Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 3, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted February 3, 2021 I brought a bucket-list car! With money to burn from the Datsun 1200 sale, I was watching the market like a hawk. Lots of O.K stuff, lots of stuff that’s 5k darer than it should be, nothing really grabbed me. I had a flurry on a 180b SSS but timing was crook, I looked at the black Chrysler Windsor sedan on trademe with lust (should have got that one perhaps!). We spend 3.5 days at muscle car madness every year and I knew there had to be something interesting for sale out there. there wasn’t. on Saturday morning I spotted an auction for this 1970 coronet, freshly imported, in the South Island, only a wee bit above budget. Should I whack on a bid as a placeholder until the weekend was over and risk a bidding war that blew the budget totally? I asked some questions and never got a reply. I was erect. I scurried round the show and parking lot and couldnt see anything I needed. the ad looked to be written by an excited 10yr old. Spelling mistakes, grammar, murdered punctuation, rambling. It had it all. Through all the Fuckery and the new headache I’d got from re-reading the auction I decided I can fix anything and I can buy practically everything it needed brand new. I hit buy now on the Mopar Long painful story short the guy was in his own world, wouldn’t tell me where to send the transporter to collect, and had it in his mind his mate would do it for 3x what a truck costs me. eventually to make it all go away I said if you can do it for half price and deliver it Sunday I’ll do it. he arrived at 9pm on Saturday night, unloaded it and took the battery home. Rad, thanks. Also forgot the paperwork which is crucial for compliance. I managed to find the American for-sale advert during the week.. Oh my, it didn’t look anything like it does in the trademe shots. Thankful I did as it shows what’s hidden..And had some cool spares in the boot and ‘cuda Steels. (These never came to me, not a single spare part, who knows where they ended up) arrived on shithouse wheels with a flat tyre and the wrong wheelnuts. https://classiccarsbay.com/for-sale-1970-dodge-coronet-in-knightstown-indiana-319 we found the video he mentions, Cheered me up to hear it run nicely. Anyway, once he’d gone I had a poke around with the torch and my heart sank, it looked like a total sack of shit but still choice looking! To save a heap of uploads, here’s a link to the album. https://imgur.com/a/fDejyvy I got it into the shed and had a decent look about, so much misery. the ass end is fucked. There’s a block of wood in the boot to help keep the leaf spring from pushing through the bootlid. There’s a 2inch stagger where the other chassis rail has rusted through and moved. it’s ok, I can & will get all the rails and pans n shit and get it repair certed and complied. It will be worth quite a lot when done. I had hoped to have it mobile in a month or 2 and be driving daily as I don’t currently have my own wheels. this ain’t happening, it needs all bushes and joints and mounts and seat belts and likely a bunch of other stuff unforeseen. The only recent components on it are carb, dizzy cap and rotor! it starts and runs lovely, sounds grouse, moves around well but no brakes at all, and cause the fuel tank is now a can in the enginebay I can’t really test drive. Interior isn’t bad, I can live with it for a while. Needs a grant-style steering wheel though! ..so here begins another fucking rusty resto. stay tuned while I survive on noodles and prison wine + sell everything I don’t need to fund the B-Body dream! DISCUSS 41 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Mk1 Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 More misery, yes that’s the front suspension mounts 8 1 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 4, 2021 I had a fiddle with the indicators last nite and found a broken cancelling cam so added one to rockauto cart. Pulled what’s left of the fuel tank out, totally roached. Even the sender is just a blob of rust! also found another 3 dead bees/wasps inside the steering column..it’s a sign it needs to be a super bee clone! 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 8, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 8, 2021 I’ve got the flu so it ruined my long weekend plans. I managed a few wee low-key jobs though. blasted the bumper mounts and rust converted, wire wheeled inside the bumper and rust converted too. blasted the bonnet spring and painted cause it because easy access. pulled the rear side markers out pulled a drum off to determine what brakes I had, will do front shortly have made lists comparing prices for repair panels and rails so just waiting on previous owner to tell me what he has on order so I don’t double up. 26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Mk1 Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 More kinda lame updates: After the rust converter cured I hit the bumper with hammerite silver, sealed the deal. Put the lenses through the dishwasher and gave them a polish. The rear side markers are half-fucked with an odd hazy crazing you’d find on the bottom of an old lady’s feet.. I gave them a wee tong up, hopefully passes the test. Can buy new for not bad coin. Polished the chrome (pot-metal craters, we all know how well that shit lasts), painted some housings, rust killed the screws, cleaning as I went. ^unmasked areas went satin black soon after. