70's Era 'Bird Resto...... (!!FINISHED!!)

[CornDogsCharger]

Rebuilding the Heater Box.  Everything was in good working order when I dismantled the car.  The owner just wanted EVERYTHING new.  A new heater core and blower motor were ordered from Paddock and a heater box foam kit was ordered from SMS.  I dismantled the box and cleaned it up.  I refinished everything and started to put it back together.  I had to return both parts to the Paddock.  The blower motor's breather tube hole was not in the right location and the heater core had one tube too short and plus, they were both the same diameter which was not correct.  I ended up cleaning up the original motor and ordering a core here local.  As for the SMS foam kit, everything fit great.

Justin
"CornDog"

[CornDogsCharger]

As you can see, the three nuts with captive washers were originally gold cad plated. 

[CornDogsCharger]

Pedal Resto.  Most everything still looked fine on the emergency brake pedal.  The only problem with the peadl assembly was the pull rod was bent.  It looked like someone may have accidently caught the handle with thier foot when pressing the pedal.  I just bend it back into place where it should be.  I cleaned it up and refinished it.

Justin
"CornDog"

[moparstuart]

 

[CornDogsCharger]

The Brake/Clutch pedal assembly was pretty much the same as the other pedal.  Everything looked good.  I just needed to disassemble everything, clean it up and refinish it.  Once I tore into it, I noticed that a few of the needle bearings on the clutch pedal were missing.  I removed the two bearings, matched them up with a new pair and reinstalled them.  

Justin
"CornDog"

[mikepmcs]

Wow, amazing work!!

Is that hardware(bolts, nuts) you are using the original stuff or brand new

[CornDogsCharger]

Everything pictured so far is the original hardware.  I can't stand making everything else look so nice and then ruin a job with crappy looking hardware.  I was lucky in the fact that most of the hardware on this car was untouched and for the most part, it was still in good shape.  With a little bit of scrubbing and a few different cans of spray paint, everything looks correct like it should.  Eastwood sells a lot of the correct paint which comes in hand for hardware.  The brake pedal linkage, I don't have a clue why that one nut was gold/red cadium.  I just made everything look new again.  Thanks for the comments

Justin
"CornDog"

[maxwellwedge]

I always re-plate my original bolts in their original plating finish. I tumble and glass bead them and send them off for their respective plating finishes. Takes the same amount of time to re-plate as it does to do them Eastwoody. At $100.00 a load per finish (average) you end up with factory hardware in the factory finish. On a car I am doing a 100% complete resto on I do this with every single bolt, nut, washer, bracket etc. that was plated by the factory. If a fastener is pitted, I find a mint exact piece (right down to the head marking on bolts) to re-plate, even if it gets painted body color after. This is me, but I am sick.   

[mikepmcs]

This is me, but I am sick.   

Concur.

[CornDogsCharger]

Here are a few more random parts.  The dash was right after I tore it apart.  It was completely refinished in the correct texture and them painted black.  The wiper pivot assembly was in great shape.  The driver side fresh air vent box was taken apart and refinished.

Justin
"CornDog"

[CornDogsCharger]

The steering column was in great with only typical chips and scratches here and there.  It was disassembled and everthing was reconditioned.  Thanks to a few fellow members here I learned that the collars on the column was supposed to be textured to match the dash.  The orange "OK" stamp is original and I was able to save it while refinishing the panel.  The first picture is before I took it apart.  You can see the stamp there too.

Justin
"CornDog"

[PocketThunder]

What type of media are you using to blast these parts?

What size blasting cabinet do you use?

[CornDogsCharger]

I have the biggest blast cabinet that Harbor Freight offers in the store.  It was well worth the $199 that I paid.  The only bad thing about it, the light inside is pretty cheap and will not last long.  swapping out the light with a better one is not a big deal.  I'd have to say that it is just shy of 3 feet wide.  You can see it pictured in the background right above the fender.  As for the media, I have been using glass bead.  When I was blasting engine and suspension parts I switched it over to medium grade commercial sand. 



Justin
"CornDog"

[dukeboy320]

aint nothin like seein new paint on an old Mopar  

[mopar_nut_440_6]

aint nothin like seein new paint on an old Mopar  

aint nothin like seein new paint on my old Mopar

LOL

I will be a while yet but continue to make progress!!

That car is looking great Justin!!

[Hemi_tyme]

Justin, from one bird restorer to another .........Great Job!!
Ken

[CornDogsCharger]

It's been 2 months now.  I guess an update is WAY past due.  How about some dash shots?  Don"t you just love the pin colored nuts that hold the wiper pivot... I never understood why they were that color but oh well.... I replicated them too.

Justin
"CornDog"

[CornDogsCharger]

For the most part, the dash is finished in this photo.

Justin
"CornDog"

[CornDogsCharger]

Here are some engine bay shots.  And a couple fun shots

Justin
"CornDog"

[CornDogsCharger]

Here are a few misc pictures.  We were able to locate a pair of NOS rear side markers.  Before anyone panics, no the Cragars are not staying on the car.  These are the wheels that were on the car when I started.  We have a set of Rallies and Polyglas to go on the car. 

Justin
"CornDog"

[66chargerkid]

Whats happenin to the cragars   

[mikepmcs]

Holy crap that looks incredible!  You got some serious talent there.

[CornDogsCharger]

He doesn't want to sell the cragars.  Trust me, I've already hit them up for them.  But the sad thing is... he won't do anything with them either.

Justin
"CornDog"

[mopar_nut_440_6]

Justin you are doing an excellent job. If mine turns out half as good I will consider myself a lucky boy!

Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see the progress on the bird.

[Charger_Fan]

Just had to jump in here & say what a fantastic lookin' job you're doing on that car!