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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Days 67-77

The paint-prep work got off the ground - and quickly stalled for lack of resources.  I had only purchased a small portion of the de-greaser because it is expensive and I wanted to verify it did what it is advertised to do.  I was happy with the results, but there is a necessary lag in ordering more.

In any case, I did get one batch of parts cleaned and rust treated.  The rusty bits have turned a satisfying rich gloss black color.


Unfortunately, it has been too humid to actually apply the paint.  All my sources tell me you want the parts to be as dry as possible before painting, otherwise you trap humidity under the paint, which allows the rust (despite the treatment) to start multiplying again.

So - for those that are eagerly awaiting something new and shiny looking, here's an "Oooh, Ahhh!"  moment:  my new front brake rotors have arrived! - (all the way from Italy, I might add.)


In the interim, I used my new wire brush to prep a few more parts.  To prove that I haven't (completely) just been sitting on my duff for two weeks, here are some before-and-after shots of the Intake Manifold:
















The engines in these cars are German Ford Industrial Engines - usually used for airport tugs and the like.  Can anyone read the German on this part?

And finally - I ran across this color chart in an online forum.

The original color of my car appears to have been "Sonett rot".  Quite appropriate in my way of thinking. . .

Monday, March 1, 2010

Days 67-74

It was cold here the past week!

For those that think Texas is always tropical, here is proof it does (occasionally) drop below 32*.  I snapped these one morning while waiting for my windshield to defrost.


It's been one of those one step forward - two step back type of weeks.  I have been expanding my circle of resources by participating in a web forum.  Through that activity, I was able to locate the tail end of the ignition thought lost in former posts.  On the other hand, I have been pricing having my rotors and drums turned, and everyone wants nearly the cost of new parts to turn the old ones!  At this juncture I am considering carefully hand sanding the drums to remove any surface rust and replacement of both of the rotors.  I need to buy one new one anyway, and that way I would have a matched set plus a spare.

I started to wire brush some loose body parts, but didn't get very far.  Time for a new wire brush!  This 3" brush is down to 2 1/4".



I began de-greasing parts this weekend - and quickly determined I'm going to need a lot more de-greaser!  The process is going well though, and I hope to start painting soon.  I plan to spend evenings this week applying the rust inhibitor, which is the last step before paint.

I am also rebuilding the horns.  This is what they looked like before I started on them.

Very few moving parts, but a challenge to figure out nonetheless.  The key is that the electromagnet attracts the bellows towards the back of the housing, thereby opening the switch contact and turning the magnet off.  This allows the bellows to spring back - repeating the cycle.  In other words, the horn's vibration is modulated by - itself.  Weird, but cool.