1978 Restoration (the best I can...)

mikedickbek · 05-01-08, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shorty 40

shes going to be one sweet ride when shes done keep up the goood work

Well, not really. As I've been grinding off those crap body lift blocks, I've been taking a good long look at the condition of the body. It's not looking good.

Turns out, the whole floor has been replaced with sheetmetal. Not a good job at all. There are dents all over the outside from it being rolled. There's a lot of basically BAD fab work done on the entire tub. Because of all this, I'm going to just put the tub back on and be done. In a few years I'll drop some money to get an aluminum tub, but till then, the body that's on it now isn't worth saving.
Oh well, it'll look good when I'm under it, or when the hood's open.

TLCHopII · 05-02-08, 12:37 AM

Take heart Mike. So it's not a survivor. Now build it out knowing that cutting a little sheet metal is not a sin! Think you can get it running for the 25th?

mikedickbek · 05-02-08, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLCHopII

Think you can get it running for the 25th?

Ha ha ha! Not a chance bro. Maybe the 25th of December!
You going out wheeling on the 25th?

NCjeff · 05-02-08, 12:36 PM

Mike, just read this whole post, awesome job. You have got some patience, I would not have lasted this long. I just got my first 40, and this is an inspiring job. Good luck.

TLCHopII · 05-03-08, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikedickbek

Ha ha ha! Not a chance bro. Maybe the 25th of December!
You going out wheeling on the 25th?

Was but it's in doubt now. My trans spring clip eliminator failed to ship so I'm now a week behind in reassembling the drive line!

Could still happen if the stars & planets align and pigs fly! (Oh shoot now someone gonna post up a 55' air borne)

laguna80 · 05-03-08, 02:20 AM

Just before take off

TLCHopII · 05-03-08, 08:16 PM

See told ya so Mike! LoL!

shorty 40 · 05-08-08, 05:32 AM

yeah ive got two 40's one has been badly patched by PO and the other has hole in the floor pan big enough to change the Xfer case without taking out the trans hum but im im gunna still give it ago at fixing it only prob. is get steel body parts in west oz in pretty much imposible or big dollars . But luck for me some of my family is pretty handy with mig and hammer so we are gunna give it a go

TLCHopII · 05-09-08, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shorty 40

yeah ive got two 40's one has been badly patched by PO and the other has hole in the floor pan big enough to change the Xfer case without taking out the trans hum but im im gunna still give it ago at fixing it only prob. is get steel body parts in west oz in pretty much imposible or big dollars . But luck for me some of my family is pretty handy with mig and hammer so we are gunna give it a go

A couple tools can get the job done with a professional look and much quicker:
1) Buy a cheap no name version of a combination "flanger/punch". This air tool can be had for around $40 US from Harbor Freight. This will easily punch holes for rosette (plug) welds and easily create the offset flange for smooth lap joints. FYI this is a pneumatic (air) tool.
2) Find, borrow or buy a bead roller. This allows one to create offset (single) and/or "double" beads in the sheet metal stiffening it and strengthening the overall assembly. Also looks cool!

The rest is time hammer, welding & finishing.

Best of luck!

77FJDream · 07-01-08, 12:10 PM

WOW! Awesome thread...I makes me excited to see that the build that I am getting ready to take on is not as overwhelming as I thought it might be as long as I approach it with a little patience and an open mind.

You all make it look too easy, even though I know it is hardly the case.

Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the great work!

mikedickbek · 12-27-08, 04:14 PM

Hey Guys!
Well Dave, I didn't make it by Dec 25th. Ha ha.
The other day I was putting the brake lines back in, when one snapped. Looks like I'll be going to Checker to get some new ones. Might as well replace them all while I'm at it.
I just got done putting on the first coat of Hurculiner. Looks awesome! My wife got it for me for Christmas, and I was more than anxious to get back out to the garage. Tomorrow, I'll probably put the second coat on and I'll post pictures. Maybe I'll do it tonight...

sdtash · 12-27-08, 04:29 PM

Ah a few dents just add character anyway. Interesting pics. Will be great to see pics of you wheeling her soon.

