Now Complete Restoration / Pulling my 1969 'Bee down for strip and paint

[birdsandbees]

Another day of progress... Front drums media blasted and the Red band painted, then cleared, like the rear drums I had already done.

Installed a new reverse switch and tested it's function, then installed a new factory correct reverse switch wiring harness... both I got from Brewers.

Repaired the cut out that we had made in my Ramcharger hoods lower filter pan... that we made to clear the 2 speed wiper motor after "borrowing" the hood from a buddy's 'Bee in 1978. I cut it clean, made a pattern.. then a patch panel and TIG'd it in.. ground smooth. A bit of primer and some sanding and I think it'll blend in nice.

[birdsandbees]

 

[birdsandbees]

Today I got the air filter base media blasted, primed, painted and cleared. Need to buff some dirt out of it... but the best it's looked in 40+ years.

Also great that we're +5C up here in the great white North.. and the resto shop owner couldn't go sledding this weekend so he called in his right hand man and they painted (4 coats) and cleared the underside of my hood, trunk lid, doors, my battery tray and misc parts and taped off the car ready for paint on a Saturday.  

Also talked with him late this afternoon. The car is now taped off for paint on Monday.. and then of course the top side of what they did the bottom of today. It will then sit a week +.. they will sand all the clear at 800 and 1000 and then it will all get another 2 coats of clear. Then I get the car back for assembly and once all is assembled it will get sanded and buffed the final time.

He also has to paint my door insides gloss black, along with my door panel and headliner trim but it's all finally coming together.  

Also learned he sent my vent window frames, rear window flip out latches and all trim to the chrome shop.. along with my rear bumper. Can't wait for that bill..  

[darbgnik]

Can't wait to see it together. That colour is gonna really pop!

[Dino]

It may end up costing a million bucks, but at least it will look like it!   

[birdsandbees]

Thanks guys! Today I reblasted the pumpkin. I guess being behind is a good thing as it showed clean and coated in 80W90 won't stop rust. So she's clean again and clear coated. We'll see how that goes. Time to start re-building the rear axle and getting it on it's springs.

I have a new ratio tag and "sure grip lube" tag to put under the nuts. I've seen them different places but would I be correct in assuming that they counterbored two nut faces back bigger as this is where the 2 tags go.. OR??  Thanks!

Ordered a 24 Yellow cap and 5 x "T83" Goodyear Speedway Redstreaks this morning.

Also forgot that I had thrown my K frame / strut shields into my 100LL degrease tray. Went to move it today and they'd been in there for a week. They had been coated in undercoating and crap.. I had scrapped some of it, but the AV gas soaked it right off. Picked them up and the coating slid off!

[birdsandbees]

 

[hemi-hampton]

I would say the 2 bigger holes is where the 2 tags went. I only had one tag on this rear but it did go from the factory on the bigger hole or bigger area around head of nut. Pic below.

[birdsandbees]

THANKS Leon!! What I thought. Ratio there and the Sure grip lube round tag on the passenger side above the filler. I've seen supposedly original ratio tags on the passenger side upper nut and why I asked for clarification. 

[hemi-hampton]

I'm sure my tag in pic is in it's right location as the car (69 Roadrunner) was a original car & original owner. LEON.

[birdsandbees]

I'm sure my tag in pic is in it's right location as the car (69 Roadrunner) was a original car & original owner. LEON.

[hemi-hampton]

 

[CDN72SE]

 

[timmycharger]

Just had a chance to read the entire thread. Great job, looks fantastic! 

[birdsandbees]

Thanks guys!

Got the $5000 surprise this morning when I learned that the shop had sent all my chrome out for replating and the stainless window trim for polish. Not what I planned for as I figured I could do most of it myself.. but a done deal now. I knew my rear bumper was going out ($1400 of that), but not all the trim.

Got the new leaf spring bushings pressed in place, the old inner seals knocked out, the housing totally cleaned inside and starting to put together.

Tomorrow I'll install my sure grip pumpkin, cut / press the old (still good, but at this point why chance) old bearings off both axles and install all new Timkens from Dr Diff. and hopefully get the rear axle assembly all together ready to put back into the body.

[birdsandbees]

 

[birdsandbees]

Started on the axle bearing removal this morning and then headed for the resto shop. Got there just as the body and doors were coming out of the booth after 4 coats of blue + 1 clear... and the fenders, trunk lid and some misc were going in and should be all in colour and clear by now.

Like watching TV in the paint... and it still has to be sanded, then 2 more coats of clear and then the final cut and polish! 

[Dino]

That looks sooooo good!     

So...when it's all done...will you be driving it?

[birdsandbees]

I might have to wrap it in bubble wrap Dirk!! 

[Dino]

 

[Charger-Bodie]

 

[JB400]

Looks purty

[darbgnik]

MNa, that colour pops in that side shot of the quarter with the doors hanging in front of it!

[green69rt]

Tomorrow I'll install my sure grip pumpkin, cut / press the old (still good, but at this point why chance) old bearings off both axles and install all new Timkens from Dr Diff. and hopefully get the rear axle assembly all together ready to put back into the body.

I didn't see the bearing adjuster/retainer in the Dr Diff kit you bought ($130!!!)    Old one OK to use?  I ended up buying a NOS one on ebay for about $35.

[birdsandbees]

Tomorrow I'll install my sure grip pumpkin, cut / press the old (still good, but at this point why chance) old bearings off both axles and install all new Timkens from Dr Diff. and hopefully get the rear axle assembly all together ready to put back into the body.

I didn't see the bearing adjuster/retainer in the Dr Diff kit you bought ($130!!!)    Old one OK to use?  I ended up buying a NOS one on ebay for about $35.

Nothing wrong with my old adjustable retainer plate. Turns easy and is straight. Was surprised to see it didn't have a lock tab on it the past 40+/- years though and it never loosened off! Have a new lock pawl for installation. Time to hit the shop and get at it again.