Build Thread '83 T-top Coupe - Cliff Notes Edition

[Davedacarpainter]

I had a little extra free time and fixed one side of the crack underneath the stereo opening and began the reconnection of the piece that surrounds the right speaker.

As you can see, I only got one side of one side glued. This stuff takes time. It'll take at least two more days to finish reattaching that piece. Then I have the long piece that goes along the windshield area to reattach, and it's two pieces.

Oh well, I'm getting stuff done!

After this piece is finished, I believe I will get the t-tops and disassemble them. The insides need to be black, the outside grey. Maybe towards the end of next week or the first of the following week.

I'm working my way towards the driver's door.

I'm not saying my earlier expectations may have been a little too optimistic in completion time. What i'm saying is they may have been a little ignorant to the reality of completely restoring every piece of an auto that's been sitting in the sun in one spot for sixteen years.:zombie:

 

[Davedacarpainter]

 

[Davedacarpainter]

This is the next piece to get attached.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I got the backside of the piece glued on

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I got a little further, I got the last broken off piece reattached (mostly). That piece is where the left defroster vent blows through. You'll notice the two pegs in the middle aren't there like the right side. After the PBA hardens on the ends I'll lay the panel on it's top and make new pegs using the drywall mesh and PBA.

I almost have all of the cracks fixed. I'll be cleaning them up next and using my dremel to remake the holes that are partially, or totally filled.

In this picture you can see how the end piece is completely missing, this is where the panel attaches to the firewall immediately below the windshield. I filled in the gap with a piece of mesh and PBA. Like i already mentioned, I'll drill out the hole that isn't currently there because of the PBA.

And THAT, my friends is page ninety!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Still IP time. I finally decided I got all the cracks repaired and it was time to start cleaning up those repairs and primer.

I started fitting the frame back into the panel and discovered I'm not through with cracks yet!

So, I'll fix this one tomorrow and fix the piece the glove box lock hooks to........then! Oh yea then i shall get this sucker smoothed out and primered.

I still need to scuff off the rust of the frame and paint them black too. Not that anyone will ever see them, but I WILL KNOW!!!!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I dunno. Attractive women?

Lol....how about rusty cars. Y'all already seen most of these. Different angle this time. Plus look for that lincoln between the capri and ranchero

I got my t-tops and the trim around it plus the center separation bar. I also got the trim for the left 1/4 glass. I'll take a picture tomorrow when I got some light.

BTW, I really, really want that Ranchero in the top picture.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Oh yeah Robby!

Here's what he looks like after yanking off the t-tops and trim.

I pulled some of the seals out......in pieces. I think I might need to replace them.

Here's a before, unmolested Robby.

And now, I've really made him look much better huh? I put crash wrap over the openings, not that rain will hurt anything left in the interior right now, it just makes me feel better.

I keep forgetting the transmission handle....dang. I want to try doing a leather wrap.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Opinion time again.

Should I paint the t-top outside trim the original black? Or the trim grey?

They'll get painted in the next few days. I'm thinking the trim grey, but am hesitant enough to be swayed.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Parts picture.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I got the t-top mouldings, and left 1/4 window trim stripped, etched and primered today.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Small note, I cleaned one of the tops with some 0000 steel wool and glass cleaner. It looks so nice now! Man I want to drive this little car!

The yard owner will replace the left one (the dirty one in the picture). It has a chip on the edge.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Speaking of t-top stuff. I got the trim finished up today. A close up with my sun light again to show the grey.

Hey Nick, he does have an '85 GT t-top he's parting out......just sayin'.....I guess I should focus on this one first.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Dang those trim pieces turned out nice! They're so smooth now. I can't wait to put sht together!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Well, I finished fixing all of those cracks in the instrument panel. So I just got it in primer.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

So I did something beyond drinking today.......no......really......

I sanded the areas of the IP that need texturing and sprayed the rocker chip guard.

Next week I will paint it.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I got the IP painted today.

I'm caught in a bit of indecision now. I want to sand off the rust on the frame for it and paint the frame, yet at the same time I don't want to take a chance with messing with the grounding there. I might just give the metal a light scrubbing to remove the surface rust on it and just put it all back on the panel.

Anyhow, pictures. It was a long haul on this one panel. Not as long as the hood, mind you, but still......Jeez i'm glad to be done with it!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I did make it to the yard today. I swapped out the driver's t-top for a nicer one. I also got the air/heater box. You can't imagine how easy it is to pull that out without an instrument panel in the way! I also gathered up the ducting.

I'll focus on the tops next, one of those easy peasy things. I'll disassemble this one, clean the glass and sand down the trim and paint both of them grey. Then I'll reassemble them with their new seals.

Then i'll disassemble the heater box. Tomorrow i'll pluck out the old heater core just to see what surprises await me on the inside. In a couple days I'll tear it down completely and literally clean the crap out of it. It will receive several disinfecting baths. Last one with some sort of febreeze type of cleaner....hum......spring breeze or linen fresh?

You'll also see the top trim for the steering colum, I'm not sure I got the right type. I'll find out tomorrow.

Anyhow, picture

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I got the box tore down and it wasn't that bad. Other than the old sticky antifreeze and a pile of leaves of course. No rat poop. I guess they didn't want to have antifreeze on their fuzzy little butts? Anyhow, here it is torn down.

I'll take the parts home tonight and start cleaning them up. I wonder if the dish washer would be too hot for the parts through the dry cycle? Can't imagine, it puts up with 200* radiator fluid running through it.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

So, it's just me, some Dawn dish soap, hot water and a piece of my heater box.....who's to tell me I'm wrong?

My wife went to bed early, blessings to me. I thought i would wash the piece the heater core sits on. I ran some really hot water, dumped in a good portion of Dawn and went to town with rags, scrub brushes, old tooth brushes and the sort.

Now the next part may sound a little iffy for most married men here. After washing off the main scum off the piece, I put it in the dishwasher on the sanitize cycle.

Hey, I'M the MAN here, as long as my wife is sleeping, I shall remain the man. It'll be out of the dishwasher before she ever wakes in the morning.

I did remove the butyl tape from the piece at work and used laquer thinner to finish wiping any of it off.