Chrome

This car has a lot of chrome. Much of it is stainless actually. It got pulled off the dusty shelves and got a preliminary bath. The work involved in getting this ready for re-installation is no small task, not to mention the actual install. Just figuring out where it all goes will be monumental.  Some of it is labeled, which will help.  I tried to leave a few fasteners on when we took it off to help with figuring out how to fasten it back on.  We are actually quite a long way from shiny trim installation but the timing is good to get the restoration process started.

Going for a ride

Got my trailer out of storage this week and loaded her up.  Moved her down to Meridian Auto for some lift time. Going to get a gas tank, some suspension work, brake lines, master cylinder, and last but not least engine and tranny.

Get A Handle on it

Two big crates full of door parts were waiting for some love.  All needed cleaning and sorting.  Took a while to get them figured out.  I tackled the handles and latches first.  I have yet to do the window glass hardware.  Nor have I done the tailgate hardware. Their turn will come. The latches for the 4 doors are all different.  There is a left and right and front and rear. During the body work phase I bought several used doors and one still had the hardware on it so I have a few extras.  This didn't exactly make things simpler when sorting and figuring it out. Although I have new exterior handles I am holding them in reserve and for now I went back in with the old ones.

The four doors all close and latch with that distinctive thud that sounds great.  The alignment is nearly spot on.  I have one latch on the drivers side rear door that is missing a rod and spring.  This was the worst door on the car to start out with.  That door was rusted to shit, didn't open, and was a bear to disassemble. (way back when) I bought a used door from Arizona to make patch panels from and ended up with a nice clean door that fits well.  Unfortunately that particular used door did not come with any hardware and my search continues for a latch assembly that has the parts I'm missing.  The extra latch I did get from the other door I bought was not the right one. I've got a good lead on the correct one (also from AZ) but I sent pic's and have yet to hear back with confirmation that the little parts I need are intact.  In the mean time I have the old latch and handle installed and the door opens from the outside.

I'm on the short list for some lift time at Meridian Auto where the engine, tranny, exhaust, gas tank, & brakes will be installed.  It will be nice to be able to move the car with the doors latched closed.  This could happen as soon as next week.

Wipers

One of the last things that came off in prep for blasting was the windshield wiper assembly. This system is truly a feat of mechanical engineering, involving a center drum and cables to one transmission on each side. Each transmission with it's own cable tensioning device.  Everything required quite a bit of love to be ready to go back in. There are braces and escutcheons.  Then there is the drive unit (which required disassembly and overhaul) who's switch is cable operated. After several frustrated attempts the system is in and tested. Both sides work and return to base when shut off.

The degree of difficulty and limited access meant this system had to go in before the engine or most anything else in or on the dash. Heater, vents and fenders would have added way too much interference to connect this contraption up.

Please be seated

This is what we started with for the driver's seat (front bench) And no Farley didn't do it!

I took it to a shop and had some stuffing and vinyl patched in, so we would have something to sit on while building and testing. 

 I did work over the mechanism so it moves and latches.  I used some plywood blocks to protect the new floor pan.  

It cleaned up pretty well.  It's got some nicks tears and dings but it works for now.  Nice to be able to sit on the seat, steer, and operate the hand brake.  I pretend I'm cruising down the road.

Pedals

I cleaned up and painted the brake pedal and the linkage and installed it in prep for new master cylinder installation. Once again this was a mechanical contraption with springs, levers, posts, and bearings.

Steering

The entire steering column  gear box, steering wheel, shifting levers etc had all been removed.  These parts had to be pulled, cleaned, and painted and otherwise figured out.  The Gear box had been shipped out for factory overhaul at Red Head and was ready to go. Everything else has been packed up as is when we moved out of Everett.  I didn't have much involvement in the removal so this was just a bit challenging.  Some of the original parts were put in only after cleaning and further restoration may be in order.  For now I needed to be able to turn the wheel and have the tires turn. There is lots of stuff in and on that column (like wiring, turn signal, horn switch) that is not needed right now so it will come later. I can steer it now.