Author Topic: My AAR Resto gets serious  (Read 39984 times)

Offline AARudy

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  • 1970 4-speed AAR---71 Cuda conv----70 Chall 440-6
Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #60 on: December 17, 2014 - 10:02:37 AM »
 :2thumbs:




Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #61 on: December 17, 2014 - 01:01:15 PM »
Thanks for the encouragement Rudy!
I just went through your whole thread and  :wow: what an absolutely stunning job on your car.  :worshippy

It wasn't untill I got to the mag articles that I realized I had seen that car before! (In print) Mine will not be
restored to that level of perfection, because once it is done it will be driven (hard :burnout:) as often as time and
the weather permits.
I still love watching the attention to detail, and learn just as much from these threads as I do working on the car.
Greg :cheers:
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline Edison1970

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #62 on: December 17, 2014 - 07:56:00 PM »
there is a listing on ebay for a used cross member.  $50.  New ones are $250+.  In Danville, VA.

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #63 on: December 19, 2014 - 05:12:54 PM »
Thanks for the info Edison,
I think I am going to try and torch and straighten it first, depends on what else I find when I get it blasted.
Greg
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline jimynick

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #64 on: December 19, 2014 - 09:01:49 PM »
As an old bodyman, may I suggest you take the car to a local bodyshop that has both the right equipment AND reputation? The guys at the shop can weld pull plates on that crossmember and pull it. Cut a window in the floor once it's been rough pulled to work out the smaller kinks, but try to do the majority of it cold. I'm not saying you can't use heat, just be judicious with it as you'll work harden it otherwise. Point out the kink in the floor to the shop and make sure they address that during their pulling. The going rate to set up and measure varies a wee bit, but usually runs 1.5-2.5hrs to set up and measure and I'd think approx 4 hrs should do it, pulling and dressing-wise. You should also get the benefit of knowing that the car is straight and true afterwards. Good luck  :cheers:

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #65 on: December 19, 2014 - 09:54:10 PM »
Jimynick,
I appreciate your advice and will look into that. I would imagine my paint guy probably knows someone local with the right equipment.
I am no expert when it comes to this stuff, most of my metalworking is done on a lathe & mill. Am I correct in assuming that this should be done before any metal work is done as far as trunk floor, extensions, qtrs or whatever else may turn up after blasting? I would assume that if I start with it straight and only replace one section at a time, that it should remain straight. Also at what point would you install subframe connectors in the process?
That ought to be enough questions for now, I plan on welding up my k-frame dolly tomorrow.
I really appreciate the advice I get on this site, and hope everyone enjoys the trip down the rabbit hole!
I know I am learning an awful lot about this car during the process. My boss just bought a really nice restored 71 Cuda convertible  and the car is gorgeous, :drool: but somehow I think I will end up with a much closer relationship with mine by doing what I can myself.
Greg :cheers:
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline jimynick

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #66 on: December 19, 2014 - 10:09:24 PM »
Greg, I would leave the car all together until the pulling is done and when it is, I'd put in the subframe connectors- as long as the passenger compartment floors are ok and staying. They'll make the car much stiffer and that'll help fight any sagging or twisting when you cut 'er up. Remember the basics are to put the weight on where the car normally carries it, so I'd leave the diff and springs in until I had the trunk floor in and tacked down, thereby allowing you to put stands (and I used 6 tonners for their height) under them while you do the floor. You can suspend the car in a variety of ways and there's several threads on here about that. Choose your weapon. Some of the panels can be easily replaced piecemeal, but putting the rear floor and extensions in together will make you happier, especially if you have to screw around fitting them- and you will, AMD be damned and that's what I used. I got my old gal shot and epoxied for $1100 and thought I was getting hosed a wee bit! Guess not, eh? And you're right, you'll have the knowledge that your car got to where it got, by your ministrations and there's something to be said for that.

