Builds "WY-REE-KA" A Ground Up 45LPB Restoration

[ClemsonCruiser]

Guess I should do a little update... though body work doesn't make for the most exciting pictures. I've been steadily plugging away on the body work but it is a slow and painful process for me that said I am making head way. I now see why the paint and body quotes I got where in the 6-10k range. Even though the body was rust free fixing all the dents, dings, and PO drilled wholes from 50+ years takes a lot of time. Lots of hammer and dolly work trying to get this old girl straight as an arrow. I believe I have well over 100 hours in the body already and still a lot to go but should be finished in the next couple of weeks.

PO holes everywhere

Also spent a lot of time drilling and re tapping all the broken off bolts.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Over half the capture nuts for the trans tunnel snapped removing and re tapping them was a PITA

My rear valance was so fatigued and warped I decide to go with one of Kevin's repos and I am all way amazed at the quality and fit of his products especially at such a great price point. @Awl_TEQ

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Couple misc. items.

Got my hood spear and ash tray back from the my local chrome guy. For $85 I couldn’t be happier.

Some of the domed bolt heads in my bed were damaged and pitted so I was able to source some correct replacements. Though Finding ones with the same diameter head was a challenge.

In my attempt to keep this restoration bone stock I tracked down the canvas to reproduce the bed body mounts and hood/ apron shims.

Last little Item... I want to praise my dealings with Alcan Springs and it’s owner Bill Ford. When I initially placed my order with the sales rep I was very specific that I was doing a stock restoration and need the springs exactly as they came from the factory. I gave him the exact number of leaves I wanted in each pack and he assured me they had the stocks springs specification on hand. However when they springs arrived I noticed they didn’t look like or have the proper leaf count for a stock LPB. While technically they were built to the correct stock load specifications they didn't have the proper "look" to them...I can be very picky . One call to Bill the owner and he quickly fabricated a new rear set based off pictures I forwarded to him from my LPB parts book. No charge for the new springs and shipped the new and old springs back for free. I couldn’t be more pleased with their customer service!

Incorrect rear spring on the bottom new aesthetically correct spring on the top.

Parts books schematic for reference

 

[xtremeVA]

Nice job on the hammer and dolly work. It sure looks a lot easier when watching it on tv. A full $100k+ restoration is done in 1 hour. I'm learning that it's not quite that simple, but the journey is a lot of fun!

 

[wngrog]

Slacker.

 

[kunzma]

What size bolts did the back window panel end up being? I see you have one sheared off pictured above.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Slacker.

Way to call a guy out....LOL

I’ve been working steady for the last month but it’s been body work day in and day out. I’m sick of it to say the least and unfortunately it doesn’t make for exciting updates. Hope to finish it up this coming week then send the body to the paint shop to have the final coats layed down. After that I’ll finally be able to start reassembly of the old girl

 

[wngrog]

Way to call a guy out....LOL

I’ve been working steady for the last month but it’s been body work day in and day out. I’m sick of it to say the least and unfortunately it doesn’t make for exciting updates. Hope to finish it up this coming week then send the body to the paint shop to have the final coats layed down. After that I’ll finally be able to start reassembly of the old girl

What’s the word from the machine shop?

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

What size bolts did the back window panel end up being? I see you have one sheared off pictured above.

Matt I believe they are M8 1.25 pitch but I will verify in the shop tomorrow.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

What’s the word from the machine shop?

It’s done. Been sitting at Trollhole’s shop for a while now waiting on me to have some free time to head up there and reassemble it with him. It’s definitely priority #1 once I finish the body work.

All my stuff should be back from the yellow zinc plater tomorrow so that will be like Christmas Day at the shop, I’m super excited!

 

[wngrog]

That’s nice. My local machine shop is going out of the business of building motors so I’m looking for a place I could ship one if needed.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Everybody loves bling!! Big thanks again to cppilot for the recommendation on a plater... fantastic quality and price.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Ready to start putting this old girl back together, but I’m definitely gonna need some help remembering exactly where each odd ball but and bolt goes.

 

[Michael B]

Wow!! That’s Christmas, your birthday, 4th of July and New Years in a box!!! If all of that was $85.00 you got a great deal.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

HaHa it definitely made my day to open up that box!

It was $125 which is still a smoking deal compared to the $2k my local guy quoted me. The $85 was for the two pieces I had chromed here locally. Only down side is the plating company, TFC, is in Oregon. Shipping the 80lbs of parts there and back was triple the actual plating cost but still well worth it. It’s definitely going to help the resto pop.

 

[middlecalf]

Is there anything special needed for the plated parts that get painted or are part of an electrical circuit?

Incredible. Incredible. Incredible.

 

[cppilot]

JP, those parts look fantastic, and yes the guys at TFC are great. I'm glad they worked out for you. If you have any reference questions just let me me know.

Mark

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Is there anything special needed for the plated parts that get painted or are part of an electrical circuit?

Incredible. Incredible. Incredible.

Paul, I don't think there are any special steps needed for painting plated parts. I plated a lot of things like hinges and latches just because in my experience it can be tricky to get paint to penetrate deep in to those tight hinge points and such. I had issues on a past 45 I painted that after time exposed to the elements rust stains started to leak out of those areas. I am hoping the plating process will solve those issues this time around.

 

[Michael B]

JP thanks for sharing that process. I’m having that issue right now with my hood hinges. I may need to try this approach.

Michael <><

 

[daniel.watters]

Dang man. Looking good. Excited to see her after paint. This attention to detail is impressive.