Builds Won a '74 40 on a coin toss... (2 Viewers)

[ginmtb]

Here is my fully repaired inner boot:

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[ginmtb]

Oops forgot this one:

You can see day light through the repaired cracks - it is fully sealed however. I'm curious to see how this holds up.

Using the cure accelerator was really nice stuff was tacky pretty quick and didn't run all over the place.

I coated the tall skinny part on both sides as that seemed to be pretty weak. I also coated the cracks on both sides and spread it well outside of the crack.

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[cult45]

Sorry man..

 

[ginmtb]

Brown Santa arrived today and I picked up some new radiator hoses (plan on replacing all rubber under the hood) and spark plugs. And to maximize shipping figured I'd throw in some fun stuff too...

Oh and finished the boot repair. Nice tight fit around the shifter. Should be sealed up pretty good. Seems like it should last for awhile now. The repaired sections are so strong there is no way that is tearing. But the unrepaired sections are more likely to fail. If that happens ill coat the entire thing. Or get that other boot I posted.

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[ginmtb]

So in an effort to tighten up my steering I removed the shims from the front end of my Cruiser - and it seems to have helped quite a bit! I hit some bigger bumps and no major butt pucker pulling like before. Still need to try out the freeway grooves.

Who knew these lil guys could have such a big impact?

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[kbahus]

Were they installed backwards?

 

[ginmtb]

Were they installed backwards?

I installed them the same direction they were when we swapped out the lift. Taller side was facing towards the rear of the car.

I talked to the guy who sold me the lift kit and he said take them out - he had a 74 also and said he didn't use any shims with his setup.

Probably should go to an alignment shop to check caster and toe in while I'm at it...


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[Solace in Solitude]

Mike,

Were those shims in place when you bought your 40?

...and then you did a 2.5"(?) lift, using the same shims?

Your caster may need different shims now... search for how to determine caster and what shims you may need - or ask those who have lifted and gone to larger tires.

BTW: FSM says set toe-in at 1/4", but, I've seen where Brian (MUD name) and others have had to toe-out as much as 1/4" when they went to large tires.
My steering issues were resolved completely by changing to new OEM tie and relay rods, with new OEM ends. The new OEM rods are threaded deeper - I wasn't able to properly set toe-in, with the old rods - they bottomed out at 1/4" toe-in and my 40 needed an extra 1/8". It's SO great to no longer have those butt-pucker moments!

HTH

 

[ginmtb]

Mike,

Were those shims in place when you bought your 40?

...and then you did a 2.5"(?) lift, using the same shims?

Your caster may need different shims now... search for how to determine caster and what shims you may need - or ask those who have lifted and gone to larger tires.

BTW: FSM says set toe-in at 1/4", but, I've seen where Brian (MUD name) and others have had to toe-out as much as 1/4" when they went to large tires.
My steering issues were resolved completely by changing to new OEM tie and relay rods, with new OEM ends. The new OEM rods are threaded deeper - I wasn't able to properly set toe-in, with the old rods - they bottomed out at 1/4" toe-in and my 40 needed an extra 1/8". It's SO great to no longer have those butt-pucker moments!

HTH

Yes, shims were originally on my cruiser and I just figured I'd use the same ones (I honestly had no idea what they were for but understand it slightly better now but only a little bit lol).

I eventually would like to do the tie rods and ends but hoping to push that out until next year ideally. Steering does seem better now but I know it could still be better.


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[Solace in Solitude]

You could take it to a shop and have them tell you what's off and, if it's safe, deal with it later.

 

[ginmtb]

Okay did some work on the Cruiser today. Drove it to work yesterday and that was fun! Except being 99 degrees on the drive home - bikini top or not that is not the most comfortable thing to do.

Changed the spark plugs and then finished up the driver's side rear quarter panel. Let's just say I won't be quitting my day job - it turned out good (I think) but man that took forever. Hopefully the other side goes better. Nice little skim coat to even things out. Primer tomorrow we'll find out how good my work really is...

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[dad4x4]

looks great, body work is not the easiest thing to do and most are too scared to tackle it. look forward to seeing it with some paint.......better get it done before cold weather hits

 

[ginmtb]

looks great, body work is not the easiest thing to do and most are too scared to tackle it. look forward to seeing it with some paint.......better get it done before cold weather hits

Thanks! I wish I could weld as I need to patch the CB antenna hole on the other side. I could just do the fiberglass stuff but I'd prefer not to do that. So I have to wait until my friend is available.

I'm in California so I've got a little more time before the cold hits...


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[SuperBuickGuy]

Thanks! I wish I could weld as I need to patch the CB antenna hole on the other side. I could just do the fiberglass stuff but I'd prefer not to do that. So I have to wait until my friend is available.

I'm in California so I've got a little more time before the cold hits...


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rub it in sunshine boy
however, we'll just have to salve our wounds by reminding you of this.... smog, we don't need no stinking smog (equipment).

 

[ginmtb]

Neither do I since it is a '74 suck on that... Lol

Ironically my cruiser does have smog equipment - I will be desmogging it however.


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[SuperBuickGuy]

you just had to be the guy that won the toss, got the sun, and doesn't have to cope with the smog police... good thing your taxes are so affordable

 

[DSRTRDR]

If you are bored one day try a good cleaner wax on one of the body parts and see how the red comes back. I was shocked at how nice my badly faded paint came back to life with a simple hand wax.

/this\

and it hasn't even been waxed yet, just the hood got scrubbed and looks really nice now

 

[dad4x4]

Thanks! I wish I could weld as I need to patch the CB antenna hole on the other side. I could just do the fiberglass stuff but I'd prefer not to do that. So I have to wait until my friend is available.

I'm in California so I've got a little more time before the cold hits...


...via IH8MUD app

Funny........... i was the same way. My projects were backing up waiting for friends that could weld to find time to help. I finally broke down and bought a welder and scrap metal. I have watched many videos and learned a lot from friends on how to weld.
You will take much more pride in your project the more you do. Once you figure it out, you will find reasons to get the welder out and stick some metal together. I have a miller 180 mig welder. It will weld everything i'm willing to tackle.
I enjoy reading your build and ready to see it with shiny red paint!

 

[ginmtb]

First coat of primer - looks good! I'm totally happy with it. Practically a match for the faded red lol. It's really flat - the absorption of the different fillers make it look more textured. Need to do a light wet sand and a second coat and all should be good. Couple small imperfections near the back I may try to get that fixed up. Might give it the Cruiser character though if I left it .

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[ginmtb]

So just filled up and calculated my gas mileage for the first time since I've been tracking via GPS - 12.83 mpg. Not bad! I'm happy with that - wonder with the new carb and dizzy and desmogging will improve it further...


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