Dashboard (Fascia) restoration Part 1

The dashboard restoration adventure started this week.

I first stripped all the accessories from the face; the chrome strip, the blanking panel clamps, etc…

Then used a wire wheel to clean the metal and to totally expose the holes.

Thursday night I brought it to the high school workshop for metal repair. I began by measuring and cutting metal strips from scraps that the students made that day for the inside. I never got a chance to use these tools so it was a learning curve…but fun!

I had to bend a little lip so it fit and stayed in place on the panel.

When my part of the job was done cutting, trimming, and fitting the strips…

John and Daryl took over and used the resistance welder to weld them in place.

But that welder was giving us trouble so John used the MIG welder instead. Yes, he broke a Cardinal safety rule by not using a mask or eye protection! I never welded before so it was fun for me to watch (and to wear a welding helmet!).

When we were done, it ended up looking like this. There are only a few little weld bumps to grind down before I can Bondo. You will see that in Part 2 in a few days.

Here is the tachometer that I am going to install as an accessory instrument (along with an oil pressure gauge, a volt meter, and a vacuum gauge) which is getting sent out to Nisonger Instruments for a rehab. The tachometer is a Smiths RVI2401/00A not an 00B. I do not know the difference but it should work when we hook it all up. If anyone does know the difference, which may even be as minor as paint color on the dial face, please send me a message.

This week I will continue working on the dashboard. With nothing on my weekday evening agenda this week, I should be able to get quite a bit accomplished now that the hard part is done.

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Starting on the steering column and dashboard

Due to parent /teacher conferences at school last week, we did not get to go to the workshop to do the metal work as planned.

So instead, I decided to at least start on the steering column and steering wheel project. The column was pretty rusty and it needed to be sanded, primed and repainted.

And the steering wheel needed some real attention.

First, I got the column all cleaned up and painted. Have had lots of practice doing this over the past few years!!

Then, I worked on getting the leatherette/vinyl material unwrapped from the steering wheel to see its actual condition. A plastic strip was wrapped around it 29 ½ times!

It is not too bad. One minor crack will have to be repaired and then it can be repainted.

Since I need paint for both the steering wheel and the dashboard, too, I decided to get started on cutting the file stock now for the dashboard. This will aid in the process of cutting sheet metal strips at the shop. We are scheduled to go this Thursday night to do the metal work.

When I have a free moment, I will take the dashboard to our local automotive paint store to get the paint correctly matched and to get advice on proper steering wheel paint. Neither are going to be a Rustoleum job for sure!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Installing the remote shifter housing

This past week, all concentration went to installing the remote shifter housing on Old Biddy.

First, we had to jostle the dollies around. I said “we” because it was a two person job so John came over to help. Then we jacked up the car, slid the remote shifter underneath, and attached the front part to the transmission.

John was up in the car while I was underneath. He held the rear of the shifter by the shift lever while we lined up the two inside bolts to attach the rear mount bracket in place.

There! Old Biddy has her gear shift lever (aka stick shift)! The ring and rubber boot will be secured after the carpet is installed.

There are not many pictures because it is a tight squeeze underneath her. The whole operation took about forty five minutes. If the car did not have to be moved and have the dollies shifted around, it would have taken half that. Onward to the dashboard restoration! Wish me luck!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

What happens next?

With all the new parts going on the car this past month, the garage became a neglected mess. Since the weather has been so unseasonably warm this week, I spent some time cleaning and airing the garage out.

This week’s project will be to install the remote shifter housing. It is a two person job, so I called John, who will come over to help me on Friday evening.

As we wait, I thought I would show you the next big project, the dashboard restoration. Here it is all disassembled minus the top dash pad.

The most difficult part of the operation will be “fixing” the rusted out lower panel that the crash pad roll connects to. Once that is repaired, everything can be reassembled.

The inside vinyl on the shelf will have to be painted white.

All the bits and pieces have already been polished and are ready to go.

And, both the steering wheel and the steering column need a makeover.

But now I am getting ahead of myself! Just thought you would like to know that stuff is being done…it is just not “blogable”. Wish me luck!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Finally reaching last year’s goal!

Every now and then, a day comes when all the parts I ordered from around the world arrive simultaneously. On Monday, I received the coupling u bolts from the USA, NOS radiator hoses from England, and assorted bits and pieces from Canada.

Re-inspired, I went back under the car to figure out why the last universal joint u bolt was not lining up. Once I pulled the cup off from the opposite side of the one giving me problems, I noticed three bearings had fallen out of place.

I lined them up again, slid the cup back on, and, both u bolts lined up perfectly!

The other side went together easily in comparison. Sure glad the new u bolts arrived!

Then I was able to give Old Biddy her front feet and sneakers! I will be restoring the rims this summer. Of course I will be placing them on dollies since the steering wheel is not yet installed.

After my son and I went to the local auto parts store for new hose clamps, I decided to install the new radiator hoses. I do not know if the old top hose is a replacement or an original but apparently either one is “correct”.

The hoses look good in the engine compartment.

I have now reached the goal of where I wanted to be on December 31, 2011. I will take a quick moment to celebrate then turn my attention to installing the remote shifter housing and restoring the dashboard. Onward Ho!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Universal joints and a couple hoses

This week was crazy busy! I had little time to work on Old Biddy. But, the few moments I did spend working on the car seemed like huge ones.

I pressed the old cleaned up cups on to the new (Triumph TR6) universal joints with my vice.

A quick and easy job…for a change.

I then took them out to the car to install them. Boy, what a learning curve! There were only five original u bolts (of eight in a complete set) that were reusable. I searched the hardware and auto parts stores around here and they did not have the correct size. Reluctantly, I had to find a set on eBay since they were cheaper there than a British Parts supplier. They should be here on Monday. I did manage to install three of the four u bolts on one universal joint though. For some reason, the last u bolt will not fit properly. When I get a chance, I will get out there to figure out the problem and install the other one.

Both brake hoses were installed. I know, not a big deal by any means but at least there was something installed this week!

And, the clutch slave cylinder hose, too, just for good measure.

I hope to finish the universal joints and finally put some wheels on her. Then, my attention switches to restoring the dashboard.

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy