SteveTheBrewer
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Been a few months since I posted an update on Project Tanker. So I thought I would pop in and give you all an update.
Since my last update I have removed the old floors completely, and also removed the lower A posts. I have repaired a massive amount of rust along the firewall where the lower flange meets the floor. This way that mating surface is all brand new metal. At this point the only rust left on the car is in the bonnet, so that is a great feeling to have.
I had my friend Chris come over and we figured that the tub was out of square by about 1" in total! Absolutely insane, but that is what happens with a 50 year old car that has had 3 previous floors. Through some trial and error we were able to get it to be within 1/16th of an inch of square which is probably better than factory.
I still have some door gap issues with the passengers side, but I suspect that is from the wing itself, and not the gap between A and B posts as that is measuring the same on both sides. I also noticed that the gap between the bonnet and the scuttle is about a 1/4 inch wider than the drivers side. I suspect that the tub is slightly crooked as the mount above the axle is not centered in the bolt hole. Hopefully when I remove the tub and set it back down that will correct itself and not be an issue.
I have used Clecos to secure the panels which gave me a great test fit and a sense of pride when looking at the car with doors on, and a floor in place.
I now need to remove the panels to prep them for welding. I will sand the e-coating off the panels where I will be welding, and I also will need to get a punch or just use a drill bit to pre-drill my plug weld holes. While I have the panels out I will scuff them as well to prep the for paint when I get to that stage. I figure it will be easier on my back and body to do it with the panels out, then trying to contort myself when they are installed.
Anyways, that is the update.
For those of you interested, I am documenting this on YouTube, so check it out if you like. http://youtube.com/c/StevesProjectCarGarage
Cheers,
Steve
Since my last update I have removed the old floors completely, and also removed the lower A posts. I have repaired a massive amount of rust along the firewall where the lower flange meets the floor. This way that mating surface is all brand new metal. At this point the only rust left on the car is in the bonnet, so that is a great feeling to have.
I had my friend Chris come over and we figured that the tub was out of square by about 1" in total! Absolutely insane, but that is what happens with a 50 year old car that has had 3 previous floors. Through some trial and error we were able to get it to be within 1/16th of an inch of square which is probably better than factory.
I still have some door gap issues with the passengers side, but I suspect that is from the wing itself, and not the gap between A and B posts as that is measuring the same on both sides. I also noticed that the gap between the bonnet and the scuttle is about a 1/4 inch wider than the drivers side. I suspect that the tub is slightly crooked as the mount above the axle is not centered in the bolt hole. Hopefully when I remove the tub and set it back down that will correct itself and not be an issue.
I have used Clecos to secure the panels which gave me a great test fit and a sense of pride when looking at the car with doors on, and a floor in place.
I now need to remove the panels to prep them for welding. I will sand the e-coating off the panels where I will be welding, and I also will need to get a punch or just use a drill bit to pre-drill my plug weld holes. While I have the panels out I will scuff them as well to prep the for paint when I get to that stage. I figure it will be easier on my back and body to do it with the panels out, then trying to contort myself when they are installed.
Anyways, that is the update.
For those of you interested, I am documenting this on YouTube, so check it out if you like. http://youtube.com/c/StevesProjectCarGarage
Cheers,
Steve