chistech Posted December 13, 2019 Author Share Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) The reception the Olds has gotten since Hershey is still surprising to me. Today I got my notification that the Olds did win a National award and the envelope had all the information about attending the banquet and other festivities in Philadelphia in February. All I can say is thank you to everyone who supported me from those with positive comments and technical help to those who judged and voted for it. Michelle and I are on a pretty cool ride right now with “our little Oldsmobile “. We went out and had a nice celebratory dinner and drink tonight! Edited December 13, 2019 by chistech (see edit history) 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Congratulations! I look forward to finally meeting you in person in Philadelphia. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Congratulations on the National award Ted. It is well deserved. John 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 49 minutes ago, MCHinson said: Congratulations! I look forward to finally meeting you in person in Philadelphia. MCHinson, Ted and Michelle are great folks. Have a good time in Philadelphia. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE POLLARD Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Congrats Ted ! Steve 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan315 Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 congrats Ted on the win, now to see which one you get you deserve any and all you get for all your hard work time and dedication on the Olds !!! still would love to have you here in 2022 for our grand national hosting, car would look great with the rest of them, plus you have been here a few times picking up and dropping off a 19929 Chevrolet this time you could come to hang out and show off the ride. both of you !! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 10, 2020 Author Share Posted January 10, 2020 I drove up to Syracuse NY this past week to pick up some 32’ Olds parts for myself and my buddy Joe. A guy in IN was parting out a 32’ 4dr and I purchased the radiator, the fuel tank, drive shaft, and some other small parts. Joe bought both axles for the brake drums basically. Because of the issues I’ve been having with my radiator and the few dents in my fuel tank (some of the points deducted at the Hershey show) I purchased both in anticipation they would solve them. Well I scoped the inside of the radiator and it looks exceptionally clean so I’ll give it a soak with the Evaporust then check it for flow. Once I do that I’ll take it to the radiator shop to be pressure tested and looked over for any issues. The fuel tank while exceptionally solid had a long crease along the entire back edge and one smaller crease on the bottom along one side. I decided to cut three side of a square on the top of the tank so I could lift up the panel enough to get inside with a hammer or dolly depending on how I might need to work it. Using a fine cutting wheel on the Drexel, I made three plunge cuts on each of the lines I needed to cut then finished them with a reciprocal hack saw. With the nice thin kerf of the hack saw blade, I should be able to tig the panel back fairly easy. At least that’s my hope. I was able to work all the creases and dented areas out fairly easily. The tank is virtually new with the inside having just a lighty dusted area of surface rust. Oh, and there was dead mouse inside! Once I tin knocked it to my satisfaction, I used both my shrinking discs to work the high spots out and I’ve got it just about done. I won’t weld up the tank until all the body work is completely done on the bottom to my satisfaction in case I need to work any part of the tank bottom from the inside. The shiny area on the tank in the second picture was all creased about 3-4” up from the center seam. You can’t even see the crease anymore. In the first picture you can see what little remains of the crease that ran along the bottom of the tank. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 Perfection never ends Ted. Nice the post again.John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 I meant to say, "Nice to see you back on the Olds and posting again. John 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 Drilled out the drain plug rather than risk breaking the fitting free of its solder joint in the bottom of the tank. Ran a tap through it to clean the threads. Knocked out all the rest of the bigger or deeper dents then sandblasted the bottom of the tank in my cabinet. Cleaned the inside of the tank by running a red scuff pad around then blew the tank out. Took the edges around the cut out down to bare metal to prep it for welding. Set up my tig and started to tack the panel in places. I was having lots of trouble because my helmet’s self darkening lense was not working correctly and I couldn’t see the end of the electrode or placement of my fill rod. All I could see was a big green ball as the arc was just to bright. I ended up using my brothers helmet and a MiG welder. Welding in small 3/4” runs, i alternated areas to keep any warping to a minimum. Once all the welding was done, I ground all the welds down, screwed a air fitting into the bottom plug hole, put a spare gas cap on the filler neck, and attached the air hose regulated down to 7-8lbs. The gas cap leaked some so there was just the right amount pressure for leak testing the welds. Using a spray bottle of simple green, I sprayed all along the weld line finding about 10 tiny leaks. Some touch up welding, more grinding, more testing, some additional spot welding, and the tank was leak free. Because of the heat generated from the welding, the seam actually pulled down some which worked to my advantage. I put strips of masking tape on both sides of the welded line then applied JB weld with a body filler spreader. Once fully cured, it will get a light, fine sanding. The JB weld will help seal any leaks if there is any and the JB is resistant to gasoline so it’s a perfect material to finish off the job. I will start skimming the bottom of the tank with filler then sanding it out to get it smooth. It’s coming along. More to come. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Looks great Ted! