AURktman Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 Well, Bertha lives!! I will need to change out those mufflers (maybe) next winter, they're a bit too loud (maybe... lol) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 11, 2022 Author Share Posted July 11, 2022 I will complete the steering wheel/gearshift and brakes tomorrow and it should move around under her own power! Transmission filled, cooling system all wrapped up, and had the rear wheels moving under power for the first time in 36 years. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 16, 2022 Author Share Posted July 16, 2022 (edited) Getting more done, the cooling system and wiring under the hood is finished. Also connected up the tach and fuel gauge. I also swapped out the brake booster bracket for a straight bracket that is close to the firewall. Much better fit overall. Edited July 16, 2022 by AURktman (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 17, 2022 Author Share Posted July 17, 2022 Granted, they are just the turn signals/parking lights but it’s the first non-dash set of lights to work. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 20, 2022 Author Share Posted July 20, 2022 She moved under her own power for the first time in 36 years! I need to bleed the brakes better, but I will get her moved outside tomorrow evening and do a proper engine break-in. I have to get the body the the point where the roof can get painted and glass installed. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 23, 2022 Author Share Posted July 23, 2022 Had to wait until today to move her out. I look like a bear in a phone booth sitting on that milk crate. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 24, 2022 Author Share Posted July 24, 2022 More bites of the elephant done. Front fenders prepped and in sealer outside drying. Will paint those first thing tomorrow morning. I still have to bleed the brakes again, I had great brakes then none a day later. I attribute it to the fact that I hadn’t bled the rears and the fronts need bleeding again. But cooling system all finished (electric in front, mechanical behind) and she sat outside running through the RPMs to get broke in a bit. I put her back on her chrome wheels. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 26, 2022 Author Share Posted July 26, 2022 Finished the front fenders and passenger front door. They need a good wet sanding, but that will happen after the Nationals. I just want to get the car there and home in one piece. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Cluley Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 Great color. Is it going to be solid or two tone? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 27, 2022 Author Share Posted July 27, 2022 10 hours ago, Dan Cluley said: Great color. Is it going to be solid or two tone? Thanks! Two tone, white roof. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 White roof now, windshield and back glass going in tomorrow. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Love the shade of blue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 Front and rear glass in. Starting to look like a car instead of a shell. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted July 31, 2022 Author Share Posted July 31, 2022 13 hours ago, avgwarhawk said: Love the shade of blue. Thanks! It’s roughly a 4:1 mix of VW Strato blue (1959) and Porsche Aetna blue. I spoke to the woman that owns the paint company I order it through, I am sending her some spray out cards and a small bottle of the paint so she can match it. It will get called “Bertha Blue” 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share Posted August 2, 2022 More progress. Now to tune the engine so it runs like a sewing machine. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhach Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 I'm curious why you didn't paint the body before installing the glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share Posted August 2, 2022 1 hour ago, drhach said: I'm curious why you didn't paint the body before installing the glass. Roof is painted, that was the only area that I had to get to before installing glass, especially around the top windshield area. I painted the area where the gasket sits so it won’t rust. There is a LOT of bodywork still to do on the drivers side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 3, 2022 Author Share Posted August 3, 2022 Passenger doors somewhat aligned properly, latches and strikers installed, everything hooked up and handles installed. Lock works too. So many firsts on this car in the last month! It’s languished over 15 years getting bits and pieces done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhach Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 16 hours ago, AURktman said: Roof is painted, that was the only area that I had to get to before installing glass, especially around the top windshield area. I painted the area where the gasket sits so it won’t rust. There is a LOT of bodywork still to do on the drivers side. Makes sense. I figured you had it thought out, i just wasn't clear from the pictures. Keep up the good work she's looking great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 5, 2022 Author Share Posted August 5, 2022 Enough interior installed to drive it to Nationals. I need to work on my upholstery installation skills. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 6, 2022 Author Share Posted August 6, 2022 Taillights in, they will definitely have to come back out before paint but they’re functional. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Cluley Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 I've done exactly one set of seats, so I'm not really an expert, but my gut feeling is that maybe you need thicker padding? Does that use molded foam, or is it built up with batting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share Posted August 9, 2022 9 hours ago, Dan Cluley said: I've done exactly one set of seats, so I'm not really an expert, but my gut feeling is that maybe you need thicker padding? Does that use molded foam, or is it built up with batting? I have 2 layers of 1 inch foam, I just need to redo the hog rings so it doesn’t look like a bad boob job. I will also run some thin padding around the front to fill in any gaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share Posted August 9, 2022 Headed to Bowling Green, KY tomorrow morning for the Nationals. I will be parked in the “Scratch, dent, and rust” section. 😁 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 14, 2022 Author Share Posted August 14, 2022 Pics from the show. As always, it was a blast! Put about a mile on her, it’s quite fitting her first mile is at the TriFive Nationals. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share Posted August 23, 2022 Photo from the official event photographer, I’m in love with it! Now back to the work. Instead of the rear drivers door that was on there, I will redo this one. Everything north of the trim line is in great shape and dent/rust free. I will form a new patch for this. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted September 23, 2022 Author Share Posted September 23, 2022 Hood done and some of the chrome installed. New steering wheel in but will come back out to be painted. it’s from a 1964 Bel Air, I prefer them to the 57 steering wheel. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted September 25, 2022 Author Share Posted September 25, 2022 A little more progress. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted February 10, 2023 Author Share Posted February 10, 2023 (edited) I have been remiss in posting updates, mostly because I’m a bit exasperated with the car. Things were progressing smoothly until that cold snap hit during Christmas. I went out to work on her when it warmed up a bit around Jan 1 and discovered a ton of water in the oil pan. Apparently I didn’t have enough of a mix of Prestone in the coolant to prevent something from letting loose. So, now I have to rip the whole front end apart, pull the motor apart, and have it checked out. I did install a much better radiator (Cold Case) than the cheap one I had. The cheap one had a filler neck that was just a wee bit too long and it creased the hood when I closed it all the way. That’s already repaired, but aggravation nonetheless. Disregard the hot mess of wiring, I had it all undone to fix a bunch of things I didn’t like. Once this car is done(ish) it’s getting sold so I can start down the Ford Model A path. Edited February 11, 2023 by AURktman (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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