Page 5 Ownage!

More work completed today! Laid out another fiberglass door panel. Cut a "template" door panel out of some 1/4 inch ply. and finished fabbing the internal door pieces for the left door. Hope to get all the metal work on the left door done tomorrow - then on to the right side. Been soaking all the cradle bolts in PB for several days now. Plan to drop the cradle/motor/trans next weekend - Start vacation on the 22nd for 2 weeks. My plan is to get the car completely stripped down and get the roof off of it while on vacation. Can't wait to spend everyday tinkering on the Fiero.

Door Panel template


Fiberglass door panel blanks!


Laying out the panels with the template



Fabbing the last inner door piece.







Love these dimple dies!



A few bends in the Brake


Some "pre" fit!




And some fitting in the door!



Now just double it for the right side!


More later!

Pat

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 11-16-2013).]

A little more done today!

Some more tinkering on the driver door accomplished. Re made the top plate - went to Speedway in Lincoln this AM and brought back some cool sheet metal tools.







Started working on the end filler




And my new set of Cleco fastners!



More later!

Pat

It's been a long time since I checked in on this thread... too long. It's looking really good Pat. I'm anxious to see how the plan inside your head materializes into something we can see too. Are any of those lightening holes going to be visible in the end design? (They give it the old hot rod look, you know, the ones with drilled I beam axles and windshield headers?) You've got to figure out some use for those punch dies that will show, even if it's only under the decklid.

Pat, I know that the window track is removed in these shots, but which way is the easier way to remove the two bolts from the lower door hinge. Threw the interior side of the door, or from the door skin side of the door?
-Joe

quote Originally posted by katatak: And my new set of Cleco fastners! Pat

Got that right. Clecos are invaluable when working with panels. Got my first batch in, oh.. 1998. Ouch.

Don

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: It's been a long time since I checked in on this thread... too long. It's looking really good Pat. I'm anxious to see how the plan inside your head materializes into something we can see too. Are any of those lightening holes going to be visible in the end design? (They give it the old hot rod look, you know, the ones with drilled I beam axles and windshield headers?) You've got to figure out some use for those punch dies that will show, even if it's only under the decklid.

That's part of the problem Blooz - it's all in my head - and I keep changing my mind! All of the dimple die holes will be visible - the door will be "inset" as I plan on a side bar to the cage that will bump out slightly to accommodate my "width". That "old school" roadster look is what I'm going for. I've always wanted to build a Track "T" but after trying a few out to see how I would fit, it was apparent that I would have to do major car body mods to make it work. I changed my focus to a Factory Five - Cobra - again, I don't fit - even in a stretched / widened version. So I went back to the old Fiero - this will be my version of that old school Track T / Cobra / track car with an aviation flare.......... if that makes sense?

Thanks for checking in!

Pat

LOL...love reading your thread! Now when can I bring my Indy out for a 3800SC swap???

quote Originally posted by johnyrottin: LOL...love reading your thread! Now when can I bring my Indy out for a 3800SC swap???

Anytime John...... But it might take a while! I'm not as motivated as I use to be! My original plan was to be driving this thing by now. I'll probably have Archie do the LS setup - I'm getting lazy (and I can't get off the concrete floor very well anymore!)

quote Originally posted by katatak: I seem to be gathering more and more cool tools these days. I'm finally figuring out that car building is a lot easier with the right tools.

quote Originally posted by katatak: I think Speedway is going to become my favorite hot rod vendor - at least for this build as they seem to have everything I'll need to complete this one.

quote Originally posted by katatak: I think I'm having more fun gathering the tools and working through the fab issues than actually "finishing" the car.

I couldn't agree more to those statements!

Keep up the good work!

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: I couldn't agree more to those statements! Keep up the good work!

Thanks Guru - words to live by!

So I had an idea about the inside door release - not sure I like it but I have not given up on it just yet. Plan is / was to use a bicycle brake handle @ cable to attach to the Fiero door latch mech. Incorporate that into a internal "pull" handle for closing the door! Still on the fence with this one!

Pat did you get a chance to look at the bottom door hinge bolts? From the inside or outside?

quote Originally posted by josef644: Pat did you get a chance to look at the bottom door hinge bolts? From the inside or outside?

Sorry Joe!

Definitely from the outside!

Great. Thanks

Went to the Pick & Pull today. Scored! Thanks to "AL68" for the tip. First Fiero had the Driver side seat but the tracks were gone. Second Fiero had the Driver side seat and - bonus - was not bolted done - yanked the seat out, flipped it over - perfect set of no rust seat tracks! Also found a perfect left front fender for my ZR2 Blazer - was needing a fender and fender flare - been looking on line and was not having much luck. I actually bought one off of EBay and when it arrived, it looked like it was used as a tire chalk for the UPS truck that delivered it! This one tuned out great - gave me a chance to "learn" how to pull the fender - got it off in about 20 minutes and was way easier than I expected. This was my first trip to a pick & pull since I left Texas. It was exactly what I needed. When I got home, my wife asked me "How was Church?" Amen Sister!


Did a little "roof removal" work yesterday. Here's some pics for you Joe!

Driver side windshield


Passenger side windshield


Got the rear roof panel off


And some random roof pics for reference.





More later!

Pat

Maybe one shot of a T Top glass upside down? Lots of rivets there !!!!!
-Joe

[This message has been edited by josef644 (edited 12-04-2013).]

