Slow, Driving Rustoration 1972 Dart
Well the easy part is done...
I have the new to me housing all cleaned and painted and I have the old rear end out of the Dart. However despite soaking the mounting bolts and nuts in PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench everyday, I still managed to break 3 out of 10 bolts, plus all of the shackle nuts. 1 each on the front studs and 1 more bolt on the back-top-right. I'm pretty sure I can replace the studs on the front. Not so sure I can get the broken bolt out in the back. May see if I can screw is back in all the way rather than trying to remove it by unscrewing it. This is what happens when a ratchet hits your face as the bolt breaks.
I may have said darn.
I have the axles out of both housings. The axles I was running on both have very dry bearings which explains some of the noise I was hearing back there. I have new bearings and seals so that's a new skill I get to learn.
I was surprised when I got the springs out, and side-by-side the new ones, that they were the same height. I figured they would be a little flatter based on how it was sitting. Hoping the ride is better.
On a note of seemingly pure success:
While I was waiting for paint to dry I decided to try and charge the AC. I put a couple of adapters for R-134a and evacuated the system for about 2 hours. It took about 38 oz of refrigerant and I was totally surprised that it had no leaks. I fully expected to see the condenser or compressor seal blow once I got it fully filled, but no leaks and nice cold air coming out the vents. It was late morning and about 85 degrees out and it made the outside of my windows form condensation. The case condensation drain even works. I need to install a new heater hose valve, but for now I just have the hoses hooked into two closed loops.
Onward and sideways I guess.
Well the easy part is done...
I have the new to me housing all cleaned and painted and I have the old rear end out of the Dart. However despite soaking the mounting bolts and nuts in PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench everyday, I still managed to break 3 out of 10 bolts, plus all of the shackle nuts. 1 each on the front studs and 1 more bolt on the back-top-right. I'm pretty sure I can replace the studs on the front. Not so sure I can get the broken bolt out in the back. May see if I can screw is back in all the way rather than trying to remove it by unscrewing it. This is what happens when a ratchet hits your face as the bolt breaks.
I may have said darn.
I have the axles out of both housings. The axles I was running on both have very dry bearings which explains some of the noise I was hearing back there. I have new bearings and seals so that's a new skill I get to learn.
I was surprised when I got the springs out, and side-by-side the new ones, that they were the same height. I figured they would be a little flatter based on how it was sitting. Hoping the ride is better.
On a note of seemingly pure success:
While I was waiting for paint to dry I decided to try and charge the AC. I put a couple of adapters for R-134a and evacuated the system for about 2 hours. It took about 38 oz of refrigerant and I was totally surprised that it had no leaks. I fully expected to see the condenser or compressor seal blow once I got it fully filled, but no leaks and nice cold air coming out the vents. It was late morning and about 85 degrees out and it made the outside of my windows form condensation. The case condensation drain even works. I need to install a new heater hose valve, but for now I just have the hoses hooked into two closed loops.
Onward and sideways I guess.
