GA 55 left in woods for 20 yrs- 10/73 model

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Good looking parts.

One thing I've learned about the spray on bedliners, watch the over spray. It gets on everything and doesn't come off. You do alot spray painting, so know already, but I have it on toolboxes, VW's, everywhere!
 
I am taping up all of the metal that should not have it. Thanks for the reminder. It is enough work doing this once. I don't have time for more cleanup work!

I am sourcing tires and wheels now. I like the once that honey boo boo has in here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pig-preservation-society/636425-honey-boo-boo-4.html

I wonder if they will be too tall since mine does not have a lift kit? I like the all black look. The narrower tire will also be a little better on the steering system!

Any input?
 
that's alot of tire for no lift...you might make it; 235/85/16 might be a better choice sans lift. they'll still be in the order of a 32" X 9" tire. tall skinny good for all but mud, right? It's a good look for sure;) bare in mind that the 16"yoter rims are going to be 4.5-4.75" of backspace- 1-1.25" further INBOARD than the stock 15s, so you may need spacers if not running wider axles. I do love the look of the spare rims over the fancier formed rims- even over my cheap Taco rims. I think 16" tires are going to be the future; opening options for sizing/cost/availibility. some custom basic looking steel wheels in a 16 diameter with stock pig 3.25" backspace would be great, but I'm also a fan of use what you has. HTH
 
If they are going to be an inch MORE inboard, then I may have a prob with them rubbing the steering arm that comes off the knuckle on each side. The aluminum rims with tires that I purchased early on just to have something to roll it with rub on the DS and are 1/16" from rubbing on PS without using spacers. I am trying to not need spacers. I realize the tire is going to be skinny, but I am hoping it will be at least as wide as the stock spare! Thanks for the input. I may need to reconsider. I need decent width, but not so much so that I struggle steering it.
 
I dropped off some knick knacks to be powder coated today. Oil pan bolts, pushrod cover bolts, oil filter housing, etc. Just when I think it is time to build the engine, I realize something else is undone. My carb is on the way. Frank at Carb Junkys said that it was the first ever rebuild for that carburetor. I picked it up with my doors back on July 4. He said it came out nice. I hope to have it tomorrow.

Also, look at what the pig fairy dropped off today.... I am proud of these!

Dipped Door latches from Delancy 10-28-13.webp
 
So, I pick up the stock exhaust manifold from the powder coater, and one of the studs was broken off. I spoke with a cast iron welder, and he said no can do. I wake up this morning at 5 and start thinking about my options. My parts rig has a set of steel headers on it. Is there any reason why I should not use them?
 
Today was productive. We replaced all of the flexible brake lines, and about half of the steel lines. Removed steel brake and clutch lines from parts donor, and sanded more of the pillars. The body is no longer looking like a rusty beast. She is coming around. We also hitched up the block to the engine stand. More bolts and brackets were dropped off at the powder coaters yesterday, and when we get them back, it is go time on the engine assembly. I actually can see this thing could be finished one day!
 
I have a complete 66 manifold at the shop.
 
updated photos

I am hoping to resolve the issue with my header, so before I explore any help, let me see how far I can go.

We are steadily putting things back. The fuel system is completed to the firewall, the brake system is completed to the firewall, the body work is getting there.

Powder coating is done local at Powder Coating by JLC. photos of the finished products are posted in #260. I will take more as the engine gets assembled.

I cannot thank all of you guys enough for your helping me get to this point. It would have been extremely difficult to do this alone and ignorant. It has been hard enough just being ignorant. Thanks again.

10-30-13 engine block on stand.webp


10-30-13 Trans rebuilt (9).webp


10-30-13 new brake lines (2).webp


cargo interior 10-30-13 (7).webp


10-30-13 filler neck (8).webp
 
Midgainc said:
I picked up some goodies yesterday. I have a few bolts to get coated, and then I will be ready for the engine assembly. I also decided to shoot the underside of the roof with Raptor (http://www.tcpglobal.com/detailsupplydepot/dsd18.aspx) as well as the bed floor. I am thinking about leaving the seat back painted. Also, got in my clutch kit from CoolCruisers. I am going to give an aftermarket clutch slave and master a whirl. The kit was complete, except for one hard line missing and the master cylinder being on back order. I am just about set up for engine assembly and putting this bad boy back together!
Click to expand...

Be careful of those metal fixed fans. There are plenty of stories of them deploying a blade at random times.

Not sure I would powder coat bolts? Threads will no longer fit, so you would have to run threads through a die. The bolt head will no longer accept the original size wrench or socket when you reassemble. You could blast the fasteners and cad/zinc plate, or just hit with some paint.
 
hmmm, well the threads are not supposed to be coated. but the hex head outgrowing its size may be an issue. Worst case, I will have to peel it away or find new bolts. too late to go back now. I guess your advice is only 3 days too late!

Look at these pics. It seems everytime we think we are finished with the rust issues, more pop up. However, one thing is certain....there is less rust now than when we started.

11-1-13 DS Rear Quarter Panel Repaired (8).webp


11-1-13 DS Rear repaired (9).webp


11-1-13 Piston with rings installed(6).webp


11-1-13 PS rear quarter panel repair underway (11).webp


11-1-13 PS rear quarter panel repair underway (10).webp
 
Carburetor

The Carb Santa came today. The carb looks great, and it was a first time rebuild for it. If it functions like it looks, then the engine should run like a sewing machine! $180 and that included return postage.

11-1-13 Carburetor (2).webp


11-1-13 Carburetor.webp


11-1-13 Carburetor (3).webp


11-1-13 Carburetor (1).webp


11-1-13 Carburetor (4).webp
 
I went to order new Daystar body bushings yesterday....got a call later in the day that the bushings are no longer available. Where can I get body bushings!
 
Tell me how much, and I will send you a check. We are working on floor pans and fender patched the rest of the week, so now is a good time for the mounts. I will put up some photos later today.
 
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