'59 Restoration - We have Wheels & Great Memories

[Jeff Wilk]

I cant thank you all enough for all the tips and advice as we took apart and now put back together our front suspension on the '59 Fleetwood project.....some pictures below of the priceless times  of working with my two boys on putting it all back together....the "big Guy" is my oldest son......just back and graduated as a Diesel Tech......and with multiple job offers!!!!!  Seems like there are not enough people willing to get their hands dirty any longer.........HAH......they should talk to us!!!!!!     Those with a good head on their shoulders, the certifications, and some muscle are in such demand.......

Anyway, parts stripped by bead blasting, then painted, then left to dry, and then reassembled this weekend.  As for the coil spring installation, it was easy enough by following the shop manual, and by using a Ratchet Strap from the frame to the lower control arm along with the hydraulic lift.  The ratchet was rated at 10,000 pounds and it not only helped compress the spring, but it also provided protection against a slipping jack or anything...all in all it worked very well.

Now to pull the engine to clean and paint the rest of the frame and firewall and engine while on VACATION!!!!!! starting in a week.......

Again  THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!

Jeff, Noah, and Alex

[quadfins]

Those parts look great! What was your source for the engine-blue paint?
Can't wait to see it all back together.

Jim

[Jeff Wilk]

Thanks.......the engine blue is Bill Hirsch rattle can Cadillac Blue for '59   Goes on nice and smooth but you do need to follow the directions to the letter in terms of second coats!  Learned the hard way about the need to let this paint cure fully before additional coats once the tackiness is gone.  Without proper curing the next coat will actually start to dissolve the prior coat making it look all aligatored....the solvents and chemicals in the paint are what give it is hardness and strength but also what eat away at the prior coat if not fully cured for a couple of weeks minimum once tacky surface is gone.....