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The "What Did You Work On Today" thread

3M views 36K replies 388 participants last post by  cerial 
#1 ·
4 hour work day for me at the shop. Used the time to do a valve body swap on a '01 Jetta 1.8t auto .... I successfully installed a transbrake on the car .... that however wasn't my intention.

Its in 2 gears at once in park, all other gears (R/N/D/2/1) are forward gears.... they all seam to be first gear.

I have it torn back down most of the way. Tuesday I'll actually get the VB back out and see whats up.... but part of me wants to take it out for a test drive the way it is just for the fun of it.
 
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#22,801 ·
I took all the fabbed floor stuff out of the 59 Pontiac job this morning. Now to find a space big enough to finish it up. Don't think I have shown the complete floor structure assembly yet. I may leave the seat braces unfinished for now but you get the idea. This is top side.
 

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#22,802 ·
I took all the fabbed floor stuff out of the 59 Pontiac job this morning. Now to find a space big enough to finish it up. Don't think I have shown the complete floor structure assembly yet. I may leave the seat braces unfinished for now but you get the idea. This is top side.
LOL, I sure am glad I don't have to pay the property tax on all that real estate!

Looks good Matt. I know there is a lot of work and achie muscles in there.

John
 
#22,803 ·
I took all the fabbed floor stuff out of the 59 Pontiac job this morning. Now to find a space big enough to finish it up. Don't think I have shown the complete floor structure assembly yet. I may leave the seat braces unfinished for now but you get the idea. This is top side.
Maybe you should duplicate that in aluminum so it is lighter...
 
#22,807 ·
A/C repairman here today, Yard mowed for the first time, and lower motormounts installed. It doesn't sound like much but getting the bolts through the crossmember was something else after moving the mounts back.


On the otherhand, nothing succeeds better than success.:thumbup:

John
MOWED the yard ?????!!!!! We got another 3" of wet heavy snow yesterday...

 
#22,809 ·
Mitch, hope you don't mind me sending this glorious Chevelle update through a black forum hole that comes out here...

Went over to the painters house last evening and told him I'm bringing my car home on Saturday. He has been screwing around with trying to get 2 doors and 2 fenders to fit for 2 months...:confused:

He also painted the trunk lid, Just so he could see some color on the car. I expressed my concern about painting the car in pieces at different times and the color not matching but he says he'll just blend the panels when he gets to painting the rest...WTF...this NOT how I want my car painted. Get it ALL ready and paint it ALL at the same time...:nono:

I am just so disgusted with how this has gone that I'm at a loss as to what to do now. He has the left door so jacked around that I am considering looking for a different door. The right fender has a patch in the lower dog leg that he ground thru the metal trying to get a high spot down and then keeps trying to build a patch with his welder.
See below, and take deep breaths slowly :rolleyes:

Maybe you should duplicate that in aluminum so it is lighter...
Ah, the stick.:D Y'know we was conversing about something not unlike that today. Making a heat shield under the cat tunnel. I'll get to mine shortly but man-

A valid production shop technique used by some painters is to prep a part all over, seal it, apply a coat or two of color to the whole thing, clear the jamb side and either skip clearing the panel face or blow whats left in the gun on it. Now, when final paint time comes, sanding the face is no more difficult, has some coverage, and already has sealer on. The part can be hung then and taped edges won't have much buildup when painting the panel plus the adjacent ones. Assembly scratches go away with this method. It has always been painter's choice where I have worked but in many cases it makes the job much easier with a negligible difference in materials.

Door skins fold where the manufacturer folds them. None, I repeat, none of the old car skins or shells I have seen do not require extensive edge modifications to make a good gap. Case and point, yellow Chevelle. Welded back edge of new R fender, rear edge of skinned door, left side of deck lid. So far! Left side to go. The only reason you are not hearing this from painter is he is a painter. And not an old car painter.

Same with filler on an edge and with going through a high spot. Your guy is out of his element on your car. You'll just have to, as I like to say... become your own expert. I have seen your goody work, you have seen what we do. I think you can do the things to take it where he'll need it to be for him to do what you need him to do.

Gonna be mighty high to solve it any other way, hoss. We got your back if you have the time, wherewithall, and inclination. Talk to the club or maybe your lady about it, too. By the way, random thought... If I had a Stingray, I'd find a model named Barbara to perch on the hood for some pics. Because watch out for the Barb on a Stingray.:drunk::D
 
#22,810 ·
Probably too late, but I always clock the cotter pin hole inline with the spindle to make install of the pin easier...
Ha......I found that out.

