Been busy working on the car the last two weekends , here is an update. Replaced the upper door piece. Welded the nail holes up as the had rusted and all were about 1/8 in size , remarked and redrilled.
Test fitted all the wood . Spent most of 2 days fitting the quarter window , roof, header and roof wood. Assembled, fit and 2 coats of clear urethane sealer.
The inner door opening on the left side had rusted very badly and a couple areas were in dire need of replacing. Very tight quarters. Thought I had more pictures , but the process involved replacing in segments so I could retain the proper curve. Also allowed me to have some to clamp to as I moved along
Also made a new rear deck lid latch, the one I got with the Brookville latch was steel. Wanted a stainless latch. Started by modify the original, the latch section was a bit short. Then I made a pattern out of paper, copying the part dimensions in paper. cutting the part out of stainless and bending it in the vise and finally the finished part.
Also have been working on the steering column and column drops. Here is the process of replacing the section of column mast that was rusted. started by cutting out a 1 1/2 section of the mast. Then I cut a section to match. I used a socket to hold it square, to make it a tight fit i used masking tape. I then clamped to in a fixture made from to pieces of angle iron. This holds everything while I weld the tubes, works great the mast can be checked with a straight edge.
The mast had a wicked dent where to column lock opening was. I used a pipe slightly smaller the the inside diameter of the mast, starting by driving the pipe into the mast. Then I clamped the pipe in vise . Using it as a dolly and hammering the remaining dents with a flat hammer. Turned out pretty nice.
next filled a small small hole in the mast. I used copper, bent to fit the inside of the mast , as a backer before I welded up the hole. This keeps the welder from burning holes from the heat. I use this almost everywhere I weld. Also leaves the back side of the weld flat. Then I metal finished the weld.
Another small project was welding the kept nuts back into the door post on the right post. These nuts are thin, and welded in from the factory as they are not accessible once the wood is installed. I started by screwing the nut that fit onto a bolt. This allows me to hold the nut as I grind it. I then ground the nut so that it fit into the hole on the post. This duplicates the nut made by Ford. I then tigged it in place. Note I left the bolt in the nut while welding it, this keeps the nut from distorting from the heat.
Absolutely one of the best threads on the HAMB ever. I can't remember a better examle of "where there's a will there's a way". Thanks for sharing even the smallest detail of every task..........makes it easier to understand the process and not just the final result. Frank
Now that you've done one I have another for your son's to tackle so they can drive to! Looking great!
Well I have not been able to buy a new windshield frame so I thought I would see if I could fix the old one I have.
WOW!!!!!, just read this from the beginning. Your work is impressive as hell. Thanks for all the play by play and pics as well. Really enjoy reading this. What part of Wisconsin are you from? Keep it coming and hope to see this rod on the road some day.
Just wanted you to know I found your post Mike. Looked at all of it. WOW!!! I cant believe what you started with, but I know how it will end up. Perfect. All the welding you have done I cant help but kid you about 20 some years ago I stopped by your garage and you were welding on something and couldn't figure out why the welds wouldn't hold!!! I'll call you sometime.
Thanks again! Absolutley love working with my boys. Could not be prouder of them and what they have accomplished. Here's a link to my son and his truck, Great burnout ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUeJbXZfHgz1qM12ktr1Sm1g&feature=player_detailpage&v=6eXqVVTOT0I 99% of the work done here was by a kid from the age of 16 through today (now 18) Dad mostly answered questions!