Photo bucket screwed all my pics up, and I lost them all. Here's a link to my build:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...yssey.1172804/
Rich
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Photo bucket screwed all my pics up, and I lost them all. Here's a link to my build:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...yssey.1172804/
Rich
First order of business was vin check since it was out o[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/890829d8.jpg[/IMG]f state purchase. A call to the local Gendarms, and they came and blessed my frame. Game on !
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/af20bf85.jpg[/IMG]
Has quite a bit of bondo, and the lower 6" is full of pin holes. In other words normal.
That last post was screwed up. Trying to get this pic posting down.
After securing the body to my frame jig, and adding supports inside the cab I was ready to start the chop.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/e8f829e2.jpg[/IMG]
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I first removed the center section of the roof, and cut all the spot welds holing the TEE moulding between the panels. I installed shims to make up for the thickness of the molding, and reinstalled the roof panel.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/4403201e.jpg[/IMG]
wow that was fast! I had a computer crash, and lost a ton of pics. I only took out 2"
as i like the head room, but think it looks better with the lower profile.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/72efe232.jpg[/IMG]
Heres another view.
Rich
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Here most of the welds have been ground. Some of the bracing is visible inside.
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While the doors were off I replaced all the hinge pins with over size stainless pins, and replaced the bottom 6" of the doors.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/c215e579.jpg[/IMG]
Heres the center panel after blasting, along with the Tee moulding ready to tack back on after cutting @" off the bottom.
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I cut the gas tank out of the cowl, and filled the filler hole. I set up the other side of my shop, and blasted everything myself.
Rich
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I pulled the entire body apart after the chop to blast everything.
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I stored all the pieces in my family room while working on other parts.
Rich
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I Braced the front cowl section, cut off the rear sub frame, and replaced the bottom 6" of the cowl. Everything inside has been etch primed, and epoxy coated. I also repaired the leading edges if the firewall which was a mess.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/3a40c9ad.jpg[/IMG]
Here it's ready for the rear sub frame to be installed.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/3305f7a5.jpg[/IMG]
The replacement rails do not line up very well. I used a finger joint which made it easier, and also a stronger joint.
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This pic gives a better idea of the condition of things before the sand blasting.
Rich
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I fabbed the cross braces from 16 gauge CR.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/5d63ccba.jpg[/IMG]
A view of the finished rails.
Rich
I stained, and polyurathaned all the wood before installation.
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I had planned on preinstalling wood, but ended up having it in, and out many times.
Rich
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Starting to look like a car again.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/be878b3a.jpg[/IMG]
Rich
WOW! Absolutely - WOW! I think you've gone to an amazing level and I can only imagine the details that are coming next!
Thanks for making time to share the pics of your build..
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Here I'm tacking the Tee moulding back on, see you don't have to cut them in the middle.
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This shows the new Brookville trunk lid, and lower panel. The latch hole was off center, the latch would not fit in the lid, and mounting holes were off. The lower panel had no curve to it in either direction, in other words, normal!
Rich
this is impressive - thanks for the photos.
Gotta love it!
Much patience, big skills, many hours!!!
Did you use all - original wood, or did you have to replace any?
As said earlier, thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for the kind words guys! This is going to be my last full build, and I'm in no hurry to get it done.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/34b4fa6e.jpg[/IMG]
This shows the "good" firewall in for body integrity. I repaired the body edges
where the firewall attaches, and filled all the old spot weld holes. I wanted it
removable so I used 1/4" 20 nuts spaced like the ones across the top to attach
to the car. I have plans for this area in the future.
Rich
Amazing process! Great to see one being saved that was pretty far gone!
t-top havoc, I replace all the wood with new except for the lower door jam
piece. The upper piece by the quarter window I replaced so I could weld
inside when I chopped the top.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/90ecdaac.jpg[/IMG]
In the previous pic everything looked O.K., but the roof panels did not fit right.
