|
Post by chickenwing on Sept 16, 2015 9:53:58 GMT -8
Looks better already! Can't wait to see this in person
|
|
|
Post by tony on Sept 16, 2015 16:12:54 GMT -8
Hey Don if you're in good with your body guy maybe he can help you out with the two part epoxy gun or just buy some two part (mix it yourself) stuff , I'm sure you'll make a great job of it !
|
|
|
Post by PICTUP on Sept 23, 2015 17:50:44 GMT -8
Only after cutting out the battery trays did I find out that CIP1 does not even stock the left hand side one. So what to do? Some might be tempted to just throw a thick metal piece in there. But there are a few people out there that don't seem to do things the "conventional" way. Cursedly, I happen to be one of them. I don't know why…maybe all that time out in the bush "making do"(e.g. like the time in the Arctic when one of the stupid professors crashed the ATV with trailer and ripped the trailer ball off and I had to figure out how to reattach it). Now in this case I could have gone the more conventional route of ordering the LHS battery tray from the Bus Depot(I think that is where they carry them) but that would have been expensive(mostly shipping) and taken probably a month to get. Okay, maybe a shorter time than that, but still too darn long for my poor planning. Another factor is that I am cheap. So what to do? Well, buy some 20 gauge metal and try to replicate the mirror image of the RHS one that I had in hand. I know, crazy, just crazy! After drawing the reverse pattern on an oversize piece of steel it started to come along after about a hour and a half. What do I care, has my time ever been worth anything? And no, I was not working in a green lit dungeon, must have been a weird light cycle... After a couple more hours of pounding then cutting and fitting because I was too lazy to spile(or pattern) the shape Meh, it'll do. Better than not allowing the next battery to have a chance at sitting in its own acid water slurry. Gotta give things a chance to work There are a few things left to do on it before it is ready to actually be glued into place.
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Sept 23, 2015 18:52:34 GMT -8
I just knew you would go that far to replicate that part... You know it was the right thing to do...
|
|
|
Post by chickenwing on Sept 24, 2015 19:45:58 GMT -8
Wow, that's incredible Don. Can't wait to see it!
|
|
|
Post by Brenticon on Sept 25, 2015 9:01:11 GMT -8
Holy crap dude, that's crazy. Good job man!
|
|
|
Post by CrazyBrit on Sept 25, 2015 21:11:58 GMT -8
Er, Wow!. I've thought about making outer rocker repair sections for the Ghia, but that simply involves introducing the correct curvature into a flat piece of steel. But you've made a complete pressed panel with hand tools! Respect!
|
|
|
Post by PICTUP on Sept 29, 2015 19:06:29 GMT -8
Holy crap dude, that's crazy. Good job man! Either it is or I am. Often I lean towards thinking the latter…. Er, Wow!. I've thought about making outer rocker repair sections for the Ghia, but that simply involves introducing the correct curvature into a flat piece of steel. But you've made a complete pressed panel with hand tools! Respect! I was blown away by a guy who made a Schwimmwagen from scratch using simple tools. It was very inspiring (and a little demoralizing at the time to be honest). Maybe if I could get out from under my boat I can work towards that as a dream…there'd be more takers. It would certainly be more fun…maybe! Anyhow it has been back to the heater boxes and heater tubes. The welding of some small holes by oxyacetylene didn't really work out because the set-up ran out of gas (kinda sounds like me over the last couple of months). What to do? Well, over a year ago I bought a slightly used welder. I got lucky and found a gently used model like I was looking for, right here in Nanaimo. But I hadn't had got gas yet because of many factors, not the least of which was my trepidation of actually getting to using the machine. I took a small welding course 5 years ago and the last time I actually picked up a welding gun was more than 4 years ago. So basically I am back at ground zero. What better way to slither back into things than to work on pieces that in general won't be seen, unless the viewer is on their knees…and even then they will be looking at more important stuff First up was the forward tube on the RHS of the engine. The one that came off was quite rotten around the end that clamps over the heater box end, so I cut off a 1/2" off what remained of the end. Since this end is flared slightly and I have no idea what I am doing, I elected to give myself half a chance and lap weld a replacement collar I made from 20 gauge steel to it. Be forewarned, all my results are VERY UGLY!!! But it is better than nothing, yes? Next up was plugging holes in the ends of the boxes. They were rusted out so badly that the outside box could move around the exhaust pipe… and probably rattle up a storm. So I figured a patch was in order. But first I had to make a patch out of the same 20 gauge It started to look like something after more than a few whacks at it against the mass of the anvil, watching the fit. Once I figured the fit was close, it was time to tack it in a few spots where it fit best thus allowing me to make the other side fit better. Then continue tacking as it fit better Then after finishing all the tacks trying and to keep the heat from being concentrated at any one place, I ground down the nastiness Priming and painting doesn't make it look any better, lol! But it'll do. Better than all the heat escaping and the boxes rattling away more metal I did the same to the other side
|
|
|
Post by Brenticon on Sept 29, 2015 19:34:29 GMT -8
That's great, and better than coughing up $500 a side for new ones. That welding looks like fun, hmmmm.
|
|
|
Post by busaddict on Sept 29, 2015 19:46:20 GMT -8
This is great, I know places like Ellice used to repair heater boxes and maybe still do. Awesome fabricating, looks fantastic, and who's going to see them anyway
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Sept 29, 2015 21:13:48 GMT -8
Very nice work there. That will last a very long time too. Before you know it, you will be welding up all kinds of stuff on your other projects... The Fasty would like some too!
|
|
|
Post by chickenwing on Oct 2, 2015 21:54:35 GMT -8
Aaaaannnnd while Don was hard at work on welding up the old heater boxes these past couple days I got nice and messy doing my part of the job. Duties these past couple days included re-installing the shifter and shift rod, sanding the bumpers and wheels (which I'm told are soon to be painted), and cleaning and preparing the old CVs and transaxles for reinstallation. A few photos: My CV cleaning station... All cleaned up! Boy, was that a mess! One of four de-greased and dry fitted CVs. Took me a bit, but I think I figured it all out by the 4th! Out with the old, in with the new: front bushing. Got it back in! Loosely, albeit. It's missing a couple washers. Transaxles after a light grind via angle grinder (first timer with the angle grinder!!!). You should've seen the muck on these before! After the old sand, prime and paint! CV bolts etc got a good old scrub and clean too. Not my favourite job, but what a difference the effort made! That's all for now, thanks for the read.
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Oct 3, 2015 18:10:52 GMT -8
Don was very busy today too... Wait for the pictures...
|
|
|
Post by Brenticon on Oct 3, 2015 19:11:32 GMT -8
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm?
|
|
|
Post by PICTUP on Oct 3, 2015 21:27:33 GMT -8
A little over 2 hours ago I had half a post ready to and with the accidental push of a button deleted it Par for the course the way I have been regarding this part of the project though… So for those of you that might be watching this thread, tune in tomorrow and I might have some of those pics Russ is talking about….
|
|