-51 convertible project

[dogbergs]

Got a visit from Poland yesterday, Artur Osi with friend delivered some fine work.
This is all new to me, usually not puting too much effort giving my cars the shine.
This time it just went that way, couldn't go any other way. The pieces sent were rusty, dented and pitted, it's surreal..

To give you the opposite i post a pic of the usual me, today.

[dogbergs]

The fly wheel did not have threads, so the torus cover must have and that also tells the bell cutting was a waste I guess. Balance weight is on the torus cover, so we will balance that and flywheel tightened together, and assume crank is zero. Engine 1962, Hydra-matic 1951, Bell and torus cover 1955, Fly wheel 1954. That allows a starter for 54-55.

[dogbergs]

When receiving e-mail from Anderson, Indiana. -with a pic from a previous owner of the original spare and antenna..
Yes, Sweden is a bit far. We will think of it for a while.

[dogbergs]

I really like the "let history remain" look planned with the interior. If it's gone or rotten, replace.
If it's just a little pitted, beaten or scratched, it's good enough.

Added

Parts for the top is being painted/sent for rechrome

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

I'm interested in the chrome work you had done in Poland. Is it good quality and is it cheap compared to Sweden? I'm in England and chrome plating is getting more difficult to get done with all the regulations plus it is very expensive and quality is not always good. I noticed another person from Sweden got their chrome plating in Poland.A road trip to Poland may be worth while!

[dogbergs]

Well i'm not a notorious rechromer, so my thoughts are based on few occasions.
I have only good things to say about Galvano Osinski, great service and contact.
They have many customers in Sweden so they usually offers pickup and delivery a couple times/year all over Sweden. Quality of work they've been doing for me is spotless, perfect.
About money, it costs a lot to rechrome, but mostly everything costs a bit more in Sweden, for good and for bad. Also I only know of one that does the job here.

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

Well i'm not a notorious rechromer, so my thoughts are based on few occasions.
I have only good things to say about Galvano Osinski, great service and contact.
They have many customers in Sweden so they usually offers pickup and delivery a couple times/year all over Sweden. Quality of work they've been doing for me is spotless, perfect.
About money, it costs a lot to rechrome, but mostly everything costs a bit more in Sweden, for good and for bad. Also I only know of one that does the job here.

Thanks I will look them up. It is a bit more difficult for me in the UK now we have left the EU, but I could fill up my modern car with the bits and take the ferry then drive there I suppose.

[dogbergs]

Started some engine assembly and realized I had 2!! oil pump repair kits for 331 but none for the 390. The only difference is axle lenght. About 1 1/4" too long.

[dogbergs]

On with the engine assembly, and yes, the old broken dip stick tube is replaced.

Added

Well people, did the bottom twice..
Found out I did use the wrong rear main seal.
I dont want to talk more about that.
I wonder if it will fit under the hood.

Starting to have a list of people helping out.
Heads done by Per Karlstedt, a friend with his own head shop.

[DrDre]

Hello,

can you say how much you spend for the rechroming?

[dogbergs]

Hi Andreas,

I wouldn't feel comfortable speaking 2 years old numbers in public regarding another mans work.
Send Artur Osi e-mail with some pics and you will at least get a between thumb and point finger. artur@galvano.pl

/ Johan

[dogbergs]

Top is down radically speaking, and the grille/front bumper that I for the last 5 years thought of as perfect drivers condition, still is but things gotten out of hand.

[dogbergs]

As mentioned earlier most top parts that once have had some chrome are sent to get some new.
Front bow had some pitting, it looked to come only from outside so the damage felt "visible". My long time friend and co-worker Stefan suggested bronze soldering instead of start fabricating very dificult pieces.
Worked very fine with good result. Front bow had some epoxi primer before top coat, everything else direct to metal urethane coat. Misc parts getting some paint.
Yes, Stefan is the one with the Harley chopper and -34 roof chop you've maybe seen in other pics.

[dogbergs]

I had a new repro water pump for 331 which I thought also will fit the 390- No. Would have required some spacing and that felt not too good. Found myself a rebuild kit from TA motor, Sweden for the 390 water pump, and did the work. Sorry for the lack of photos, was laying around for quite a while and then one day it just happened without any thoughts of showing. And yes I got myself a more suitable shop press for everyday work. The big press used for piston pins earlier post always has a special tool for other common production. About the rebuild kit, you had to resurface the core for new sealing, and turn down the impeller to match measure. Kit was bearing w axle, seal and impeller.

[dogbergs]

At least trying to make them look stock-ish.

Without having payed much (none) attention to it, long ago ordered the same year motor mounts as motor.
If i've been looking at pictures and giving it some thoughts would have ordered for vehicle year.
Still would not fit..

Got a pic of messurement (80mm) and style for the -51 mounts. Thanks to TA motor!
comparing 331/390 crank to upper mount hole and crank to pan bottom gives pretty the same
but wider internal mount messure on 390 mount.

For a while thinking maybe 2 holes enough, but imaginary felt the hinge/torque effect and changed my mind.

Leaving hole for cushion until later.