A close look will show the body is now sitting on the frame, and the frame is clamped to the jig. This is many weeks later after repairing the front mounts by the lower cowl, and fitting all the wood blocks for the rest of the body mounts. The visor does not fit well, and is very flimsy.
Rich
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I wanted to add some support to the visor (they start to flutter at 120mph) so I made up a piece of 16 ga to fit against the upper windshield panel. There are 1/4" 20 nuts
welded to the backside, and the wood is relieved so it lays flat.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/20f78a62.jpg[/IMG]
Heres the finished support which is not visible when the car is at ride height.
Rich
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I have had the wood in, and out of the car many, many times sanding shaping
trying to make things fit right! I have finally commited to welding the visor to the top.
There are steps in the panels where they meet the visor which I hammered flat, and slit the top to make them meet correctly.
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Here I have ground everything down, but cannot get to the backside to metal finish.
I have a cure for that.
Rich
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Been awhile since Iv'e done any leading! I have seen too many Model A's with
cracks in this area so no bondo.
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Ready to work it.
Rich
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Heres the finished area.
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I had repaired all the cracks in the top opening, now I welded the area at the
Tee moulding area, and a little lead to cover it. I also ground the Tee moulding
back about a 1/2" to clear future vinyl top trim.
Rich
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I decided I did not want chicken wire, or a steel insert. I like the look of the
fabric top. Here I'm making the pattern for 1/4" oak paneling.
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Of course it will not lay flat, but I'll fix that.
Rich
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I soaked it in water, clamped it, and let dry in place.
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Heres the finished piece after staining, and polyurathane.
Rich
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I tapered the leading edge for a smooth transition for the top install.
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This shows the the side panel relationship.
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I may not install a headliner!
Rich
Leave the headliner out, that's pretty.
Slinging lead, now that's old school.
Thanks for the comments guys, and I'll probably never puy a headliner in it Firebird.
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I started cutting all the window frames.
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All done, welds ground, sand blasted ready for etch prime.
Rich
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Started replacing the rear panels, none of the reveal would line up with the originals so
I replaced a bigger piece than I had planned on. I wrapped the bottom edge around
the sub frame like the originals.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/d98f4093.jpg[/IMG]
Here I'm beating the snot out of the patch panel to make the reveal line match
the one on the car.
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Started fabbing the floor panels. I'm using 16 gauge with 3/4" tubing on the perimeter
with a couple cross braces. This brings it up flush with the floor.
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Fabbing the next piece with my home made bead roller. (32" throat)
Rich
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This view shows the tubing, I haven't intalled the cross bracing yet.
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Looking better!
Rich
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This is probaly over kill, but I always over build. I want a solid body when I'm
done.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/879a3c3f.jpg[/IMG]
This starts the seat belt installation. The 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 3/16" tube are the
uprights for the 3 point belts. The 3/4" pieces get welded inside the tubing
which is than drilled, and tapped for the bolts holding the belts. I wanted
plenty of purchase area for the threads. The long pieces of 1/4" plate will be
welded to the sub rails, they run from the door jamb to the rear of the car.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/9230834f.jpg[/IMG]
Welded, tapped, ready to install.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...l/55cafc0d.jpg[/IMG]
Here most of the pieces have been installed. The body bolts go through the plates
welded to the sub rails. I had already shimmed body. The tubing is also stitch
welded to the body shell below the rear window.
I know there is a lot of opinions on seat belt install, this is my method. I'll
follow up later with belt pics when I install the seat.
Rich
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Found the pics, heres the upper mount.
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View from the rear.
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Heres the finished view. These are from Julianos, the GM style belts.
Rich, in that last picture is your lower mount tied to the frame?
Roger, all the frame work I installed is welded to the body. The belts, and seat are bolted to that frame work.
If the body was seperated from the frame in a crash the belts, and seat would still be attached to the body.
Rich
Nice work !!!
Great work Rich, its never overkill. Its just not done until you feel its right!