E-tek Restorations: PROJECT THREAD

[customcab]

When your done, you will forever have something unique in your shop AND you will always have the boys there to 'lend Dad a HAND'! [/QUOTE]

That idea kinda reminded me of something Smokey Yunick did on one of his Indy cars. The rules said the cars had to have 'bumpers', so he traced his sons hands out on some sheet steel, cut them out and had them plated. You can see the results below. Kind of a neat idea.

Smokey's Indy Pod car

 

[gustoffur]

While out for a family cruise Friday, we heard a clunk then felt the car pull right. Got home and removed the wheels and drums and found this:

Ironic too, since a week ago I took a peak under the drums and decided not to bother with the brakes!! They are all new now.

You know that you can convert to disc brakes rather easily? I believe my old friend Ron has a 1969 station wagon that would make a good donor.

 

[e-tek]

You know that you can convert to disc brakes rather easily? I believe my old friend Ron has a 1969 station wagon that would make a good donor.

Thanks "Gus", but i like 'em original! BTW - the Coug' got some primer today and I'll be pulling the rear end for you tomorrow...

 

[machine_punk]

Sounds like you are making quicker progress on the Cougar! Looking good.

M_P

 

[e-tek]

Thanks M_P! Here's how she looks today:

Remember those giant holes that where hacked into the aprons?

Took out about 20 pounds of filler from this side!

Reconstruction of the left quarter came out pretty good...

This weekend I'll get the rear end and exhaust pulled out, then I'll finish up the floor pans from the underside while the owner cleans up the suspension. By the time I'm done he should have the suspension ready for a "loose bolt in" - just to get it mobile to the paint shop.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

I'm sure the pics don't do the Cougar's hide justice, but dang E-Tek, that sheet metal looks 'baby **** smooth' to my eyes! Looking amazing!

I'll just bet that the paint shop crew will send you a 'Thank You' note for doing such good prep work. Do you think they'll have to use 1 or possibly 2 tablespoons of glaze before they shoot it? lol

 

[gustoffur]

This weekend I'll get the rear end and exhaust pulled out, then I'll finish up the floor pans from the underside while the owner cleans up the suspension. By the time I'm done he should have the suspension ready for a "loose bolt in" - just to get it mobile to the paint shop.

Yeah, I'll get the suspension done...

I'll be on it, E-tek, by the end of Sept I should have it all done.

 

[e-tek]

I'm sure the pics don't do the Cougar's hide justice, but dang E-Tek, that sheet metal looks 'baby **** smooth' to my eyes! Looking amazing!

I'll just bet that the paint shop crew will send you a 'Thank You' note for doing such good prep work. Do you think they'll have to use 1 or possibly 2 tablespoons of glaze before they shoot it? lol

Thanks O - but I'm sure you've noticed how much better things look in pictures ('cept for Mrs E-tek - she looks even better in real life!). It did all turn out pretty well, but I'll still have to block it out once or twice before calling it good.

 

[welder4956]

Hole. E. ****.

How did I miss this thread before now? I just got through reading it from beginning to end. Started last night and have read a bit on and off all day today between other things. A great thread and great work E-tek. This has helped me immensely with planning repairs for my Mustang resto. Well done.

 

[e-tek]

Hole. E. ****.

How did I miss this thread before now? I just got through reading it from beginning to end. Started last night and have read a bit on and off all day today between other things. A great thread and great work E-tek. This has helped me immensely with planning repairs for my Mustang resto. Well done.

Glad I could help. Can't tell you the number of times I've done the same thing! Good luck with the 'Stang and hope to see your thread soon.

 

[e-tek]

Finally got the rear end and exhaust out of the way - but now it's in MY way!

Owner wanted the factory undercoating put back in the quarters. I've found it takes a few coats to match and blend it into the original stuff (this is after one coat). I used to think undercoat doesn't do much, but after driving cars with and without, I've found it reduces road and exhaust noise by quite a bit.

So here she is, nekked and ready for the paint shop!

Sure wish I got to put it back together after paint, but the owner wants to do the fun part!!

Next up - I'll do the floors and rockers on our 240Z, then a 40 Ford Sedan Custom is coming in

 

[Kevin54]

So here she is, nekked and ready for the paint shop!

E-Tek...how are you getting it to the paint shop if you pulled the rear out of it? Do you have dollies to set it on?

