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The necessary tools arrived in the mail and it was off to finish the front end.
Yet again there were setbacks and hold ups. One of the main things that needed to be done was to replace the castor arm bush where it met the chassis, the old rubber had totally disintegrated and had left metal rubbing on metal.
In order to remove the castor bar it was necessary to remove the loser suspension bar. In order to remove the lower suspension arm, the torsion bar had to be removed. Thinking I was all set and had the right tools for the job, I started taking out the first torsion bar. . . DAMN! The steering box is in the way!
I then had to chain the steering box up so it wouldn't drop when I took the bolts out. Three bolts later the steering box was lifted up, the torsion bar removed, the lower control arm and castor bar removed. The castor bushes fitted into the chassis, the castor bar and lower arm refitted, the upper and lower bump stops replaced, torsion bars refitted, stubaxles fitted with new upper and lower ball joints, all other ball joints replaced, new shock absorbers fitted,
discs and calipers refitted and wheels back on!
A busy, yet productive weekend.
Started pulling out the suspension. Released all the tension of the torsion bars and started the dismantle.
First stop point. The lower bolt for the shock absorber was stuck the inner sleeve of the rubber piece. No matter how hard I hit it, the rubber just absorbed the impact and bounced back. The final solution (Thanks Roger) was to get some heat in there. Lots and lots of heat to burn the rubber out and fill the shed with smoke. (Thanks again Roger)
After about 20 mins of heating, banging and twisting the bolt final gave up its grip and let go.
Fortunately the other side let go without the heat.
Ok, off we go again.
Stub axles came out, lower ball joints removed. Tried to take the lower strut arms out. Can't get them out, the lower arm needs to come out. This is connected to the torsion bar that will need to come out as well. Damn!
Started on the upper ball joint, this stopped faster than it started! You need a special tool to get that one out! Crap.
It was off to the internet and order some more tools from Pentastar parts. I'm now waiting for a torsion bar removing tool and a socket to remove the upper ball joints. They should be here before the weekend. I'll let you know how the weekend transpired and if I've managed to get the front suspension back in.
Left hand stub axle out
Right hand stub axle out
With the engine out, it seemed to be the best time to do the front suspension. Climbing under, around, in and over would be whole lot easier.
Here's a little group of photos showing the front ens as it is now. Old, greasy and very very worn.
I took the chrome rocker covers off and put the newly painted ones on. I then got a bit carried away and put the carbie on so I could set the air cleaner up and put the new sticker on.
Although I have to take it all off again to fit the motor, it still looks better than the chrome rocker covers. A bit retro.
(You can see the touch up drying on the snorkel after the quick repair)
I was trying to sand blast the rocker covers and air cleaner so I could spray them up, but unfortunately the compressor gave up the ghost again!.
I took them, along with the A/C and power steering bracketry down to the local bead blaster who did a fantastic job.
(Insert photo I forgot to take here)
I was then able to try out my black "wrinkle" paint to try and achieve the factory finish.
I was a bit worried! The can said it was a wrinkle finish, but after spraying, it was a full gloss!!!
I checked the instructions and it said it would take at least 2 hours for the wrinkle finish to work. I was a bit relieved, but also a bit concerned I'd have to try and get the paint off and start again.
I went out the next morning and found this. It worked! It looked awesome, except it was at this point I noticed the small dent on the snorkel.
A little panel beating and a quick touch up would have it fixed.
Both motors are on their trolleys ready for their next installment. As mentioned, the purple one is headed for the hotrod after a bit of a tidy up, AND to get rid of that purple paint.
Before the original motor goes back in, I'll take the opportunity to do a bit of welding required around the engine bay and under the sills.
After a few swear words and not as much transmission fluid on the floor as I thought there would be, the motor finally gave up its grip and left the engine bay.
When you need supplies for the hard work on the weekend, you end up with this sort of novelty thing.
"That's goin' straight to the pool room!"
