Project '68 Sportvan Custom

[RAY68108]

D/A sander, electric palm sander, sanding blocks, a dremel and 8 live bodies...2 ladders with a plank as scaffold...we also did a once over to the roof. Some beers, cigarettes, tunes, cuttin up, it was a party.

[RAY68108]

more progress

[Russell]

Looks like Cupid has been shooting little Love arrows at your Van.

[RAY68108]

I have a couple of questions. The putty/caulk in the gutters. 90 percent of it is intact and adhered, but, in a few places its coming up and/or missing. Should I warm it with a heat gun and scrape it out? Long tedious work (what part of this project isn't) but , I understand the prep is the most important step in where Im trying to take this project. Next, the windshield channel is solid, but, it does have pitting. Ive stripped the entire channel to bare metal. Im thinking about cardboarding the inside of the windshield area and sandblasting the channel to clean the pitting. Good idea or overkill? Maybe Ive answered my own questions. Thanks, Ray

[Russell]

I saw this video a couple of days ago, I would have never thought of trying this but................
I wonder if it would do the same to the roof caulking.

https://www.facebook.com/BlackTreacleGT4/videos/398934317323857/UzpfSTEwMDAwMDU2MzY0NTY1MDoyNTI4OTk1Nzc3MTI5MTg2/

[Tanz]

I have a couple of questions. The putty/caulk in the gutters. 90 percent of it is intact and adhered, but, in a few places its coming up and/or missing. Should I warm it with a heat gun and scrape it out? Long tedious work (what part of this project isn't) but , I understand the prep is the most important step in where Im trying to take this project. Next, the windshield channel is solid, but, it does have pitting. Ive stripped the entire channel to bare metal. Im thinking about cardboarding the inside of the windshield area and sandblasting the channel to clean the pitting. Good idea or overkill? Maybe Ive answered my own questions. Thanks, Ray

Ive just done my guttering as I had a leak on one of the rear quarters. A lot of the caulk was hard and cracked from 50 years of weather so scrapped it all out with chisel/screwdriver. Cleaned the rust out with wire brushing and a dremel tool. The metal underneath was in amazing condition. Primed the metal with a 2k epoxy primer and left to dry for 24 hours. Applied seam sealant and smoothed it over with a white spirit coated finger or spatular (ie - ice lolly stick!). Left to dry for 24 hours, and then gave another coat to be sure!

[RAY68108]

Due to lifes curveballs, this project got stalled back in Feb. I finally got a chance to make progress yesterday.

[RAY68108]

more progress

[Wookee]

I all most puked up dinner when I pulled the windshield out of the "Beat"

Heavy surface rust in a few spots coming out from the windshield gasket was all I looked at until I was ready to fix what ever was behind the factory gasket.
I came real close to just yanking the crate 350 right back out and Junking her.
I had her mechanically right.ready to drive.
I had to deal with a poorly worked dent on the DS rear corner.
I walked away from it for a month or so.
She fired over every time I sat in the drovers seat.
It took me a bit longer than I thought it was going to take to get the needed work in primer / sealer, ready for paint...
I cut in the color I wanted to paint it and drove the hell out of her...

The needed work is well worth it.
She will make a sweet "Driver".

[cruzbox]

Looking good

How's it going Ray? Looks like a nice solid project you picked up! Keep up the good progress and you will have paint on her soon.

[SAVAGE]

Looking good, you shaving the bumpers

[RAY68108]

Thanks Guys, My first attempt at body work. Jumping in feet first. Yes, I am shaving the rear bumper. Ill keep the pics coming.

[RAY68108]

That center section was misaligned from the general, so I drilled the spot welds at both ends, pushed up, realigned and tack welded. Workin on one thing, find a few other issues.

[cruzbox]

Details!

One issue at a time, before you know it you’ll have paint on her! Keep the pictures coming it’s looking good.
Cruzbox

[RAY68108]

progress....thinkin about Wookee

found this damage hidden behind the bumper...tried to pull it out, the dent won. I cut it out, trimmed to fit a patch from a parts van. Welded it in...I think I won. Many people here inspire me to venture into new territory.