Another source for parts/info you might want to look into would be the Toronado owners association. Their website is www.toronado.org. May be able to find the metal dash you're looking for instead of fabricating a new one.

 

Hey Harald,

That is quite the project you have going on.

I’m knee deep in my 68 Toro as well.

http://www.toronado.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=593

Although I didn’t take the body completely off the frame. I did jack it off the frame to change the rear mounts.

I reviewed the previous owners page and looks like he thought he was doing a good job on that old 66.

I am in the Autobody industry and have been for 30 years. I have seen a lot of crazy piece-meal patch work in that time. Even cars that look absolutely perfect can have some hidden secrets.

Best of luck!

 

Hey Chazzer nice work your doing hope you get it
ready for 2013 , love to have a look at it , Cool car !

 

Thanks 61, It's very doubtful that the Toro will be ready this year.

 

I started stripping the paint and filler in the traditional way, a heat gun and some scrapers. I had a very thick layer of filler and found an interesting repair on the right rear quarter.
Next thing will be sandblasting inside and out.
Harald

 

Wow , this is great work ! It seems you have got a lot accomplished !

 

but I still have some highlights to be addressed... and I have no glue how to get by..
The very next step before sandblasting all is a kind of rotisserie. A different one, I will mount the body to the ceilling... I just fabricated the front and rear mounts for the body.
Harald

 

Search some of the major restoration threads on this site . Most of these guys make their own rotisserie .

 

I found some time the past week to built a rotisserie and prepare the body for sandblasting. I am using a handwinch to turn the body over and / or fix it in position. The only thing left is enclosing the area with plastic foil to keep the dust in on corner of the shop.

Harald

 

Fabulous job on this car so far! I have never seen a rotisserie suspended from the ceiling. Very inventive idea.
I guess I don't have to tell you that "California car" does not always mean "rust free car". California has some mountainous areas in the north part where they use a lot of road salt.
Stay with it though, your fabrication skills are better than most of us. I am sure you will have a very nice car when you are through.

 

thanks Charly for the encouraging words. That helps a lot.
I couldn't work on the car the past two weeks, I caught a bad cold and the part of the shop where the Car is for blasting is not heated

Harald

 

Hi folks,

its been a while and work on the Toronade was kind of slow but I was able to get some things done. Most of the sheetmetal is repaired, even the big problem of the front windshield frame / dashboard is done.
I was able to paint the interioir and the underside with 2 layers of KBS coatings . As I try to avoid bondo I had an old guy show me how to use lead instead. I still need more practice but it works. Only drawback of the lead so far it needs a lot of time and patience to get it in shape..

See the pics..

Harald

 

Yes lead work is becoming a lost art. great job!

 

I also addressed the seats, had new covers made and sandblasted the seat bases and sprayed them with 2 coats of black..

 

the front windshield frame and the dashboard were still my biggest concerns... but if you take your time, then think about a solution and try to do it right the first time, everything can be done.

Look at the before and after....

 

The good part about lead is that once you are done it is there forever! Looking good.

 

and finally some lead work

 

that was the rear glass frame... I fabricated a new top part out of a single piece of sheetmetall... hours were not counted....
again I like the before and after pics..

 

great thread! I found it very informative.

 

just a brief update:

Toronado is in paint preparation. After the lead work a buddy of mine is working on perfect straight sheetmetal. We hope to get it painted by the end of this year.
In the meantime I started on the engine. I had luck and it really was "overhauled": new timing chain, new valve train, new main bearings, a bored / honed block with new pistons... So my work will be only cosmetical...

Harald

 

Awesome job, nice craftsmanship!