Amazing, was that both 49 year old uppers had zero play. I just changed them because the original rivets were still there and figured it's the right thing to do. Both lowers were OK as well.
 
#22,811 ·
Mitch when I said we have your back I meant your fellow HRFers. We are willing to cheer you on and I think you can do the things.

I too am having thoughts of lawnmower. Front yard still looks like a bomb went off but the grass is having thoughts of green.

This afternoon, we mocked up a thing to eyeball driveshaft and exhaust clearance, took the engine and trans out...

Man, the world just doesn't want me to make this post. Interruptions! Friends just came by with bags of food. They know I'm at the end of my rope, sniffle. Don't deserve it but sure am hungry so its just in time. Sigh, I should shut up more.:drunk:

... and now I have the floor structure on the bench, squaring things up and welding.





OK, now I can acknowledge hunger. Mmm, suppertime. I feel like Snoopy.:)
 
#22,812 ·
Man, the world just doesn't want me to make this post. Interruptions! Friends just came by with bags of food. They know I'm at the end of my rope, sniffle. Don't deserve it but sure am hungry so its just in time.

OK, now I can acknowledge hunger. Mmm, suppertime. I feel like Snoopy.:)
I hadn't used the stick poke for a while, so there it is...;)

 
#22,813 ·
I hadn't used the stick poke for a while, so there it is...
Always enjoy seeing Pokey the Stick. :cool: This fat sandwich is tastier than it should be, for some reason.:thumbup:

You reminded me of what I almost forgot to say, in response to the alumnium crack...

This ain't no acid dipped Super Duty lightweight! No sir, ocean liner and proud of it. My floor might be lighter. I am fairly certain its not as strong due to the big span over the frame but its gonna have support there. And I can't say how much but once all the seat stuff is in and done it will gain more rigidity. Here is a flashback pic to ponder.

 
#22,815 ·
Only this pic today. I can't run a nice bead to save my life, this is how stacked dots do. One of the better looking welds I made on the 59 today.:rolleyes: Enjoyed practicing though.
As you know, many of the good welders now have pulse settings. You have put the principle of welding with a pulse setting to use by doilng it manually It looks very good Matt

John
 
#22,818 ·
All ball joints and tie rods installed....yay...just need to be greased and aligned slightly straight and lock the sleeves. I'll get it aligned when I take it to get certified.
New brake line made up from cylinder to flex line. It was pinched closed.
Diff is ready to fill.
 
#22,819 · (Edited)
I'm not sure about Pontiac but you very well may be right. If you do a search for "put a tiger in your tank", you will find the gasoline usage.

John
in around 63 Pontiac new slogan was Wide Trac and they used a tiger in commercials ,,Fact,,but no one wants to hear it64 GTO was designed and advertized early as a Ladies car..Hnmm.

Best i remember Put a tiger in your tank was i think Exxon,,

Exxon Pontiac ,Uniroyal and Kellogs frosted flakes all used a tiger.

edit,,,https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...ABF59858CF4D8086D964ABF59858CF4D808&FORM=VIRE
 
#22,820 ·
As you know, many of the good welders now have pulse settings. You have put the principle of welding with a pulse setting to use by doilng it manually It looks very good Matt

John
Looks quite good.
Well, thanks. Having just done mostly plug welds and 18 & 20 ga sectioning up until recently, the rythym and precision are challenging to get the pace and hang of. Finding that I can crank heat way up and wire way down, from suggested settings. I have always liked to hear plug welds, I can do them by ear with gloved hand closed around the tip, but doing longer welds with so many other dudes making noise, that can hinder me. But I am seeing improvement and grinding quite a bit less.:)

in around 63 Pontiac new slogan was Wide Trac and they used a tiger in commercials ,,Fact,,but no one wants to hear it64 GTO was designed and advertized early as a Ladies car..Hnmm.

Best i remember Put a tiger in your tank was i think Exxon,,

Exxon Pontiac ,Uniroyal and Kellogs frosted flakes all used a tiger.

edit,,,https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...ABF59858CF4D8086D964ABF59858CF4D808&FORM=VIRE
That was kinda hot.:mwink:

David, you just inadvertently came closer to the fender blanket identification than anybody else has.:thumbup: I would hate to have to start dropping clues on the trivia thread.
 
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