 

[e-tek]

E-Tek...how are you getting it to the paint shop if you pulled the rear out of it? Do you have dollies to set it on?

The owner is cleaning up the suspension over the next short while, then we'll re-install it prior to paint shop......but I like your thinking and was thinking about throwing together a dolly...

Only issue is that "throwing together a dolly" will run at least a couple hundred dollars in metal and wheels!

Ed

 

[tcianci]

WOW I haven't been watching this thread too much and I'm AMAZED at how far you have come on the Cougar project. It looks really great! BTW, You have convinced me to do a thread on the 40 truck. My plan is to ship the images to photobucket or something and then post full sized from there. Keep up the excellent work.

PS, Guys, most of you don't know that E-tek was truly an inspiration and resource when it came to finishing my 40 pickup. He talked me through stuff and helped me get over my fear of cutting and welding in panels. Also he wisely avoided telling me how much work was involved in blocksanding primer till it was perfect, he let me figure that out on my own once I had gone past the point of turning back

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

E-Tek, just wondering if the paint shop has a spare dolly to get the Cougar to their shop? Seems like it would make their job easier. Of course, if you built a dolly for your own shop, wouldn't it make your work easier also? I'm thinking of something wild like a dolly with outriggers, a 4-arm, pneumatic cross-arm affair (to approximate a rotisserie/lift; adjustable both fore-and-aft, and side-to-side), and built-in lighting, vacuum, ventilation, pressurized air, and electric ports; maybe even 'hard points' for pullers, alignment braces and such. Being such a greenhorn when it comes to restoration work, I may be 'talkin' out the wrong orifice', but such a contraption might allow you to get to the work without having to be a contortionist too! lol

 

[e-tek]

BTW, You have convinced me to do a thread on the 40 truck. My plan is to ship the images to photobucket or something and then post full sized from there.

That is great to hear! I know many guys will be thrilled to see how much you did - and how well you did it! PB and Picasa (for photo sharing and hosting) work extremely well. I use both.

PS, Guys, most of you don't know that E-tek was truly an inspiration and resource when it came to finishing my 40 pickup. He talked me through stuff and helped me get over my fear of cutting and welding in panels. Also he wisely avoided telling me how much work was involved in blocksanding primer till it was perfect, he let me figure that out on my own once I had gone past the point of turning back

Wow - high praise indeed - but I'm not sure I can take THAT much credit! As for the sanding - it's the worst - but most important part - of the entire process and from the pics, it looks like you mastered it!

Here's a sneak peek at tciani's awesome Ford (is that GJ on the screen back there?):

View media item 21831

if you built a dolly for your own shop, wouldn't it make your work easier also? I'm thinking of something wild like a dolly with outriggers, a 4-arm......

I had thought many times about building a dolly, but haven't found that it's usefulness would outweigh the cost and need to store it......but with all the bells and whistles you've come up with, the scales are quickly tipping in favour!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Wow, that '40 is flat GORGEOUS!ove the old timey mint color.

What's "picasa"? I'm assuming the "PB" is PB Blaster
And NOT peanut butter? Lol.

 

[e-tek]

Wow, that '40 is flat GORGEOUS!ove the old timey mint color.

What's "picasa"? I'm assuming the "PB" is PB Blaster
And NOT peanut butter? Lol.

I was referring to Photobucket and Google Picasa - photo sharing sites!

 

[Kevin54]

I had thought many times about building a dolly, but haven't found that it's usefulness would outweigh the cost and need to store it......but with all the bells and whistles you've come up with, the scales are quickly tipping in favour!

Make the uprights detachable, or sit down and sketch up a design, to where it's about like an engine hoist and all folds up for storage. I had a super nice flat cart that was being tossed out. I can remember where now, but I was able to get it. With a car body on it, you could push it all around with one finger. My buddy had his '69 Camaro project on it now and I don't see getting it back anytime soon. All it would have needed was uprights put on it. If you build one, using it for one or two projects, you would have gotten your money's worth out if it.

 

[54FordPanel]

Truly excellent work, as always Ed.

 

[tcianci]

Yup, that's GJ on the monitor back there. It's a 32" HDTV I have a cable box out there too but 99% of the time I use it as a monitor and I don't have to wear my glasses to see it!

 

[richtersrodz]

Looking good...