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 11, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2021 I also got the title and the bill of sale in the mail! Still missing shipping documents but I’m told that’s coming. Back side of title has his name but not signed so I’ll corner him when he delivers the fuel tank within the month. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 12, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 12, 2021 Got the other paperwork, good to go I believe. I used VHT wheel clear on the tail light surrounds, decided it was a better preservation option for the pus chrome and I don’t have to polish it again. Adjusted a door catch. Added missing chrome to the list. Thrilling stuff 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Mk1 Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 Just trying to get the headrests out and I spied something inside the seat through a tear.. Another broadcast sheet untouched since forever. dunno how I’d get this out but if I do you’ll hear about it, lol 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 12, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 12, 2021 We all know I’m impatient 26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 13, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2021 Since I already had the clear coat I decided to re-do the hazy rear marker lamps too. Helped! and some stance inspiration 29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 20, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2021 Well it went off to the beaters on Friday for the repair cert inspection. There’s only 3 to choose from. 2 in one company. He said he wasn’t interested in any long term projects as he’s semi retired and will retire fully in December.. Said I need to look at the economics of repair. That was the whole email, lol. Mate, your the one charging $515 for an inspection! and I don’t fuck around, Im invested at 3 months turnaround once parts arrive! His co-worker is retiring too so that’s that for Hesson & Bowry. it’s not all doom and gloom, the beater is applying to become a repair certifier since there’s an opening and the current one has recommended him to the board. He has one more course to go, Only catch is he’s not going to be ready this year.. FUCK That means I either send it to my brother down south (iCar approved) and he goes through the Dunedin guy.. it means a faster turn around but out of my hands and more transport costs. OR we truck on and repair it up here with lots of photos but can’t sign it off this year. Also the trans leaked all its juice on the tow truck and the beaters workshop floor and car park n stopped co-operating + the brakes failed completely, caved in a fence. (No car damage) So yeah, really uncool and big momentum stopper. Now I’m fluffing around trying to sort out the electrics in the mean time. I also have the trans to assess (at least do a pan gasket), a leaking frost plug, a wee radiator leak, replace all the brake hardlines in anticipation for new pads shoes rotors drums cylinders hoses etc. I’ll go through the steering and shit as well. Super GC Clint sent me down some brand new ball joints! So there’s one less bulky item to get across from the land of the free. Thanks heaps mate! 29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted February 28, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 28, 2021 No mad progress to report, just general fluffing, wire + connector cleaning and tidying I was trying to get dash lights on and discovered half the globes had fallen out, so I was sure the circuit was broken and I just needed to replace ‘em. what a cunt. It’s a huge car with zero room behind the dash. this lead to pulling the vents, tubes, stereo, glovebox, switch panel, and all sorts out to gain entry. replaced most of the globe holders as they have wee tab clips that just snap and that’s that. GM ones are the same shape and size but they have a better design with no tabs to snap. no dash lights. One headlight has a broken connector so maybe that’s why.. but probably not. I did get several more things working in the mean time. discovered the A/C heater control vacuum box was fucked as the back has come off. Add to cart I threw it back together for another day. I gave the side panels and seat a quick wipe and they look acceptable. Painted the arm rest backing as plastic chrome has vanished. Also been looking into steering and suspension..seems so far that tie rods and upper ball joints are the same as ozzy valiant. have stripped half down to blast and paint. Don’t think I should mess with the torsion bar/bottom arm just yet as the rusted out rail and tension means things might move in an unsavoury manner! these adjuster sleeves are a shit design with an open slot all the way down.. took head at cyclo c10 penetrant to get them loose without ruining them. I just wire wheeled the tie rods for now, chuck new boots on.. they seem pretty good and have grease nipples so I can pump/flush the old grease out while new goes in. Ball joints weren't great though. Sprayed bits in black zinc, will post a pic when dry. found some impala brake hoses at work that will fit perfectly for the front. Struggling to get the caliper pistons out..they are huge and nothing I have can clamp them! Must be 70mm, lol 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted March 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 4, 2021 Plenty more progress since last update. Decided i couldn’t put off pulling the front off any longer. I just like looking at it. anyway..needs to come apart so it did. it went really well surprisingly! Only