 

as I still have the motor open...
It was overhauled thats for sure but I didn't check the rear main seal. I hope the builder put in a new two piece rear main seal type. ( I remember the big block ford types fit..)
Elsewhee I read not every rope type seal could be converted to a two piece rubber part...
If anyone knows more pls help me out..
Harald

 

I do business with these people. Unlike many outlets in my area, this one takes seriously customers who aren't out to buy 100 items at a time. Their prices are also reasonable and they stock genuine SKF bearings. Simply, send them specifications for your requirement. If they have something close enough, any difference can get compensated through pressing in bushings to close the space between inch and metric measurements:

http://www.schleer.de/



http://www.schleer.de/produkte/mecha...ung/index.html

I would recommend confirming that Toronado specification replacement parts were installed, before assembling the engine and installing it, since you didn't do the work yourself. The entire valvetrain is exclusive for Toronado only, for example. The valve timing and lobe lifts can be measured, as well as the compression, to verify that you have the correct pistons and camshaft. A lazy shop will just install whatever they have laying around which will cost you horsepower

 

As I am visiting the machine shop tomorrow.... does anyone have an exact dimension of the harmonic balancer's diameter where the front oil seal rides on? It' a '66 425 V8 out of my Toronado. I had to buy an aftermarket balancer 'cause mine fell apart... I have to work a little on the counterweight to make it fit..and I realized the outer diameter is 51,38mm and the oil seal sits a little too tight for my personal taste.. data from the national oil seal say it is for a 2" shaft and that's only 50,8mm. So before I modify mine I like to confirm with another original balancer...to be on the safe side. My original one is not for measuring.. the surface is shot... I modified it for a different oil seal and had to realize that I cannot find a company to overhaul the rubber part.


Thx a lot... and a happy new year for all of you

 

paint preparation...... countless hours still went in the already lead straightened metal..

 

see some more...

 

Here are some pics along the way to the paintshop...

 

Looks great! When do you begin the assembly phase?

 

That will be spring.... hopefully... I still have some tasks on my to do list:
rebuilt the heater / AC box,
convert the AC to R134a,
restore the dash
get the seats done, I need new foam but have the seat covers in hand,
get the TH425 assembled and bolted to the motor

and

and

and

 

You, Sir, are a true Craftsman! I don't remember the last time I saw lead work. Kudos for an excellent restoration, and also for your excellent patience!!!
Aron

 

Holy ***** just happened to look at this thread, partly because I LOVE these Toronado's. Saw your picture of the door jam dealer plate. This is the EXACT same dealer my 1964 Olds 98 came from!! What are the chances?? WOW.
Somehow, my car made it's way from San Jose to Orlando, Florida. We know the history of yours migrating ALL the way to Germany. Awesome progress. Thanks for sharing. You most likely have the only one in Germany??
Sorry, I only can find one picture of my drivers door. But if you were to look really close, you would see the same dealer plate.

JT
Orlando, Florida.

 

Not quite. As I was looking up a possible registry for Germany, I came up with a couple Toronado owners: http://search.motortalk.net/?query=toronado

 

Harald excellent work, as was said true craftsmanship!!!! Unbelievable

Thanks for sharing and also inspiring


Killian I am not sure of the year toro but I thought the two engined 4 wheel drive toro was in Germany now? I think jay Leno also has one?


Harald forgot to say the paint is incredible

 

Leno butchered his, by dropping the body shell onto a Corvette frame. It no longer has the charachter of a Toro

 

Killian, I am not sure leno used the two engine Toro, and I agree it is not an oldsmobile at heart, but I will say from what I saw very well done and perhaps olds inspired is better, I did like the redlines on chromed toro wheels though, I do find it hard to say this is butchered LOL

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/to...o-Jay-Leno.htm

but definately not an oldsmobile per se

I was thinking this one ( I believe there are a few out there )

http://www.ronsusser.com/inventory.htm?id=846
http://www.grantpistonrings.com/hist...story_home.htm

BTW I noticed your from Freiburg, I was lucky enough to vist your city back in the early 80's I loved it, my friends uncle taught at the university, and we had a "native" guide, I still think of Ganter beer!! LOL

Harald excuse me stepping on your excellent thread!! my apologies.

 

Time for some assembly pics...

 

finally steering and brakes are connected, a new Optima yellow top with cut-out switch, a modified engine harness with relays for high and low beam and a central firewall connector with new fuse boxes inside

 

more along the way

 

Very nice work!

 

you know that this will have an effect on the balance of your rotating assembly??