[russosborne]

Soon, very soon.

Definitely going to pass on the craigslist compressor. I took another look at the ad and I misread the size of the tank. Besides, going to need some money to buy blasting media soon.
I might have to buy tires for the Centerline rims I have sooner than expected. Problem is I am not sure where I am going to fit the frame in the garage. I still haven't gotten the Subaru in, was supposed to do that before the snow hit.

Russ

[russosborne]

Well, I got the rest (hopefully) of the wood I need. Problem is I had to work today, had to get up at 8am. I normally get up at noon. So I am way too beat to do anything more with it right now.
Get to get up at 8 again tomorrow morning, but this is for a much better purpose. Looking like it will be next weekend before I get much more done assuming I don't have to work that saturday as well. OT is good, but getting up that early kind of bites. But I am the only one in my department who works second shift, so if I want any saturday ot I have to go in early when the others are there.

I normally go to bed around 4am. I may not make it to midnight tonight. Oh, well, the money will really come in handy. Pretty much down to only being able to spend the ot money on the car.

Russ

[hpp]

Just a note on panel bonding the 1/4's. If you go this route I suggest some welding in addition to the panel bond. Also I may have a applicator gun you can use when your ready. If you need help let me know.

[russosborne]

Thanks!

Didn't get anything done today. Not too sure about tomorrow. Been under the weather all week, and just didn't have the energy to go out in the cold garage.
I did get something on my wish list from Summit Racing though. They are having a 3 day clearance sale and I picked up a dual remote oil filter kit for $25. Half the normal cost. So even if I end up deciding not to use it, it isn't a bad deal. Was really hoping to find some sheet metal, but unless you have a Camaro there wasn't much. I think a Barracuda quarter or fender. Wasn't really anything at all Pontiac specific when I went there, don't know if someone got lucky earlier or they just don't clearance our stuff. Of course there was a lot of small block ford stuff, which there never was when I was working on fords.
Russ

[russosborne]

I am debating with myself whether this is a step forward or not.

Russ

[hpp]

Sure it is,it's off the stands and ready for some patch work.

[russosborne]

Well, found more rust. I shouldn't be surprised at this point. The quarters looked too good, and it turns out it was bondo. I need at least the lower drivers quarter, haven't dug any deeper yet. Seeing how bad the driver's side is so far is pretty depressing, but I was afraid that this would be the case. Whoever did all the body work on this car in the past was a true Bondo artist.

The bad thing about this tilt setup is I can't do anything with the firewall, since that is the mounting point in front. Although even with a proper rotissorie that would still be the case. I am already trying to think of ways I can re-do it so I can work on that area while it is up in the air. But that is one thing I am not going to rush into. If I have to do it on the ground so be it. I will just have to build a dolly type thing that gets the body a few feet off the ground.

the floors look better than I had thought, I didn't realise that most of the rusted area in front is actually the firewall/toe board, which I have a new one. The fronts of the rockers are shot, hoping I can just patch them.

A few more daytime pictures attached.

Thanks,
Russ

[russosborne]

these mostly show the quarter panel.

[russosborne]

might as well do them all.
Hope I didn't do any twice. Went out of order a bit.
Thanks,
Russ

[mikes2nd]

Damn Russ...

Have you thought about "keeping" an eye out for cheap body shell?

I see them on parting cars occasionally. Thats a b*tch for sure... I'm not saying its easy to find a good body on one of these cars without spending 5k but owww....

I think id concentrate on the frame for now cover the body with a blanket so I wouldnt see it

I see "shells" and stuff come up occasionally... and I think i've seen them go reasonable. Start a "shell" fund instead of paying for all the sheet metal you'll need?

If your going quarters now that stuff hurts. Your quarters look good up top so maybe it wont be too bad.
Maybe figure out everything you need and add it up(as much as that might hurt). If you could get a shell for 7-800? find someone parting a car out with a reasonable body.

Kinda like this, but obviously minus the frame and engine. 1800 is too much for this car but when he comes down a little.

