Smartin Posted June 10, 2020 Author Share Posted June 10, 2020 I moved the car into the new shop so I can continue assembly in a well lit place...also to free up the "paint booth" to keep cleaning and painting parts as I need them. The windshield I ordered from Summit was chipped when it came...and also was not LOF logo'ed or date coded like I requested. So I'm waiting on a response from them regarding a claim. In the mean time, I ordered another one from Auto City Classics, like I should have the first time. I have started laying out the top frame to make sure I have everything needed to assemble. It's a complete jigsaw puzzle, since it was all apart when I got it. I still need to put a fresh coat of black paint on all of the pieces. They're mostly nice, but have been beat up and chipped all over due to being moved around for years. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 I just got a summit windshield today that was smashed. Who is packing these things? It wasn’t a UPS problem. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 Auto City Classics came through again today. New windshield ordered Monday and arrived 4 days later. Beats waiting 6 weeks for a broken one from Summit. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 15, 2020 Author Share Posted June 15, 2020 Top frame bits are painted, along with a few other black bits that I combined on this round of painting.. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 Windshield is in! Replacement master cylinder came today, so I bled the brakes and adjusted the parking brake. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 The top frame came to me in a million pieces and all the bolts were dumped in a coffee can. I was able to borrow a local club member's loose top frame so I could use it as a model to assemble mine. Thankfully, I had all the bolts and nuts/bushings in the coffee can so I could get it all put together. With the help of my wife, we stuck it in the car this evening. It goes up and down really nicely. One more BIG item off the list! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Smartin said: The top frame came to me in a million pieces and all the bolts were dumped in a coffee can. I was able to borrow a local club member's loose top frame so I could use it as a model to assemble mine. Thankfully, I had all the bolts and nuts/bushings in the coffee can so I could get it all put together. With the help of my wife, we stuck it in the car this evening. It goes up and down really nicely. One more BIG item off the list! I assume none of the pieces used pressed-on rivets like the 57-58 (and probably other years)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 There were plenty of rivets...but they were all still together. Anything that could’ve been unbolted was. So it’s been fun cobbling it back together 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, Smartin said: There were plenty of rivets...but they were all still together. Anything that could’ve been unbolted was. So it’s been fun cobbling it back together That's good; nothing's chrome on that I'm sure. Trying to decide whether to dismantle the assembly I got for the 76C so I can rechrome the few bars inside that came chromed. Pretty decent shape, but not perfect. I'd have to get a hydraulic press to reassemble with the giant rivets in a couple places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 Makes you wonder if you could just use bolts and grind down the heads so they look like rivets on one side.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 10 hours ago, Smartin said: Makes you wonder if you could just use bolts and grind down the heads so they look like rivets on one side.. That is essentially what I did: ground, shaped and polished the head of stainless 3/8 bolt; taped the chrome arm and installed with loctite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 Gas tank and all fuel line connections complete, just in time to go visit Dad today...I also added the US Steel stamp for a little flare.😀 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 2 hours ago, old-tank said: That is essentially what I did: ground, shaped and polished the head of stainless 3/8 bolt; taped the chrome arm and installed with loctite. Did you grind it down after installation? That seems risky. Otherwise, how do you adequately tighten it with the shape ground off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Smartin said: Gas tank and all fuel line connections complete, just in time to go visit Dad today...I also added the US Steel stamp for a little flare.😀 I assume that nifty stamp is sold? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 6 minutes ago, lancemb said: Did you grind it down after installation? That seems risky. Otherwise, how do you adequately tighten it with the shape ground off? ground a slot on the threaded end for one time tightening before locktite. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 It is a stencil with transfer tape. One time use vinyl 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 27, 2020 Author Share Posted June 27, 2020 I started on the instrument cluster this evening.... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 28, 2020 Author Share Posted June 28, 2020 Done...pretty much. I am waiting on a convertible top switch...and have to paint the letters on the left side vent. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 You are hell when you are well! All I got done was getting my alternator redone and shifter rods blasted and painted, hooked up and adjusted. Tomorrow ... top of the engine hoses belts and carb? Maybe. gauges look terrific. