[Bentwheelbob]

Mission creep is a dangerous thing, and it also happens to be one of my main personality disorders. There, I said it....The first step to getting better is admitting you have a problem.

The interior project on the Black Car started with getting the shoulder belts sorted out - that was it. Then I decided let's redo the kick panels since they look pretty shabby. Once that decision was made out came the seats and front console. While I was at it, there seemed to be no good reason not to add the rear console I had been wanting. Of course to get the passenger side kick panel out the hvac duct under the glovebox had to be removed. Naturally it was busted up and held together with Gorilla tape so it might as well be replaced while it's out. Headliner, did someone say headliner? Since the interior is pretty much gutted now would be a great time to call the folks at Legendary and get a new headliner. Hey, you know what else, while the ductwork, console and seats are out it would be so easy to remove the radio and send it out for repair and refurbishment.

So the radio is being sent to Joe Vijil at JV Radio Restorations. Here are the before pictures. I couldn't get the knobs off so I had to cut the dash to get it out. (Just kidding Steve)

I think I need to get professional help before my wife runs off with the UPS man. She sees more of him than she does of me.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

I think I need to get professional help before my wife runs off with the UPS man. She sees more of him than she does of me.

Doubt it's going to happen - he's probably not as good with his hands as you are & doesn't make the coin to pick up those little blue boxes you like to get on occasion.

[njsteve]

Aren't you glad you used my secret method for removing those factory radio knobs with the internal metal tabs?

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Aren't you glad you used my secret method for removing those factory radio knobs with the internal metal tabs?

I surely am appreciative, but it did take 81 minutes to get a reply.....When one of your kids is in trouble you've got to move quick. Hah...

Thanks again for all your help. In all seriousness, only 81 minutes on a Sunday was a big help in keeping me moving forward.

[West Coast GTO]

Joe just did a clean and service on my original AM/FM Stereo radio and I couldn't be happier. It was my mistake that I didn't also send to him the original front speaker( and also that I didn't test it ) or that would have been repaired at the same time he serviced the radio. Works great!

[70RAlll]

I started using Joe approx. 5 years back. Guy does great work.can't say enough about his work.. front speakers you must have the correct ohm rated speaker to work as I recall?? there was a problem with some of the replacement speakers not working correctly..Joe will know the answer, I have 2 radios and a tape player he did in the shop..

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

I surely am appreciative, but it did take 81 minutes to get a reply.....When one of your kids is in trouble you've got to move quick. Hah...

Thanks again for all your help. In all seriousness, only 81 minutes on a Sunday was a big help in keeping me moving forward.

LOL. I was stuck in Philly trying to find a parking spot for a museum trip with the family. The wife just happened to pick the same morning that a half-marathon was occurring...in the rain. I emailed you back once I found a parking space. So 81 minutes to find a parking space in Philadelphia isn't a bad time span, either.

We went to the Franklin Institute to see the Pompeii exhibit.

BTW, I had the front speaker rebuilt and the rear is NOS.

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by West Coast GTO

Joe just did a clean and service on my original AM/FM Stereo radio and I couldn't be happier. It was my mistake that I didn't also send to him the original front speaker( and also that I didn't test it ) or that would have been repaired at the same time he serviced the radio. Works great!

Thanks a lot for adding another thing to my list. In therapy we call people like you "Enablers".

Originally Posted by njsteve

BTW, I had the front speaker rebuilt and the rear is NOS.

Whew, just when I thought that I might go broke before I get to the rear of the car - NJSteve to the rescue. I'm glad I use a dry erase board for my Mission Creep List (hereinafter the "MCL").

Speaking of the rear of the car....I have the honeycomb wheel blasted and painted for the spare tire, and the rubber is sitting in my garage. All I need is the replated jack shaft. Also, I have purchased a triple chrome plated bumper and bumper guards. The rear of the car is well underway...The front of the car is next, and then after that....

[70RAlll]

Hey Bob.. need more items for your mission creep?? How about the HVAC controls, disassembled they clean up real nice. Many of the control parts need cleaning, filing down the contact points etc.. the vacuum piece is a good candidate for repair with thick grease to ensure it holds vacuum.. while you have the interior apart, take the steering column apart and replace the bearings, clean inside good and grease up ..hee hee...

