Déjà Vu All Over Again. '78 CEII Resto

[DeMinimis]

Bought in '05. Only 5x,xxx miles. Bought a ton of parts in '09. Full pans in '09 (not bad, but changed them out anyway). Back from paint (back to orig color) in '10. Stored since. Finally getting after it. Tons of 41yo undercoating I'm painstakingly dealing with. Shocks, bushings, all orig. Even orig windshield. New Dunlops showing up tomorrow (they'll wrap 914 wheels (looks like the correct wheels, but .5" wider so I can run 195s). This weekend was the official re-start of the project. Just worked on left rear. Undercoating on everything. Removed most, undercoated properly, new bushings, Bilstein replaced orig shock (yes, orig shocks), etc. Wish I had gotten further, but that damn undercoating. After rear is done (still have to repack bearings, CVs, and new brake components), it will be onto the front. Front gets all new bushings, tie rod, ball joints, disc brakes, Topline coils (factory height, but narrower in center for the wider wheels/tires), etc. Interior will have factory carpet and new rubber mats from Wolfsburg. Rear compartment carpet did not survive removal, so have to buy new for that. Bedliner for rear compartment and floors. Oh, new in box, dealer upgrade stereo for 77/78 VW/Porsche/Audi. Most all parts on hand. Waiting on the top. Should be ready for Woodburn on June 1.

[DeMinimis]

Most undercoating came off easily due to age and or poor prep. Fired up the pressure washer, increased pressure and eventually broke out the rotary nozzle. Even with all that, the trailing arm, swing plate, torsion cap where heavily covered. Had to work each piece to get it cleaned up. What a pain.

[DeMinimis]

Servicing rear bearings, CVs, brakes while fenders off. Someone is getting a bit obsessive.

[Kafer_Mike]

Looks good. If that's the level of finish on a backing plate, I look forward to seeing the rest of the car done.

[DeMinimis]

Thanks! It's coming along nicely, but slowly. Sure would like to wrap up the rear. Going to drop the engine so I can clean it up properly, replace cooler seals, pull exhaust (blast and re-coat in a nice grey). Clutch and assorted hardware and well as engine bay seal are already new, so don't have to mess with those. I'd like to then move to the front end, but the Bilstein inserts I want are MIA at present. Proper 914 wheels and new Lops at the ready.

[DeMinimis]

Left side is done. Shot the boot flanges with clear to keep them shiny. Even painted the CV spreader washers black. I know, I know. Still waiting on German bearing seals for the right. Cleaned right CVs and axle and painted those up, but called it quits for the day.

[DeMinimis]

Let's see. Wrapped up the right rear. Friend (the one who owns the body shop that did my paint) fixed the rock chip in my orig windshield (basically disappeared). Finally got an outer top that matches the orig in color ("Ford White"). More orders from suppliers. Decided to drop the engine to detail it and replace oil cooler and flywheel seals (I can't remember if I replaced the flywheel seal when I installed a new clutch ten years ago, but I think I foolishly skipped it). Will change the trans input seal as well just in case (I seem to recall doing it, but whatever). Bought a pair of Dansk heater boxes (primed, painted, clear coated, then baked the finish on). Will remove and sand blast the exhaust and do the same (need to get that done before the wife returns from vacation). Cobbled together an engine dolly with scrap angle and cast wheels I had ready for the dumpster. That's about it.