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

[Davedacarpainter]

Out with the old.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I’ve got the new piece fairly well prepped and I got the eb bracket off the old piece.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Ok, got the pieces welded in. I'll trim the front edge to be of equal length in a bit.

I'm going to get the eb bracket welded back on the vehicle next.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

This is it for today. I got the eb cable bracket welded and coated all the bare metal there with an etch paint.

Then, for kicks, I slipped the pan in to see what trimming I'll need to do. It fits pretty nice, I'll need to take off about and inch across the front.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Today I helped my son with a tick he was having in his suspension of his '09 mustang. Turns out the tpms sensor in the left rear wheel had broke loose inside the tire. He'll take it back to the people that put new tires on it a few months ago to get it fixed. Funny how long it took me to figure that problem out.....

I did some work on the engine bay today as well. I smoothed the top edge of the right side and down the front edge, also the radiator support mount.

I started to smooth the left strut tower as well, it needs a little work along the frame rail still, but that'll come after I weld in the tubular lower radiator support.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

As the old job winds down I find myself with a little time.

I disassembled the new pedal assembly, sanded off the rust and painted it the same black as the interior pieces.

Another small piece of the puzzle done.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I'm having to haul off all the mustang parts I have at the old job.

Today I brought the IRS home. I think I'll temporarily mount it before Booger goes back into storage for winter.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

You want excitement, here you go!

This is the dash center brace before:

And as it is now!

Breathtaking, isn’t it?

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I got all of my tools moved over to the new job today. Tomorrow morning I have to go through the HR stuff and hopefully I'll be working on a bunch of toyotas by the afternoon.

I almost forgot my rear bumper! So here it is with me holding it up to Booger. I love this color.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Ok, I got the old rear end out and the old control arms.

Those old nuts and bolts really didn’t want to go! Who knew?

So I got the old rear half in my truck when I decided it was high time I hurt my back. Really, it’s the rib cage on the lower left side.

Now I’m trying to get some help to load it the rest of the way on.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

It's loaded, Yay!

I was just going to toss it, but the yard owner said he'd take it. I'll drop it off with him on tuesday. Maybe I can get the tilt steering column then.

I was going to do more, but my back sucks right now.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

And a bath with Booger I did take! I scrubbed for about two hours and rinsed with the hose. It's clean now.

Before:

After:

 

[Davedacarpainter]

As soon as the floor dries I'm going to remove the rubberized coating from the rear wheel tubs.

I will need to do this first because of this, the old crap is cracking out and I will mini tub next time Booger's back in the garage.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I got my knotted wire wheel out and went to town on the right side tub.

Here's another view of how the old coating has given out.

Here's the coating on the floor, it's a pretty blue color:

All gone!

Time for one of these.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Last thing for the day was to seam seal. I used 3M 8308 Heavy Bodied Seam Sealer.

I sealed the patch panels on the rear floor pan (both sides)

and along the firewall where I cut the pinch weld. Both inside the cabin and inside the cowl panel.

I also made a small reinforcement panel for the clutch cable hole, @90sickfox Do you think this will be good enough?

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I finally got them ordered! (Maximum Motorsports) Only $145 with our discount.

Here's another plus, look what we have in the shop! I was told I can use it anytime I want.

I also got the thumbs up on bringing Booger to the shop to paint!! Yay me!

This weekend I'll do my best to finish the engine bay. It'll be monday or tuesday before I put real primer on it all though.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

So, I’m sitting in my engine bay, slinging a little mud.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I got the front part of the left side done. I glazed it and then sprayed on a couple coats of etch primer.

I'm taking my son to lunch today. He leaves for college this wednesday. I won't be able to go with him to drop him off, so at least I'll have lunch with him today. If there ever was a kid that would thrive in the college environment, it's this boy. I'm so excited for him.

After that I'll get back after the smoothing. I want to get a LOT of it done today. I don't know if I'll get the lower radiator support welded in, but I'm going to try to get that far.

I want to put real primer on it this week. I want to be able to take Booger from the garage to the shop to shoot the engine bay by the end of this month.

Next weekend will be the sfc's, bracing and floorpan.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Ok, I only made it through the area behind the strut tower and part of the firewall just past where the wiper motor goes.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I can’t stand it! The four ribs in the center of the firewall are lumpy feeling!

I’ve ground them down and am getting ready to lay out some mud to make them feel better.