thanks guys......another question answered !

I wasn't sure if it was they way to go but everyone said Whitewalls....glad I did go that way. Picked up another today, and another tomorrow......best part its an instant look ! How did you go about alignment Matt ?

Got the first complete wheel back. First time the ole girl has had new shoes in over 40 years. The blue around the whitewall is just for protection. Sat in my chair in the garage and just looked at it glad this day has come ( sometimes I never thought it would ). I'll pickup the rest of the wheels over the next few days. I did test it in the spare wheel well and it seemed to fit quite well.....especially being a new tyre.