Chassis cleanup and reassembly
Once the chassis was completely dissassembled – gas tank, fuel & brake lines, master cylinder, clutch linkage, pedals, steering column, front and rear end, spirngs, shackles, etc. removed - it was time to begin sandblasting. Everything was cleaned, either in a blast cabinet (one of the great inventions of the 20th century!) or by sandblasting. That turns out to be a lot of parts!
Once cleaned, each part was painted with etching primer, then painted glossy black with a single stage urethane paint, give them a nice shiny hard and durable finish. Also a finish that will be easy to keep clean.
Here's the frame, still in primer, and finished rear and front axles.
Springs, newly painted and with new shackles came first, then axles attached. No one makes the rubber bumpers and spring pads for this car, so i adapted Buick parts sold by Steele. With some trimming, both fit quite well.
Here's a rear pad:
Son Jason was a big help with this work:
Brakes, gas tank, fuel line, clutch and brake pedals/linkage came next.
Ken installs a brake line; note that good looking completely redone gas tank (sealed, rebuilt sending unit, new lower straps and T-hold down bolts):
The gas line is awaiting the correct clips and fittings:
I got to do some of the work too! Here I am installing the brake and clutch pedal linkage. So much easier with the body off! The clutch pedal needed a new bushing; had to have them specially made, minimum order of two, $125!
So as of January 23rd, I have a complete rolling chassis. The shocks and sway bars are not yet mounted, as the shocks are still out for rebuilding. I am also waiting to get one front engine mount revulcanized by Steele, then the correct, rebuilt engine and tranny will go in. It was surprisingly hard to find a front engine mount. I bought a NOS one on eBay several years ago, but needed one more. Fortunately, fellow 36 owner Frank Bennett had one he was willing to part with.
I also need to figure out how the battery box should be (the original was rusted out) and make a new one. We're making real progress!
Once cleaned, each part was painted with etching primer, then painted glossy black with a single stage urethane paint, give them a nice shiny hard and durable finish. Also a finish that will be easy to keep clean.
Here's the frame, still in primer, and finished rear and front axles.
Springs, newly painted and with new shackles came first, then axles attached. No one makes the rubber bumpers and spring pads for this car, so i adapted Buick parts sold by Steele. With some trimming, both fit quite well.
Here's a rear pad:
Son Jason was a big help with this work:
Brakes, gas tank, fuel line, clutch and brake pedals/linkage came next.
Ken installs a brake line; note that good looking completely redone gas tank (sealed, rebuilt sending unit, new lower straps and T-hold down bolts):
The gas line is awaiting the correct clips and fittings:
I got to do some of the work too! Here I am installing the brake and clutch pedal linkage. So much easier with the body off! The clutch pedal needed a new bushing; had to have them specially made, minimum order of two, $125!
So as of January 23rd, I have a complete rolling chassis. The shocks and sway bars are not yet mounted, as the shocks are still out for rebuilding. I am also waiting to get one front engine mount revulcanized by Steele, then the correct, rebuilt engine and tranny will go in. It was surprisingly hard to find a front engine mount. I bought a NOS one on eBay several years ago, but needed one more. Fortunately, fellow 36 owner Frank Bennett had one he was willing to part with.
I also need to figure out how the battery box should be (the original was rusted out) and make a new one. We're making real progress!
posted by Bob Shafto at 7:21 PM
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