Convertcrazed

Well I'm new to this forum(so bear with me), but I figured I better show you my major build before I start asking too many ?'s LOL!. I owned this same car back in the day 1980-1986, wish now I never sold her. I've been searching for a couple of years for a decent affordable shell to make my dream car (70 442 W-30 Convert) which I had the chance to buy back then for 6K oops!!!!! I finally found her on e-bay and of coarse from one of your members kjr442 great guy! Anyway here she is...............

Convertcrazed

I got her on Aug 1st and I think I've made decent headway))This is 3wks into her)))

sammy

Welcome!
I will be following along....starting mine next year and it is in similar condition as yours....

Are you patching the floor or is it too far gone?.....mine was non existent

Convertcrazed

Thanks Sammy, maybe my experiences will help with your build? On the floors, I just got full floors from Ame's, but I'm only replacing what is totally rotten, I got the full pans to firewall(Pass factory seam) with out braces, because mine rotted from the inside out and my braces are perfect Also I bought them in Carlisle...no shipping))) saved $100 Made in Twain??? I'll let you know how it goes? Almost there

sammy

Cool that your braces are in good shape ! Mine were gone, so I cut the whole floor pan out of a donor car( that was fun)sounds like you got a good deal in Carlisle on the floor ....shipping costs are a pain in the derrière
Post pics as you go....

Convertcrazed

Well in week 4, a colleague in my golf league, heard about my project and said he had some fenders and a rear? So off I went to his garage, shed and even his attic! LOL! I bought it all!!!! A completely rebuilt 1970 442 3.42 posi rear with new brakes, bushings, cables and bumpers.....3 rust free early 70 flat seam fender.....3 SSII ralley rims, complete except for center caps....2 twain rear qtr skins and a box of misc SS trim....all for $1200)))))
Ya never know! The gray fender is for sale? $400 plus shipping?
I think I scored on this one))))

Convertcrazed

Week 6 - dash out , some more trim and A/C box removed)))Before and after of door sill trim)) Can't wait to go the other way!.....Getting siked for Carlisle, 1st time in 30 yrs!!!!!

Convertcrazed

Week 8 - Score on a good used bumper on craigslist$200...she polished up pretty nice, but plan to rechrome later Also found what's left of the build sheet on top of gas tank I remember throwing mine away in my my 1971 chevelle convert (1979) LOL!

Convertcrazed

Hey Sammy, I will, I was so wrapped up in car that I was slakin to post, and I know that I will get an S load of info from u guys))))It's late and I'll finish getting caught up 2maro night with my Carlisle score and some current photos Gotta clean up shop 1st! LOL!
Goodnite!
Eric

kjr442

Looks like you are making a lot of progress.

Convertcrazed

Look what I found in my old stuff bins.....forgot I even saved this stuff
Enjoy!!!!!!!! Oh ya the 1st one is my build sheet from my 1st olds in 1983....the 2nd and 3rd are old catalogs I saved from 30 yrs ago.....ck out the $'s...all NOS....the 4th is a receipt from fusick where I bought a NOS front bumper.......and the last is a page from an original sales brochure....I still have all of mine and the previous owners receipts for repair.....you wouldn't believe how cheap sop rate were back in 79...LOL! I'll post later.......once again enjoy!))

Convertcrazed

Oh yea...week 9 Carlilse.......I think I did pretty well ......I got a OEM 442 hood that needs minor repair with lock pins for $550.00 he was asking $850.00( only took me 3 days to get him down...hey that's $100 aday...I also got a floor shift tilt steering column for $120)))) and a bunch of small stuff also on the cheap....can't wait for next spring!.I took a bunch of my extra parts with me and almost sold everything to a dealer and he changed his mind over lunch I'll post here shortly everything I have for sale...cause I need some cash flow!LOL!

Convertcrazed

Week 10 - tear down 99% complete and ready for floor pans

kjr442

So what will you fo with old hood?

Convertcrazed

For sale?$

kjr442

how much , this is the scary part

kjr442

or maybe the shipping is the scary part.

kjr442

that is a nice ram air hood you bought, dang and what a deal.