 

[e-tek]

Details, Details:

Owner wanted to get the emblem holes drilled prior to paint work:

This is the quarter that was sectioned both horizontally and vertically. I have this OEM trunk-spatter spray in my inventory and think it looks much better than "just black"....

 

[HOTFR8]

The trunk spatter does look better than just black. What product brand name do you use as I like the finish ?

 

[e-tek]

The trunk spatter does look better than just black. What product brand name do you use as I like the finish ?

It's from ProMark. Should be available at your Autobody Supply store.


As I only had a bit of sanding and some seam-sealer application to do on the Cougar, I actually got some work done on the 240Z. It's been hanging on the Rotisserie I built for over 2 years!

Let's see how much I get a lot done before my next project shows up!

 

[HOTFR8]

Have not heard of ProMark here still I will look next time I am in the Auto Store.

 

[1948]

you got way more patience than i have. i HATE doing bondo and bodywork and painting, one reason i force myself to have the sheetmetal near perfect so i dont gotta do lots of bondo, such a mess and takes way to long.

 

[e-tek]

you got way more patience than i have. i HATE doing bondo and bodywork and painting, one reason i force myself to have the sheetmetal near perfect so i dont gotta do lots of bondo, such a mess and takes way to long.

I`m the same way. I took a ton of filler OUT of the Cougar by replacing and re-working the damaged areas. Would love to see some samples of your work!

 

[1948]

I`m the same way. I took a ton of filler OUT of the Cougar by replacing and re-working the damaged areas. Would love to see some samples of your work!

nice. i got a few on here i think. i do alright sometimes lol

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/47913_143495765691007_6393755_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/47254_143495662357684_4937333_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/46476_143495942357656_8093015_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/66948_157158024324781_8181297_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/66516_157158210991429_2950106_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/67264_155711564469427_317359_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/550481_406663822707532_1913658315_n.jpg

started this car years ago...

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/554726_406694159371165_1401719333_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/581058_406664006040847_1781225797_n.jpg

 

[1948]

dont think i have any pictures of this before but the car hit a pole back in the 50s.

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/304793_447998248574089_837381026_n.jpg

heres another of the trunk i found.

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/543188_406663506040897_1658478873_n.jpg

i did this guys car and he took it EARLY from me after rushing me, and then badmouthed me on the hamb and other sites saying how i do "**** work" and i fucked up his car ect ect ect.... didnt even tighten the door hinges and then tried to say i fucked his door gaps up. when i TOLD HIM to tighten the hinges and i was not yet finished with anything on the car, and then he will need to bolt the body down to the frame(the fords back then relied on the frame for the floor strength and body rigidity)

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/163863_176508389056411_1869655_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/168969_176508189056431_6092890_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/163239_180633815310535_7697813_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/180286_180634835310433_2202338_n.jpg

completely other kick panels from another car welded on.
http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/269601_230282147012368_596860_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/262516_231865346854048_4923224_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/282447_238156192891630_8381123_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/196930_195856840454899_4530243_n.jpg

i guess im just a hack..... haha

 

[Kevin54]

i did this guys car and he took it EARLY from me after rushing me, and then badmouthed me on the hamb and other sites saying how i do "**** work" and i fucked up his car ect ect ect.... didnt even tighten the door hinges and then tried to say i fucked his door gaps up. when i TOLD HIM to tighten the hinges and i was not yet finished with anything on the car, and then he will need to bolt the body down to the frame(the fords back then relied on the frame for the floor strength and body rigidity)

That's why I quit doing cars for others. I think that most of the time they flap their yap to just get out of paying. The last car I did, other than my was a '32 Ford. The guy took it then ended up bumping his other car into it and put a few dents in and brought it back a few days later trying to say the dents weren't fixed. Him or his wife opened their other car door into it a couple of times, or that's what it looked like. When he came back, he was drunker than a ******* monkey and started to pick a fight over the car. So to say, he left before he got his *** handed to him. That was the last that dad and I did work for others. It was time to quit though. I was working more overtime at work, and all the years of dad doing body work, lead work, and painting had started to take it's toll on him as far as being able to breath. Of course the two+ packs a day smokes didn't help either.

I'd like to find a project to work on, but don't know what I would like for it to be. I had to get rid of my '62 Impala because of my arm surgeries. I find that trucks are way easier to work on as far as body work go because they essentially break down into three pieces. Nose, cab, bed. We'll see what time brings.

