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Projects Mild custom '51 Pontiac Chieftain

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by PhilA, Nov 4, 2019.

  1. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Hydro Tech

    Little bit of improvisation tonight.
    20200911_165118.jpg

    The window mechanism would fall off the runner because the lower stop is missing.
    20200911_170119.jpg
    I made a piece of metal to fit in the runner and prevent the arm going too far.

    20200911_171214.jpg
    It's held in place by the bolt and stopped from falling off by a longer screw with a nut on.

    Now the window winds all the way down and doesn't get stuck!

    One thing off the list, I can put the door card back on now.

    Phil
     
  2. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    1. Hydro Tech

    20200912_164656.jpg
    That's as good as it gets.

    The glass rolls up and down remarkably well considering that pane is broken; the spring assist works nicely, it takes more effort to put the glass down than it does up, which means it should keep itself closed on the road.
    Quarterlight opens, closes and latches.
    Door latches on both positions.
    Lock works.

    First time all the functions of that door have worked since I got the car.


    Phil
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2020
  3. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Hydro Tech

    20200912_195311.jpg
    Tonight I decided to address the driver's door glass. First, a new chunk had fallen out of where it broke. Glued that back in, for what it's worth.

    20200912_200409.jpg
    I found a spare rubber sash grip in a very rusted sash channel in the bottom of the rear passenger door. Cleaned it up and fitted it to the glass, then knocked the sash channel on. That gripped nicely.

    20200912_200639.jpg
    Typically this is a replacement glass, it's etched 2004 and whoever cut it wasn't overly proficient in the art of cutting glass.

    20200912_204838.jpg
    I cut a length of sheet steel with an L bend in, to fit over the section of channel where the clips are, which are what caught the glass and fractured it. Applied some polyurethane sealant to the back edge.

    20200912_205302.jpg
    Clamped that all up and left it to set overnight.

    Phil
     
  4. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,913

    tubman
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    Still following this, Phil. I am quite impressed with your attention to detail.:)
     
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  5. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    1. Hydro Tech

    Well, it's deteriorated into gluing corners of broken glass back together, but I'm glad you're still along for the ride!
     
  6. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,913

    tubman
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    We've all done something like this at one time or another. When I was in high school, the insert in the steering wheel in my clapped out old '51 Ford was all rusted up and broken. I stole a piece on aluminum foil from my mothers kitchen, crumpled it up to give it some texture, smoothed it out, cut it to size, and put it in place of the damaged insert. It turned out to look a lot better than it sounds.:D

    Keep up the good work!

    My daughter lives in New Orleans. I usually stop to see her on my way to Florida every fall. It looks like you are only about 50 miles away. Depending on conditions, I may stop by for a ride in your '51 on my way down. Or maybe next year.:rolleyes:
     
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  7. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    Door's always open, you're welcome to stop by and take it for a spin.
     
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  8. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    1. Hydro Tech

    ...and boarding the house and garage up, again.
     
  9. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    1. Hydro Tech

    20200913_150624.jpg
    Got the door card on, handles and window trim. The door closes with a nice clunk now.

    Today, some firsts- first time all the doors work properly, all windows operational and locks work. I just locked the car with the key, and it's now as secure as it gets.

    Not too bad.

    Phil
     
  10. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    Vacuumed the car and cleaned up. It's edging ever closer towards "presentable". The list is getting smaller, and with this next box of goods that's on the way hopefully a fair chunk of that list can be cleared.

    20200913_185448.jpg
    Battening down the hatches.

    Phil
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2020
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  11. impala4speed
    Joined: Jan 31, 2010
    Posts: 488

    impala4speed
    Member

    Your car is looking great. Very nice work.
    Good luck on the storm front; hope it misses you completely.
     
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  12. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    Thanks. Either way tomorrow's gonna be windy. Just keeping an eye on the horizon right now.
     
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  13. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    Box of parts delayed by the weather. Maybe this weekend, if all goes well, I'll have it and can make a start on the brakes.
    Storm has stalled out and is just sitting out over the water picking up energy, which is worrying. What was meant to be a not particularly strong storm is building up into something nasty.

    Phil
     
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  14. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    Okay, so: The List.

