Greetings!
I'm working on Gary's '51 Chevy coupe today. I had planned to finish the paint on Paul's Focus and I was ready to paint Monday night, but when I began sanding the paint on the hood I noticed that there was not only paint separation, but that there were some dents in the very front as well. So, I've started at the beginning with body work to fix the dents before I can move ahead with paint.
Back on Gary's coupe I decided to cover the firewall instead of just filling in the holes and smoothing it up. I've completely stripped all the fasteners and wires from the firewall and looks pretty rough. I carefully measured the firewall and then bought some sheet metal in town. To cut out the shape, I made a cardboard template and laid it over the sheet metal and carefully cut it out using a variety of saws. When its ready, I'll weld the panel to the firewall, but there are a few things to work out first. Look how completely it cleans up the firewall!
Just so nobody has an accident, I smoothed the edges of the trimmed metal plate. I'll be handling it for a while, taking it off and replacing it as I work out the mounting details for the firewall-mounted brake booster and master cylinder and the pedal assembly I scrounged from a late 90s Camaro.
I decided the hanging pedal assembly would work the best instead of replacing the master cylinder that is bolted to the chassis under the floor. It's so difficult to refill the under-floor reservoir and the carpet in Gary's car had no provision made to access it other than by laying on your back under the car. I'm thinking of using a hydraulic clutch as well; they work smoothly and eliminate the need for clumsy, squeaky linkage. I used one on the El Camino and I'm pleased with the feel of the pedal and the smooth, quiet operation.
I'm considering replacing the trapezoid pedals with some round pedals that look more like the originals. Things seem more appealing when they appear to be vintage but work as well as the modern equipment. Kind of like me.
Doug
I'm working on Gary's '51 Chevy coupe today. I had planned to finish the paint on Paul's Focus and I was ready to paint Monday night, but when I began sanding the paint on the hood I noticed that there was not only paint separation, but that there were some dents in the very front as well. So, I've started at the beginning with body work to fix the dents before I can move ahead with paint.
Back on Gary's coupe I decided to cover the firewall instead of just filling in the holes and smoothing it up. I've completely stripped all the fasteners and wires from the firewall and looks pretty rough. I carefully measured the firewall and then bought some sheet metal in town. To cut out the shape, I made a cardboard template and laid it over the sheet metal and carefully cut it out using a variety of saws. When its ready, I'll weld the panel to the firewall, but there are a few things to work out first. Look how completely it cleans up the firewall!
I decided the hanging pedal assembly would work the best instead of replacing the master cylinder that is bolted to the chassis under the floor. It's so difficult to refill the under-floor reservoir and the carpet in Gary's car had no provision made to access it other than by laying on your back under the car. I'm thinking of using a hydraulic clutch as well; they work smoothly and eliminate the need for clumsy, squeaky linkage. I used one on the El Camino and I'm pleased with the feel of the pedal and the smooth, quiet operation.
I'm considering replacing the trapezoid pedals with some round pedals that look more like the originals. Things seem more appealing when they appear to be vintage but work as well as the modern equipment. Kind of like me.
Doug
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