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

The front of the car is next, and then after that....

...everything in between the front and rear bumpers.

No.

Don't paint it til next winter otherwise the car will be in body shop prison for all the nice weather and car shows this Spring and Summer.

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by 70RAlll

Hey Bob.. need more items for your mission creep?? How about the HVAC controls, disassembled they clean up real nice. Many of the control parts need cleaning, filing down the contact points etc.. the vacuum piece is a good candidate for repair with thick grease to ensure it holds vacuum.. while you have the interior apart, take the steering column apart and replace the bearings, clean inside good and grease up ..hee hee...

Thanks Bill, just when I was beginning to think highly of you. There for a while I even felt a little sorry about how sore you were from rolling around the trunk of your project...BTW - I got your PM. Thanks. I'll call you when the eagle lands. I'm good on chrome now so don't wait on me. I'm having trouble finding good grill surround cores. I'm sure I'll have some things to send, but the MCL is too long already.

Now, about the HVAC controls. Just how do you get them out? Is it pretty intuitive, or is there some trick like the radio knobs?

Originally Posted by njsteve

...everything in between the front and rear bumpers.

No.

Don't paint it til next winter otherwise the car will be in body shop prison for all the nice weather and car shows this Spring and Summer.

I'm not big on shows - I have a hard time sitting still for very long. However, I really like driving these things. Maybe it will buff out???

[Bentwheelbob]

I've found a good original passenger side HVAC duct to replace the busted one. However, since it shows below the glovebox and actually appears almost like part of the lower dash, I want to paint/dye it before it gets installed. SEM Black Landau seems like the ticket. I've read about many of the folks on here using it fairly extensively on interior parts, and have just been waiting on an opportunity to give it a try. I thought the kick panels might be my SEM test bed, but then I ended up getting the new ones. The duct, however, will be the ticket.

Today I ordered a boxful of SEM products and I now have until this Saturday to figure out how to use the stuff. It seems like prep is pretty important with the SEM dye, at least based on what I have read so far. I'm sure I bought more than I need, but I have relieved Summit Racing of SEM Soap, SEM Vinyl Prep, SEM Sand Free and the Landau Black.

I could use some help on just how to use the SEM Dye. If someone can give a few tips I would be grateful.

[70RAlll]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Thanks Bill, just when I was beginning to think highly of you. There for a while I even felt a little sorry about how sore you were from rolling around the trunk of your project...BTW - I got your PM. Thanks. I'll call you when the eagle lands. I'm good on chrome now so don't wait on me. I'm having trouble finding good grill surround cores. I'm sure I'll have some things to send, but the MCL is too long already.

Now, about the HVAC controls. Just how do you get them out? Is it pretty intuitive, or is there some trick like the radio knobs?





I'm not big on shows - I have a hard time sitting still for very long. However, I really like driving these things. Maybe it will buff out???

The HVAC is easy, just take your dash out and you will see a couple of screws. once you start pulling the assembly out, you will see a couple other connections that need to be removed.. The vacuum ports need to be numbered or marked as I recall?? think there is more than one ...could be wrong.. been a while since I had one of these apart..Pretty easy though as I recall.. As far as grille surrounds I have extras.. Just checked and I have a set. What is wrong with your set?? the set on the car?? Also, pretty sure 72 used this, know <71 did.....on the HVAC control it should say "de-ice" vs "defrost" which was used ,I think, on >73 model years.just a way of making sure your car has the correct year HVAC unit..

And on my wining about my back hurting from the trunk work.. no sympathy needed. I've had 8 back surgeries.. sort of what I deal with on a daily basis....

[70RAlll]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

I've found a good original passenger side HVAC duct to replace the busted one. However, since it shows below the glovebox and actually appears almost like part of the lower dash, I want to paint/dye it before it gets installed. SEM Black Landau seems like the ticket. I've read about many of the folks on here using it fairly extensively on interior parts, and have just been waiting on an opportunity to give it a try. I thought the kick panels might be my SEM test bed, but then I ended up getting the new ones. The duct, however, will be the ticket.

