BUILD THREAD 86 MCSS - Rejuvenation Project

[ed1948]

Console lid is 'repaired'.
Due to the cracks and delamination/bumpy of the foam under the center arm rest I decided to rebuild it.
-to lessen risk of tearing the top I cut the cracked plastic base and removed the cover
-the foam padding was scraped off
-JB Weld'ed and reinforced the lid base
-glued several layers of dense packing foam and glued the arm rest pad with construction adhesive
-JB Weld'ed cracked console screw holes

 

[axisg]

looks great. Instead of JB Weld I like to use fibreglass resin and thin cotton from an old tshirt for matting to spread out the repair area for those missing / broken tabs and stripped screw holes

 

[ed1948]

Re: hole and crack repair. The JB Weld is there to form the hole divots. I think I'll grind it flat and do a fiberglass layer strengthening. There is enough clearance. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ed1948]

Rebuilt the starter, installed the Astro Van steering column, check spark plugs, installed ign wires(p.i.t.a. factory locations), mounted unrebuilt carb(rebuild maybe later), treated a tiny bit of underbody rust, installed part of the rear interior panels, pondered the cracked metal around the drivers striker plate and started front wheel brg maintenance.

 

[Texas82GP]

Great work Ed! You are taking a really nice car to the next level. I really enjoy this thread. I really admire the work you did on your driver's bucket seat and on the busted dash and console plastic. Keep up the great work.

 

[ed1948]

Thanks Texas82..., it's always nice to get encouragement from the community. Too bad but most of the work I'm doing will not be noticeable to the casual observer(including my Wife) This is a frustrating affair trying to work in the winter in an unheated garage and waiting for 40 -50 degree temps. My fingers hate the cold. Not looking forward to the spring weather because it's always a bit cooler and damper here being that I'm 5 minutes from the north shore of Lake Ontario.

ps.When I see other people's work quality and skill level I feel like I'm just a hacker. I try to do the best by spending the least - that's what I tell the Wife anyway🙄

 

[Texas82GP]

Ed,

You can call me Jared. Maybe a causual observer won't notice the work you've done, but you will undoubtedly enjoy how the car performs and will be happy knowing the work has been done. The non-casual observer will clearly see that someone has cared for the car and that it is in exceptional condition.

You can't heat that garage? I can totally identify with you. My car is in a 10'x25' storage and though the roof is well insulated by May, when temperatures are 90°+, I don't want to be over there. Our May to October is like your winter. We just get through it the best we can.

 

[mr evil]

Thanks Texas82..., it's always nice to get encouragement from the community. Too bad but most of the work I'm doing will not be noticeable to the casual observer(including my Wife) This is a frustrating affair trying to work in the winter in an unheated garage and waiting for 40 -50 degree temps. My fingers hate the cold. Not looking forward to the spring weather because it's always a bit cooler and damper here being that I'm 5 minutes from the north shore of Lake Ontario.

ps.When I see other people's work quality and skill level I feel like I'm just a hacker. I try to do the best by spending the least - that's what I tell the Wife anyway🙄

Yep, not quite as cold in the garage but still not comfortable. As for quality and skill level, let's just say I'm lucky this is just a hobby and not a career......keep up the great work and most of all enjoy it 🙂

 

[bbarbulo]

Nice to see another Ontario G body getting work done! I looked all over south western Ontario for a number of years before I pulled the trigger on my GP. Several months before that, the same day I bought my 70 Beetle I was supposed to be buying an 85 MCSS that was pretty rough - sadly that night someone offered more money after the car sat there unsold for many months. Yours is exceptionally clean!!

 

[ed1948]

Time to take advantange of another above freezing day: wash the carpet - before and after

The pictures don't show how dirty it was.