Do you ever feel like your project will never end? There are days when I can see light at the end of the tunnel and the cash drain dwindling but then something will come along and slow the project down and add more unexpected cost.
I got whacked at least four times last week with reassembly surprises:
1. Although I knew my hood hinge wasn't the best in the world, upon reassembly it became obvious that it had seen better days so I ordered a new one to the tune of a "C" note. The new ones come chromed therefore if you want to paint it you have to strip the chrome off first. I pondered this knowing that getting the hinge prepped and primmed would take another 3 days and add more expense. Against my conservative (at least towards the '41) sensibilities I decided to install it as is. If I don't like the chrome look I can always paint it later.
2. Upon installing the windshield it was obvious that over 60 years of service had taken it's toll on it. The glass was delaminating and severely scratched (which I knew of course, it just didn't look THAT bad on the old truck.) There was no way that it was going to look right on "this all new old truck" so after taking closer look at the other glass too I decided "what the heck" and ordered a full round -- door glass, rear window, and front windshield. Back to the computer to order these parts.
3. The bed assembly started last week and while doing some trial fittings it was discovered that the newly reworked and painted bed strips were 1 3/4" too short. Hmmm, how did this happen to slip by me? At the beginning of the recent restoration I decided that the
original bed sides , front, and tailgate were not worthy of repair so ordered new ones. The
original bed strips were salvageable so I had them cleaned up and painted, never thinking to recheck the length with the new bed parts. The PO had installed a piece of angle iron on the front panel to aid in support and cut the strips an inch and three quarters to make them fit. Back to the online store for bed strips... The question of polished SS vs. painted strips plagued me as while the SS certainly looks pretty it is a bit too jazzy for my taste. I pondered the benefits of SS vs. paint and also took in consideration the time and expense of painting. Again, offending my own sensibilities I ordered the SS. The benefits of SS won out, but now the truck is starting to deviate from my original plan of keeping it "looking" original.
4. When the new glass arrived last Thursday I started taking the frame apart in preparation of replacing the glass. I knew that the original frame was kinda bent, creating a big gap on the passenger side, but thought that that could be cured with a little metal work. What I ended up with was coffee can full of rust and a frame that had reached the end of it's useful life some years ago. Back to online and telephono shopping. Now, it's Friday and I want to drive Viejo to Kansas City in 10 days or so. Helen, at Obsolete Chevy, indicated that they had a frame in stock, "but wait, for some reason it's here but the computer indicates that it is sold." It turns out that the center divider trim piece that the customer had ordered was back-ordered so they were holding the frame until the trim came in. I begged and pleaded with her to release the frame to me, as obviously the other guy was going to have to wait anyway. Helen called the customer and asked if he would be willing to release the frame to me, assuring him that they would get another one for him in a timely fashion. He agreed (thank you who ever you are) and she shipped it out Friday afternoon. The question of paint vs. chrome came up again ,and at this point it was also a question of "if I go chrome what's the time line and cost?" I called Sandy at the plating shop and she said "for me" she would work it right in the line and I would have it by the end of the week.
The frame and chrome work is another unanticipated ka-ching, ka-ching. $330 for the frame + shipping, $200 for the chrome work. Heck, it's only money at this point!
As I near completion next week I know that I'm going to have to put new tires on Viejo. Although they show no dry-rot from being stored in the attic for about 10 or 12 years, and not a whole lot of wear showing for the previous 8 years or so of light service, I don't think I should risk it all by driving on them too far(Kansas City is 1300 miles according to Google.) I've been looking at the threads concerning radial vs. bias tires and right now am leaning towards radials. Any comments or suggestions on this point?
What's going to hit me this week remains to be seen, but I'm steeling myself for more surprises.
Don :hammering:
