Engine Ready to Come Out

Here is a quick update of recent progress. I have all of the steering and suspension out of the front end. I have the muffler out and the drive shaft removed. I bought an engine lift, so I am ready to pull the running gear. I did splurge for some coil spring compressors as well. I thought there wasn't any pressure on them when the control arms were loose, but it had enough force to fly about 8 feet across the shop. There is a nice glamour shop of my new welder too. It's alsmost ready to do some work.

Work Summary:

Pull Front Suspension - Done - 6/14/2009
Broke Bolt on Sway Bar. Need all new bushings.

Remove Front Brake Lines - Done - 6/14/2009
Broke Line from Master Cylinder to Dist Manifold

Remove Steering Box / Links - Done - 6/14/2009
Need all new bushings / etc

Remove Drive Shaft - Done - 6/16/2009
Needs new U Joints

Remove Drive Shaft Tunnel Brace - Done - 6/16/2009

Remove Muffler - Done - 6/16/2009
Had to Cut in Half to get out of car

Unhook Heater Core Hoses - Done - 6/16/2009

Progress Update

I have done more work on the car than posting, so here is an update of all of the work and then a few pictures. I have most of the front out, I lack the suspension and steering, then I can pull the motor. My goal is to have the entire front cleared out so that I can do all of the metal repair and then prime and paint. I will have to pull the dash out since I have some leaks.

Remove Fender Mount Brackets LH/RH - Done - 5/13/2009

Need to be blasted and painted.

Remove Voltage Regulator - Done - 5/13/2009

Mounts on LH Front wall beside radiator. Cap goes up.

Drain / Remove Radiator - Done - 5/13/2009

One bolt was on with nut, not body nut.

Remove Top Radiator Hose - Done - 5/13/2009

Hose clamps are not original style.

Remove Fan Belt - Done - 5/13/2009

Remove Washer Fluid Reservoir - Done - 5/13/2009

Remove Hood Scoops - Done - 5/14/2009

Both have small break in thin section. May need to weld.

Remove Hood Turn Lights/Harness - Done - 5/14/2009

Remove Hood Trim - Done - 5/14/2009

Remove Hood - Done - 5/16/2009

Front undersupport ribs have a lot of rust. Will need careful repair.

Remove Hood Hinges - Done - 5/17/2009

Remove Alternator - Done - 5/17/2009

Bottom Bolt Broke.

Remove Starter Solenoid - Done - 5/17/2009

Ground Bar Under Solenoid is destroyed.

Remove Battery Cables - Done - 5/17/2009

Pull Wiring Harness out of Engine Bay - Done - 5/17/2009

Broke a couple of the plastic mounts.

Fenders

Here are some pictures showing the bottom of the left and right fenders. The left is in pretty good shape, the right is missing the bottom. There is something interesting about the left fender and the white stripe, it looks like that side has had body work at some point.

I Need a Bigger Shop!!!

I think I may have to store some parts under my bed!! Here are some pics with the fenders, doors, and all the front end off. Nothing to surprising so far except I am a little puzzled on the drivers side firewall. There is rot thru the fire wall under the cowl vents, but looking up inside of the cowl vents, they don't look too bad. I am going to use a couple of cups of water to find out where the leak is. The driver's fender has also had some work in the past, because there is primer under the lower trim, but not body color.

Work summary from yesterday's progress.

Remove RH Fender-Done-5/2/2009
Fender Inside support will need replacement

Remove Outside Lower Edge Trim LH-Done-5/2/2009
Trim has a sheet metal screw thru it on the front from old repair.

Remove LH Fender-Done-5/2/2009
In Good Shape. Has been worked on before

Remove Wheel Spash Guard LH/RH-Done-5/2/2009
May Need new Rubber.

Remove RH Door-Done-5/2/2009
One Hing Plate has a stripped thread.

Remove LH Door-Done-5/2/2009

Check Passenger Torque Box-Done-5/2/2009
May need replacement. Has Rust Near Frame Tie In

Front End Day 2

I got the whole front off today. The lower valance was a pain, but it is off. The bumper came off easy since the frame was totally gone on the RH side. Here is an overview of today's work. Next round is to pull off the RH door and the hood. I think I have 2 more bolts left to pull the RH fender off. I made sure to mark the fender location so that it will go back in the same spot. More picture tomorrow.


Remove Turn Signals RH-Done-4/30/2009
Will Need new gaskets

Remove Upper Valence Cap-Done-4/30/2009
Twisted Tab from rusted bolt. Will need repair

Remove Lower Valence-Done-4/30/2009
Rust area from Frame Rust. Will need to repair

Remove Front Bumper-Done-4/30/2009
RH Bumper Mount may need replacement. Whole Frame Side fell off with bumper.

Remove Outside Lower Edge Trim RH-Done-4/30/2009

Remove Radio Antenna-Done-4/30/2009

Pics from Front Tear Down Day 1.

Here are the pics from yesterday's work. It's pretty nice working on a car that has 2 different size bolts. 3/8 and 1/2" wrenches will bring the entire front apart.

Here is the battery tray. The 41 years of acid has went straight down thru everything.

Front End Tear Down

Today I started on the Front End of the car. I was too dirty to take pictures, but I will post some before I start the next round. I am keeping very detailed notes of the order of removal so that I can reverse it all on rebuild. Here is a summary of todays work. The main thing I found today is battery acid has destroyed the battery pan, then it got into the side apron, and then down into the frame. This is common on these models and I have found lots of step by step tutorials on how to fix it.


Remove Headlights-Done-4/29/2009
Headlight rings will need body color. Both Chrome Rings Broke Weld. Both Main Mount Bolts Rusted Bad

Remove Grill-Done-4/29/2009
Bottom Screw Clips Missing in 2 Places. Upper Mount Bolt Clips, Round Boss to Outsides

Remove Grill Cowl-Done-4/29/2009
Center Piece needs new mount clips.

Remove Grill Cowl Trim-Done-4/29/2009
Several Bolt Clips Broke - Need New Mount Hardware

Remove Turn Signals LH-Done-4/29/2009
Wire Boots Split - Repair - New Mount Nuts. Inner Light Cone Needs body color. Need new Gaskets for sealing.

Remove Battery-Done-4/29/2009
+ Wire Goes to Starter Solenoid

Check Battery Apron-Done-4/29/2009
Destroyed Need New One

Remove Horns-Done-4/29/2009