Convertcrazed

I don't know what it's worth? I do need rear trim, but don't need louvers....You know the cond better than anyone...LOL! Shipping? My wild guess would be $200 hood and $200 shipping?????Offers??

Convertcrazed

And thanks for the response on the ram air hood...I thought I stoll it also......I'm new to this...saw lots of views...but no comments???? Does anyone care???? Anyway I'm posting so I can document my build and also show others my experiences... maybe it will help someone in their build.....I have tons of ?'s in my head...but I'll get there as I go))) also maybe we can make some kind of trade on the parts I still Need??????

kjr442

I might need it, but not sure yet. I will let you know.
You sure have made good progress . What is your plan for the frame? Paint or powder coat?

kjr442

Of course they, I , care. Just wait until you start going back with this thing, you will have quite a few replys.
I will work it out with you on that hood one way or another. Thank you.

Convertcrazed

Hey Kevin, on the frame......Wire brush and scrap.....rust dissolver.....rust converter.....internal frame coating....and chassis ceramic 2k paint...all from Eastwood......Love these guys.....click of a mouse and in 2 days at my door, but I'm sure they love me 2....averaging $100 a week...LOL! I now have about 5K in her...hope I make my budget of 15K?????probably not
Eric

kjr442

kjr442

From my experience, I would have it checked on a frame machine before you go to all that trouble. You never know.

Boilerz25

Good luck with the build I will be following. The deal on the hood is awesome. I am jealous.

Sean

Convertcrazed

Thanx Sean,,,ur build looks awesome!!! and u r flyin....I'm figuring 2 yrs with 1st cruise with blue skies above to be Summer of 2016 ....she's gonna be 1 of a kind My kind)

Convertcrazed

Yes Kevin...I'm planning on doing some major measuring myself 1st with a laser level...I'll deside then if she needs some yankin????Someone deffently did some 4 wheelin with her? I'll keep u posted...wanna get floor pans done before I pull the bodyThanks for the advise I can use all the help I can get...it's only been 30+yrs
since I did a frame off???/
Eric

Convertcrazed

Well week 11,12,13 and 14 Got floors cut out and new installed....body ready for separation from frame.....looking into dustless blasting the body and frame? Also got some new and used parts for dash, just need to finish assembly Lots of parts collecting in the last month....also trans is done and engine machine work almost done(hoping to assemble by Christmas)
Eric

bnjoes

Awesome Job.

Looking forward to future posts!!

kjr442

Eddie Hansen

Eric your flying, of course we care, and are following along, I havent been to carlisle in years used to go every spring and fall, to get parts....you did steel that stuff lol following along

Eddie

oldcutlass

Beautiful work.

sammy

You are really moving along ....looks great!
I may have to send my convert to you to save

Convertcrazed

We have lift off!!!!

kjr442

Now you are in deep. Lol this was the moment for me that scared the /&@# out of me.
I sent you a email tonight.

Eddie Hansen

Wow great way to lift the body off, I know its late but werent you afraid of flexing lifting with the doors off? Doesnt look like you welded in any supports? I also see you have all the glass out etc so I guess it wasnt very heavy.


Your really moving along, keep it up.

kjr442

That is how I lifted mine too, but with the doors on. I would say looking at the way he has is hooked up it will be fine.

Convertcrazed

Yep, went pretty well, If you can tell, lifted outwards slightly and replaced floor pans 1st for extra strength........no flex at all......prob only weighs 800lbs stripped....wild guess? Also noticed that most guys bracing the doors were using a rotisserie....puts a lot more stress on the center. I would never lift a convertible with the doors on....way to much stress. Also I wouldn't do it with rotted floors....Just my thoughts
Eric

Convertcrazed

Well been awhile...Busy Holidays...Christmas in Fla I guess I'll switch my posts from weeks to months...LOL! well month 5 to busy, but did score some nice parts from Rick(a member) while I was in Fla Anyway frame is out side...to cold...so been pluggin away at stripping suspension parts and restoring some trim. Found a clone on ebay, just like what I'm building, so I thought I'd post some way in advance before and after shots Can't wait till she looks like this