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/2827932336.html

[bigborehunter]

I've seen the same kind of artistry applied to an entire Volvo P1800 this winter. If that Volvo ever hits a hard object, there'll be a cloud of bondo dust and rust flakes hovering in the air. Weird thing too...in the trunk was a can of the product...good Swiss body filler, said to repel water. For all the money it must have cost why didn't he just buy new panels?

[russosborne]

That car doesn't look bad, but I would have a hard time getting $500 together at once, much less more. And I can't really deal with having to get something transported. Even renting a uhaul truck and trailer would break the bank right now.

Just going to have to go at it one panel at a time. Coming up with $50 or $100 here and there isn't impossible. But if I try to save it something always comes up that needs it more than the car. It will take longer, but I have time.

Thanks,
Russ

[Mister Pontiac]

I admire your tenacity, Russ. Keeping after a project, little by little, dollar by dollar in spite of it all is commendable!

Keep after it... Every one we save is another one for others to enjoy when we're all gone!

[russosborne]

Thanks.

I have given up on and given away for free too many unfinished projects in the past. If I give up on this one I am done with cars other than transportation. So I am not giving up. Owning the house we are in now helps. I don't have to worry about the "what if we move and the car is not movable" issue, which I have had to deal with in the past. I gave away my 79 Pinto(ok, quit laughing) because it was in a thousand pieces and we ended up buying this place and I didn't want to deal with moving all of it. I gave away a 69 Mustang hardtop(coupe) for the same reason a few years ago. That time (after I got rid of it) we ended up moving literally across the street, I could have pushed that car there.

Surprise, huh? I lived in the Phoenix area most of my life. from 1969 til Jan.1 2006. My parents/siblings still all live out there. I miss the cars from out there, if nothing else. I've had several cars here where the steel brake lines have corroded away. Took me a while to learn that when someone says a car needs brake lines here they usually mean the steel ones. Rust belt. that is an understatement. :-)

Thanks,
Russ

[bigborehunter]

Russ, your approach is the best way. There isn't really a rush. Some weeks it'll be slow because of funds or work. Other times things will just seem to happen on their own almost. Parts might suddenly appear dirt cheap, you'll find that panel just comes clean off and the new one lines up perfectly. Other times you'll wish the car had fallen from six feet above while you're underneath and be done with it. There are peaks and valleys.

[mikes2nd]

Thats cool Russ, keep up the good fight.

Once you get the rust gone, its at least down hill from there

Ill keep any left over sheet metal I have. I will try to salvage my lower drivers side quarter.

[russosborne]

I don't know, I am thinking maybe a couple of gallons of Bondo may be all I need.

Russ

[russosborne]

Well, if I manage to survive my wife I may have solved the quarter panel issue.
I just sent a deposit to someone here for both rear quarters. The price was just too good to pass up for me.
Now I hope my wife won't kill me to collect my life insurance.
The shipping cost is going to hurt, but we are working mandatory overtime again, so I can afford it I guess. If I had a late model pickup I would have driven to St.Louis to get them, but I would have to rent a Uhaul and then the gas on top of that.
Russ

p.s. If I don't post here for a week or more you guys will know what happened to me.

[russosborne]

bad thing is even if I live I may not be able to afford the argon for the mig. The gas itself isn't so bad, but it is having to get the bottle.
Maybe I can lease one from a welding supply around here.
It's always something.
Russ

[mikes2nd]

you get original quarters? skins fulls?

Originally Posted by russosborne

Well, if I manage to survive my wife I may have solved the quarter panel issue.
I just sent a deposit to someone here for both rear quarters. The price was just too good to pass up for me.
Now I hope my wife won't kill me to collect my life insurance.
The shipping cost is going to hurt, but we are working mandatory overtime again, so I can afford it I guess. If I had a late model pickup I would have driven to St.Louis to get them, but I would have to rent a Uhaul and then the gas on top of that.
Russ

p.s. If I don't post here for a week or more you guys will know what happened to me.