Latest '63 Midget Up-date

[bugimike]

Re: '63 Midget Update

I wish I had a True Value (or any hardware store for that matter) near by, let alone across the street! With the price of gas today, it makes those 30/40 cent parts MUCH more expensive if that is all you need to finish up a job!!

 

[RickB]

Re: '63 Midget Update

Believe me, those people know me.
Since I have worked with computers for 20 - 25 years they will often have questions for me then just tell me to take what I need. It's a great little store in a great little town. I feel blessed to live here (most days).

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: '63 Midget Update

I have a coffee can labeled "desperation nuts/bolt"

It is where I go when I can't find the original or a new replacement. It is amazing what I find in there.

Oh, and inside is where I have mine.

My brackets have the internal spacer on the same side as the body & shocks which means its on the inside away from the wheel.....thus, the spacer on the axle would go on the inside away from the wheel?

Just want to verify one more time before this creature goes together.....

 

[bugimike]

Re: '63 Midget Update

I would think so, Tony. Otherwise the radius arm would be slightly "cocked" which just doesnt sit right with my thinking on it. That is what troubled me with what I found on my car. The radius arm is visibly at an angle (1/2" closer to the center of the car at the rear bulkhead - maybe even a full 1" if the axle end has the bushing on the inside, which I haven't crawled under to look at yet!

 

[tony barnhill]

How To Remove a....

...bush that's frozen in a quarter elliptic spring if the spring is mounted to the car:

STEP 1: Using a 3/32" bit, drill a series of holes around the rubber part of the bush. After enough holes are drilled, the bit will "walk" itself around the inner metal sleeve of the bush removing all the rubber between it & the outer sleeve.

STEP 2: Knock the inner metal sleeve out of the bush.

STEP 3: Using a zaw-zaw cut through the outer metal sleeve of the bush in 2 places about 1/4" apart.

STEP 4: Using a small screwdriver, drive it between the metal sleeve & the spring leaf between the cuts, loosening the outer sleeve of the bush so you can drive it out of the spring. (I suggest you go to Sears & buy a Craftsman screwdriver so you can return it after you break the tip)

HOW To Install a New Bush with the 1/4 Elliptic Spring on the car:

STEP 1: (Use a round sanding disc to clean the inside of the spring where the bush goes, removing all the surface rust you'll find in there. Then, just a quick spritz of silicone spray helps the new bush to slide in.) Using a large C-clamp press the new bush into the spring as far as you can.

STEP 2: Make a portable press using a block of aluminum through which you drill a 5/16" hole. Insert a long bolt through the aluminum block & through the new bush. Put a couple of large washers the same diameter as the bush on the bolt & then the nut.

STEP 3: Using a rachet, seat the bush in the spring.

About an hour & a half per side!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Re: How To Remove a....

or... if you do not have a press at home, walk into your local machine shop hand them $10 and the parts then walk out 15 minutes later.

I used the press at my father's shop. It took about a half hour by the time I got the supports setup like I wanted. I did fear crushing one of the arms, but it went well.

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: How To Remove a....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]or... if you do not have a press at home, walk into your local machine shop hand them $10 and the parts then walk out 15 minutes later.[/QUOTE]
hehehehe....Well, trevor, I'd have to take the entire car to the machine shop & they'd have to stand it on its side which might damage the paint....hehehehe.....springs are in the car!!

After reading & hearing Jack talk about 3 days to remove his springs, I opted not to do that & left them under the car.

So, I had to do what I did to get them out & the new ones in.