Cary's 73 1.7 Rustoration Thread Options

[Archie]

Now back to work .....................



What have some some folks done to seal up the sail panel cavity so we don't get debris up in there.
This is looking at it hanging upside on the rotisserie.

You have to wonder, Cary. I found some of that round-section, open-cell construction foam pushed up into this gap between the sail panel and the outer fender panel. I thought it was stock! Seems like there should be nothing in there!!

[cary]

I thought the same thing.
But when we started the body work on this car a couple years ago. There it was.
I'm sure Scotty, Perry, Jeff and those that having been restoring these cars for years could give you a better explanation.
I think I remember one of them explaining what the factory was thinking. But I can't remember what it was.

[cary]

My dad just passed away from a fast acting Leukemia. He fainted on Dec 10th. and passed away yesterday. He was 75 and was in what appeared to be perfect health.
They did make an attempt with Chemo, but it didn't work. They say it had a 66% chance.
When you're a kid your dad seems like Superman. It was tough to see him shrink to almost nothing.

[Slink]

Cary
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

[wingnut86]

Cary,

My family's condolences on the loss of your dad. Mine passed in 2006 - battled cancer 3 times and won. Appendix burst one evening and the infection took him 3 weeks later, he was 78.

Hang in there.

Dave

[cary]

Well time to get back to work.
Got my 2 new grinders out of the truck.



Looks like the last nice day at the man cave for a while. Freezing rain coming tonight.

[cary]

I'm back at disecting the drivers long that I bought from Perry.
First I'll cut the long with the plasma cutter.
Could use a cut off wheel. But I thought I'd give the plasma cutter a whirl.







That was cool. I'll have to get a pair of torch goggles.
Welding helmet is too dark. I couldn't see the line.

[cary]

Look like we'll have about 100 spot welds to drill out.





Whoa ............

[cary]

I got 85 spot welds drilled out with one Rota Cut bit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)



Using Perry's dip into cutting oil technique.
Works like a champ.
Did go through about 5 HF 7/64 pilot hole drill bits. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[sixnotfour]

Hold or clamp a straight edge and burn....

[cary]

Outer long removed in one solid piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Easy deal .................

[cary]

Here she is opened up. Looks good.

[cary]

Perry gave me lots of material. Looks like I'll have the entire front inner fender portion too.

But the bottom of the long as it starts to go up the wheelhouse will have to be created.
This one is pitted and has a couple holes in the outer layer. Better than mine, but not a good as I want it to be.
That's the section under the rear jack point.

Could do a small patch. But to me, seems that's about the most important section on the entire car.

Had a great day.
Had a tearful moment when Eric Clapton came on the radio.
Tears in Heaven
Took a couple minutes to listen to entire song. Then got back too it.

[cary]

So back to dissecting the long.
Next will be to remove the engine shelf. I want to remove it totally intact so it could be used in the future.





Camera doesn't like the halogen lamps......



Taking off the backend with the end piece attached. No way to remove it without damaging the shelf.



Got it out in one piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[cary]

Here's the wheelhouse cut off with the plasma cutter.

[cary]

Next will be to remove the floorpan portion left on the cut out long.



Drilled the pilot hole completely thru. That way I wouldn't miss the location on the inside of the seam. Worked great.



That went real smooth .................easy deal. Still using the second 3/8" Rotacut spot weld cutter. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

[cary]

New weapon rack .................

[cary]

I've got it almost trimmed down to were I can start to measure it up for installation.

[cary]

Now that I have it trimmed out.
Looks like I'll need a little patch under where the jack point was located.
Plus there's a small one inch crack right by the e-brake indentation.
All in all, she looks pretty good. But won't totally know until I can get it sand blasted.

Hopefully that will be next week.

[IronHillRestorations]

I've seen several cars with the crack at the parking brake indent. I'm guessing that would be a good place to reinforce ala inner long stiffening kit. Good to hear you are happy with the long. Isn't that Blair tool the shizzle?