Today I ordered a boxful of SEM products and I now have until this Saturday to figure out how to use the stuff. It seems like prep is pretty important with the SEM dye, at least based on what I have read so far. I'm sure I bought more than I need, but I have relieved Summit Racing of SEM Soap, SEM Vinyl Prep, SEM Sand Free and the Landau Black.

I could use some help on just how to use the SEM Dye. If someone can give a few tips I would be grateful.

Chean the surface really good, use the vinyl prep and do not spray on too thick when dyeing.. Try and use a few of coats as possible of the Landau black . The thicker it gets the more it starts to clump up and you loose the natural looking effect. that SEM product is the ticket when applied correctly. I second the Landau as being the right choice for black interiors...

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by 70RAlll

The HVAC is easy, just take your dash out and you will see a couple of screws. once you start pulling the assembly out, you will see a couple other connections that need to be removed.. The vacuum ports need to be numbered or marked as I recall?? think there is more than one ...could be wrong.. been a while since I had one of these apart..Pretty easy though as I recall.. As far as grille surrounds I have extras.. Just checked and I have a set. What is wrong with your set?? the set on the car?? Also, pretty sure 72 used this, know <71 did.....on the HVAC control it should say "de-ice" vs "defrost" which was used ,I think, on >73 model years.just a way of making sure your car has the correct year HVAC unit..

And on my wining about my back hurting from the trunk work.. no sympathy needed. I've had 8 back surgeries.. sort of what I deal with on a daily basis....

Piece of cake once you get the dash removed huh? I love it. Not sure how would explain that to my wife - Hey honey, can you help me lift the dash out this weekend? What a slippery slope. I was hoping it was about like getting the radio out....

There's nothing really wrong with the surrounds, other than being 42 years old. Just normal wear and tear. I could probably polish them up with some elbow grease, but figured I would get a good set rechromed and do a quick swap. Then I'll save the originals for a future project. By the time this is over I'll have about half of what I need to create a Frankencar.

[70RAlll]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Piece of cake once you get the dash removed huh? I love it. Not sure how would explain that to my wife - Hey honey, can you help me lift the dash out this weekend? What a slippery slope. I was hoping it was about like getting the radio out....

There's nothing really wrong with the surrounds, other than being 42 years old. Just normal wear and tear. I could probably polish them up with some elbow grease, but figured I would get a good set rechromed and do a quick swap. Then I'll save the originals for a future project. By the time this is over I'll have about half of what I need to create a Frankencar.

Sorry.. dash was not what I meant.The dash bezel is all you remove.. and that is only 3 screws up top and two below the steering wheel, like I said.. pretty easy .. Yes, if the entire dash needed removal.. well that would be a pain..

If you want, I'll send these two grille surrounds I have and when you get them rechromed,send me back your originals..I'm fine with that..

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by 70RAlll

If you want, I'll send these two grille surrounds I have and when you get them rechromed,send me back your originals..I'm fine with that..

Bill - Sounds like a deal. Thank you. I also appreciate the clarification on the hvac controls. That sounds a little more in balance from a cost benefit standpoint.

[hobi]

I COULD ONLY IN GOOD CONCIOUS TRUST NORWOODS OPINION ON THIS UTMOST CRITICAL TOPIC. REGARDS FRANK RIZZO ESQ.

[70RAlll]

Bob.. you probably already know this, but loosen the nuts below the steering column letting it fall a couple inches. Makes getting the dash bezel out much cleaner.. sorry about the error. I bet you laughed when I posted "it's easy" thinking I was saying remove the entire dash(which is a royal pain in the a$$..

Will get these grille surrounds out either today or later this week. I'll see if I have a properly sized box available..

[Bentwheelbob]

The spare honeycomb is ready to go to the tire shop tomorrow. This wheel was in better shape than any I have done, but it has a little road rash on the front bead. I wish I had four more like this to put together a set of poly's for the Black Car. Doing one wheel is much less efficient than doing four or five. Now I just need to get some paint mixed to match the original jack base and mech paint.