Saving a 32 Ford Body

Did the same thing in my avatar - used a Dodge Caravan rear seat that folds down. Great thread BTW - thank you for doing such a detailed build thread

 

Thanks guys for the nice comments also I like the springs on the caravan bottom.

I wil work on modifying the toyota seat springs this coming weekend for the seat back .

 

Been soaking my Door latches in Molasses for the past month or so...really cold here takes awhile

Here's what they looked like after I pulled them out of the stuff followed by a shot of them after washing and a quick wire wheel.

Now for a rebuild ...

 

I began by removing the rivet the held the door catch. Both the rivet and the hole it slid in were well worn.

 

here's a few shots

 

Here a pic's of the process I used to make the stepped rivet . I started with a standard bolt, cutting the head off. I chucked the bolt in the drill press and created the step with a grinder and files.

 

After cutting the rivet to length and using a spacer to make sure the shaft length was correct , I welded a washer on with the tig.

 

Here's the repair of the hole , I used a bolt the same size as the rivet shaft to maintian spacing.

 

I replaced the remote springs as well, these required disassembly of the remote. I heated the tabs and bent them straight . One went smoothly, the other not so much...the tabs broke and I had to weld replacements on.

 

Good call on using the drill press, i did some recently using just a electric a drill. nice work, keep it up

 

A few weeks ago I visited the shop of a local h.a.m.b. member, CAVMAN (JIM) to see if we could figure out the issue with my door jambs, door gap. THANKS AGAIN,Jim.

Comparing Jim's 5 window and taking numerous measurements, I had enough info to attempt the fix.

I honestly was not looking forward to this and quite frankly putting it off. This weekend I decided to tackle the job.

 

A decision I made earlier was to trim the top lip on the door sills i hind sight made the job much harder.

My original thought was to do this so that I could get rid of the lip on the sill.

Here's what I would up doing.

 

Here's the process I used on each side to complete the door sill.

 

As for the doors, each were off at the front. I had to cut the inner patch loose on each door and pry the front down to square the door.

 

Wow, you had better keep some pics of what you started with in the car when you're done, cause people won't believe when you tell em what you started with, nice work!

 

After Saturday and Sunday afternoon, here's the result.

 

Thanks Outback!!

 

Just perfect =)

 

WOW nice job from this body

 

I am amazed at your tenacity, and the integrity with which you approach not only your work but your life. If you are passing this along to your sons, you are not only a car builder of the first water but also a stand up human being and a shining example of what a parent should be. You inspire us, and I am certain they are proud of you. Keep the fires burning and keep the faith. I know you understand what I mean; I just wanted to share this, so others would know as well. A job well done speaks volumes.

 

Watching this come together is great. Persistence will pay off for sure. I'm glad I could at least show you my '32, anytime.....

The other great thing about this is, now I know what I have to do to mine, and know who to ask for advice..

jim

 

Unbelieveable. You are doing a fantastic job on this thing, and you started with as close to nothing as you could possibly get. My hats off to ya. I like the '50 Chevy your son built, started with almost nothing on that one too. Looks good now tho

 

Fortynut

I appreciate the post, it really means alot to me! Having been blessed with the boys plus the fact that they share the same passion for automobiles is almost more than a guy could ask for!.

Now if someone could help me to inspire them to clean-up after themselves life would be grand.

Thanks Again

 

Jim (cavman)

Your welcome to come by anytime, thanks again for the help.

 

Kevin

This project certianly been a quite a project, but it's allowed my skill sets to grow and gives me an escape.

My greatest challenge is not letting problems consume me, I need to keep remininding myself at times that this si suppose to be fun!

Mike

 

Have been working on the lengthening steering column drop.

This is a 1936 Ford mount, cut and using 1/4 plate lengthened 2 1/2".

 

The column tube was cut to length. I am using hardware store bearings 1 3/8 od , 3/4 id a the top and bottom of the tube.The bearing is not completely inserted in the image shown.

The upper bearing was secured with homemade ring tacked in place.

The lower bearing need a thin bushing placed into the tube to fit snug. I will secure the bearing with a lock collar

 

The drop turned out perfect =)

Did you mount a rear window drain pan ? I would like to see how it bolts up.
/Martin

Edit : My lower wood is wrong the other way then yours was, it is an inch to low .

 

Great work. I too am beginning to save a 5w. Could you measure the width of the body at the base of the b pillar outside to outside? I can't seem to find this measurement anywhere.

 

I've got a really rough one that I'm trying to put roadster quarters on.