Media Blasting

5-5-2010 - Dan Shady took the rear part of the body up to Murfreesboro to have it media blasted.  That should reveal any further problems we may have to deal with.  The cowl section is still mounted on the frame.  We'll probably remove it in the next couple of weeks.

A Bracket for Hangin' Stuff

While Dan has been doing woodwork, Deron has started preparing the firewall to receive the steering column, brake and clutch pedals, and other items that need to attach to it.  We wanted to avoid making any new holes in the firewall, just in case someone were to decide to restore this car in the future.  Deron came up with the idea of suspending a steel framework from existing holes and brackets.  This week (3-14-2010) he got it fabricated and mounted.

Brakes

The front brakes (at least) will probably use the 65-fin Buick brake drums that were used from 1958 through 1965.  I think they're beautiful in a really functional way.

Emergency Brake

3-5-2010 - After we installed the T-5 transmission, we evaluated using the original Model PB Plymouth hand brake.  It was very tall and we decided to go with something less obtrusive.  Deron had an old early 1928 Ford brake handle and it seemed much more appropriate for the size of the cab.  These are now being reproduced, so we bought a new one.  Deron has cleverly fabricated a mounting bracket using existing mounting points.  This is a slow, meticulous process...

Penetrants and Patch Panels

Dan is now (December 29, 2009) fabricating the new body framework, replacing pieces that are too rotten to reuse.

For some pieces, Dan strengthens them by drenching them with a low viscosity epoxy (Kwik Poly) that penetrates every crevice of the wood and then hardens.

Dan is also fabricating "patch panels" for some spots on the sheet metal that had rusted through.  He will weld these and grind them smooth before painting.

Lots of Progress

And here are some smaller structural pieces.  It's now November 24, 2009.

More Dismantling

 

Here, the rear body structure has been completely dismantled.  It is November 23, 2009.

And now, Dan starts reproducing the pieces that were damaged or deteriorated.  Here's the rear main sill.

Sheet Metal Removal

11-19-09

And now the sheet metal is off the rear wooden structure!