Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

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Mainer311
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by Mainer311 »

You need some new KO2's on the baja bug.
Jordan
1968 SPL311-21773. Needs paint and some upholstery.
2012 Xterra Pro-4X, 4" lift on 34's, UCA's, pre-runner bumper. Member of the New England Xterra Off-road club.
1971 PL521, Dragon green. Stock L16 w/ 4 speed, lowered 3".
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PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

Mainer311 wrote:You need some new KO2's on the baja bug.
Unfortunately, not yet, we have far to many tires on hand to buy more right now!
Last edited by PBJ on Sat Apr 09, 2016 6:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
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PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

The past few weeks have been busy! We took the bug down to Vegas to race The Mint. The little bug is a tough machine but unfortunately it is also a stock 1970 bug. We ended up cracking our frame horn, this is basically the motor mounts. It broke, we found a guy with a welder and he welded it back together, then on course for another 15 miles and it cracked again. Unfortunately we didn't get a finish this time
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
When we returned we were invited to speak at a local high school about the car and racing. The school has an incredible auto program and the kids seemed to enjoy the car.
image.jpeg
Finally, just today I was actually able to get back to the Datsun. I decided that I need to start removing paint and bondo every time I work on the car, a little here and a little there will make the car bare metal soon enough. So I spent a couple hours striping paint. Poly abrasive discs seemed to do well, but I went through 4 of them, I'll have to buy a case of them soon.
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
Once I got through my final disc for today I started drilling spot welds. It's time to start fitting the rear quarters soon so the old ones have to go!
image.jpeg
I also pulled out the spare, is this the original tire to the car?
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
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Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
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nismou20
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by nismou20 »

I think I have the same spare, Bridgestone Skyways?
2004 Chevy Tracker
2010 RAV4
1969 Datsun Roadster
2005 Lotus Elise
1995 Toyota Tercel (Poormans Corolla)
2001 Fleetwood Jamboree RV
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PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

nismou20 wrote:I think I have the same spare, Bridgestone Skyways?
Yup, that's correct, looks like it must be original, it even has the cover still
Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
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pebbles
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by pebbles »

Made in Japan!!! how cool is that spare!
David




"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
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PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

pebbles wrote:Made in Japan!!! how cool is that spare!
I know! I pulled it out of its cover and was expecting it to be crap! Actually, I'm also impressed the car has its jack and handle too!
Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
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PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

The car is really starting to get down to the bones. Today I got down to the shop for a few hours and pulled apart the passenger rear quarter. There were plenty more spot welds to drill out and I have been fairly impressed with the little harbor freight spot weld drill bet for that project.

This side has a lot more actual metal to it so cutting it out was actually a lot more work than the drivers side. But I got out most of the sheet metal and held up the new quarters to check the basic fit.
image.jpeg
While I was working on that my girlfriend was removing the original footwell speakers and some other odds and ends!

Lots to do but I just ordered a shrinker/stretcher and a few forming dies for my bead roller so I'm almost ready to fix the inner fender and start putting this back together.
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Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
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Mainer311
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by Mainer311 »

Looking good! I can't wait to start redoing all of my sheetmetal.
Jordan
1968 SPL311-21773. Needs paint and some upholstery.
2012 Xterra Pro-4X, 4" lift on 34's, UCA's, pre-runner bumper. Member of the New England Xterra Off-road club.
1971 PL521, Dragon green. Stock L16 w/ 4 speed, lowered 3".
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PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

Mainer311 wrote:Looking good! I can't wait to start redoing all of my sheetmetal.
Thanks!
I just received the new forming dies for my bead roller, hopefully the shrinker and stretcher should be here tomorrow. I am hoping to get started on the inner fender this week/weekend and start getting the sheet metal back on. The front of the rear quarters that I bought don't have the front edge formed (the edge that meets up to the door frame) so I will probably use these forming dies to put that hard line into the fenders, then the shrinker to help bring that shape back. I've never tried this stuff before so there will be a bit of practice to see how all this works. For now I am watching a bunch of tutorial videos.
Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
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PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

I couldn't help myself and somehow carved out a few minutes to stop by the shop. I have a lot to learn with these forming dies, but I think it should be very doable to make the inner fender replacement parts with this setup. I took a bit of steel and ran it through a few dies. I'll have to dedicate a day to figuring out the capabilities of this set.
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
I traced an arc from one of the fenders to see how it worked on a curve and this was the result. I rushed it through, so hopefully I'll be able to hold a straighter line when it comes to the real thing!
image.jpeg
You can see how the arc lines up with the curve of the fender in this one
image.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
ed B
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by ed B »

PBJ wrote:
pebbles wrote:Made in Japan!!! how cool is that spare!
I know! I pulled it out of its cover and was expecting it to be crap! Actually, I'm also impressed the car has its jack and handle too!

Is it possible to measure the outside diameter of the original tire? I have always wondered what it was and if the tires I have now come close to the originals (for purposes of speedometer accuracy, etc.).
1969 1600
C.Costine
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by C.Costine »

PBJ wrote:The past few weeks have been busy! We took the bug down to Vegas to race The Mint. The little bug is a tough machine but unfortunately it is also a stock 1970 bug. We ended up cracking our frame horn, this is basically the motor mounts. It broke, we found a guy with a welder and he welded it back together, then on course for another 15 miles and it cracked again. Unfortunately we didn't get a finish this time
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
When we returned we were invited to speak at a local high school about the car and racing. The school has an incredible auto program and the kids seemed to enjoy the car.
image.jpeg
Finally, just today I was actually able to get back to the Datsun. I decided that I need to start removing paint and bondo every time I work on the car, a little here and a little there will make the car bare metal soon enough. So I spent a couple hours striping paint. Poly abrasive discs seemed to do well, but I went through 4 of them, I'll have to buy a case of them soon.
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
Once I got through my final disc for today I started drilling spot welds. It's time to start fitting the rear quarters soon so the old ones have to go!
image.jpeg
I also pulled out the spare, is this the original tire to the car?
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
I often change up what phase I work on to keep it interesting. My current favorite paint removal weapon is a coarse, around #40, flap wheel.
located in Chester NH
1967 1600 in restoration
2013 Arctic Cat F-1100 turbo
Ford F-350 6.0
Ford 9000 puller, Ford 960 puller, Ford 901show, Ford 971 worker, Oliver 70 waiting its turn
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PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

ed B wrote:
PBJ wrote:
pebbles wrote:Made in Japan!!! how cool is that spare!
I know! I pulled it out of its cover and was expecting it to be crap! Actually, I'm also impressed the car has its jack and handle too!

Is it possible to measure the outside diameter of the original tire? I have always wondered what it was and if the tires I have now come close to the originals (for purposes of speedometer accuracy, etc.).
No problem Ed, I'll do my best to get a good measurement on it later this week.
Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
User avatar
PBJ
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Re: Partial restoration of my 1968 1600

Post by PBJ »

C.Costine wrote:
I often change up what phase I work on to keep it interesting. My current favorite paint removal weapon is a coarse, around #40, flap wheel.
Something like this?
image.jpeg
I've used flap discs, but never flap wheels, I was afraid it would be as hard on the metal as a flap disc is.

I've been using poly carbide discs, which work well but don't last very long.
image.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Josh
1968 1600 - Frame-on restoration.
1970 VW Bug - Long Course Offroad car in Class 11 build configuration
1995 BMW 318ti - Short course Rallyx Car with s50 M3 swap
2006 Subaru WRX - Daily driver and occasional Ice Racer.
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