'70 Vista Cruiser Project
March 9th, 2013, 07:15 PM
#603
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It's been a light last couple of weeks....while waiting to resolve the gas tank issue, we don't want to drop the body back on the chassis yet....so we started working on the driveshaft and steering column conversion. Installed new u-joints and now, several hours to clean up the driveshaft....we will matt clear when done. Was super rusty....also, being that I brought a bunch of tools home, and still haven't returned them back to the shop, I had to make my own steering wheel puller.....
March 23rd, 2013, 07:19 PM
#604
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Gas Tank Repair 101....
OK....we got another gas tank! Thanks again to Eric Jensen(jensenracing77) for the free gas tank! This gentleman gave me this tank for the price of shipping!
Good person and as usual, I would buy anything from him!
Now....when we left off with the original tank, I did a bunch of work to it, only to find it had several pinholes! Since it wasn't a virgin tank as it had been repaired several times before and sealed, welding was out of the question! It had so many dents anyway....
This tank had also been patched by an amatuer at one time in its life! Surrounded by a massive dent, I decided "MAW" make this thing as nice as the rest of the car....so, I cut her open and hammered and dollied all the dents out...also, put it in the media blaster for a couple hour basting! now, easy access....
Good person and as usual, I would buy anything from him!Now....when we left off with the original tank, I did a bunch of work to it, only to find it had several pinholes! Since it wasn't a virgin tank as it had been repaired several times before and sealed, welding was out of the question! It had so many dents anyway....
This tank had also been patched by an amatuer at one time in its life! Surrounded by a massive dent, I decided "MAW" make this thing as nice as the rest of the car....so, I cut her open and hammered and dollied all the dents out...also, put it in the media blaster for a couple hour basting! now, easy access....
March 23rd, 2013, 07:26 PM
#605
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Here is a pic of what was some kind of leak repair that was doing absolutely nothing!
Much easier now...
Cleaned up very nicely!
Now to clean up the inside, and weld everything back up!
Much easier now...
Cleaned up very nicely!
Now to clean up the inside, and weld everything back up!
March 23rd, 2013, 09:24 PM
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March 23rd, 2013, 09:27 PM
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Funny thing is, when I was a teenager, I never wanted to work on cars. I went to college to become an architect! I got so tired of being bulls%$tted by mechanics with my cars and them never being right, that I taught myself how to fix them myself. So, when they said it couldn't be fixed.....so this tank will be better than any job they could do!
Last edited by ent72olds; March 23rd, 2013 at 09:33 PM.
March 24th, 2013, 07:07 AM
#610
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ray, that was the plan, but, to send the tank there and back was gonna cost me my left nut...also, the shop said that since it had already been resealed in the past, it couldn't be done again! Go figure...
Funny thing is, when i was a teenager, i never wanted to work on cars. I went to college to become an architect! I got so tired of being bulls%$tted by mechanics with my cars and them never being right, that i taught myself how to fix them myself. So, when they said it couldn't be fixed.....so this tank will be better than any job they could do!
Funny thing is, when i was a teenager, i never wanted to work on cars. I went to college to become an architect! I got so tired of being bulls%$tted by mechanics with my cars and them never being right, that i taught myself how to fix them myself. So, when they said it couldn't be fixed.....so this tank will be better than any job they could do!
ray
March 24th, 2013, 07:23 AM
#611
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Yea Ray, I only wanted to send it out in the interest of saving me some time. Actually pay someone to do something. But, when the "I don't know how good it will come out, we won't be able to warranty it" lines come out...that's when I say, "you know what, I'll do it myself".....this ain't rocket science here!
March 24th, 2013, 02:29 PM
#612
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Nice work on the repair Erik. That should give you another couple pints of capacity for cruising. Looking forward to the finished tank.
Like the driveshaft. Did mine last year but went with cast color instead of clear satin. Just like the look. And I kept my original U-joints because they were still in perfect condition. You putting stripes back on the driveshaft?
Like the driveshaft. Did mine last year but went with cast color instead of clear satin. Just like the look. And I kept my original U-joints because they were still in perfect condition. You putting stripes back on the driveshaft?
