-51 convertible project

[jwwseville60]

This is an awesome build!
Will the three deuces fit under the hood?

[dogbergs]

Thank you John, I too do belive that the car will look pretty good when cruising towards the sunset, when that day comes. Hopefully the carbs will fit under, think they will.

/ Johan

[dogbergs]

Now this was a puzzle.. But it folds down without bending/making hurtful noise. Found a machine belt that will service as tacking material. There are some screws and things that didn't get sent to the plater, I will think it just adds some colour to the picture. Both knees as picture 8 had to be rebuilt with some customization made, factory threads in castings were no good.

[dogbergs]

There's an X on one roof rail to lift cylinder piece that I can't find instructions for, feels like I've read it somewhere but don't remember, discovered too late when disassembled so no pic.. If anybody has something to add here, please feel free to do so. Pic 4 and 36.4440 upper part on drawing.

[dogbergs]

Are we back to normal again? Think the last post I did in this thread was about quarters and at least thinking of doing something with them. That post was gone, but otherwise I see nothing suspicious. Or isn't it quarters when they're bolted? Rear fenders?. I've been doing something with them now and starting to feel quite happy with the result. Got some stretch and shrink lessons by Guscha, friend and local sheet metal guy.

Thank you webmaster for bringin everything back!

Added one abstract painting to the collection, to describe issue with left quarter.
Had too much material coming outwards middle of wheel opening, cut about 5" and welded back, then a little too much material above that cured with heat shrinking, got pretty straight.

/ Johan

[dogbergs]

I were wrong, or I did not see them clearly enough?

There have been some friends telling me take it all away, ALL old paint has to go, you never know how the old reacts with the new (in this case whats hidden in it..) But I only took away the black backyard paintjob layer thinking the factory paint has been there all the time and thats good?
Obviously did not see these small spots that got a lot bigger when talking dirty to them. Trunk lid was the first piece painted 3 years ago and that was more of a color test than a finished part, so not so much extra work there. Body without panels already done can bring some problems later on, some surfaces had factory paint still, we'll see what happens, thats for sure. All remaining panels will be sanded from paint, epoxy primer bottom, rust never sleeps.

[dogbergs]

I KNOW I've read about this earlier and I KNOW I've mentioned it to the chrome guys.
Reason did not check properly when returned I really don't know at all, and that doesn't matter too much either. Seems like a problem hard to deal with, another restorer here in Sweden eventually reminded me to really check the frames out.
This is not to call somebody out doing a bad job, we just have to be aware of the risks with the hard parts. Of all my window frames seems like this is the only  one gone bad, not the end of the world.
If I don't find another I will try to fabricate one.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Pot metal is rather soft, of course chrome is harder...I would try to correct the shape; the chrome may crack, but the pot metal will survive.

[dogbergs]

Yes Roger, will sure give it a try.
You automatically goes to worst case scenario when these kinds of problems occures. If i put in oven before, how much heat do you think would be ok?
I know that open flame is forbidden with pot metal, but some careful oven pre heat maybe helps?

Thanks/ Johan

[Roger Zimmermann]

If the part would be mine, I would try to correct it while cold. It was bent while cold so cold it will be to correct it! Apply the force as near as possible from the corner or attach two pieces of wood at the vertical channel and be careful...From past experiences, the pot metal is forgiving and should not break easily. However, age is never good on such metal.

[dogbergs]

I guess it went pretty well.
Left it under the final pressure for 2 weeks away for work. First and last pic without pressure.

[dogbergs]

Happy new year to everyone!

Me having a hard time to really focus on 1 thing til it's done, but I guess thats the benefits (pos and neg..) of not having any deadlines
Got the car back on the lift looking at the custom parts of this build. Will have to fabricate adapter for mini starter and the fly wheel cover will have to share fasteners with the starter, so we'll try to be creative here. Please feel free to criticize me.

[dogbergs]

Some paint and I think we're done for now. Will be some kind of rubber or sheet metal covering under side. Did not get pic of turning inside, after cutting.

Added,

And on the last pic theres clearance for torus cover bolt heads too, he he..

[dogbergs]

Well I've kept the focus on getting it started, that will be a milestone.
Not so much left keeps me from trying.

Only,

12v.
Fuel.
Trans oil and drive shaft in place.
Cooling fluid, hoses and clamps.
At least some kind of short exhaust pipes.

[James Landi]

Johan,

Those three carburetors would intimidate me.  When your car is idling, are two entirely shut down? If so, does the one in the middle serve for fuel/air in most throttle positions?  Is the mechanical linkage set up in such a way that they, all three, snap into action at full throttle or are two vacuum actuated?   

[dogbergs]

Yes James, mechanically progressive. Only the middle from zero.
I bought them like this, really dont know anything, but they appears to be rebuilt and set up for at least something. I will not mention another brand name here, but there is a pic so to speak.

[James Landi]

Thanks for the pictures and explanation. They look very nice atop  As I've "progressed" from firey youth(fulness) through middle age, and now am an old geezer, I can't seem to stop myself from personally relating to your fine old car and its 5000 moving parts and just how stressed they'll potentially be if those three carburetors were to open up! 

[dogbergs]

Exhausting, think it will be 2" dual.
What is the stock dimension for -62?
Not doing it all now, only for starting.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Enjoying this thread as I'm learning more about my 50 in the process.  Those frames are pretty robust thats for sure!

[dogbergs]

Robust, yes Tim!. Mine was already brutally torched a bigger hole in for dual I guess. The drivers side normally does not have space for exhaust through frame before -53 i guess. You can spot the extra large hole by the trans linkage. Think it will still hold up?