Orange crush update

Long time coming, just thought I would post this since its nice to see the car make some major visual progress. It was test fit once before but this time we were doing final fit of rad suport (it will not move again) etc and got a little more concerned with gaps etc. Car is basically ready for paint, just need some final details and a good block sanding then it will be orange.

Not perfect, but very nice. Once color is on and all the panels are the same it will look excellent I think. Many hours of aligning required to get it all square and even...amazing how a 1/16" thick shim can make the difference between good and excellent. Two shims total on car (except under front fenders which always get stuff shimmed to set body lines).

Some 14 manhours of alignment tweaking. Even had to shift the entire body slightly on the frame to get the rad support centered properly...

This is in the chassis section because...well I don't know...seems to be the forum for this until the paint is on.

Picture was resized and makes things look kind of weird. Sorry. Oh yeah, and hood has no latch holding it closed yet so thats why it sits high along the edge....

later
Tim

 

Looking good Tim! :TU:
Adam

 

It's the "turning the corner" phase!!
This is when you start wearing that dopey looking grin when someone sees the car? :laugh:
Did you set gaps according to factory spec or did you tighten them a bit?
Can't wait to see it in ORANGE.

You logging hours on this? I'm curious to compare in regards to the other recent thread.

Good job. :beer

 

Tim;

Looks like your making great progress. To bad you have to cover up all the nice chassis work :beer . I am several weeks behind in my progress; although, I am going to Carlisle this week to pick up my brake and fuel lines. Should have the body on sometime late spring....I hope.

Len

 

orange crush !

Looking good, Tim...doesn't it get a lot easier (mentally) when the body goes back on and it begins to resemble a vehicle again? :Brow: Looking forward to paint pics :TU:

 

:TU: SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!! :TU: You sir have saved a Buick that many would not have had the staying power and determination to finish. :TU: :TU: :TU: :TU:

 

Thanks guys...and yes it seems to get easier as the car looks more and more like a real car. I won't call it saved until it hits the road.

As for time in, I'd say at this point I'm at about 2100hours or so..I used to keep a log but now just guesstimate (depressing...that is a work YEAR!!)...now that includes the parts cars, research, and I take my time and enjoy myself while working on it. But seriously it has been a LOT of work. This project has taken me to all kinds of new levels...and its not over yet...

The gaps I shoot for are 3/16" all around. GM specs out narrow door/quarter gaps and larger door/fender gaps but I like them even. Obviously door height needs to match quarters so not much adjustment there...gaps that tight can cause problems but also make the car look "quality"....hard to keep them even though as that close little imperfections show up (larger gaps will hide variations and changes easier...also have to be careful if car is jacked up for maintenance). Trunklid fits in hole. No adjustment there really. It is an old car after all. Hood is square and flush. It is not perfect by any stretch but I can fault any car old or new if i want too...comes from my job I guess.

And yeah, that nice chassis now sits under a primered body...seems like a waste almost... ou:

Big things left are paint, bumper chrome, recovering seats, top installation, electrical.

The best part?? I never liked orange cars!!! :laugh: :laugh:

later
Tim

 

Careful with that door fender gap! Depending on how the car is lifted/jacked in the future that gap can close-up. If so the door (when opened) can contact the fender and knock the paint clean-off. That heavy engine really flexes the frame.

 

Yup. Already jacked the car and checked that....its tight but ok....

Later
Tim