I spent part of today to trim the mounting bolts the new ones were about 3/8th too long I also tightened up the rear mount also. I also installed the clutch slave and put the generator in place, I can't locate the bolt for this so I will make one later this week. All in all it has been a very productive day and I look forward to continuing the assembly later this week. As usual work gets in the way yet again.
I went to Sidney yesterday to get a new satellite receiver from my best friend. On the way I stopped in to see if Jason was around. My older brother is having a BN6 restored for him in metallic light blue, I really wanted to see what his freshly painted chassis looked like.
Any way I mentioned that the engine was ready to go in, to which Jason said there is the engine lift and that he would be happy to help. I thought about it for about 5 nano seconds and asked if he was sure so the lift was put in my van and I took it home waiting for Sun afternoon.
This morning Laura (my wife) and I put the transmission and engine together. A couple of hours later Jason arrived and the install began there was only one or two small problems that only took minutes to overcome. It was obvious it was not Jason's first rodeo. An hour later it was in and secured ready for the next step of assembly. To me this was way over the top for Jason to help, I can't properly convey to him how much I appreciate his help. Thanks Jason.
I haven't been posting much as the progress has been hard to see. Lots of little steps and nothing that is noticeable on any pictures I have taken. But, the latest steps have been a little more noticeable, the installation of the drivers seat rails set, the passenger seat is fixed. I have used a new chrome source for the emergency brake handle, which I think turned out superb. These two changes have been quite welcome.
I have also finished cleaning and painting the transmission this week it is now ready to marry to the engine and then drop the whole assembly into the car. I replaced the rear seal, it was a challenge but I got it done and back together.
I painted the cross in front of the radiator black, this is one of those jobs I was not excited to do but turned out it was quite easy with good results. Surprising what a lot of masking tape and paper will accomplish. I also rebuilt the original fuel pump rather than use the new one I bought, since it didn't fit.
Over the past few weeks I have been finishing up lots of little things to the car. There are just too many to mention also I can't remember all of them. The biggest was the coil springs for the front suspension, it took me almost 3 hours to do both sides but it was safe and the method was slick. I used two 8" pieces of 3/8 nf ready rod and tightened them up in unison.
After a lot of time and effort I now have a rolling chassis, YEHHHH, right now I have approximately 600 to 650 hours invested in the car. This covers things like deconstruction, cleaning, sandblasting, powder coating, and reassembly. The next big step is to install the engine and start getting it to the point of will it run?
Keep checking I will try to update more often in the future.
Over the last couple of weeks I have been trying to get the rear end assembled and installed in the car. Today I reached this goal and have put the rear wheels on. I have also installed the steering column with a small amount of frustration. Every thing has to be installed in the correct order otherwise you will be disassembling it again like I did.
The rear of the car except the fuel pump is complete, the engine compartment is about 90% complete. the next push for me is to finish the wiring and install the engine. I have the front suspension on and just need to finish installing the front breaks.
I picked up the rear end yesterday as soon as it came out of the booth. John did a really nice job of cleaning it up. It looks like all I need to do is prime and paint it. I won't powder coat it as the dis-assembly is more than needed and the working parts are in good shape.I also stripped the steering column all apart, the oil was in poor shape and the oil seal is gone in it, I also found the other rubber parts were almost all gone. Again I don't think powder coating is the best way to continue so I will prime and paint it also. I have cleaned a lot of guck from the bottom of the steering column, I am really glad I stripped it apart.
Last night I had 6 of my burly friends from Grayline come over and remove the chassis from the rotisserie. Now the chassis is on jack stands and ready for the heavy parts like the rear end and wheels. I am hoping to get the wiring on the firewall completed now that the car is stable and easier to do that kind of thing. I can't say enough thanks to Rick the Kid, German, Will, John, Dave and Wayne it was so smooth and I couldn't do it with out them.
The rear end also went to QuickStrip media blaster for cleanup. I am looking forward to it coming home as it is the last real dirty piece to clean up. I will evaluate what needs to be done when I get it back.
I haven't been posting much as the progress has been hard to see. Lots of little steps and nothing that is noticeable on any pictures I have taken. But, the latest steps have been a little more noticeable, the installation of the drivers seat rails set, the passenger seat is fixed. I have used a new chrome source for the emergency brake handle, which I think turned out superb. These two changes have been quite welcome.
Keep checking I will try to update more often in the future.
I also stripped the steering column all apart, the oil was in poor shape and the oil seal is gone in it, I also found the other rubber parts were almost all gone. Again I don't think powder coating is the best way to continue so I will prime and paint it also. I have cleaned a lot of guck from the bottom of the steering column, I am really glad I stripped it apart.