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 great work ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 I got the header vinyl and trimmings installed this evening.. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 Just a little bling to keep momentum.. Also, here is a photo of an original push clip compared to one that TPP sent. This is for the door weatherstripping top corners. The new ones are so big that they won't push into the factory holes. So I cobbled together a set from the parts car, and some others from my hoard. Thankfully I have saved some "stupid" stuff like this. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 (edited) The door seals are the new Parts Place latex ones. They fit well, but the fasteners were wrong. Fast forward to today when I installed the A pillar seals...open the box and there is a bag of these...the CORRECT size clips. Hallelujah. Front windshield stainless is polished and installed...sans the cowl piece. That is a real bitch to polish...will take care of it tomorrow. Edited July 11, 2020 by Smartin (see edit history) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Desert Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 I love everything you are doing here. It is an outstanding transformation so far. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 12, 2020 Author Share Posted July 12, 2020 Thank you! I got some more stainless polished and installed today.. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadmaster75 Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Ok this is now the part of the project I love! each little cosmetic piece......contributing its bling! Go Adam! mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Beautiful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 17, 2020 Author Share Posted July 17, 2020 Fenders are waiting for install.. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Gorgeous. So when does there engine appear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 17, 2020 Author Share Posted July 17, 2020 Supposed to have it around the end of the month or first week of August. Crossing fingers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 Not too much to update on this one...except that I now have the engine and transmission...and a bunch of other parts I've been needing. I have the dashboard mostly together...sans a few things that are still trickling in. I'm currently installing some accessories on the engine to get it ready for install. For some reason, I left off "spark plugs" from my list of things to buy. I'll be going to Auto Zone tomorrow AM for that so I can hopefully get the engine installed this weekend. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Looks great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 (edited) Had a big SNAFU with the transmission mount over the weekend, and everyone who sells them thinks that a TH350 mount is the same. It's not. I have a correct 2268 mount coming now. Radio, ash tray, and glove box are installed. MCACN was canceled last night...so this car will be unveiled at the 2021 show, alongside another 70 I am painting this coming year. Edited September 11, 2020 by Smartin (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 11 hours ago, Smartin said: MCACN was canceled last night... That sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 Beautiful work 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 Finally have a correct trans mount...got the engine and trans stabbed in this afternoon. I started putting some accessories on, but ran out of steam. Earlier today, I installed the top motor, hoses, and lift cylinders. I also got the new tires mounted on the wheels we are using. I still have to clean them up a bit more and paint the centers. Some of you will laugh or stick up your nose, but this is what the car came with, so that's what is going back on. I dig it. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Wheels look good to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 (edited) Front sheet metal installed today... I'm hesitant to post more complete photos, since this car is supposed to be unveiled at MCACN. 2020 is canceled, so that means it will go to 2021 and be unveiled then. I don't know if I can wait a year to post pics LOL EDIT: I removed the teaser photo to stay eligible for the unveiling at MCACN. I may have to stop entirely posting photos of this project until after the unveiling. It's going to kill me LOL Edited September 17, 2020 by Smartin (see edit history) 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 On 9/16/2020 at 8:39 PM, Smartin said: I may have to stop entirely posting photos of this project until after the unveiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted October 25, 2020 Author Share Posted October 25, 2020 Well, it runs and drives now. Top goes up and down. Looks like I'll be taking it to the conv top guy next weekend. I had a couple leaks off the bat when I fired it up for the first time. One transmission cooling line fitting, and an oddball oil leak from the oil pump housing. It seems to have fixed itself, but I'll keep an eye on it. Might end up pulling the pump apart and resealing. Fuel filter housing was dripping, but easy fix with a couple wrenches. It took me a couple hours to get the top working smoothly...kept blowing fuses. But once I got everything lubed and adjusted, it stopped blowing them. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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