I have been hesitating about this for some time now, but still needed to brace for my column and since I really did not have much in the way of original gauges to work with, I just got out the die grinder and went to work. Just like a few more welds and I can put the front back together and wire it back up. It needs to be running after an 18 month siesta. A few pics now. I will be thrashing as my plan is to drive it again before this calander year is up. May add pics as I go if any of you are interested. Like I have said before, this car is a rescue of a street rod and once you go that route, it is a ton of work bringing it back. Lots left to do.
Yes they are classic ind. I think for a 55 chevy. The center one is close with about 1/8 inch to grind out. the other two took some filling at the top and bottom of the oblong holes. Just a couple of hours to knock it out.
After all the dash work, I still have a lot to do in a short time. I need to get this car back to streetable before winter for me to have it on the road in 2015. Spent the last few days tying up loose ends on the engine and re-assembled the front end along with my grille and front inners . Got to make headlight stands and then back to the rear and piecing together the rear bottom trunk panel. Took a pic after cleaning the wide whites this morning.
Thanks for the kudos guys, I really didn't want to grind on a Henry dash but it has a little pitting and the rest of the car is in good shape for its age so, what the heck. I am like jseery, I would have bought oval gauges if they were available.
Has anyone modified the original ovals to use modern internal gauge parts? Mounted the works behind the original ring and glass?
I thought about that myself, but all 3 of my gauges were toast. It would have cost me a small fortune to try that, even though these gauges were pricey. Somebody should market a set. Maybe it is a market that is too limited?
Rather than digging up an old head light placement thread, I just read through some and built me a set out of an old pump shaft ,(we turned a couple of bushings), and bent some 1/2 " stainless rod over a 3" pipe to get the radius. Here is the product of all that. Drivers side is set up but not polished.
Look'n good. Can I suggest radius the bottom of the stalk so it looks molded to the mounting plate. Bloody nice grille.
Got some more done on the headlight stands. Both sides now. moving around to the back to get some work done on the panel below the trunk.
Finished painting my gas tank over the weekend as well as working on my panel below the deck lid. Hung the spreader bar for a quick look. Should I chrome it or does anybody know of a 1 1/2" od spreader bar on the mkt for a 34 in stainless. Was going to make one, and may yet, with 1 1/4 . I think the OD is 1 5/8. That is a noticeable difference and might interfere with the mounting brackets.
The Jalopy Journal