March 24th, 2013, 02:56 PM
#613
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That's very funny, "should give you a couple more pints of capacity for cruising"......
As far as the driveshaft, it isn't completely done yet, as we have to go through the stages of different grits to make it look nice! The satin clear idea came from something I read from you I believe in another thread! Thanks! I do want to redo the stripes. I think it tells in the CSM where and what colors, correct? I think I remember seeing that....
As far as the driveshaft, it isn't completely done yet, as we have to go through the stages of different grits to make it look nice! The satin clear idea came from something I read from you I believe in another thread! Thanks! I do want to redo the stripes. I think it tells in the CSM where and what colors, correct? I think I remember seeing that....
March 24th, 2013, 05:49 PM
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Wow you can even weld gas tanks!! Seriously I thought that you couldn't ever do any welding or grinding,etc work on old gas tanks because you could never get the fumes out and a spark...KABOOOM!! How do you do it? I heard of old shops putting car exhaust from the tailpipe thru a tube into gas tanks to remove the oxygen??? Great work Erik...
March 25th, 2013, 05:07 PM
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I think what I remembered guys talking about back in the day were motorcycle gas tanks. The story(or rumor) was some guy got burned. But it maybe just a story. You must have made some sparks when you cut it apart didn't you? So maybe no problem. You said your insurance is all paid up, didn't you??
March 31st, 2013, 07:51 AM
#619
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Erik, it is great to see the progress you have made on the car and all the detail going going into it, sticking to the course of doing things right with no short cuts just to get it on the road ASAP. It will be so nice to see yet another one of these sky wagons back on the road in due time!
April 13th, 2013, 07:07 PM
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Back on the Tank!
Continued working on the gas tank today. Welded up a couple of air chisel gouges, and decided to flange it. Spot welded the patch in place. Just need to finish welding and grind it up!
April 13th, 2013, 07:11 PM
#621
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Work on Driveshaft...
My brother continued working on the driveshaft....this thing is coming real nice! The yokes will be painted cast gray, the shaft will be matte cleared then we will re-apply the single black stripe!
April 14th, 2013, 07:46 PM
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Thanks again for checking in designer!
May 20th, 2013, 07:59 PM
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September 21st, 2013, 09:01 PM
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Tank Tanked.....
Well, where I last left off, I was welding the gas tank! I'm not likin' it! I will be having a friend of mine make a tank.....so, in the meantime, I had Ben Meissner from Street Rod Designs (SRD Art), who I met on another forum, make me up a rendering. We tried a few different colors, but decided we like this.....this car has been slowly revolving from stock resto, to a mild Pro Touring car....
...feel free to ctitique, as I am open to all input.....we still have a long way to go....
...feel free to ctitique, as I am open to all input.....we still have a long way to go....
September 22nd, 2013, 06:35 AM
#635
Sammy70 455 Supreme
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Man, I love the 70 Vista!
To think we use to use them as derby cars
Eric, I also like the restored look...these wagons can handle it!
Also, am not too sure I like the color....but I will look at the pic tomorrow and see if it has grown on me
Maybe a OAI setup....the hood might look cool.I liked it on Scott's (0ldspackrat)when I was down visiting him.
Maybe lose the tint or some of it?There is a lot of window to darken.
Ted
To think we use to use them as derby cars
Eric, I also like the restored look...these wagons can handle it!
Also, am not too sure I like the color....but I will look at the pic tomorrow and see if it has grown on me
Maybe a OAI setup....the hood might look cool.I liked it on Scott's (0ldspackrat)when I was down visiting him.
Maybe lose the tint or some of it?There is a lot of window to darken.
Ted
December 11th, 2013, 12:00 PM
#639
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Bodywork is done , but not ready to paint yet. The motor and trans needs to be finished and installed in the chassis before I drop the body back on it. Haven't worked on her in a very long time!
April 24th, 2014, 04:25 PM
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Erik, looking back thru this thread again. I found another Vista in a yard and I am going to purchase the Vista windows out of it. They are delaminated some but I want them for spares. I think you didn't remove those windows in your Vista, correct? Do you know the best way to get them out? Thanks, Greg.
