Welcome to my Cardomain pages. I hope that all viewers enjoy this as much as I enjoy sharing it. And, if you would, please take a moment to rate my ride and leave a comment.
On this page, I will be sharing updates of my ride.
09/09/09 - WOW! I didn't realize how long it's been since I had updated last. A lot of progress has been made in June and July. I have been very busy with my new job and still working my old job on a part-time basis and of course, squeezing in as much time as possible to work on my ride. I am having internet issues and hope to be able to post pics soon of the progress I've made. Please keep checking back in on "Big John". The front end of the body is almost completed and the engine is almost ready to start once I solve a fuel delivery problem. I just thought I give that to you as a teaser.
07/23/09 - I apologize to all who have been watching the progress of "Big John" so faithfully. I've been very busy lately and have not had an opportunity to update. However, things have really come together for "Big John" and it looks as though I may get a little fun time in it before the winter weather starts to make that impossible. Here is a brief rundown of the progress in the last month. I have finally got my brand new 3 row radiator, my original fuel tank has been cleaned and resealed, I have decided to reinstall the driver side fender for now until I get a replacement, The grille is complete, after breaking 3 headlight rings and locating and obtaining 4 more off of a '73 Lincoln Continental, the headlights are finally in place, both hood hinges are now refinished and installed and many parts have been purchased in the last few days. I have already recieved my new fuel tank straps and the rest of the parts ordered will be here within the next week. I did also finally find and purchase my rear brake hose. I estimate that I've probably added another $1,500.00 to the total expenses for making Big John roadworthy again. That brings the total to approximately $7,400.00 so far and I still have a long way to go before Big John is completely done with paint and such. I will follow up in a few days or so with some more new pics to share with everybody. As usual, I would like to thank everyone for their continued support, curiosity and encouragement.
06/21/09 - Father's Day and nothing seems more fitting than to add these updates of "Big John" (a tribute to my father). It really seems to be coming together and taking shape. It's a slow process, but I enjoy it and looking forward to that first drive when it's done. Below are the newest pics. Enjoy!
06/12/09 - I just picked up my front bumper brackets from my sandblaster today. I'm off from work this weekend and I hope to get them painted and test fitted with the new bumper. I also hope to get the grille and headlight bezels painted up this weekend too. I'll post pics when done. Stay tuned.
06/02/09 - I found a gold mine of old relics. Unfortunately, it's only open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. I went this past Saturday with a friend of mine after he got off from work at noon. I love this place and will be going back in a couple weekends from now. And I will be packing a lunch as I expect to be there all day. This place has 60 to 80 acres of cars dating as far back as the 1930's. It has Packards, Hudsons, Edsels, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Fords, Chevys, Pontiacs, Internationals, Nashes and the list goes on and on. There is one area I like to call "Mopar Heaven" and there were Chargers, Imperial Crowns, Furys and so on. In the couple hours I spent there browsing, I don't think I even saw half of whats there. I can't wait to go back. I'll update more soon.
05/18/09 - Here are the pics from yesterday.
The bumper components consisting of the turn signal assemblies and the filler panel.
The NOS front bumper with the components in place.
The many reasons I decided to try to find another fender in better condition.
The work on the passenger side rear quarter continues as the rest of the passenger side body work is complete though I will be purchasing various items to replace the pitted chrome such as door handle, antenna, side marker bezel and front fender chrome trim and adding a bullet style sport mirror.
Once the rear quarter is finished, I can wet sand and seal with a dull coat of clear paint, until I am ready for the Ford's original 1972 Medium Blue Metallic. Now, I am certainly NO Picaso, But I must say, this is turning out better than expected for my first time attempting bodywork.
05/17/09 - The passenger side is getting closer to being done for now. Today, I took an inventory of what is needed to get to the point of paint. I was going to start working on the driver side front fender and decided to wait for now because I want to see if I can find another fender in better condition. I've taken some more pics and I will add them soon.
05/15/09 - The passenger side front fender and extension are installed, aligned, sanded and primed for paint. As you can see in the pics, I have also started working on the rear quarter panel. The area behind the wheel will need to have the section below the blue tape cut out and new panel welded in. I am having difficulty locating the replacement patch panels, valance panel and trunk pan. If anybody has any ideas on where I can find them, I would be forever grateful. Check out the pics.
05/14/09 - Below are a couple of pics of my NOS Front Bumper. Unfortunately, the bumper is going to have to wait for installation as I still have to get the brackets sandblasted and I am also waiting for the new bumper bolts that I had to order. In the meantime, I will focus on the front sheetmetal starting with the passenger side.
05/13/09 - I went to the shop to take pics of progress when I got off work this morning, but I forgot the damn camera! Oh well. It wasn't a complete waste. I got the oil changed in my mother's car anyway and unloaded my NOS Front Bumper. I'll be killing some time at the shop tomorrow between an appointment and a staff meeting. And hopefully, since I am off this weekend, I hope to get a few things accomplished on the "Big John". Maybe get the driver side front fender hung and aligned along with the fender extension and the header panel.
05/12/09 - The beautiful chrome valve covers seemed a little plain, so I decided to dress them up just a tad.
Before
After
05/11/09 - NOS Front Bumper here today! I hope to have some time to get the necessary parts ready for installing the new bumper. I'll try to post pics soon. I still have to get some bumper components sandblasted.
05/09/09 - Managed to get the passenger side fender and extension hung and aligned, and in the process busted myself in the mouth with a hammer while making adjustments. OUCH! Busted the inside and outside of my lower lip and broke a lower tooth. HOORAY for me! Needless to say, I lost all my ambition for doing anymore work on "Big John" for the day. "I hate when that happens"!