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 Done some body filler work on the tank. While it’s not my forte, I’m kind of getting it some. Hopefully the tank should look real good. Gilly is coming tomorrow to work more on it for me. On another note: Joe and I are not really happy with the large hole in the rubber shifter close out we made. While it’s a copy of an original, I also got sent a photo of an original the shows remnants of a boot that most likely encased the whole shift lever base and flexed with the lever as it was moved through the gears. Because the close out is low on the floor and close to the fulcrum point of the shift lever, the boot really doesn’t need to flex all that much. Joe has already drawn up plans for making the boot that will fit inside the large hole, fit tightly around the lever, and be captured by the square base of the close out and the floor, holding the boot assembly permanently in place. So I will be machining another mold. More to come on that. I included a picture of our new close out and a picture of the other original that was sent to me. You can see a “donut “ of rubber which is the remnants of a boot that’s been tucked down in the whole. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Never ends, huh Ted? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 27, 2020 Author Share Posted January 27, 2020 (edited) Almost done with the mold for the shift lever close out boot. Need to machine the square in the main mold now which will make up the base of the boot and retain it in the close out plate. I made two plugs which will yield two different side wall thicknesses. Because this is a gravity/flow/pour type mold, we are restricted on how thin of a wall we can make but having the two plugs allows us a couple options. Your can see down in the mold cavity around the stepped center plug a milled groove. This will give a nice ribbed ring around the shift lever. Edited January 27, 2020 by chistech (see edit history) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 28, 2020 Author Share Posted January 28, 2020 Finished up the mold tonight. I’m very pleased with the way it came out. The more machining I do, the better im getting. This project I did with no outside help other than joe’s drawings. The main cavity was turned on the lathe and the curved part was made by using a tool bit I ground myself. I also turned a tool bit to turn the round on the two plugs. Tonight i machined the flange on the vertical mill by working from the center out. Using good old math with paper and pencil, splitting the diameter of my milling bit in half, I worked all the measurements then milled the rectangle in stages to within .005 of the needed dimensions, then I milled the full depth all the way around enlarging the rectangle to its actual full dimension. The rectangle is 2.245 x 2.375. The reason for the greater distance even though the shift lever close out is actually square is the close out bends up in the center where the floor board meets the toe board. This bend increases the front to back length slightly. Joe has ordered two different urethane compounds that are softer and will flow better than the compound we used for both the shift lever and pedal close outs. Both of those need to be stiffer and much less flexible than the boot needs to be. I am mailing the mold to joe tomorrow and he will be making up both thicknesses and both compounds so we can test and determine which works best. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary W Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 Ted, being this is a gravity flow mold, do you have to warm the aluminum mold prior to pouring the rubber in the mold to keep it flowing? This is really nice work! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 30, 2020 Author Share Posted January 30, 2020 2 hours ago, Gary W said: Ted, being this is a gravity flow mold, do you have to warm the aluminum mold prior to pouring the rubber in the mold to keep it flowing? This is really nice work! I will have to ask joe Gary but I don’t believe he puts any heat to the molds. He has said the large pedal pad mold gets quite warm on its own from the chemical reaction of the two part urethane curing. There is a fair amount of mold prep with the mold release agent to get a good flow into all parts joe has said. The two compounds he ordered for the boot are softer and because of the softer texture, it will take slightly more time in the mold to fully cure. I believe it’s supposed to be a thinner mixture too which should help with getting it all down the wall area of the boot mold. He should be running tests this week end and he will be bringing some with him to the AACA meeting next week and will give me the samples to fit. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 30, 2020 Author Share Posted January 30, 2020 joe sent me a picture of him and his almost done 32’ Olds Sport Coupe. Out for its first time running and driving since about 40 years! Purrs like a kitten. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 31, 2020 Author Share Posted January 31, 2020 Got these pictures from Joe today. I believe this is the last part we’ll be needing to make for our Olds. The part you see is made up using the slightly harder soft compound and the plug that yields the thicker wall. The second one Joe makes up will be with the softer soft compound and the thinner wall. This boot has really finished the look off now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted January 31, 2020 Author Share Posted January 31, 2020 And the boot in place (not yet screwed down). Before the boot and after the boot pictures. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathered1 Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 Ted well worth the effort, that looks perfect. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 Very cool! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 Ted, your work is really clean and well thought out. The new boot looks great. John 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted February 1, 2020 Author Share Posted February 1, 2020 Well I’m not a body man but I seem to be getting better at it. I’ve been working on my fuel tank myself and I’m pretty happy with it so far. Sanded down the old red lead primer that was on the top of the tank, cleaned the neck down to clean bare metal, then etch primed the top of the tank. When it dried, I went all over my body work and added some dolphin glaze in any place I needed it. After another sanding, out came the spot paddy then I etch primed the bottom. I was able to see a couple little ding dents and a low spot or two so I spot puttied those areas. Just a little more touch up then I’ll spray it with a couple good coats fill primer. Then some wet sanding and then I’m going to paint it with single stage black. It will be my first start to finish paint work. I guess I’m making progress. 