Da'40: The Baby Steps Forward

[Beowulf]

Have you considered a vibrant color for powercoating the frame?

-Mike-

 

[Beowulf]

Time to reconsider that beautiful metallic bronze color.

-Mike-

 

[pappy]

Why? Me likie. That's a nice toy.

 

[Beowulf]

That's a nice toy.

Yes, it is a very nice toy!

-Mike-

 

[pappy]

Exactly. I did see the light socket in one picture. Looks good in real life too.

 

[pappy]

FYI, there will be no progress on Da'40 this weekend. Sorry.

 

[pappy]

Back at it.

Today I dropped off to be sandblasted:

• 2- doors
• 2- window frames
• 2- aprons
• 2- fenders
• 1- bib
• 2- tailgate doors
• 2- kick vents
• and a bunch of little stuff

I still need to drop off the hood and windshield frame. Hopefully I'll start painting in two weeks.

I also had a small issue with the wheel spacers I installed on the rear axle. The factory studs were too short for my comfort. I checked thread engagement and it was probably OK, but I decided to play it safe and look for longer studs. I took one of the studs to AT and Tom was able to find a stud on the shelf with the correct shoulder and just a tad bit longer. They turned out to be perfect. The part number is 90942-02079. I don't know what the application is.

 

[pappy]

Not too much to report for today. Worked on the steering column. Still not happy with it. Also tried to hook up the parking brake handle. I need to pull the drum back off to get enough slack in the cable to hook up the handle.

I was hoping in two weeks to take her in for a muffler. Right now I don't think she is safe to pull onto a trailer. The clutch isn't fully disengaging and the brakes are squishy. The brakes would not stall the engine.

 

[pappy]

On the plus side I did run the engine again. Sweet does not describe this engine enough. This was the first time I had her warm enough to register on the gauge. I took the engine up to 160*, then pulled out the timing light. She really purrs now.

 

[pappy]

Paint Update

A few weeks ago I acquired a spray can of Sierra Beige Metallic, 4M4. The idea was to spray a piece and then have Ace Hardware color match it with their Rust Stop Enamel. This paint has been getting some discussion over at the Paint and Body forum.

Today I took in the sample and Chase Hardware scanned it and gave me a quart of paint. I think the metallic component of the sample compromised the scan because it's hardly close. It's significantly lighter in color. It's not bad, looking like any other beige and I might go ahead and use it. I might also try and wet sand the sample down and see if a softer finish might help. I'm guessing I'll need two quarts anyways and might use the first quart for first coats.

 

[BionicCruiser]

Today I took in the sample and Chase Hardware scanned it and gave me a quart of paint. I think the metallic component of the sample compromised the scan because it's hardly close. It's significantly lighter in color.

did you brush it on or spray it? brushing it on will significantly change the dynamics of the metallic flake. this is very true for my champange colored camry. just a suggestion.

also, why don't you make this thread a sticky already! the main forums have done that. i think it's fine for here as well.

 

[BionicCruiser]

sticky's

if someone else has a build up thread here, then i say make it a sticky too!

 

[pappy]

did you brush it on or spray it? brushing it on will significantly change the dynamics of the metallic flake. this is very true for my champagne colored camry. just a suggestion.

also, why don't you make this thread a sticky already! the main forums have done that. i think it's fine for here as well.

The 4M4 metallic that I used to match the color was sprayed from a rattle can. The Ace paint was brushed on the sample and lacks the metallic flake. I've been reviewing the threads both here at MUD, and at the MOPAR site where it started. It is for sure a cheap-skate paint process and I think I'm ready to tackle it as soon as the metal is ready (hood is in the 4Runner ready for delivery tomorrow). DanS HJ-45 loaned me his sprayer, plus I bought some foam brushes and rollers as an alternative to spraying. If this works it will cost less than $200 bucks to paint da'40. It is, after all, a trail truck.

As far as making it a sticky ... this thread doesn't move very far from the top now that I'm motivated. Plus, I'm sure plenty of folks have subscribed.

 

[cruiserdan]

Gotta plate on it yet?

 

[pappy]

Gotta plate on it yet?

Ummm, I don't get it.


I dropped off the hood today to be blasted, and found out my other stuff was ready. Those parts now have a light coat of primer on them.

I'm going to take off work tomorrow at noon and tackle the tranny/clutch.

 

[cruiserdan]

Ummm, I don't get it.

Um,

Well,

Meaning that it has a license plate attached to it and it is burning gas on the street....

 

[SteveLCetc]

Um,

Well,

Meaning that it has a license plate attached to it and it is burning gas on the street....

At least they didn't make it a sticky...

 

[mmw68]

Great progress!

I can't wait to see a picture of the paint.

 

[pappy]

Um,

Well,

Meaning that it has a license plate attached to it and it is burning gas on the street....

Yes, it actually does. It's a California plate that says "Bushrat" with a tag dated Dec 1992 .

If I get the clutch figured out it will burn gas on the street when it's loaded onto the trailer, but it won't exactly be legal.

 

[pappy]

I can't wait to see a picture of the paint.

Me too, Mark, me too.