05/07/09 - A NOS front bumper is on it's way. What a deal found by accident. Ebay is a wonderful thing. I was just browsing when I came across this bumper. It is exactly perfect for Big John because if you notice from the pics of Big John as it was when I purchased it, it originally came with bumper guards and the chrome is peeling in some areas. However, in the 3D pics of Big John as I want it to look when I'm done, there are no bumper guards. This meant that if I were to reuse the original bumpers, I was going to have to straighten, strip the chrome plating and fill the bumper guard holes. I have in effect eliminated the straightening and the filling. And since the chrome is in really good shape for being 37 years old I can strip the chrome later when I am ready for paint. Check out the pics of the old bumper being dismantled. I'll be adding pics of the new bumper when it gets here.
Below is a pic of the original rear brake hose that I've been looking for a replacement for. The first one I got was wrong. I got the OE# from the dealer and had it cross referenced. I was told there were 2 in California and told them I only need them to order me one. So, 3 hours later my parts store here got a call from Claifornia telling them that they didn't have any. THEIR COMPUTERS WERE WRONG!
So, I am still looking.
04/28/09 - The next group of pics were taken of some progress made after the engine was reinstalled again after the new oil pan and valve covers were installed within the last couple of weeks.
4/22/09 - I just received new 3d pics of "Big John" courtesy of Driver_UA. I really like the way these pics turned out. Enjoy!
The next pic is an accurate depiction of what "Big John" looked like when it rolled off the assembly line in 1972.
4/3/09 - Finally, the engine is DONE! But, dummy me forgot to take the camera to the shop. I'll be posting pics of the finished engine within the next couple of days.
3/25/09 - Okay, I'm finally getting back on track. The cylinder head has been repaired and I finally was able to get my driver side inner wheel housing. I have added some new pics today and more will follow soon.
Here is the damaged oil pan.
Here is the broken bolt as it was in the head after I tried to remove it myself. Then the easy out broke too. Needless to say, I expressed a few frustrating comments that aren't exactly proper to mention in detail here.
Here are some pics of the engine before I took it out to replace the oil pan.
The next couple of pics were taken after the engine was pulled back out for the new oil pan and valve covers. Then the valve cover bolt broke as did the easy out I was using to try to remove the bolt. So as you can see, I removed the intake and cylinder head so the machine shop could repair the head before I made matters worse.
3/15/09 - Well, things aren't going as well as I had hoped. No new pics yet, but they are coming soon. The new oil pan had a baffle issue. I solved that problem by removing a portion of the baffle that was interfering with the oil pump. The new oil pan in finally on. Installed the driver side valve cover, then moved to the other side. I get to the last bolt and it breaks just below the gasket surface. I figure no big deal, this has happened before. Man, let me tell you, I was wrong. It started easy enough. I used a center punch on the broken surface of the bolt. I used a drill and very slowly and carefully I began to drill into the center of the bolt. So far, so good. I installed the bolt extractor and with a pair of vise grips began to attemp extraction. This is where my problem now lies as the extractor has now broken off in the bolt. After trying unsuccessfully, I have decided to remove the intake and the cylinder head with which I am having a problem and I am taking it to the machine shop. As I have said before, I hate setbacks. However, I do want this done right and I most definitely don't want to have any problems with the engine later.
3/13/09 - The chrome engine parts I ordered should be here today. I can hardly wait. I will add pics after they are installed. I am anxious to install the oil pan so I can put the engine back into the car.
3/5/09 - I just ordered and paid for matching chrome air cleaner and valve covers to go along with the new chrome oil pan. I should have them in about a week or so.
2/20/09 - Sorry that it's been so long since I've updated. My work schedule has changed and I am trying to get into a new routine. Anyway, the bad news is that the oil pan did suffer damage when the car fell and the jack ended up under the oil pan. The good news is now I have an excuse to buy that chrome oil pan I've been wanting, lol. Some other good news related to this incident...I had fears that the oil pick up tube and oil pump suffered damage as well. However, after a close inspection and rechecking several times, it appears that the damage was limited to just the oil pan. Talk about luck. I have installed a few small pieces here and there such as fuel lines, plug wires, you know just some little details. I am ordering my oil pan today. I'll add pics soon.
1/15/09 - Had a minor setback. I'll be pulling the engine out again for a few different reasons. I have to remove the oil pan and check the pick up tube for damage. Also, while the engine is out, I have to check the flex plate to make sure it was properly installed. Once I have checked these few things, I'll be installing a new oil pan due to external damage. I may install a chrome oil pan. More updates to come soon.
1/19/09 - Thankfully, the only damage found to the engine was the oil pan. Not a problem, I was wanting to use a chrome oil pan anyway. Oil pick up tube and oil pump are free of problems. As it turns out, the flex plate is installed properly. The problem is that the torque converter won't seem to go into the front pump of the transmission any further and it should, so that the torque converter will spin freely to align the mounting studs with the flex plate. Instead, the torque converter appears to bind tightly against the flexplate, not allowing the free spinning of the torque converter to align for bolting together. I am still considering replacing with a C6, though more seriously now.
The receipts as of 5/15/09 add up to $5273.76 and I estimate that I will be adding $4000.00 -/+ plus the cost of the paint job and mural.
This ride is dedicated to the loving memory of my Dad
"Big John"
As October 8th would've been my Dads 63rd birthday, it is the first time since his passing this past February that we spent the day in a much different way. Those of you that have followed the progress of Big John from the beginning, have already heard the passion I have in making this ride a rolling tribute to my Dad, and I thank you all for your continued support. Check out page 2 for more about my dad.
The 3D model below is the vision I have of "Big John". Check out page 5 for more.
3D model by "Driver_UA"
More to come soon so be sure to check back often and please don't forget to rate my ride.
