1968 New Yorker resto thread

[WissaMan]

I have to wonder what this car was used for before Dad bought it because in addition to the spot-light hole, there are also extra plunger "switches" in the door jams and trunk that are not connected to anything, but I assume must've been part of a primitive security system. Also, I can tell the driver-side front fender was replaced so it must've been in a minor accident before he came into possession of it.

 

[WissaMan]

Tiny update... Haven't done anything too major. I've mainly been working on acquiring body parts and tools. Will be getting some floor panel cuts, fender liners, and a few trim pieces from Murray Park. Bought a few NOS pieces off Ebay. Also removed a fender from my Newport parts car (man, that was a b**ch because the door mechanism had rusted fast and it took me 2 hrs just to get it open)

I did get some more of the front end pieces removed. Also threaded a USB borescope into the rear "frame" channels to check the condition. They were rusty as I expected but I didn't see anything terrible. No rust through spots as far as I could tell. I did find a mouse nest there as well as other areas such as the rockers, vent passageways, etc. Damn mice. I don't know how the hell I'm going to clear that crap out of some of those spots.

Unfortunately my building is not heated so things will be slow going during the winter months, but I plan to take on smaller tasks that I can do indoors, such as cleaning & repairing interior pieces.

On the tool front, just put this guy together...(2 ton capacity)

 

[live4theking]

How is your project coming?

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

How is your project coming?

Unfortunately my building is not heated so things will be slow going during the winter months....

I reckon it's still winter.

But glad you asked, cuz I'm following this, too.

 

[WissaMan]

Yep, winter sux

So I haven't done much directly to the NYer, aside from getting the front bumper off, but I have been getting other things done in support of it. I bought various body pieces: front fenders, fender liners, floor pan cuts (thank you Murry!), some trim pieces, front grille, etc. Mainly I've been working on my "infrastructure". This building did not have power run to it (I was just using long extension cords) so I had a 200 amp service installed and put up the first set of lights recently. Also built another set of shelves and have been acquiring tools. I just ordered a plasma cutter from Harbor Tools that was on sale -- it's their Klutch brand so I hope it's decent. I also picked up a triple chrome plating kit from Caswell that was on 20% holiday discount so I've been working on setting up a plating station in the basement. I took advantage of a holiday sale at Eastwood as well and got some supplies, undercoating, etc.

Oh and I picked up a used kitchen stove (for free) from the local appliance shop in case I decide to do any powder coating. I also happen to have a used, but semi-working, washing machine. I just need to figure out if there is any useful application for it or if I should just scrap it. Any thoughts on that?

I've still got a fair amount of clean-up to do around the building. My Dad had a lot of stuff jam packed in there and we're still going through it.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Sounds like you've been pretty dang busy this winter!

I just realized I was at Knobel's Grove in 2001 or so. Very interesting old-fashioned amusement park.

 

[WissaMan]

Oh, and I also took a door off my Newport parts car to see if it'd be possible to convert a sedan door into a hardtop door. My conclusion was -- probably, but it wouldn't be easy and not worth the time and effort unless sourcing good ones was expensive (and it doesn't seem to be).

Yeah Knoebels is still going strong. It's a nice place. Best bumper cars anywhere that I know of!

 

[live4theking]

Yep, winter sux

I also happen to have a used, but semi-working, washing machine. I just need to figure out if there is any useful application for it or if I should just scrap it. Any thoughts on that?

If I would've just looked at your location I would've understood why your thread has been hibernating since I'm on the other end of the state.

I would've never thought of this as a use for an old washing machine, but in one of the other threads there is a brief mention of some one making a ultrasonic cleaner. I've never made one before so I don't know if it could be turned into one or not.

 

[WissaMan]

Yep, you know my pain

I would've never thought of this as a use for an old washing machine, but in one of the other threads there is a brief mention of some one making a ultrasonic cleaner. I've never made one before so I don't know if it could be turned into one or not.

That's fascinating. But what would the use be for an ultrasonic cleaner in automotive restoration? Would that be potent enough to remove rust?

 

[live4theking]

He's cleaning pistons with it now. I know that people use them to clean carbs also. I don't know what else it could be used for. I suppose delicate things that abrasives would damage.

 

[HWYCRZR]

Parts washer. Slowly agitate. The spin cycle might be a little noisy.
Actually a used dishwasher could be interesting. Hook it up to a solvent tank, have a heat cycle, rinse cycle and heated dry cycle. Not sure that flammable solvent is a good idea though.
They actually make automatic solvent washers like a dishwasher.
Ok it’s a cold day in Fargo too. To much down time to think up crazy stuff.
I will be following your restoration.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

I was thinking about the washing machine, something like: Remove agitator, cut power cord OFF, fill with 10 gallons of kerosene for parts soaking/washing. I thought the steel lid would be kinda safe-ish like the lid on a Safety-Klean machine, but I have since decided that having 10 gallons of kero, basically open air to the inside a building wouldn't be a good idea. And the kero would probably swell and kill the seals at the bottom of the agitator shaft or the drain pump seals and hoses....resulting in a massive leak of 9.5 gallons on the floor one night.

Yeah, not good.

That reminds me.....I once upon a time (1978?) I used my mother's dishwasher to clean some parts. It didn't go over well with her.

 

[1970cat]

on one of the episodes of the moonshiners tv show, they turned a washing machine into a generator.

 

[WissaMan]

An agitating parts washer would be a neat idea, but as you already thought about, I'd be concerned that the cleaning solution would degrade the seals/pump and leak. I'd definitely not use kero, but even a strong water-based cleaner/de-greaser might cause problems too.

A generator? That I'd have to see -- did they make it like a water wheel?

 

[detmatt]

Is it missing skirts?

 

[WissaMan]

I've got the original skirts sitting on the shelf and they're in good condition. But if you have any parts that'd fit this car, I'd certainly take them into consideration, so PM me if you do...

 

[1970cat]

An agitating parts washer would be a neat idea, but as you already thought about, I'd be concerned that the cleaning solution would degrade the seals/pump and leak. I'd definitely not use kero, but even a strong water-based cleaner/de-greaser might cause problems too.

A generator? That I'd have to see -- did they make it like a water wheel?

they turned the tub upside down, made fins for the pulley to make it a water wheel and rewired the motor into a generator to charge batteries. it aired two or three weeks ago.

 

[WissaMan]

Here's one of the projects I've been putting time into -- building a workstation for the triple-chrome kit I bought from Caswell

 

[live4theking]

It looks well constructed.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Here's one of the projects I've been putting time into -- building a workstation for the triple-chrome kit I bought from Caswell

Wow!