A Little Progress, Several Parts and Misc Other

You probably forgot about this project - chalked it up to another one that got started but ran out of steam. Well, not yet! Since the last post there's been a little progress, more parts delivered to the house, and little back surgery. I'd like to blame the hold-up on parts delays or the back surgery. The back contributed and I did wait for a couple of parts, but the real hold-up has been projects around the house. I've committed to Tammy that I'll be getting projects in the home completed. So, when I don't get them done, Frauline sits too. Well the bookcase is built, the wall paper is down, the walls are close to being textured, and some trim work is in (Pat, thanks for the tools). Still more to go but a whole lot closer. Now that we've all gotten focused on getting the house done, things are going much faster.



On the car front, Jerry came over after church and FPU one day to help get the frame head assy replaced. I was very blessed to have this brother who was happy to give of his time and teach me a few things about welding. Together we removed the front reinforecement and frame head (air chisel and 4" grinder w/ a cutting wheel).



Then Jerry really went to work - cleaning up the tunnel, fitting the new frame head, and welding it together.



Jerry left the welding of the reinforcement to me. It was my first welding project and none too pretty when I got finished. I think it'll stay in place though. Thanks to the sanding disc I was able to make it look presentable.



Among the parts sitting in the garage are new floor pans, heater channels, lower hinge pillar sections, lower inner fender panels, spare tire well, rear package shelf, and front firewall. I started drilling out the old spare tire well but haven't been able to finish the job. It'll be the first thing I go back to as welding in the new one will give me more practice with the welder on a non-structural part. It'll also give me my first experience with body filler, sanding, and painting (new air guns and primer).