Thanks, Dick! I wish I could stay on it, but I will have to do the bodywork on a fellow’s Turnpike Cruiser as soon as I get the chassis together, and won’t have much spare time.
—John
Thanks, Mark!!
I Painted all the front end components, using Metal Mask, as these pieces were never painted and left bare metal from the factory. The Metal Mask replicates this look with a durable coating. Next, all bushings and ball joints were replaced, and loose steering linkage parts were also replaced. Then, the front suspension was reassembled.
I had all the original hardware zinc chromate plated to protect it from rusting. The special convertible only torsion bars fit perfectly in place, which is why I took so many measurements to get their mounts in the right place.
Next was the rear axle. One of the threaded ends was buggered up, so I decided to replace it rather than risk problems with it. I removed the inner and outer seals, removed the chunk, and cleaned out the axle housing. I painted it gloss black, and installed the new seals. The third member was in good shape, and the backlash was within tolerance, so after painting it, I bolted it back to the housing.
After reinstalling the axles, I positioned it beneath the frame.
Leaf springs were then hung in place, and the rear end bolted in.
I have to cover the chassis each night, as our bats get active, and their guano makes a mess.
I ran all the brake and fuel lines, and assembled the rear backing plates and drums, then a set of wheels [temporary, of course].
The special convertible crossmember-
Again John, great work, you keep this up and you will win the race.
Dick.
I wish I could stay on it constantly, it would be a lot easier than having to stop and start over and over again. Next week I have to complete a body job on a Turnpike cruiser for someone else, so my spare time will be history once again.
—John
Cool John - What engine is that and did you rebuild it yourself.
Dick.
John; Starting to take shape,looks great!!! Mark M
This is a '59 361 and Torqueflite, Dick. I normally rebuild my own engines and transmissions, but these were in good running condition when I removed them from a car I used to drive around fifteen years ago. I replaced the timing chain and gears, as well as all the gaskets and seals in both. Should be good to go!
Thanks, Mark!
I’ve put a hold on this project in order to get a customer’s Turnpike Cruiser ready for paint, after replacing the body and welding another roof on. I did order some body mounts from Gary Goers, and a complete stainless steel exhaust system from Kepich, which should be here shortly.
—John
It’s been ten to fifteen yars, but just wanted to say I had problems with Kepich. I wanted to go from 318 single exhaust to 361 dual exhaust…details are very fuzzy, but some part didn’t fit and I got nothing but grief from Kepich. I certainly hope those days are long gone. I can’t recall how the problem got solved…whether he exchanged a part or I just had a local muffler shop make the changes…
I decided to go with them after getting a recommendation from Carlo Notari, a good friend, and owner of a well known restoration shop in Sweden. He has restored many '59 Dodge convertibles over the years, and has systems shipped from Kepich often. With anything that cannot be fitted while being made up, there may be some adjustments necessary. I’ll let you know once I receive the parts.
—John
I recall now it was a problem with a Belvedere 2ht which I owned from '91-'93 or thereabouts. It had the factory 318 with single exhaust, and I wanted to have dual exhaust. The Kepich kit was all good except for one headpipe which wouldn’t fit around the torsion bar. He probably took the piece back and sent me the correct piece, I forget, all I recall is he treated me like I was stupid. I think I had to take and send pictures of the system laid out in the driveway so he’d believe me.
Are you going to try to put factory correct pipe and muffler hangers on it as well?
Hopefully all goes well with it, Roger.
Do you know of a source for original-type exhaust hangers? I will be getting the brackets zinc plated shortly.
—John
I shouldn’t have mentioned it! The short answer is NO.
Tom Fox pointed out his original hangers on his “what-if” Golden Sport Fury.
I think he was able to find decent originals off a parts car? (Tom, we need your input here!). He would also have put original hangers on his convertible.
Sorry, but I can’t recall where I came up with my hangers. It might have been eBay, or I might have “improvised”.
I spent a weekend gathering original hardware, body mount parts, brackets, etc. from parts cars, dipped them in acid, then gave every piece a thorough cleaning. After speaking to Steve at A&A plating, I packaged the hardware up in two separate containers, and sent the box out to them.
33 LBS of small parts, close to 400 pieces. I wanted to zinc plate all the pieces as they were from the factory.
I got a call a week later saying the parts were ready, and I got a pleasant surprise, the total came in at $200 less than I was quoted! Good quality work too!
Got the Turnpike cruiser pretty well wrapped up and moved out of the barn, and found some time to start getting the exhaust system hung. Definitely not simple, as there are tight bends around the torsion bars and through the X-frame. Finally got it satisfactory, and will just need to bend up the trans cooler lines before getting back to the body.
