More engine bay work. Its probably getting a bit dull for you all, but I did say I would document the process in detail... ...warts and all.
I fetched the engine stand down from the loft, and, had a gander at the cherry picker. When I bought it, I had a pickup truck. It was so long ago though, that I don't recall off hand how much assembly was required. After looking it over it appears that I can break it down in to bite some pieces that my old crown vic can handle. I was thinking I'd have to rent a truck to get it down there, and then scramble to get the engine out, transported to the machine shop, and then grab the fresh engine all in one day.
Anyways, the engine bay is almost done! Finally.
🤔 I wonder if I should do a slow playing montage of these before and after shots with Sarah McLachlan's "I will remember you" playing over top of it.
Where it began.
The journey.
The finish line. I am not pleased with the base of the wiper motor. I had to mask around it, which I hate, because in my book, the best way to make sure paint doesn't go where you don't want it to go is if what you don't want paint to get on isn't there at all. Unfortunately, I wasn't up to dealing with the cables and pulleys under the dash to remove that. Masking tape is crap. The edges always look weird, and there is always a bit of transfer unless you change it like a diaper between coats. So, once the engine is out, I am going to sit myself down in there with a dental pick and clean it up.
The problem I am finding with white is, although it is forgiving in some ways, meaning it hides flaws that black paint wouldn't, it highlights flaws that aren't there. Shadows always look like bare spots, and the way light hits different angles makes it look like primer showing through.
Before.
After...obviously.
Oh hello voltage regulator.
Fender bracket thingy. The paint on this crazed after I left for the night. I had to strip it down to bare metal, re prime, and then paint it again. Warts and all.
Driver's side is done. This side was easier because the battery tray wasn't in the way. Ideally I'd take the rad support out, but that involves removing a fender, which I actually tried (for anyone thinking I'm a chicken ...bawk bawk). The problem I encountered with that was the bolts that held the bottom of the fender (near the door) had their associated nuts that are spot welded in place, snap off, so everything spun. After getting one out, and the other half way out, I decided NOPE! not doing this. It was a struggle to get them resituated in such a cramped space. I'm choosing my battles carefully. The PITA to reward ratio weighs heavy with every fastener I turn counter clockwise. "Does this really need to come off?" "Do I really need to do this?"
In my usual fashion, I had to test out some parts. The washer bottle was put in to see how it would look.
I painted the driver's side splash guard forward of the rad support. Without removing the rad support, bumper, or fender, it took some very creative, and acrobatic masking and painting.
I also painted the rad support, which, I hope won't bite me later as I have to lift an engine up and over it. The finishes on both rally shocked me. Keep in mind, one is dupliolor engine enamel, and the other is a custom mix Alpine white from an autoparts store.
Spray bombs, in a storage unit with no climate control, filtration, or proper lighting. Under those conditions, I think it's turned out rather well. In your face optimal conditions and professional equipment! Get it up ya!
The bottom half will be unbolted and painted black. Any overspray will be cleaned up, naturally.
Before.
😍 The gloss and the glow...
Once the engine is out, I will be painting the frame and cross memebers, and then doing the final details of the firewall and sheetmetal.
