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Post by clay on Mar 20, 2023 16:14:56 GMT -8
Getting carried away with a rebuild, now who does that???
Nobody we know, I'm sure!!!
We were able to build a support jig under the body and move the frame out of the way. Just two of us, a couple of jacks and a careful approach. Now I'm spending my spare time laying on my back stripping thick undercoat off the car.
One body mount bolt had to be cut, as it felt like the caged nut on the blind side was spinning. The final three bolts following that one were nail biters, but the cooperated in the end. I figured the spun nut would be a relatively easy fix by cutting an access hole in the trunk, using a die grinder to remove any remaining cage then just using a nut/bolt combination on reassembly. That plan fell apart when we lowered the frame and the mount, bolt and nut were still sitting on the frame. A big round rubber body mount shaped hole in the body metal was the real problem. Fortunately I have that entire section that I saved from a parts car. Gotta work on my welding skills now, I guess.
The frame is off to the sandblaster; he'll paint it for me as well.
Being that the body is immobile and inside my shop, some of the traditional (if somewhat sketchy) methods of softening and removing the undercoat, such as soaking in gas or diesel are off the board. I splurged on a Milwaukee Multitool with scraper attachments, having read that they did a good job. Not bad, I guess, but noisy and vibraty and really interfering with my "working on my car Zen". I sometimes actually prefer hand tools in situations where air or impact tools would make more sense just to maintain some of that zen feeling. If you know, you know, right?
The main method it looks like I'll be using is to heat it with my M18 Heatgun (did I mention I'm a Milwaukee fanboy?) then scrape with a firm, 1" putty knife. Slow progress, kind of irritating working on my back but still kind of relaxing in an odd way. I'm really hating my progressive lenses as the focal points suck for work at this distance and if I move around too quickly I tend to feel a little nauseous. This getting old crap sucks. My plan is to hit the remaining residue with a wire wheel on my M18 grinder, then a final wipe with Purple Power or Goo Gone or similar. So far it seems to be working. Slowly.
I did pickup all the parts that were waiting for me (photos over at ClassicOldsmobile), and just got my radiator and cooling module today.
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Post by mitchy965 on Mar 20, 2023 18:23:01 GMT -8
the old stinky heat gun wire- brush method always works for me except now its with a respirator and without an open flame! lotsa asbestos in that era gm undercoat.
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Post by clay on Mar 20, 2023 19:51:35 GMT -8
Good to know! I'll be masking up moving forward! The smell hasn't been at all bad, mostly just neutral but maybe I'm not heating quite as much. I've used flame before, didn't feel like dealing with the flare ups and hazards.
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Post by stude on Mar 21, 2023 6:44:23 GMT -8
I have had good success removing the underseal with the multi tool and the razor blade attachment and a vacuum use earplugs and crank up the stereo to get your zen back the corner on the scraper blade will get rounded off and that will save a few gouges in the paint it leaves a better finish. But the sharper corner of the blade is good for picking out rust pits and other defects kind of works like a needle gun.
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Post by Volktales on Mar 21, 2023 20:17:17 GMT -8
Just checked out your build on the Oldsmobile website. Very impressive what you are up to!
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Post by Volktales on Jul 7, 2023 21:12:38 GMT -8
Sooo, still trying to figure out how to get pictures off the phone and onto the PC. It is not going particularly well. But I was successful in getting these pics of the phone for Clay... This beauty came into the shop this week for a service... In case you have not figured it out, this is one of Clay's favourite models, the Oldsmobile Cutlass. This one is a 1968 version and is the Cutlass "S" model. That 4-speed is pretty cool. Car was somewhat modified with disc brakes in the front and extra gauges. I forgot to take a picture of what I assumed was and Olds 350 Rocket under the hood. A custom air cleaner and Edelbrock carb and intake were under there as well. The differential cover was interesting, and I am sure there is a story behind these... So how did it drive? Had decent power and the brakes felt great. Didn't like the VERY assisted steering though. Zero feedback and slow on this particular example. Still a very cool machine...
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Post by clay on Jul 8, 2023 8:43:06 GMT -8
That's a great looking car, one I don't think I've seen in person yet. Does it live in the Sproat Lake area by any chance? Thanks for the photos!!!
The rear end cover was for the W27 option, which was a high performance rear end. This cover is an aftermarket reproduction, but the actual W27 rear end has an aluminum pumpkin (centre section) and steel axle housings. They're a high end option and usually sell for something n the neighbourhood of $15,000 USD!
I've got that same cover in my box of tricks for the project. Doesn't make the car any faster or agile, but I like the look!
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Post by clay on Dec 22, 2023 21:19:09 GMT -8
use your hoist and lift the body up, send the frame away for blasting, epoxy coat, then chassis black.you only set yourself back a year.you can do it.
Debating the hoist method, only planning on having them separated for two or three weeks all going well. I don't think I'll have my engine until August if I'm lucky so I have some time...which I'm sure will disappear quickly!
After another look, suspending it under my lift (four post) isn't going to give me enough height. This is definitely one of the times when I wish it was a 2 post!
Optimist, am I!
The body is still off the frame and will be for a while yet. The frame itself is all cleaned up and suspension reinstalled but I still have lots of work to strip the undercoating from the body pan. The big news is my engine is finally done (just a little past August). The engine made 504 Hp and 570 ft lbs of torque...it's gonna be a beast.
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Post by PICTUP on Dec 27, 2023 20:02:19 GMT -8
Oh jeez Clay, now I am going to have to challenge you for a drag race in the Saab. NOT....LOL . Looks and sounds like a monster Awesome!
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Post by clay on Dec 27, 2023 23:38:40 GMT -8
Oh jeez Clay, now I am going to have to challenge you for a drag race in the Saab. NOT....LOL . Looks and sounds like a monster Awesome! I'll stage in reverse and give you a 15 second head start :-D
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