My 3500S Restoration Project

[SydneyRoverP6B]

Hi iwish,

From an Australian ( corrosion ) point of view, that looks like a very big job. Look forward to seeing your catalogue of progress.

Ron.

 

[billoddie]

Again...from an Australian perspective..."you got some work ahead of you there brother".

 

[iwish]

Great set of photos. Doesn't look too bad overall. Hope you don't uncover too many nasties!

Me 2

 

[iwish]

I have one that looks very similar to that I'd reserve judgment on condition until you've scraped off all the old underseal.

I do like seeing these cars "naked"

Dave

Have started scraping and chiseling of the under seal, what a job. :cry: my hands are killing me, its going to take months.

 

[iwish]

I have one that looks very similar to that I'd reserve judgment on condition until you've scraped off all the old underseal.

I reckon the rear wheel arches will be frilly. It's also worth checking the bottom corners of the rear screen.

Sound like the voice of experience, hope your wrong.

 

[iwish]

Hi iwish,

From an Australian ( corrosion ) point of view, that looks like a very big job. Look forward to seeing your catalogue of progress.

Ron.

Wow, hopes its not too hot? at least when its cold and wet i can go out to the garage without feeling guilty.
As for corrosion, only time will tell. :?:

 

[iwish]

Again...from an Australian perspective..."you got some work ahead of you there brother".

Blimey, like waiting for a bus... then 2 come along

Don't mind the work, just hope its not beyond my capabilities?

 

[iwish]

A Quick update.

Before I pulled the engine i thought i would see what sort of state it was in. Pulled all the plugs and gave the cylinders a good squirt of WD40 and then set about cleaning the plugs and points. Hooked up a battery and spun the engine for a while to circulate the oil which as its been standing for so long looked like new, i expect any muck has long settled. To my surprise the engine turned over freely. I filled the radiator and all seemed well. I hooked up a fuel tank from an outboard engine and thought i would give it a go.....after nearly 30 years it started on the second turn.....it rattled like stink for a few seconds whilst the tappets oiled up and then ticked over like its was being run for the first time. It sounded great, probably because most of the exhaust has rotted away and drowned everything else out. I Thought it was too good to be true..........yes it was. It didn't take long to over heat, still it was fun while it lasted.

 

[iwish]

Had a busy week. I have constructed a Rotisserie which i copied off one of the other restoration projects i was watching, had a few teething problems at first.

















Well worth the effort.

 

[Willy Eckerslyke]

Wow!

 

[Dave3066]

Snap!



Dave

 

[eightofthem]

Well done you two, very impressed with the effort.
Thanks for sharing :wink:

 

[Quagmire]

Jealous! Keep up the good work.

 

[testrider]

Superb. Iwish, your sills look like they're made of wood in those photos.

 

[iwish]

Snap!



Dave

Yes this is what gave me my inspiration. Seeing this convinced me that a proper restoration was something that could be done at home.

 

[iwish]

Superb. Iwish, your sills look like they're made of wood in those photos.

Being a joiner by trade it would be a lot easier if it was. 8) I will upload some newer pictures which shows the previous incomplete repairs (wood as you put it) in clearer detail.

 

[iwish]

Now i have the car in the air here are some photos that show what i am up against. :shock:














Now I need to work out how i'm going to tackle the repairs?

 

[testrider]

You've got plenty to go at there, but your access and working height is fantastic. Trim back a bit more of the outer sill then sort the inner sill to floor in shorter sections first to get some strength back into it.

 

[iwish]

You've got plenty to go at there, but your access and working height is fantastic. Trim back a bit more of the outer sill then sort the inner sill to floor in shorter sections first to get some strength back into it.

Wise words I'm sure, up to this point my progress has all been logical and practical, ambitious maybe but logical and practical. I don't know why but making my first cut i am finding quite daunting. I have read dozens of posts and still cant make my mind up which way to go about cutting and fitting new panels. What to cut out and what to treat? :?

 

[unstable load]

I have read dozens of posts and still cant make my mind up which way to go about cutting and fitting new panels. What to cut out and what to treat? :?

That first cut would be daunting in the extreme for me.
I know I can weld, I know I can do all the mechanical stuff, I know I can paint, but actually taking the step of that first cut would be terrifying in the extreme along the lines of "What if...?"

Having said that, I'd suggest replace as much as you can and treat as little as possible, simply because it will always be weaker where you treat anything more than surface rust.