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Got feed up of looking at the rust.  So, started to clean it up.  Got this far before the gnats got too bad to tolerate. It's a bit better at least. More tomorrow morning. |
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Have you tried coca cola and tinfoil? Meant to work really well.
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Have you tried coca cola and tinfoil? Meant to work really well. That's for lightly speckled chrome that's a "bit tired". This is Korean War chrome, which flakes off in chunks. |
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Decided to fix something on the car today.  A little while ago I had jetwashed the wheel arches out and took the paint off this wheel trim accidentally.  Masked up after giving the area to paint a key with 1500 grit paper.  There, looks much better now.  Oh. Well, I'll know it's there. |
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Once the sun went down behind the trees the roof cooled off with that I could polish it.  It still holds a nice gloss.  This paint always looks better out of direct sunlight, in bright light it just bleaches out and looks flat. Phil |
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very smart . that's one lucky car to have you as its owner phil.
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Well, there are some decisions to be made, which loom on the horizon like storm clouds.
Phil
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Frankenhealey
Club Retro Rides Member
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death
Posts: 3,882
Club RR Member Number: 15
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1951 Pontiac ChieftainFrankenhealey
@frankenhealey
Club Retro Rides Member 15
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Well, there are some decisions to be made, which loom on the horizon like storm clouds. Phil Tell us everything! |
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Tales of the Volcano Lair hereFrankenBug - Vulcan Power hereThe Frankenhealey here |
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Well, there are some decisions to be made, which loom on the horizon like storm clouds. Phil Tell us everything! Well, in truth not a whole lot of interesting. But, no cost but labor intensive, the Chieftain needs the valves redone. That's just a pain in the ass. It's got 2 cylinders down on compression and that's killing the power and fuel economy. Also providing a lumpy idle because the two pots are in sequence in the firing order. Need to fix the dents in the roof and hood. The rear valance is all holes (water trap) Passenger front door is all race/rally lightened along the bottom Floors have more speed holes in than I would like Both sills, a couple of outriggers and the rear wheel arches are more rust than metal. All that would necessitate a respray Suspension needs rebuild. Steering box is sloppy Front and rear windscreens leak, likely hiding more ferrous oxide. That's the Chieftain; the Plymouth needs rear quarters, the front wings repairing, the scuttle has a bit of rust in it and the rear window aperture does too. The trunk lip needs looking at because of a really curse word repair, I need to figure a better way of putting strengthening ribs in the trunk floor, fix that in, and both front floor pans need replacement. The door glass mechanisms need looking at, and really I need to take the windshield out to get the dash out (good job Chrysler). Engine needs gaskets, pulleys and new freeze plugs. What do I spend my money and effort on? |
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Since you asked, howzabout:
Unsentimentally sell them both and buy one good classic or otherwise special-interest vehicle you’ve always wanted.
John
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Since you asked, howzabout: Unsentimentally sell them both and buy one good classic or otherwise special-interest vehicle you’ve always wanted. John While a valid point of view, it's the wrong line of thought for this exercise. I already have the cars I want. It's just a case of what gets priority. Neither of the cars are terrible bad- for the price they're average and honest. (Well, honest-ish but no worse than any elderly vehicle). I can do the work, I'm trying to figure if I should tolerate some problems and retain a working car or shelf one and have none for the period. |
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Last Edit: Mar 7, 2023 3:59:34 GMT by PhilA
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Take the long term view, and break it down into manageable chunks, with the valves done the Chieftain is a useable car to enjoy, do the rust repairs as and when tidying up with a rattle can as you go then when it's all done you can save up for the full repaint. Much the same on the Plymouth, perhaps finish the mechanics, then the bodywork that allows you to get all the glass in and watertight.
I've had my Elan 29 years and there are still things I thought about doing when I bought it I haven't got round to yet, doesn't stop me using and enjoying it though.
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glenanderson
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,353
Club RR Member Number: 64
Member is Online
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1951 Pontiac Chieftainglenanderson
@glenanderson
Club Retro Rides Member 64
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In your position, I'd do whatever was necessary to keep the Chieftain mobile, and stabilise any further deterioration, but focus the majority of my efforts on the Plymouth.
Once the Plymouth is complete and drivable, then I would move over to the Chieftain.
You really don't want two projects undrivable at the same time.
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My worst worry about dying is my wife selling my stuff for what I told her it cost...
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Well, the Pontiac is ongoing maintenance because it's being driven.
Doing the valves is a horrible job, not difficult, just awkward and time-consuming. I've been putting it off but it's starting to sound like a Talbot Solara so does need doing.
The Plymouth.. I had someone offer me a parts car then go to radio silence. All the bodywork stuff on that car is horrible expensive which is why I've been collecting slowly. It all needs to be disassembled again to do the sheet metal.
I think I'll stop putting off doing the valve job and then work out what I want to do.
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Frankenhealey
Club Retro Rides Member
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death
Posts: 3,882
Club RR Member Number: 15
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1951 Pontiac ChieftainFrankenhealey
@frankenhealey
Club Retro Rides Member 15
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It sounds like you need to put the Plymouth under a tarp for the next 10 years while you meticulously collect the parts for a worthy restoration. That frees up the time for the Chieftain and I'm firmly on team Pontiac. GO CHIEFTAINS! RA RA RA  |
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Tales of the Volcano Lair hereFrankenBug - Vulcan Power hereThe Frankenhealey here |
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bonus points for T shirt in same colour as the car (sorry, color)
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 I got this far this afternoon in the move forward taking the head off. Then it started to rain. I also realized that I have little strength and energy today (case of food poisoning yesterday) |
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