E-tek Restorations: PROJECT THREAD

[Mavawreck]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Another great build. I've always been a fan of cougars and will be following this one. Is the vinyl top going back on? I'm secretly hoping the answer to that is 'no'.

 

[gustoffur]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

It has been pointed out that this is the top of the torque box. That panel can be purchased, but I also have complete faith in anything you choose to fabricate, so it's up to you as to what you want to do. Probably be quicker just to fabricate.

 

[gustoffur]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Another great build. I've always been a fan of cougars and will be following this one. Is the vinyl top going back on? I'm secretly hoping the answer to that is 'no'.

The vinyl will return.

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

It has been pointed out that this is the top of the torque box. That panel can be purchased, but I also have complete faith in anything you choose to fabricate, so it's up to you as to what you want to do. Probably be quicker just to fabricate.

Easy enough to fab up. I have a new beadroller coming too, so I'll make it at least as strong - likely stronger - than the original!!

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I came across a "new-to-me" primer-surfacer with some really great sounding properties. It's from The Clausen Company. They have 2 products I'm going to use on my next builds: "All-in-One" and "Rust Defender".

Anyone else tried it?

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

E-Tek, sounds like this product line is the greatest thing since sliced bread; great time-saver at the least. Have you perused the data sheet on this stuff? I wonder if it being that high in solids requires specific nozzle tip and pressure/cfm for proper application. Maybe they have a local rep who could point you towards a customer shop which has been through the learning curve on their products? Keep us neophytes posted on your experience with it.

 

[Imperial Dealer]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I just started reading this thread. I can understand how the owner was tired of body shops not doing the work; I have been down that road before. I think it’s great to see a professional restoration coming out of a small shop. One day I might have to bring you some work. I have at least a dozen projects around here that I will never have time to start.

 

[tcianci]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Guys, I have been using A-U-N for about a year now. I love the stuff. It shoots easily with a 2.2 tip and although it sands harder than some hi builds, It's not that bad. I have also talked to Keven Tetz via his forum on www.paintucation.com And he uses the stuff as well. Some of the advantages of the stuff are that it's iso free, has no recoat window and you can build it up to 12 mils and not have to sand between recoats. Make sure you follow the temperature instructions though. It just doesn't like temps below 70 F or so. It fills some pretty heavy sand scratches too. I have been shooting a couple of coats, blocking it with 180 and then a last coat and final blocking with 400. If you're going to shoot a metallic you need to take it to 600 before paint and it doesnt require a sealer either.

 

[lomonte]

Interesting stuff! How does it compare to slick sand?

 

[Kevin54]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I came across a "new-to-me" primer-surfacer with some really great sounding properties. It's from The Clausen Company. They have 2 products I'm going to use on my next builds: "All-in-One" and "Rust Defender".

Check out this spiel from their site:

/ALL-U-NEED - Ultimate Hi-Build, One Step, Polyester Primer-Surfacer-Sealer “Finishing System” is available in Light Gray, Dark Gray, Tan, White and Red. It replaces metal prep, etching primer, primer-surfacer and sealer. Containing 86% solids, it sands easily with no shrinkage. No recoat time, no sanding prior to recoating and no sanding after long periods of air dry, it sands the same after two years. Waterproof and solvent proof, self-etching to all ferrous and non-ferrous metals, fiberglass and wood, it is compatible with all paints and primers as well as repairs hail damage. As with our other innovative product ideas, a guide coat was developed within this product. The guide coat allows users to easily detect low or high areas in their panels.///

Now normally I only believe about 10% of what I read, but I saw the product used by Kevin Tetz on Trucks and it seemed fairly impressive and certainly worth a try. It being 86% solids is really good and on Trucks he showed how it barely shrank back in a pail after 2 years! Also read about it on a couple rodder sites.

I wanna try the "built-in guidecoat" property for sure. Also seems like it can be built up a LOT in one or 2 coats. Going to spray it with a 2.4 tip and see how it flows.

Anyone else tried it?

I saw the same show on PowerBlock. I was really impressed by the ways that he even put it on. Next time I get some primer, I think I will try it out. Let us know E-Tek how well you like it.

