Viewing 15 posts - 31 through 45 (of 49 total)
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  • #7705
    Jon Shields
    Participant

    Again, really high quality work. I have a question though… I see that you blast, prime and paint your chassis. Do you find that is better, or more economical than a powder coat?

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

    #7716
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Great question. We find that the paint process we do is nearly as durable, and we can touch it up in the future and have it match. Powder is nice, but it can also throw off the shop schedule with larger items, and it involves the parts leaving our place for an unknown timeframe wherever they are done. Sometimes industrial powdercoaters will treat your custom frame like piece of industrial equipment or a fence, and you get back a part with runs, thin spots, etc. We’ve used several outstanding coaters, like Extreme Powder Coating in MN, but they are several states away and the transport time and cost adds up. We are always looking for good partners in the coating biz that can do large parts economically and with high quality, but can can shoot them in-house as well.

    Kevin Oeste

    #7717
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Cool update on this one. Gorgeous chassis work!

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

    Thanks Mike!

    Kevin Oeste

    #8126
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Soon it was time to check out the 396 cube V-8 that came with the ‘57.

    The car had run many years ago, but the engine’s condition was unknown. We performed a leak down test and determined that several cylinders had very low compression, and the major source of the air leaks was through the valves. The piston rings we’re not perfect, but this car definitely needed a top and rebuild.

    We checked clearances on the main and rod bearings, and they appeared OK.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8127
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    After a few phone calls, we sourced a set of rebuilt big block Gen IV Vortec Chevy heads from a friend. We installed those heads rather than spend extra money to remachine the existing heads.

    We also installed a new timing chain and oil pump, and replaced the rusty oil pan and all the engine gaskets.

    After a thorough degreasing, we masked and prepped the engine for paint, and re-sprayed it in ceramic Chevy orange high temp engine paint from Eastwood. New chrome valve covers completed the look that the customer was after.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8193
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    While the engine detailing was happening, the ‘57s body was back in the paint booth for some more detail work. We seam sealed everything, and then cleaned and prepped the top sides of the new sheetmetal for Axalta epoxy paint.

    The dash was prepped as well, as it would receive a re-paint to freshen it up.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8194
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The dash was prepped as well, as it would receive a re-paint to freshen it up.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8195
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The outside surfaces were masked before spraying.

    These FBS ProMask dispensers are handy for this kind of work. They are a roll of pre-taped masking paper in a convenient dispenser.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8196
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    After the black treatment, the dash and bezels were prepped for a new coat of red.

    The gray is a surfacing primer to ensure a smooth finish.

    The exterior of the car had a few areas that needed some red as well, like anywhere we added new sheetmetal and disturbed the paint. These areas were cleaned, body filler was applied and sanded where necessary, primed, sanded, and painted in a matching red. Remember, the customer did not want us to paint the whole car at this point, so we were tasked with a blend.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8197
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Fresh Red!

    The ‘57 design is nice because the trim allows you to hide a paint line when doing repairs. On a complete paint job, this would not be a consideration, but this is what the customer wanted.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8305
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    After the car was rolled out of the paint booth, the engine went back in and the front sheetmetal started to go back on the car. The customer did not wish to have the firewall repainted at this time, so our crew concentrated on making the car a runner once again.

    The Muncie 4-speed was cleaned and re-sealed, and the linkage rebuilt with new bushings and clips.

    Inside the car, the dash was rewired and sound deadener added.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8306
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    A Dakota Digital VHX gauge unit was installed to give the dash a modern touch and add more functionality to the gauge cluster.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8765
    Jeff Holthenrichs
    Participant

    Any final update to this? It is surprising that the owner would go through all this and not just have the firewall sprayed black. Hmmm.

    #8800
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Any final update to this? It is surprising that the owner would go through all this and not just have the firewall sprayed black. Hmmm.

    At this point, the customer didn’t put a high priority on the underhood appearance, but he wanted to make sure the car had good “bones” in case he ever wanted to repaint the exterior, swap engines, or other major work.

    Kevin Oeste

    #8801
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    A new fuel tank was sourced from Classic Industries and installed with new straps and pads.

    The gauge colors blend nicely with the restored dash.

    The firewall and floor were covered in Eastwood sound deadener.

    Kevin Oeste

Viewing 15 posts - 31 through 45 (of 49 total)
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