Finished stripping the roof.... started on the trunk and ran out of energy.... This car keeps uncovering surprises.... more welding tomorrow...
1966 Factory V8 Valiant Signet Restoration For My Other Daughter
- Thread starter Jim Kueneman
- Start date
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the more you up your game, the more tests you get
Another day of repairs. I made a couple of access holes where the sill plate goes to be able to get the curb jumper dent out of the rocker. It is 100% better. After that it was time to attach the last piece of rust known. Don't throw away pieces of body work, 9 times out of 10 they will be useful. A simple torch will melt the lead. I welded up the entire seam as I will epoxy it then use carbon fiber fill (CarboFill) from SEM in place of the lead. The lead in the corners were cracked anyway so I will be doing the same thing to the other side as well.
Since I had the blaster out I blasted the cowl and cleaned things up.
The rest of the parts have been removed, ready for restoration. For those who have not been this far before it does not look like much was done but for those who know the struggle know how much work this is. I firmly believe the front clip of this old girl is ready for epoxy.... The spirit hawk was with me repairing the lower radiator support, I shocked myself on how well it turned out.
The other front corner is stripped of lead and welded up. The reason it cracks is because the lead separates from the body under it. You can see the rusty metal where it should have been a nice bond with the lead. Welded the seam tight and will epoxy then use SEM CarboFill to fill it instead of the lead. Welded the brake line bracket back on, it had been screwed on after the welds broke. A little more blasting and I find one last rust spot I need to fix damn it.
More welding and blasting... Those body plugs I always forget to put back in... I don't think the other two A Bodies have them in either... Who hates those parking brake clips as much as I do... Decided to just weld up the rear panel to the quarters. I will grind it off and blend it in for that custom look! I kept the bracing from the parts I used so the weld holes will line back up perfectly.
Make sure the key hole is lined up! All ground down (can't get to a few welds) and blasted. A big clean up and man are we close. The only thing left to do is get it back on jack stands to remove pressure and finish welding the the lower edge of the quarters. I leave them till last so any sand blasting grit just runs out and does not get trapped in the quarter/extension area. She is looking good.... I think I will be shooting epoxy next weekend...
mygasser
Well-Known Member
nice work as usual Jim, you'll soon be onto filling and sanding and filling and sanding and fi.................
we love your hard work
neil.
we love your hard work
neil.
nice work as usual Jim, you'll soon be onto filling and sanding and filling and sanding and fi.................
we love your hard work
neil.
Actually Neil I really enjoy the next step. I find the body work very relaxing with the sanding and filling, sanding and filling, sanding and filling....
mygasser
Well-Known Member
you must be 'the one' then mate, it's ok for a while but gets old real quick for me. if i'm going to do it i have to steam in and get it done as fast as i can or i get to the 'that's good enough, it's not a rolls royce' stage and start slinging paint.
Actually Neil I really enjoy the next step. I find the body work very relaxing with the sanding and filling, sanding and filling, sanding and filling....
neil.
Vacuum Orna-Metal called today and said the dash components are completed (plastic rechrome/bezel restorations) which normally would be a good thing. Frank, the owner, is typically very easy to contact and keeps you updated. This time around it was silent and I could not contact him. Turns out he has a terminal brain tumor... his son in law is taking over the auto restoration part of the business so if you are expecting the normal Frank communication you may not get it but was assured the same people are doing the work and they are continuing on. Very sad, Frank was great to work with. Bitter sweet.
A day of blasting panels oh my.... no photos.... welding and blasting tomorrow and it will be time to start mocking up and getting the panels straight ready for epoxy!!!!!
Underside of trunk blasted (I did not warp it I was careful) and installed ready to fit. Spare tire bracket removed from old trunk and ready to weld in. Blasted all the front filler parts (this thing has a lot of parts in the grill area compared to the Dart). Since I need to install all the panel and get things fitted I spent time with the bead blaster getting the latches all around cleaned up. Time for some welding tomorrow to get the doors and fenders read to install.
More welding today.... spare tire hold down bracket centered and welded and the rest of the quarter panel spots welds are done.
Um... holy crap do I dare say it? The body is DONE... which is good as I sucked the gas tank dry.... I went through 2 tanks on this car....
Lookin good, Jim!
uhh.....Vixen's next, right? lol
uhh.....Vixen's next, right? lol
Another beautiful job by Vacuum Orna-Metal on the Valiant dash parts.
Found all the side moulding trim from a guy in Tennessee! He sold a '66 Valiant to his nephew 30 years ago and his nephew took off the trim and did not want to throw it away so he gave it back to his uncle. There they sat for 30 years waiting for Kylie's car to put it back to its former glory on a Signet!
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Yes. Speaking of Corvette, we will be in your neck of the woods Saturday. My neighbor has an 85 Caddy convertible just out of the shop and I have the Corvette convertible we will be in Sonoita to do some wine tasting. 74 was last year of convertibles production & 85 I believe was first year of the return of convertible. Maybe we will see you there. I am really amazed with what you are doing with the Valiant, I had know idea you were such an artist with auto bodies. Your daughter's are very lucky to have a DAD like you. Keep up the good work. MAC.
The kids and I are in California this weekend! Sorry.
Hammering, shaping and shrinking oh my.... this door and fender took a good wallop and they were caved in a good bit. Previous fix was lots of filler, now not so much filler needed and the puller holes are all welded in... Just need to weld in a patch on that door.
Lookin good, Jim!
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