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I just started reading this thread. I can understand how the owner was tired of body shops not doing the work; I have been down that road before. I think it’s great to see a professional restoration coming out of a small shop. One day I might have to bring you some work. I have at least a dozen projects around here that I will never have time to start.

Once a job is in my hands it's gets done....onl probelm now is the wait-list to get it into my hands!

Thanks tcianci - I knew someone would have first-hand knowledge.

The company is sending me a gallon of each to try, so I'll give it the full E-tek review treatment!

 

[internetdude]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I really like following your progress but PLEASE start a new thread, the title is about a 56 Chev Truck, but it's spun off into something else.

 

[SCscoutguy]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I really like following your progress but PLEASE start a new thread, the title is about a 56 Chev Truck, but it's spun off into something else.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Your work is awesome but I don't understand why all of this is in one thread.

 

[MP&C]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Edit the title, drop the 56 Chevy Truck, and we have E-tek Resto's, all of them in one convenient location!

 

[HOTFR8]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I really like following your progress but PLEASE start a new thread, the title is about a 56 Chev Truck, but it's spun off into something else.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Your work is awesome but I don't understand why all of this is in one thread.

Edit the title, drop the 56 Chevy Truck, and we have E-tek Resto's, all of them in one convenient location!

I am sure Ed will take all ideas in and whatever we can all keep enjoying what he posts.

 

[1948]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Just my opinion but if you could find one of the old style fuel filters with the seperation bowls that would look pretty slick compared to that piece of plastic

I believe they were used on vehicles of that era.

2nd this

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I'm torn; I guess E-Tek's topics deserve their own thread due to their great detailed documentation, but I also like the 'stream of consciousness' approach because he covers so many elements of restoration as he attacks each phase of the project. Sorry for the run-on sentence! I guess this would be a good case for Shopnut's INDEX PROJECT.

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I thought I'd continue the same thread for a couple reaons: one, the owner of the '67 Cougar is the son-in-law of the owner of the '56 Chev - and two, I thought it might make it easier for anyone who wants to follow resto-work in general.

I actually did try to Edit the thread title at first - but ended up only editing the first post. Maybe I could ask a mod to change it?

 

[jayoldschool]

It would be better to have separate threads for each project.

 

[e-tek]

It would be better to have separate threads for each project.

Sorry - too late! Bailey (ImportTuner) was kind enough to change the thread title, so I'll be keeping all my builds under this title in the one thread. This way I have a history of my work for the owners (and myself) and readers can see various builds and the techniques I use to get them done.

To simplify things, use the LAST POST button and you'll always get to the current posts.

 

[e-tek]

Got more of the torque box removed and measured up the remnant for a new piece to repalce it with.

I started cutting the new piece and measured for the various bends, of which there will be quite a few. I just need to do some final fitting and then weld it in, then I can trim and weld in the floor pan section.

The white stuff you see is from the MetalReady I spray all rust with.


Also did some more work on the FE long block. Check the blog for those updates.

 

[e-tek]

Once rotten metal is removed the remnants treated with PhosphoricAcid and coated with POR15, new metal welded in with weld-through primer and then the entire repair is coated with POR15, you get a repair that should last (at least!) the rest of our lives...

Lots going on today!

 

[e-tek]

Cutting out the passenger side. I was enjoing the low-noise profile of my air-saw until it crapped out on me....thanks again to the Princess Auto Lifetime Warranty....

Peeling the metal back by seperating the drilled out spot-welds:

Cut and cleaned:

Measuring and fitting. This was like take 5 of about 10!

More trimming to come...

Drilling spot-weld holes:

Tools of the trade...

Weld-through primer gets sprayed on all edges....

.....as well as all areas to be hidden once welded. I often see builders (even so-called professionals) weld together bare-metal panels without any protection between the seams - or hidden behind frame rails and such. That's poor workmanship IMO....

 

[e-tek]

Sides of panels will be **** welded - but for added strength I'll overlap the ends about 1/2"....

Pretty much ready to weld - once I clamp it in place of course:

Fits nice on the edges:

 

[e-tek]

No comments? Anybody looking at this....? Oh well, I'll continue on anyways....

 

[HOTFR8]

Watching Ed but not posting. Impressive as usual.

