Darwin '67 11 Window Resto Project

gazza · Post by **gazza** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:42 pm

Like I said Cam will catch up when i get back
I've gotta com see this in the flesh just to get a grip on how lucky I was with my 60 bus
And also for a beer and viewing times as work and holidays are a bit mental at the mo
Will chat when back
Gaz

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 2:25 pm

Steadily poking away at it.....Amazing how much time it all takes although I'm sure it gets much faster when you've done it before.

About 60 odd hours so far

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 2:27 pm

More stuff you've all seen before!

Some chassis rail repairs required, only on one side though.

Did it in two stage just in case.....

Finally a bit of primer just to make it all look uniform and nice!

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 2:38 pm

Front shift rod coupler took a bit to shift. I thought for sure that the grob screw was going to snap off but some good heat with the map gas got it turning just!

Thanks to Klaus for the tip on someone elses thread with the twisting of the locking pliers along with more heat and she's off.

After notching the top hat to fit in the shift tube and the clutch tube etc and tuning up the cross member a little, the front top hat etc is all ready to go on.

Can anyone tell me - other than the bottom of the bulk head is there any thing else that sits between the two upright ribs of the storage bin and the top hat?

Hope that makes sense?

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:22 am

A bit more progress over the last couple of weeks. Not hard to see why restos cost so much when everything takes so much time to get right!

I thought the easy out was going to snap it had to much twist on it. MAP gas to the rescue again

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:31 am

B piller looks a treat! Not much left to play with thats going to be useful

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:41 am

Lastly I made up the close out pieces for each side and mocked it all up with the B piller outer section to see how its going to fit.

Just waiting now on my bulkhead to get up here (thanks PMG Bus) so I can piece it all together.

I've also started playing around with the cargo door sill stiffener and outer but I'm a bit stumped on how the stiffener matches up with the B piller at this point.

I think I might have been a bit dehydrated at that point yesterday arvo so hopefully it will all become clear to me next time I'm at the shed!

Rossco WA · Post by **Rossco WA** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 12:47 pm

Wow some awesome work going on there, defo. no rust in that when your finished. 60 hours I think you have done really well in that time, patients, you rush it it takes twice as long.

Fathermarc · Post by **Fathermarc** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:36 pm

Hi Cam,

found your post. Looks like we're in the same boat and at the same stage of a resto. I think your welding is much better though

One day I hope to be as good. Hopefully not before the end of the resto but more than likely. Keep up the good work fella, I'll keep a watchful eye on your progress.

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:33 am

Thanks Guys. Rosco I think its about 80 hours now but there's a few hours of me standing around scratching my head or nuts trying to work things out

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:44 pm

Photo help please!

Can someone please post a picture of the passenger side B piller around where the seat base joins the bulkhead. I need to see where the pillar steps down and how far down the seal channel extends down.

Thanks

Dasdubber · Post by **Dasdubber** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 7:03 pm

Nice work Cam, you're doing well mate. 80 hours goes quick hey, you'll be up to 200 before you know and will still have a heap ahead of you

Multiple that by a shop rate (e.g. ours is $88/hr) and you can see why resto's aint so cheap! Thats before the actual body work and paint prep begins!!
Al

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 2:42 pm

Yeah Al its an ugly reality! There is a long way to go.....I keep telling myself there's no rush but I'm not the most patient bloke in the world!

More B pillar action on the weekend. I had to cut & shut the outer section where it welds on to the inner. The outer section houses the captive nuts for the door so I had to make sure it all lined up before welding it in and also had to make sure the sill matched the contour of the B pillar, and the floor lined up with the cargo door latch holes blah blah blah!!

Cam Biscuit · Post by **Cam Biscuit** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:08 pm

Put the wrong photo in above of the B pillar adjustment....

Felt like a change so I spent some time on one of my A pillar extensions. They had rusted above the spot the replacement sections cover so I had to extend them by about 15mm and include the curved bit below the hinge plate.

Then on to the floor and I reckon each floor section went in and out about 10 times each, mainly to adjust around the rear heater tubes. Finally all the floor holes lined up well enought to push bolts through where the seat belt mounts go.

Some slices in the heater tubes from floor removal were also welded up....

Not 100% sure what to do with the rear edge of the floor yet. It had the correct flange to go under and join behind the rear fire wall but to get to that I have to drop the trans and I'm not sure if I can be arsed doing that at this point. Tempted just to cut off the top 10mm and butt it up to the existing section. What has everyone else done with theirs?