mcwinery · 12-27-08, 04:33 PM

great job. Just discovered your thread. nice work. Maybe next Christmas I will have my restore done.

mikedickbek · 12-27-08, 05:14 PM

Thanks guys!
After telling you guys what I did, I couldn't hold out, so here are the pics of the first coat of Hurculiner. I also have the dash and firewall all painted. Everything else on the truck that's white, will be the dash color.

mikedickbek · 12-27-08, 05:17 PM

Now here are the brake and clutch master cylinders. Odds and ends I've gotten done. Since then, they've been mounted.

cruiserdoc · 12-27-08, 06:13 PM

I love olive drab rigs. That will look awsome

mikedickbek · 12-28-08, 03:27 PM

Second coat of herculiner installed. I'm really impressed by this stuff. It's looking really good.

77HesterSue · 12-29-08, 12:33 AM

Mike,

I've enjoyed reading your build. You've done some great work for not knowing much. Thanks for sharing!

TLCHopII · 12-29-08, 01:30 AM

Mike! You are alive!

Your rig is looking Cherry! OD green & herculiner...she's coming along. Glad to here you didn't have to give her up what with the new baby & all.

cruiserjunkie · 12-29-08, 10:27 AM

Just read the whole thread keep after it almost there. For me the hardest part was not to cut coners at the end just to get it out for a ride Glad to see you don't have that problem keep up that quality work and enjoy the rebuild process it wont last forever

Jerrytown · 05-05-09, 02:33 AM

Just curious, is this thread still alive? Id love to see more of the tub progression. What were your prep, steps and completion for the exterior paint?

I may be starting a budget resto soon as well and this build will def. be a reference, looks great!

-Sean

mikedickbek · 07-04-09, 10:02 PM

Sean,
Sorry for how long it's taken for me to write back on here.
For the body, I did a small amount of body filling for chips and small dents with bondo. I sanded it all down with my palm sander to roughen the old paint up, then primed what went down to metal. Then, wiped it all down with a damp rag several times. After that, let it dry well, then basically painted the hell out of it with flat green spray paint. For pics on how it turned out, see my next post.
-Mike

mikedickbek · 07-04-09, 10:11 PM

And so it ends.
I've received orders to move to WA in a few months, and really don't have the time or money to finish this. I never thought I'd be that guy who couldn't finish, but here I am. I was lucky enough to have met Dave (HopII) on a local forum who hooked me up with one of his buddies who wanted a project. He just came and picked it up.
To all you that have helped me, I thank you. I really couldn't have made it where I did make it without you. You have taught me a lot, and this experience will always be remembered. Hopefully, I'll be able to start another project sometime in the future.
Sorry to those of you who have read this entire post looking for the final result; this must be very anti-climactic for you... I feel the same.
Now for some parting shots of the cruiser getting taken away.
Thanks again.
-Mike

romey · 07-04-09, 10:47 PM

well, sorry to hear that. the next owner will just have to sign up on mud, carry on (on this thread) and keep the build going....pics/etc...

1973Guppie · 07-05-09, 12:16 AM

wow, that makes me sad, too bad........

CruiserFetish.com · 07-05-09, 09:22 AM

Man, that sucks, but you got to do what you have to, there is always another on out there when life allows. What part of WA are you moving to? Good luck.

mikedickbek · 07-05-09, 01:30 PM

Thanks guys. I'm moving to Bangor area out on the peninsula. I've lived there before, and am from a town northeast of Seattle, so it will definitely be nice to go back!

marks69cruiser · 07-05-09, 01:50 PM

Damn dude that one has got to hurt. Hopefully you get another one soon! Good luck.

toyman317 · 07-05-09, 03:11 PM

Hey Mike. Bangor is where is my son is stationed. He is currently out on the USS Stennis but will be back to base on the 10th. There are a lot of rust free cruisers out there in the WA area. I am sure one of them has your name on it. Good Luck.

woody2 · 07-08-09, 03:05 AM

Mike-
There are a few WA guys on here. I too am from a town NE of Seattle (Bothell, WA). Are you speaking of that area? I, however, am not on the WET side any longer.

Good luck to you and sorry to see the end of your project. It is what it is (the saying that doesn't say anything, but says everything).