11-25-14

Finished repairing driver's side door and temporarily installed it for a fit check, but without fenders I can't do much adjusting.

 

Wish I could get a decent day to shoot the body with epoxy primer outside, but wind and cold won't permit. The self-etching primer coat will not do much to resist moisture when the high humidity rainy days arrive in a few weeks.

Arranged to pick up the '66 Poly and transmission next week, but forecast is for rain and I don't want to drive that far and haul parts back in foul weather.

Sent out a request for quotes for custom made hood springs, but so far there is little interest from other owners. Set up fee will be around $400 and that is too much for a couple of buyers to absorb. I might have to get by with old springs.

11-18-14

Just an update for those still following my progress.

Global warming has slowed down progress considerably. The plan was to prime the body with epoxy primer before joining it to the frame, but the weather isn't cooperating. Temperatures have been 10 to 30 degrees below normal for about two weeks, and only slight moderating is expected in the next ten days. Average high for this part of the state on this date is 67F, but yesterday's high was only 38F with strong NW winds. The previous night's snow didn't even melt in the shade. Today is a bit warmer, but very windy. The leaves didn't even get a chance to change colors, so many of the trees are covered with frozen green leaves that have now turned black.

Since I can't paint and proceed with the body-joining plan, I've started repairing doors. The complexity of forming small metal patches makes it a very time consuming job and the cold floors in the workshop have dampened my enthusiasm for spending a lot of time out there. That means there will be no photos to post anytime soon.

To top it off, my welding helmet is no longer darkening automatically. I pulled the electronics module out and placed the solar panels in a bright area to see if the batteries will recharge. If not, it looks like I'll have to buy a replacement before I can weld any more patches in place.

Door Repair

 

Swiss cheese door bottom that required another complicated corner patch.

 

 

 

 

 

11-1-14

License plate bracket received and temporarily installed.

 

 

My old Washington truck license covers filler cap except from a direct side view.

10-30-14

Fabricated and painted brackets for fuel tank.

Installed rebuilt 11" x 2-1/2" brakes and new finned drums. Decided to wait with wheel bearings and seals until car is running so I can also check condition of gears and pinion seal and bearings. Axle bearings are quite worn, but seals weren't leaking.

Next I'll permanently install fuel tank and finish a few things on the body so I can apply a coat of epoxy primer and then join the body and frame before the weather gets bad.

Fuel Tank Install-Rear Brake Buildup

Last parts for fuel tank and rear brakes received. 1964 B-body tank is perfect for my custom installation. Took two days to temporarily install for fit and measure for permanent mounting brackets. All parts are very high quality. Hinged license plate bracket ordered 10-27.

 

Rear brakes are assembled onto backplates and ready to install. Double flaring kit and copper/nickel brake line are very easy to work with, and well worth the few dollars extra over steel line. Had to order different center-flex line as B-body banjo style was too short. Used '73 Dodge truck part that was five inches longer, and barely long enough.

10-19-14

Ordered a roll of copper nickel brake line and fittings, double flare tool, fuel tank neck, insulator pad, grommet, straps and sending unit.

Finished cleaning the remaining salvaged brake parts.

10-17-14

1964 B-body gas tank arrived and looks to be perfect fit with relocated filler neck! Made in Canada and looks very high quality. Not sure about which straps will work best, but will order '64 straps and make them fit.

Fabricated cover for vent opening and welded in place. Rear brake parts starting to arrive. Still need shoes, axle bearings and axle gasket.

 

Brakes Arrived and New Parts Shipped

Only two days to get 11" brake back plates from Spokane. They were cruddier than they looked in pictures, so disassembled and started cleaning and de-rusting. Ordered gas tank and brake drums and cylinders 10-13. Notified all were shipped 10-14.

Pitted Area Repair

Moved outside to glaze and sand localized pitted areas and tail panel.

Control arm bumpers arrived from Gary Goers ten days after I sent in the order. Parts look very nice.

Bought 11” X 2-1/2”rear brake backing plates and guts from Spokane individual on e-bay. Need to order drums, cylinders and brake lines. Will also replace wheel bearings, seals and gaskets as long as the axles are being pulled.