😆 in the pictures it looks looks like there’s a lot of filler but it’s just a thin skim coat . 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Macartney Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 Ted, I have just caught up with your progress on the tank and the 'rubber' gearstick moulding. I've had to spend a few days in hospital without access to the internet. Perhaps I may have to ditch my year 2000 Nokia phone that I still use and get a smart phone! You may have mentioned it before, although I could not find it, what are the products Joe uses for moulding the 'rubber'. I would be interested in 'having a go' at the process. Keep up the great posts, I look forward to, and enjoy reading and seeing every one of them. Mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 16 hours ago, Mike Macartney said: Ted, I have just caught up with your progress on the tank and the 'rubber' gearstick moulding. I've had to spend a few days in hospital without access to the internet. Perhaps I may have to ditch my year 2000 Nokia phone that I still use and get a smart phone! You may have mentioned it before, although I could not find it, what are the products Joe uses for moulding the 'rubber'. I would be interested in 'having a go' at the process. Keep up the great posts, I look forward to, and enjoy reading and seeing every one of them. Mike Hi mike, sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling well. Glad to see you’re home. I will ask joe what the brand name and the formula numbers he’s been using. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 Primed the tank tonight and all looks really good except one little ding dent I missed. Will wet sand the primer down and fix that one ding to get it ready for single stage black. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 On 1/30/2020 at 8:13 AM, chistech said: joe sent me a picture of him and his almost done 32’ Olds Sport Coupe. Out for its first time running and driving since about 40 years! Purrs like a kitten. Ted, is this your friend who came to Hershey? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 Yes, he’s my friend who worked feverishly cleaning my car while I kept answering everyone’s questions! He was a huge help with not only the day but the whole restoration. I asked him to ride into the show grounds with me that morning and he was really enjoying himself as copilot. He and I have made up some pretty good parts these past years that helped put my car, and soon his, at the top. He’s a great friend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 Got the tank all wet sanded after a light spray of some guide coat. Sealed any areas broken to bare metal then mixed up the single stage. Wiped it down with Prepsol then shot the top edges and filler neck leaving the two areas where the tank will rest on the stand. Flipped the tank over and gave it two coats. I’m very happy with my results considering this is my first foray into the whole process of body work. Some orange peel and some light dust bunnies but neither are too much. Ready to go in the car once it’s totally dry. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Looks GREAT! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
36 D2 Coupe Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 No gas tank has any business looking this nice! Now everyone will be jealous! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Great job Ted...and really, its a gas tank...if it was perfect it probably wouldn't be authentic. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 32 minutes ago, JV Puleo said: Great job Ted...and really, its a gas tank...if it was perfect it probably wouldn't be authentic. If there’s anyone who makes things better than they originally were it’s you Joe! Remember, I’m after those damn points that got deducted because of the dents in my tank in the car! I figure if it’s close to perfect, they’ll probably have to find something else next time. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 The tank came out really nice, Ted. I love the way you work things out. Great work,a s always. John 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 (edited) It was nice to finally meet Ted in person. Sorry we did not find a chance to talk more but here are a couple of photos. Edited February 9, 2020 by MCHinson (see edit history) 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan315 Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 That is awesome, Ted earned and deserves it !! Hard working and extremely dedicated. Here is a picture of his award, Hope he does not mind me sharing, if so i can remove it 🙂 Way to Go Ted !! 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 Thank you gentlemen for posting these pictures. It was a great experience and what was really special is my kids were able to make it also. They were all flying out very early this morning so I spent time with them after the event and didn’t get to mingle as much with others as I had hoped for but will get the chance again at upcoming shows hopefully. So now it’s off to Beckley WV in June for my senior award try. The question is do I skip the AACA Nationals in Allentown, to attend the NAOC show in Lansing, because both are on the same date, and attend the next 2021 AACA Nationals in Minnesota the following year. I still haven’t shown the Olds in any Antique Oldsmobile club show as of yet. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Congratulations Ted, the award is well deserved! The Oldsmobile is a beautiful car with a spectacular restoration. You really have to see the Olds in person to appreciate all the hard work that Ted, and Joe put into this '32. John 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathered1 Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Ted that is a fantastic award, all your hard work paid off. Couldn't help but notice you clean up pretty good also.😀 Thanks for the inspiration. George 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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