I wished you lived up the road so I could call past and say G'Day instead you live half the world away so here is where I get my fix today......

 

[Motown 454]

Now I know how you get so much done you use enough tool for three men.lol Its looking good.

 

[e-tek]

Floor pan installation - 12 hours....

First up - make and install top of the torque box for the driver side:

The floor panel has this triangular indendation in it...so I had to make the same in the piece that fits underneath.

I used my flanger to make an edge that would allow the top panel to sit flush once installed over this one.

Which will fit right here:

While I was doing all this work I wondered just how important this panel was! Of course being part of the torque box it adds a lot of stiffness to the drivers side - for the steering mechanism as well as the rotational torque of the engine. I also wondered how many guys would leave this out if doing the same job - LOL!

The shape of it turned out OK after some more break work and some hammer and anvil work.

Once again - never leave bare metal uncoated!

Then the top (frewall) panel....

After grinding the initial welds I went around it once more with the mig before a final grinding.

Then, on to the passenger side.

First I cleaned up and primed the frame pieces:

Firewall section installed first:

I used all three methods of attachment here: plug welds, **** welds and a lap weld on top:

Then the floor pan section installed over top - as per originals.

Initial welds after grinding -

Another 6 non-stop hours. Still need to do some hammer and dolly work, add a skiff of ALL-Metal over the welds and seam-seal the undersides. Then it's on to the rear window and quarter panels.

 

[e-tek]

Now I know how you get so much done you use enough tool for three men.lol Its looking good.

It's true what they say: You're only as good as your tools!

Speaking of tools and such - it's easy to see how prices get so high for shop services. In a typical day doing this kind of work I'll go through 5 cut-off wheels, 5 - 10 grinding discs, many feet of MIG wire, MIG Gas, electricity to run the compressor, grinders, drills, lights, MIG, and such, solvents, primers, sand paper, rags, shop towels, etc, etc..

All this is inlcuded in what I charge per hour. The only time I charge an extra fee is if another trade comes in (glass, sandblasting) or for "major materials" (say a quart of POR15).

 

[Shoottx]

Ed

Being relatively new to the site, I stumbled on this thread this early this evening, well it is almost 4:00 in the morning when I finished. While growing up many, many years ago, too many to count, we had done some simple restorations. Nothing like your undertakings.

What a spectacular education, demonstration of skills and knowledge, craftsmanship and fortitude. I am in awe! Thank you for taking the time to photograph and document all you do.

The truck was spectacular! And congratulations on 1st place an honor well deserved.

 

[69GSCAL]

No comments? Anybody looking at this....? Oh well, I'll continue on anyways....

We're here, just enjoying the show is all.

Been through this thread no less than 3 times. Very motivating and educational. Keep up the great work!

 

[e-tek]

I wished you lived up the road so I could call past and say G'Day instead you live half the world away so here is where I get my fix today......

That would be cool! Now imagine if you could get all the "cool" guys together once a month to shoot the **** and help eachother on their projects - that'd be fun!

Ed

Being relatively new to the site, I stumbled on this thread this early this evening, well it is almost 4:00 in the morning when I finished.

I know what you mean - I've lost a LOT of sleep over the years reading other guys threads!

We're here, just enjoying the show is all.

Been through this thread no less than 3 times.

I just thought maybe y'all had seen enough and I didn't want it to look like I was flogging a dead horse (as they say).

Cheers.

 

[Motown 454]

Flog away and make my day! I enjoy your posts.

 

[RCL]

I am amazed to say the least.
Enjoying the posts.

 

[gustoffur]

Very impressed, as always. I'll be in town on Tuesday so I can stop by and bring my account up to date.

 

[1948]

"bolts right in" right?

 

[shovel]

Lookin' good e-tek! Your are making this project look easier than it is. Thanks for taking the time to share.

 

[gustoffur]

What's your opinion On the cOwl vents? Do you think they need replacing?

 

[jkherd]

Awesome work as always.

 

[HOTFR8]

That would be cool! Now imagine if you could get all the "cool" guys together once a month to shoot the **** and help each other on their projects - that'd be fun!

Is that not what we do here

Imagine all the Bullshite we could talk over a few beers