Roller Paint Job Diary

Just took pics of my new Man Cave!



Started at 7:00 AM to prep the Zephyr power train for removal. I can't get to all the spotwelds with the powerbrake booster in, and all the heater plumbing on the passenger side. Plus I need it out to make up the headers and prove out the header fitment. The sooner I strip it, the more room I'll have in my yard.

So here's some pics:











The space between the mancave and the Zephyr:

 

I only have 2 small negatives about the instructions.

1) They should mention in the first steps that the bottom crossbars should be about 8" off the ground. In a sense it doesn't matter because you have to remove them when the top cover is installed, but you need them to hold the main arches together while assembling the whole frame.

2) The other issue is their own bonding where the plastic slides over the tubes. I only had 3 out of a couple dozen. You have to pull them a bit wider with your fingers to get the tubes inside the plastic.

When I removed my basement drains, I had a couple lengths of 2 inch galvanized pipe. The back panel panel has a perfect 'tube' cavity to feed one into it (10 feet long). They don't mention how you should hold that end down to keep the wind and sand out.

Other than that, it handled 30 MPH winds very well. We often get 50 MPH winds here, so I'll be watching for that.

Sure keeps the sun's intensity out. Feels like a 3-5 degree differential inside.

I'm happy with it. My body is reminding me of the 10 augers, but that will pass.

It's almost (90F) 33C, then a thunderstorm at 4:00 PM until late tonite, so I'm taking the afternoon off.

 

I just finished disconnecting the Zephyr's powertrain and placed the engine crane with the levelling doodad. No idea where the handle is.





I apologize to HandyAndy because my shed was packed to the gunnels, and I couldn't see, for my short height. Andy went in, and thanks to his periscope altitude, spotted it down the other end, AFTER looking in his own various Area 51-A, 51-B and 51-C. And he saved my bacon on a distorted alternator bolt, AGAIN!



So she comes out tomorrow, and I can cut those spotwelds on the driver's fender. I cut the passenger one off, after I make up the headers.

 

It's nice to have cheap----er good help!

 

Andy's easy, but he ain't cheap! I'm not cheap, I'm frugal!

I'll tell ya. Its always a pleasure to work with Andy. We both know enough to know that we don't know it all. But when we get together on some part of a project or repair, we just know what the other one needs (tools, extra hands, etc.) One or two words and we can strip a Fairmont wagon in 4 hours! We've done it! I really enjoy it.

 

And it's way more fun with a good friend there helping. Or doing the work while we watch. I really miss my youngest son being here working with me. We had many great afternoons and evenings. Sometimes we didn't get much done but we taught each other a lot.
Why'd he have to grow up and leave?
You're lucky Andy will never grow up!

 

Yeah, he won't grow up, but he'll spend a lot of time at his fishing island. Can't blame him. It's gorgeous up there. Huge lake, fish enough to keep the bald eagles well fed, etc.

Well, another decent, sunny day. I think all my muscles joined a chorus, they're all screaming soprano.

 

Got the engine and transmission out, along with the transmission mount and crossmember. Then I cut the fender core structure to replace mine:








Cutting the spotwelds is a lot easier than grinding them off, but its still a tough job. These cheapo cutters do their job really well, and those spot welds are really hardened steel.

Anyway, another thunderstorm is ramping up, so that's it for today.

 

Way to go Norm, you're making amazing progress.

 

Thanks, Andy.

I'm going to pull all the harnesses out tomorrow and bag them. They all seem to have the factory harness numbers. The dash pad is toast, but I'll use it to mock up a wooden one, with a coffee mug holder tray pull out, over the winter. Dense foam bullnose and better speaker mounting.

The dash frame looks to be in perfect shape, and I know yours is cracked, and the same colour, as is the wheel - perfect shape. They'll be here, somewhere where you can see them - UP, UP, and AWAY!

IIRC correctly my speedo gear is Orange, this one is Purple. Haven't checked the 4-spd stick yet. Mine's a 3.07:1 and this one has a Ford 3.08:1.

Anyway the game plan is to strip the Zephyr as much as I can, especially the UN-OBTAINIUM stuff and get her out of here. I need room to work.

 

OH YEAH, I was wondering about the dash and forgot to ask!

I'll give you a hand so as to not bust anything they are so fragile.

 

You know I've got a Mustang dash too, eh? Tach, vacuum, ammeter, temperature gauges, Turbo Pressure. It's one of the black ones. An SVO or GT. 1984 or 1985. Tach is switchable to 4-6 or V8. Very UNOBTAINIUM. Oh! The Zephyr Speedo is up to 180 KMP. So's the Mustang. You pick.

 

Pulled the harnesses out, intact, even the clips and cable hangers.

Of course I had to pull the seats and dash out too. The previous owner, many decades ago, sure looked after the upholstery. Its faded and dusty, but in nice condition for being 34 years old.











I'll bag and ID these harnesses, for future reference. Part of the UNOBTAINIUM cache!

 

Man you're like the energizer bunny!
Here's the energizer bunny if he was me:


or maybe this guy:

 

I'm glad I don't know where you guys get these great cartoon pics! LMAO!!!!

I'd never get anything done, except sore ribs.