1934 Dodge Full Body Off Restoration by Ian_Greenlaw

6 minute(s) of a 362 minute read

Hey all,

Decided to install the first garnish mold which is the one that covers the tor part of the dash. I thought to my self what could be easier ? Grab the mold, sit it in place, do up the screws.....easy as !!!

Nope.....wrong. Started off by having to find the window winder retaining bracket which I hadn't seen for 15 years. Sitting in my box of bits, there she was....finally something that was found easily. Wound the window winder out a bit, put the screws in and worked as it should. Next step the mold. Checked it over and found one of the spacers was missing. I ground down and counter sunk the hole in one I had and using blutac to hold it in place. I also noticed a notched end in each towards the end of each side of the mold and a corresponding hole in the dash. Again using blutac, I was able to hold two bolts in place. This where the fun started. I got the mold to sit in place but the bolts didn't aligh up which pushed against the blutac and pushed the bolts away from the inside of the mold. After three hours of adjusting and moving small amounts at a time I was able to position the garnish mold in its place. The top screws were put in their place using countersunk compatable washers. Underneath the dash I could see the bolt so I was able to put the washer, spring washer and not on but when I went to tighten them up, of course the bolt turned around. So lying with my back on the carpet and my feetup in the air I could just hold the front of the bolt with a pair of plyers and tighten the nut with a ring spanner on small turn at a time, and then reposition the plyers for the next shot. Finally got it to a point where it was tight (1 1/2 hours later ) so decided to crack on and get the other side done. Did that tighten up without a fight ? Nope....just like the previous one . Got them both tightened up and the window winder handle in place. After 5 hours of mucking around I think it was a good result.

Cheers

Ian

10/8/20

Finally go to talk to the Upholsterer yesterday and pointed out alignment issues with the Garnish Molds and lining boards so we'll make up templates and have some of them remade. I'm not talking about being out a huge amount, only 1/4" but its enough to see a gap when everything is fitted and I really don't want to see that.

Finished off fitting some screws under the dash and while I was fossicking around in my bits and pieces I found the brake and clutch pedal rubbers I've had sitting there for around 15 years. Cleaned them up and fitted them to the pedals. 

10/12/20

Bit the bullet and though I'd better pull the rear drum and brakes off to replace the cracked banjo fitting. Chocked the rear of the car, got the tyres off and removed everything. You can see the damage the brake fluid has done over time. Glad I found it now rather then when the car is finished. Taken the backing plate to a blaster and then I'll get them repainted. I'm glad I bought a drum puller !....boy they let go with a bang but didn't have too much trouble. Took more time to get the brake springs off.

10/15/20

Always problems, isn't there !

Thought I'd better strip the brake cylinders down just to check on them. Looks like I better do all 4. Lucky I had them sleaved in stainless steel. Once I got the pistons out it literally wiped clean internally.

Now the question I have is there any way to clean up the pistons. There not damaged just a little crusty....only word I could use to describe them.

10/16/20

Here's some photos of the gear shift boot. Its been stored along with a lot of other parts, not wrapped in anything or up against anything. Just looks really odd. Any suggestions ? I've tried Armourall to see if that did anything but looks the same.