Half way?

[TexasKnucklehead]

Since I picked up my (58 TR3) flood victim 8-2006, I've spent a lot of time in the garage. Some of it was spent cleaning up parts, painting and reassembling subassemblies, but most of it has been taking the car apart. Today, I consider myself at the half way point, because I no longer have anything to take apart. Now all I have to do, is put it back together. I have parts everywhere, and got them from all over the country thanks to ebay and this forum. I can't turn back now.

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Tex,

Always nice to get to that point. The only way to go is forward!


Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[Gliderman8]

From this point on the job gets cleaner too :banana:

 

[Geo Hahn]

...I no longer have anything to take apart. Now all I have to do, is put it back together...

I think that's called 'Ratchet Reset Day'.

 

[TR4nut]

I think that's called 'Ratchet Reset Day'.

I like it! Just wish there was 'Close Wallet Day'.

Nice job there Tex - I think you are quite a ways ahead of me but it is very good motivation!

 

[toysrrus]

Howdy Tex,

I started my `57TR3 early Jan. this yr. Thanx to a friend of mine who has a "Lift, Ton of Tools, Torches, Saws" etc. We got the "Dismantle" the body parts off quite quickly.

What I did then; Got everything blasted including the chassis. The 1st. "Re-Build" part I did (So it looked liked something was being re-built). Then applied "POR-15" to the Chassis via brush. It came out "Great" and the "Motivation" took a second leap.

By the way; If your reading this "Fred"; Thanx, I could`nt have done it in the time span we did without your Help!!

Keep on Restoring,

Russ

 

[vagt6]

Tex, I like your attitude.

Keep at it. I promise you, the finished result will be a source of great pride for the rest of your days.

There's no car like a TR-3, it bridges the gap in automotive history from the 1940s to the 1960s. Beautiful car, plenty of power, loads of fun to drive and a guaranteed head-turner everywhere you go.

Keep working at it, and please post photos of your restoration. This kind of documentation on a frame-off resto is very valuable.

Cheers to you, Tex!

 

[tdskip]

That is a milestone isn't it. Now it all gets to be cleaned up, refreshed and put back together.

Any surprises so far?

Keep us posted!

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

Right. I'm going forward, and reset my ratchet -my only competition with TR4nut involves closing the wallet. (Which probably will involve someone living longer!) I'm going to have the frame sand blasted tomorrow, my project is a little unusual and the PO applied POR15 without so much as cleaning off the loose dirt. So my first challenge was to get down to bare rust. A razor blade works great for that.

Surprises? POR15 is hard. If you get some on a rear lug and install the wheel while it's still wet, 2 out of 2 lugs will pull the threads out of the hub, before the lug nut comes off the lug.

After dripping for two years in my garage, the diff still had fluid in it. You can clearly see some oil on top of the water in the picture.

After a car has been under 20' of water for a day, the surprises never stop.

The passenger side leaf had an extra plate on top of it. Is that right?

 

[pjsmetana]

...wish there was 'Close Wallet Day'.

Don't we all

...
The passenger side leaf had an extra plate on top of it. Is that right?

Yes sir.

 

[karls59tr]

Why does the passenger side leaf spring have an extra plate?

 

[TR4nut]

Why does the passenger side leaf spring have an extra plate?

I think the story is that the plate lowers the passenger side so that the car is more level when you have a single driver in the car.

 

[Twosheds]

I think the story is that the plate lowers the passenger side so that the car is more level when you have a single driver in the car.

That is correct. Married drivers are lighter and the plate is not necessary.

 

[pjsmetana]

I think the story is that the plate lowers the passenger side so that the car is more level when you have a single driver in the car.

That is correct. Married drivers are lighter and the plate is not necessary.

HAHAHAH!!!! I just shared this one with my wife!

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

I could not justify the aditional cost of powder coating, but did have the frame sand blasted for $175. Then I put a coat of oil based primer followed by two coats of flat black while I decided what to do about the holes blown through the frame near one of the rebound brackets during sand blasting. I suppose rust can hide from a screwdriver, but not a blaster. Anyway I got some 1/8 inch thick metal and made two pieces with holes drilled to sandwich the area, and had them welded in place today. It's as sold as ever now, and I'm close to starting putting it back together.

Is getting closer to 1/2 way sort of like closing the door 1/2 way each time, and knowing you'll never really get it closed?

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

Spring is here. I live in Spring Tx, but that's not my update. I'd say spring has sprung, but that might imply a faulty spring compresser. Today I installed the front springs, wheel bearings, hubs and front wheels. I will not say I have a 'rolling chasis' because a set of used bed rollers doesn't really count as a rear axle -but I've made progress and am excited about it.

 

[TR4nut]

Looking good again Tex. I've started on the back end, just because there are less parts!

 

[tdskip]

Nice! Good progress there. Thanks for the update.

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

Another update. I'm not sure when a pile of parts becomes a 'rolling chasis', but I rolled my frame out into the driveway today and snapped this picture. I think rebuilding the front end was much easier than the limited work I did on the differential. -But I've got all new seals and axle bearings back there, as well as slaves and brake springs. And the diff is all nice and clean inside (and out), and not leaking any oil (and I filled it with oil).

Now for the engine, brake lines, front calipers...

 

[tdskip]

Cool! Thanks for the update.