Darwin '67 11 Window Resto Project

[Cam Biscuit]

Its always the way, you do a heap of prep work that takes days and it looks like you're not making headway and then all of a sudden it's like the great leap forward.

Anyway long side and right rear corner are done! The D pillar needed a bit of a patch but nothing like the other side.

Happy days, the old thing is starting to look like a bus again

[bevoracing]

Why Cam, what a fine collection of vice grips you have.
Very nice.

[D-Train]

what panel glue is that?

[Cam Biscuit]

Sika Dion

Yeah Bevo you can never have enough! Hence the bracing against the wall

[067DUB]

Great pics bud, some useful tips there for me :

[NorCalRiviera]

Impressive work, Cam!

[Cam Biscuit]

I'd been sweating on doing the rear hinge carrier section inner and outer and there was plenty of work to get it all to fit but I'm pretty happy with the way it came out.

The inner section was short on each end for some reason so I made both extension pieces.

The rear deck I cleaned up to some extent but ran out of primer I'l have to do another patch or two here due to pitting, its had a bloody rough life by the looks of things! Lots of dents and waves Also got the cut outs for the rear lights done.

I also went back to the long panel and did some small welds down each rib. On the advice of 'the wise one' who said the Sika stuff was good but more of a seam sealer than a full bonding material. Have managed to avoid any warping by the look of it so all good.

[D-Train]

love your anvil

[Cam Biscuit]

Nothing too exiting but progress none the less, although not a lot of photos from the weekend.

Finished up the parcel shelf with one last patch and she's all stripped right back and primed.

Steering box, column and wheel are all out, so much easier when the front of the bus is missing - just lower it down, turn it upside down and pull the wheel out through the big hole!

Master Cyl also out and then on to the bumper mount which was hacked to death for some reason...not sure if the bolts had seized to the nuts at some stage or what but it need to be tidied up.

Then on to extending the a pillar repair piece to match what I had done for the other side. Geral prep work on the chassis and inner valance. Will have to hang doors to make sure the A pillars go back in the right spot!

[Cam Biscuit]

Didn't get too much spare time over the long weekend but got a little bit more done. Nice to be working on the front end for a change....

The front part of the chassis rails had seen a bit of corrosion so I went with the POR15 to protect this space in the future.

The the front inner valance went on welded top and bottom making sure it was positioned centrally.

Then on with the lower A pillar sections with lots of test fitting to get them aligned right with all of the other intersecting parts, so doors were on and off etc.

I welded on the passenger side and then wasn't happy with the angle it sat and how it worked with the dogleg so had to half cut it off again and get the angle right before re-welding. with a little filler to smooth things out I'm happy that the curved section below the door hingle plate will look pretty much factory.

Then on to some fitting up of the hedlight support panel, drilling holes for some spot weld plugs and also to replicate the hole where the wiring loom passes through. I was looking at the remaining floor section and its pretty knacked towards the rear. Andrew in Adelaide supplied me with a centre floor section in reasonable nick so I think I might pull out what is there now and put the new section in, instead of trying to patch what I have. I've got the repair sections for each end to fill in the gaps so all should be good.

The handbrake pivot pin needs to come out but from what I gather this job might be a complete bastard so I might take this assembly out with the floor and at least have better access to cut the pin!

[gazza]

Getting there mate will pop round when back
looking good but

[morts]

This will be on the Stuart Highway hauling ass to Adelaide before you know it - keep up the great work Cam...

[Cam Biscuit]

Bit more action.......

The old pedestal under the drivers seat was knackered but the replacement needed some love as well.

Similarly the centre section of floor was not perfect but a lot better than what I had. Great fun getting the handbrake pivot pin out!

I had to tune up the angle of the dangle on the A pillar repair piece - I thought I had it ok and had done a test fit with the dog leg when I welded it in but could get everything to work property without slicing the outer face and belting it into position with a BFH.

Dogleg in, first time at this - there is a fair bit to get right isn't there....?! Anyway not a bad outcome although it pulled in a fraction in one spot. Gaps are pretty good.

Corner of floor went in well, nice and quick!

[Cam Biscuit]

Missed the money shots....- the dimples look a whole lot worse in the pics than in the flesh.......

[bevoracing]

Hey Cam
What's those little clamp things in the front floor corner piece, picture 2638 ?? How do they work?
Those door gaps look great. Weren’t like that new.
Cheers
Tony