 

[richtersrodz]

^^ As I was reading along, I came to the part where you first mentioned your Dad, and thought for a second the drunk guy was your Dad... lol..

I'm always hesitant to work on a friend's car. Murphy's law, something else will break, and they will always look at you, like you caused it, or you don't know what you are doing. And this always comes from someone that doesn't know how to fix it themselves, and wants you to do it, the cheapest way possible. If it's my own stuff, I will do it all, but not for other people...

 

[e-tek]

nice. i got a few on here i think. i do alright sometimes lol

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/66516_157158210991429_2950106_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/550481_406663822707532_1913658315_n.jpg

That is some beautiful work, tho I'm pretty sure you still had to use 'some' filler to get it there ! None-the-less, beautiful work!

As far as being bad-mouthed, it's definitely a constant in this business/hobby! Sometimes it's due to one guy not liking how another did the previous work, or trying to justify the hours and dollars charged, or just big-mouthed assholes, plain and simple. I've been lucky, in that I do work for people I know, or get to know - and they know how hard it is to find someone who cares about their ride. My last few projects won awards too, so that helps! None-the-less, I'm not immune to the know-it-all ***-wipe either!!

All we can do is all we can do. I do it because I enjoy it, not because I need the money or grief. I've decided too that I won't take it past the metalwork, as I also hate blocking out primer-filler!

 

[e-tek]

he was drunker than a ******* monkey and started to pick a fight over the car.

Those drunk ******* monkeys - I hate em I tell ya!!!

all the years of dad doing body work, lead work, and painting had started to take it's toll on him as far as being able to breath. Of course the two+ packs a day smokes didn't help either.

It's not the lead/paint/dust that'll kill ya....My Dad got lead-poisoning back in the day from painting w/o a respirator, but it was the alchohol that finally killed him....

I'd like to find a project to work on, but don't know what I would like for it to be. We'll see what time brings.

Sometimes I wonder why 'some' of us do this (projects, more work, renovations...) at all. We must have the rare "sucker-for-punishment" gene! If you do get a project Kev, try to buy one in good shape!

 

[e-tek]

More Z work today:

One floor in.....LOTS more to do!

Anyone up for a shop tour....

See the details here:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165014

 

[1948]

thats a big ol section of floor! did one like that in a packard! they dont make floor pans for packards... or at least they didnt back then.

i didnt do the bondo or paint on the plymouth, i gave it to the guy in bare metal, and i told him to get it etch primed asap. i think they evercoated the whole thing and then durablocked it and painted it. i was impressed with myself even on that car, esp since its black! i traded tuckpointing work for some of that car. and i could not be more proud of it after what it was before!

glad to know im not the only one who has had to deal with customers like that.

 

[e-tek]

This weekend I did get a little more done on the 240Z floor and worked a bit on one of my flatheads, but otherwise it was family and yard time. Next week I fly to Vancouver for meetings and then Mrs E-tek will meet me there for a weekend alone - so no (shop) updates until I return!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Mr. and Mrs. E-Tek,

Have fun in Vancouver, B.C. ( "By Sea, Land, and Air We Prosper" ) on your getaway (alone) weekend. I won't be crass enough to ask for pictures, but if you do happen to see something of interest to us car nuts....

"I've decided too that I won't take it past the metalwork, as I also hate blocking out primer-filler! "

Does this mean you're going to farm out that work on the Z? How on earth will we get pics of that phase? You've just got to do the whole enchilada on the Z, don't you see, we need to see the Z from A to Z!

 

[Rodhotz]

I always get stuck with the guys that don't know nothing about a car and end up pretty much building the whole car for them while they help (not in most cases!). Not that i do not mind but man it gets old sometimes going over the same ol things time after time. Hmmm Maybe i ought to become a teacher at the collage around here, i here not to many people like him.

 

[e-tek]

Does this mean you're going to farm out that work on the Z? How on earth will we get pics of that phase? You've just got to do the whole enchilada on the Z, don't you see, we need to see the Z from A to Z!

Well, on my projects I do them from A-Z....that includes the messy parts of prep and (sometimes) paint. I did the Challenger from A to Z, but took the Galaxie in, ready for paint, just to have it shot. A lot less hassle for me - and my neighbours - like that! SO you'll be able to watch every gritty detail!

Maybe I'll metal-finish the 240Z.....I'd just have to weld 16 gauge metal to the entire thing first!!