1959 T-Bird Build

[Guest]

Hey Keith,
Once again lookin good! I have some sheet metal work on Christine I need done can I bring her to you?
Richard D. Hord

[keith]

Wire size .035 gas 75/25 mix.

Richard would like to help you, but this one is going to take awhile.

[Guest]

Looks good Keith ...

just curious, why such heavy wire? I know sometimes I'm in a hurry and don't change out the spool. Usually on light gauge stuff I'll run .023 or maybe .030. Mike

[keith]

That's just what I had, besides .023.

[keith]

Don´t want to complain or so, but for my own learning I have a question.
Why did you do this cut and bending? Wouldn´t it just be easier and cleaner to just weld a rectangular peice on the backside and just use that as guide? And kind of keep the look ( like in the lower picture ) in the process?

Sorry I didn't answer this sooner Anders. I had in mind to use the same method Ford did on the fuel gauge sending unit covers fron the 30's-40's and 50's.

What you suggested would have been fine. I wasn't thinking outside of the "box".

[619Square]

Hey Keith -

Great thread!!! Quick question that has nothing to do with anything!

What is the type of floor jack that you are using?

Cheers,
Justin

[keith]

Hey Keith -

Great thread!!! Quick question that has nothing to do with anything!

What is the type of floor jack that you are using?

Cheers,
Justin

Justin,

It is called a Superior by Superlifts.com. .It is a 6000# capacity and the height when fully extended is 48". Makes it perfect for rust repair.

It would be ok for brake jobs, tires rotation and with some effort oil changes. But it is not designed for anything in the middle of the car like trans,clutch, exhaust. The scissor is in the way.

For what I do it works just fine. It's movable weighs about 850 pounds. I can throw a plastic sheet over it and then lift a car up to shoot primer or paint on the underside of the rockers,fenders and 1/4's. Just perfect for the backyard hobbiest.

I think I paid less than $1200.00 for it a couple of years ago.

[keith]

I haven't had much to show lately. Got the bottom side of the hood and trunck lid stripped and started looking at the holes in the inner fenders in the engine compartment. Do I really need all of those holes? No.

Started cutting plugs and welding up the un-wanted holes.

[YellowRose]

1959 T-Bird Build

Hey Keith! There are TWO holes you do NOT want to fill in at least. One on each fender well. They are supposed to have rubber plugs in them but over the years, the plugs can rot and fall out, or break off. Those two holes, one on each side, allow you to get to the hood lock mechanisms and unlock the latch if your cable breaks or you have other problems. One of my cables broke and we could not get the passenger side to unlatch. Until we figured out how to do it. Here are three pix to show you where they are in case you do not know. In the last pic, you can see my broken cable laying off to the side. The little locking nub broke off the end of the cable, allowing the cable to come free.

[Guest]

Hey Keith,
Sounds good to fill them extra holes that will not be used! Nothing better than clean and smooth inner fenders!
Richard D. Hord

[619Square]

Thanks for the info!

Keep fighting the good fight! I just might follow in your footsteps.... someday! lol

Justin,

It is called a Superior by Superlifts.com. .It is a 6000# capacity and the height when fully extended is 48". Makes it perfect for rust repair.

It would be ok for brake jobs, tires rotation and with some effort oil changes. But it is not designed for anything in the middle of the car like trans,clutch, exhaust. The scissor is in the way.

For what I do it works just fine. It's movable weighs about 850 pounds. I can throw a plastic sheet over it and then lift a car up to shoot primer or paint on the underside of the rockers,fenders and 1/4's. Just perfect for the backyard hobbiest.

I think I paid less than $1200.00 for it a couple of years ago.

[Guest]

Not saying anything ...

you don't already know, being a body man. Even though it's painful. Put it all together and when your sure your not going to add anything else. Fill what you will, take it all apart, and then paint it. One of the things (among many) that slow down a project is passing something up that in your heart you know your not going to be happy with and then either having to live with it and go back and redo it after the fact. You seem to be coming along nicely. Mike

[bird 60]

Holes

I agree with the holes looking horrible, but what I did with mine was to put rubber grommets in them & I think it looks good.


Chris....From the Land of OZ.

[DKheld]

Looks like progress - great pics - keep 'em coming. At this rate you may be finished with your whole car before I get my motor swapped.

Eric
registry 5347

[keith]

Thanks for all of the comments and info.

Ray thanks for the heads up on the holes for the hood latch. I would have welded those up too. Now to come up with a nice looking plug.