    Rebuild brakes
    Replace rubber fuel lines (*)
    Replace intake and exhaust manifold gaskets
    Replace heat riser gasket
    Windshield defog tube (*)
    Refit glove box (defog tube first)
    Rewire battery to trunk (*)
    Manifold stud (*)
    Crank breather tube (*)
    Air filter needs oil
    Coolant change
    Fill screen wash
    Oil change
    Rear axle oil (*)
    Grease everything again (*)


    That's everything between now and putting it on the road. There's more, but that's the prep list.

    Phil


    (*) - Item that I don't have in stock
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2020
  15. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
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    PhilA
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    Fedex delivery date: "Delivery Pending".
     
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  16. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
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    PhilA
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    Got a crank breather tube with flame trap coming in the mail. Saves having to build one.
    Brakes should be here today.

    Phil
     
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  17. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    1. Hydro Tech

    20200916_124457.jpg
    Box of brakes arrived, with 3 brake cylinders in. One on back order. Great.

    Will make a start on this through the week though.

    Phil
     
  18. How is the storm Phil?
     
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  19. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
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    PhilA
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    1. Hydro Tech

    20200916_075235.jpg
     
  20. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    1. Hydro Tech

    20200916_163614.jpg
    In the package was a new fan belt. The old one was the correct length but not the correct width.

    20200916_170627.jpg
    I pulled the alternator off, added the missing bolt to stop the rear mount from shifting angle and put lockwashers on the nuts- something I didn't do on the last test fitting.

    20200916_170816.jpg
    It got a coat of paint to finish off. That's drying now. Fought the new fan belt on to the crank and water pump pulleys ready.

    Phil
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2020
  21. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
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    PhilA
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    Went out the new belt on. Dunno if it got hung up but it was way too short.

    Put the old belt back on for now.

    Lost two wrenches into the abyss. They fell down, vanished but aren't on the floor.

    Phil
     
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  22. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
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    Easy just keep your eye on the rear view mirror when you are on your next drive. You will eventually see them bouncing down the road behind you. :)
     
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  23. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    I plan on jacking the car up and groping about under the front crossmember, they're most likely under the oil pan.

    That's the least accessible place, so the most likely location.
     
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  24. n847
    Joined: Apr 22, 2010
    Posts: 2,724

    n847
    Member

    A couple years ago I was starting up my Plymouth for the first time in the spring & while inspecting for leaks I noticed bolt in the channel on the back side of my front cross member. upon closer inspection I found a 3/8" extension another body bolt, a couple zip ties, a 1/2" craftsman wrench & an allen wrench. Apparently all points in my engine compartment lead to that channel. I just dropped a spark plug socket last weekend that landed in the same spot.
     
  25. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    1. Hydro Tech

    Been looking at Gates belt references and they have this series (truck and bus) in all manner of lengths. This one's 40", the alternator wedged hard against the water pump pulley i couldn't get the belt over, it was about halfway up.

    I'm thinking to add an extra 4" to it or so, that should allow it to pull over and also then move the alternator away to tension the belt.

    Phil
     
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  26. Johnboy34
    Joined: Jul 12, 2011
    Posts: 1,588

    Johnboy34
    Member
    from Seattle,Wa

    Or put it where you want it and string a 1/4" rope around the pulleys and measure it .

    Sent from my SM-G973U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  27. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    Had thought about that but the original thin belt fits with the alternator about halfway down the adjuster bracket. The new belt is identical in length but due to the extra width sits at a larger radius on the pulleys and doesn't fit.

    Granted, the replacement belt is specced for the original dynamo, not this setup.

    Phil
     
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  28. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
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    I managed 5 minutes on the car before the phone rang this afternoon.

    Achieved a positive thing, found the half inch wrench I dropped.

    Phil
     
  29. partssaloon
    Joined: Jan 28, 2009
    Posts: 677

    partssaloon
    Member

    Whoa, that is a lot of length to add on. Take a 1/2 inch wide measuring tape an go around the pulley's where you want the alt to sit. That should be the length of the belt, a belt is measured on the top length.
     
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  30. Johnboy34
    Joined: Jul 12, 2011
    Posts: 1,588

    Johnboy34
    Member
    from Seattle,Wa

    Use a bigger rope,
    Sent from my SM-G973U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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