one retainer clip holding the valence to guard broke which meant the bolt was spinning so I cut it. Rest came out lovely. no mad shitty bits discovered either! Rust in underside bottom front of sill where the guard butts up- expect that on any car to be fair. Rapt it’s all solid otherwise and no bent bits found more bee stuff Also tracked down top ball joints, pistons, caliper kits and tie rod boots. Mrs got me a new horn relay and dash dimmer relay with a rockauto order she was doing. got the crusty pistons out, sandblasted calipers. Just trying to extract the bleed nipples then I can paint and assemble. the motor and trans is coming out shortly too so I can access the top arm bolts from the engine bay side, bang in new frost plug and replace trans seals..cause she hoses out. with that extra room I can smash out new brake hard-lines too. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted March 5, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 5, 2021 Sundry items! (The rad hose had the wire core to give it strength but it was squashed at work so went in the bin. It’s bloody close to my lower hose.. ID might be too big but hey, it might not be either lol 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted March 7, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 7, 2021 I spent a while trying to get the bleed nipples out of the calipers.. I wasn’t successful and will get a tap to chase out the last part. Yesterday I blasted the hubs and dust plates, brunox layer and black zinc. put boots on the idler and pitman + wire wheeled and zinc sprayed the drag link. Stripped and labelled everything and whipped radiator out. Donk is out. Got top arms out too but had to cut the bolts. Then my thumb. I stopped for the day, felt like shit all morning anyway. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted March 8, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 8, 2021 Woohoo! it has a pinhole or two but immaculate compared! 23 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted March 14, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2021 Still battling with the top arm ball joint. Thought I’d weld a scrap bracket on and give it a belt. it tore. sandblasted them and gave a coat of brunox in the mean time. then if by some divine intervention the mrs dragged me out of bed early for a swap meet. Chris was there flogging some of his pop’s gear (Chrysler man) and amongst it was the fucking ball joint socket! Donated to the cause along with some new valiant + Desoto ball joints, a valve stem seal set and a cool vintage car jug to carry it home in. Thanks! Can confirm the bushes are the same as those listed for Valiants too Now awaiting my tin of hammerite black to arrive so i can slap some nice hard-wearing paint on! also pulled the trans, D-shaft and exhausts out. Started into the brake booster and master but came to a screeching halt.. the last of 4 nuts up behind the dash can be seen but not touched. I got a socket on but couldn’t reach with ratchet. I got a spanner on but couldn’t turn it. Also super close to the bracket so nothing sits square on the nut...... Chunder. I’d get it if the column was pulled but I don’t really want to. Same with the dash but I don’t really want to. time will tell, hahaha I've paid 3k towards the repair panels and shipping, hope to catch the container leaving on 30th 25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Mk1 Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 I just pulled the column out, got to top bolt (only just) and booster off! Can’t just paint this one..Its leaking lots of brake fluid and I’m certain it’s not supposed to. Off for a rebuild then 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted March 16, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 16, 2021 Happy birthday coronet! In 1970 On a probably overcast day in St.Louis,Missouri..you were as rust free as you were ever going to be! some parts showed up from the states today-indicator cancelling cam and camber bolts, My 2.5L tin of hammerite which should be enough for a few cars-worth of lovely black protection too. first coat on arms: And just because, some reference for vinyl top and stripes (it won’t be green) ive never really been a vinyl roof fan but this looks tits so I’ll put one back on mine. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mr.Mk1 Posted March 22, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 22, 2021 That’s a balls-deep sorta list. And a good way to spend 4k NZ ive done plenty of little stuff on the car. I spent ages blowing all the crap out of the scuttle/plenum. Was all nice and dry and came out entirely with the long nozzle air gun. Lots of ancient blue tarpaulin strands.. I then poured a heap of rust converter down the grates and what dribbled out the drains got collected and sent back down the top! Que the air gun again and it got maximum coverage. I’ll send some cavity wax down when I do the rest of the car. the current state of the bay. I’ll blast and etch this too. I chucked on my flash looking top arms with new camber bolts then discovered the car was too light with no donk and I couldn’t raise the hub to meet the ball joint lol. Also welded the wee pinholes (went really well) wire wheeled the gas tank and painted in converter.. got home tonight and gave it some hammerite ignore the patches of old sound deadener, gets a new sheet to protect it against the future boot floor then never seen again. 23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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