We’ve had 2 weeks of frigid weather, near or below zero every night, and rising only to the low teens during the day, with several days not getting out of single digits. This makes it awfully hard to heat the shop warm enough to much, especially since the floor has gotten cold, but today, I decided I had to make an effort.
I went out in the morning and build a fire, then took the Riviera’s inner fenders and core support over to “Consolidated Stripping and Derusting” in Plainwell, where for the ridiculously low price of $20 an hour, one can use their huge blasting cabinets. It took me just an hour to clean up the parts, and when I got home the shop was reasonably warm, and I got busy cleaning the firewall and frame. Then, I dusted several light coats of Tractor Supply rattle can enamel on everything.
Now, we wait for spring for the paint tack up! (Actually, it was warm enough for the paint to be dry to touch in about an hour, so it’ll be fine.)
After that, I pulled the original heat/air unit out and mocked up the new “Southern Air” unit. I’ll have to relieve the bottom of the dash to allow the unit to slide up in the correct way. It fit rotated 90 degrees from where it should, but it’s half an inch wider than it is tall, so a little trimming is in order. No big deal, it’ll fit very nicely once I do that, and be easy to hook up the defrosters, dash vents and floor vent. I won’t be able to have the rear seat heat vent, (not enough outlets) but other than that, it’ll be stock appearing and supposedly has enough output for a big car like the Riviera.
Still waiting for the Air-Ride system and my pal Crafty B to weld up the modified cast aluminum oil pan, but as soon as that’s done, I can get engine in for the last time, get the air bags in, and get the car back on its wheels.
Meanwhile, I expect Babe the Blue Ox and Paul Bunyon to come strolling up the drive any day now…
Cool McCool's Garage 