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #67 on: January 05, 2015 - 10:26:06 PM »
Happy New Year one and all.
Time for a New Year update, I put the few days off to good use. :working:
Finally got my k-frame dolly welded up and done, and as the pictures show it works like a dream.
I tried not to over engineer the thing, but did make the rear support movable front to year to give me some options.
So I get everything that was left disconnected, pulled the top control arms loose, dropped it down on the dolly, 8 bolts later and I picked that sucker right up and off the assembly. Of course I did forget that with no motor,tranny and front suspension in the car my balance point on the hoist was just a leeeeetle bit different :22yikes:
So back down undo the rear end springs etc. and try again! Much better, car no longer wants to do the "Hemi Under Glass" imitation while on the hoist. :roflsmiley:
This is the first time I have done this on a Mopar and really couldn't believe how easy it was. Hopefully when I get ready to put it back in it is just as easy!
So anyway a few more pics and it will be off to the blaster to find out what it really looks like. Should get it back in a few weeks, I am probably going to get it blasted by one outfit and then take it to my paint guy for a quick primer coat before I start the metal work. He stopped by over the weekend and thinks it is in pretty decent shape other then what I already know.

Greg :cheers:
« Last Edit: January 05, 2015 - 10:51:14 PM by AAR6BBL »
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline Haddixj

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #68 on: January 05, 2015 - 10:41:09 PM »
Did you end up figuring out where your going to blast it? I was working with my dads car over the weekend and the place I sent you that bakes on primer afterwords came out great. They shoot it on like powder coating and bake it. That stuff goes everywhere,

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #69 on: January 05, 2015 - 10:59:03 PM »
Hey Haddix,
I talked to him, and think I might have him do the blasting, my paint guy just isn't to sure about painting over the powder coating, although he agrees it does a great job of sealing the metal. He says he did a T-Bird that had been powder coated and it came out well, I just don't want to throw him any curves he may not be comfortable with.
Any opinions would be welcome.
 :feedback:
Greg
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline Haddixj

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #70 on: January 05, 2015 - 11:45:08 PM »
I know that place does a bunch of nice cars so I am sure there will not be a problem painting over it. Just open it up with 80 grit and can do filler and poly prime over it.

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #71 on: January 20, 2015 - 12:40:51 PM »
Hey guys,
She is just about ready to go out for media blasting, so I am stocking up supplies to get ready for the metal work. Anyone care to weigh in on the best spot weld cutters?
I usually buy top of the line cutters for my milling/lathe work, but have no experience with cutting spot welds.
Better to by bulk/cheap or are there good ones out there that are worth the extra money?
 :feedback:
Greg
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline Haddixj

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #72 on: January 20, 2015 - 02:57:56 PM »
hey I asked the same question a while ago and it seemed the harbor frieght cutter works just fine and are cheap. I was thinking of doing the rotobroach cutters but alot of people said the HF are just fine.
On the media blasting I have had some time to work on my dads car and the powder coating those guys put on it is aheared very well, it takes a good bit of sanding to get to metal. I wouldnt be afraid of it one bit. It doesnt bubble off when its welded next to and seems to be great

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #73 on: January 20, 2015 - 06:30:15 PM »
Thanks Haddixj,
I kind of figured that, I didn't find any reviews on any cutters that made it sound like one was a whole lot better then another, and I know you go through them!  :cheers:
Greg
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."

Offline AAR6BBL

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Re: My AAR Resto gets serious
« Reply #74 on: April 03, 2015 - 05:24:05 PM »
Hey all,
Just checking in after a couple of months of ignoring my baby.
(Work and shooting related, trips to Chicago brrrrr and Phoenix niiiiice.)
Anyhow I have figured out who I am going to have do my blast and epoxy work but would like the community to weigh in on one of his suggestions. Since I am probably going to replace the roof skin (see pics for rust issues)
he suggested that I cut it off before blasting so as to make sure everything that might be hidden underneath is addressed the first time. Makes sense to me, but would like opinions from the more experienced out there.
 :feedback:
Just to throw the pricing out there, they are picking it up from my garage, putting it on their frame rack to straighten my cross-member issue, (and anything else) blasting it inside and out, epoxy seal and return to me $3500.00 all in. :money:

I figure that even though that is a little pricey even for this area (SF Bay Area) they have a great reputation and its convenient AND the car will come back to me straight and ready to start welding on.
Greg
"There's no such thing as putting a '70 AAR 'Cuda exactly where you want it. The 'Cuda isn't interested in such things, for they require finesse. Finesse asked the 'Cuda out to dinner once, but the 'Cuda stood it up to go drink beer under an overpass with her hot little sister. As far as this car is concerned, finesse can go stuff itself."