My 65 Winter Project

OK, now we need to start on the under seat box













Tomorrow I will cut the rust off the edges and make new pieces. I need to get some rectangular tubing to remake the door channel.

Jay

 

Got the new edges fab'd and put on, did a test fit, everything is coming along nicely.





Tubing is on order, should be here by next weekend. So I can get started on the door channel monkeys

I also worked on the dash to accept the new column







Fixed the rest of the tunnel, around the pedels

Jay

 

Soooooooooo I was looking at the dash, and I said to my son, Let's figure out your dash layout. (Simple enough) I through the speedometer head in and stepped back, we need to add an oil pressure and volt gague, where would like them. ,,, he stares at the dash, then says , i can't see the speedometer when I have my hands on the wheel........... OK, where would you like it :twisted: (I could make a few suggestions):twisted:
He stares :? never mind, and the work began





I'll let him finish tacking it in and grinding it smooth.

Time for and cleanup. More work next weekend.

 

Meh. Little does he know they don't work most of the time, anyway. R)


First pic I thought maybe you were going to put in an M38 panel. Would solve your guage problem. Looks good as-is, though. Factory appearance to the casual observer.

 

I told him about the 78 style dash insert,


but he wanted it the other way.

Jay

 

well at least it will be how he wants it.. to the casual observer, itll look factory.

Build is coming along, ive followed along off and on, and im amazed at your dedication and attention to detail.

 

Got a tech question for you. I noticed your Porter Cable jigsaw sitting there next to the dash. Are you using that to cut panels? I've always used a 4-1/2" angle grinder with cutoff wheels. I like the cutoff wheels because you can grind off "just a hair" when needed. How do you like using the jigsaw, though? What tooth/size blades are you using? Do you use it exclusively, or switch between jigsaw and cutoff wheels? How do you get the blade started cleanly? The thing I don't like about abrasives is the enormous amount of (probably toxic) dust that is created and settles on everything. Was thinking about trying out some blades on either my jigsaw or saber saw.

 

I like using the jig saw simply because it cuts out less material. the blade is 24 tpi (teeth per inch) get a good blade not the cheap ones and I have variable speed, I generally use setting 4 or 5 out of 6 possible. I also have a 4" grinder but the blade is very thick, so is the cut it makes, I also have an air grinder that uses a 3" blade that is only1/8th thick but my compressor can not run it very long, so I can use to to start a cut in the middle of a panel and finish it with the jig saw. (which is exactly what I did on the dash.)

The speed of the air grinder just about matches the jig saw but the angle grinder is slowest.

Jay

 

Honestly, I would have cut a few corners lately, but when I get ready to do that, I'll ask him, If I do this it will be quicker,monkeys he thinks,..... Nah do it the other way.......

So the project lumbers on........

Jay

 

OK!!! Back to the Box!
The tubing I ordered arrived so it's time to fix the under seat storage box.



I cut the tubing with the saws all. 1/2 " on one side 3/4" on the other, ........ it took hours.



So you measure, and calculate, and remeasure and recalculate.......



And you still get it wrong!!!!!!!!:evil:



But it finally came out right!!



Cut the old channel out, and prepared everything, and ready for welding.......... maybe tomorrow

Jay

 

And today we finished the Tool Box





And did some dash work



Also worked on the gas fill, but no pixs of that.

Jay

 

Started on the fenders today. got the side panel off, something I would have never tried if it had not been done here before.



and cut out the hat channel and all its rot.



I am going to patch in a piece to the side overlay and probably patch the under fender, but that will be tomorrow

Jay

 

Gotta do the same to mine, minus the hat channel... now I can see where the welds are, thanks!

That dash looks stock at first glance, and I can't even tell the toolbox was ever removed. Nice work.

 

I was going to fab the whole piece, but the compound radius bend scared me away.:toetap: So I decided to Cut the rust hole out of the overlay and keep the rest original.



So thats what I did




The rest of the piece was solid, rust pitted but rust converter will do I think
Some of you may remember, when I started, I was going to lead my joints................. after warping several places I gave up,
I am using icing bondo, just enough to hide and fill the gaps. We'll see how it works long term. Since that's the way overhaulin does it, I'll try it too



I only got to the garage around 3pm so not too much got done tonight

Jay

 

More work this weekend. I didn't get any pics of the patch going in. but here it is



Then there was a bad spot that screamed to be replaced







And here it is all ready for prep and paint.
On to the other fender

Jay

 

Nice! Wanna come do mine next?

 

my fenders were rusted in the same spots. the one side i patched in like you did but the other i made a whole new panel. the compound curve was actually alot easier than i thought and i used 16 guage steel too. Gotta love how they doubled up steel so it could rust inside. My kelly hardtop doors are like that too.

 

Worked on the Passenger fender this weekend, the rusted area was smaller than the driver side.


There was also damage which occurred while in storage.



on to the hood next!!

Jay

 

lookin good, with all that rust it makes me glad I live on the west coast! I dont know how you guys do it with the rust and projects.