Tinkered some more today! Man, 3 days in a row working on my Fiero! Got to love it!. Spent most the day today prepping to remove the cradle. Was worried about rusted cradle bolts. Been soaking them in PB for several weeks now. The rear bolts came out pretty easy and the nuts came off the front bolts real easy. I can spin the left side forward bolt so it will pop out but the passenger side may be a problem. I've soaked it all day in PB and will put some heat and the air hammer to it tomorrow - worse case will be the cutting disc! All that's left is the trans lines and the passenger side bolt and the boat anchor will be out!

With my limited sheet metal experience and sheet metal welding experience, my big hurdle this week was to get the outer edge of the top panel on the door welded. My original plan was a "flange" that would fit over the edge of the door frame and sit behind the piece of metal that the door skin hangs on. I drilled several 3/16" holes in the "flange" and my intention was to "spot" weld it in place. What I figured out through trial and error was that there was no way I would be able to get to the holes to make the welds. Now what? I was watching an episode of Overhaulin and they were cutting the spot welds to remove a panel. I ran down to the Auto parts store and picked up a spot weld cutter - cut the spot welds on the piece that the door skin hangs on and then was able to make the welds - at this point, I trimmed the flange off and just seam welded the entire length to the door frame. Turned out way better than I expected. Just another reason to get the right tools to the job! I have spent a lot of time on the Driver side door but I have learned a lot and will make the passenger side go way faster.

Outer door panel strip removed:


Top plate welded in:


Door panel strip welded back in place:


With the door panel installed:






And when I was trying to break the axle nuts loose - my 3/4' to 1/2" impact adapter decided to let go - I was laying on it pretty good when she went snap and I nearly did a flip - good thing I was fairly close to the floor when she let loose - could have been a serious face plant into the concrete!



More later!

Pat

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 12-04-2013).]

I looked up your weather forcast a few days ago. It was supposed to get down to -1* that night. We have had one night that had a low of 33* a few days ago. I went out and checked the mail last nite wearing flip flops and shorts.

Stay warm.

[This message has been edited by josef644 (edited 12-11-2013).]

quote Originally posted by josef644: I looked up your weather forcast a few days ago. It was supposed to get down to -1* that night. We have had one night that had a low of 33* a few days ago. I went out and checked the mail last nite wearing flip flops and shorts. Stay warm.

The flip flops and shorts comment was not nice! It's been too cold to even think about going to the garage. I spent the last 3 days of vaca wrapped up in a blanket in the living room/ We had a Hi of 29 degrees today - that was at 12:30 in the morning by 8:00 this am it was 3 degrees and windy! This sucks!

Still too cold for work in the garage - was just out there and it was 9 degrees inside. Here's some pics requested by Joe.

B Pillar Bracket -



B Pillar Filler -

quote Originally posted by katatak: Still too cold for work in the garage - was just out there and it was 9 degrees inside.

Wuss.

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: Wuss.

You have to give Pat a break. He lived here in "Hell Paso" for quite a few years. His blood is still thin.

That being said, it in the 40's here with a wind chill making it feel much colder.......Brrrrrrrrrrr

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: Wuss.

You are 100% correct Blooz - I'm a wuss - but a warm wuss!

26 on my back porch.

Cool metalwork man.

quote Originally posted by 2.5: Cool metalwork man.

Thanks! It's a work in progress - real slow progress.

quote Originally posted by katatak: OMG - 40 degrees in Hell Paso? I guess hell can freeze over....J/K Rick. I miss working in my garage in El Paso - wearing shorts - drinking Ice Tea in February! In a few months, I'll be whining about the heat and humidity. I can't win!

Humidity? I am not familiar with that word. The Fiero project looks to be coming along nicely. Even without me there cracking the whip. Somebody had to do it or else you guys would be on permanent "Union Break". Maybe you could convince you employer you need to keep an eye on El Paso operations from time to time......

Went to Harbor Freight and picked up a welding cart. Spent some time cleaning the garage - I had tools spread out all over the place. Dodgerunner stopped by to pick up a 87 nose and dropped off a door skin. It's time to go in and get warm - watch the game and pig out on game day snacks!

Pat tried to sell me on the fact he had not done metal work before. You can tell by the pictures it's a quality job.
If not experience then it's all talent, patience and "just do it" attitude.

Great to meet a fellow Fiero "nut"

quote Originally posted by Dodgerunner: Pat tried to sell me on the fact he had not done metal work before. You can tell by the pictures it's a quality job. If not experience then it's all talent, patience and "just do it" attitude. Great to meet a fellow Fiero "nut"

Thanks Dodge! It was great to finally put a face to the name. I think I told you that I went through a lot of sheet metal to get what's done to the point it sits today! Hopefully through all the mistakes (I prefer learning opportunities), the rest of it will go a little quicker.

If the weather would break and warm up about 30 degrees, I could really dig in and get busy.

More later!

P

Warmed up some today so I thought I'd get out in the garage and drop the motor. Both front cradle bolts are rusted tight. Started the process of cutting the bolts. I was just about done with the driver side and was leaning back to slide back under the car - caught the back of my head on wheel stud. Was out cold for a few minutes! Got a nice bump and gash on my head! Fiero 1 - Pat 0! Round two tomorrow.

Ouch!!!!!!

Fiero 1 - Pat 1.

Got the motor out today. I bought some high dollar reciprocating metal blades for my Sawzall - burned up 5 of them on one bolt and never did get through it. Got out the hot wrench and melted them off. Motor is out! Tomorrow I will remove the roof!

Getting setup to drop.





Booyah!


More later!

Pat

Here ya go Joe!

Roof is off. Just need to separate the T Top piece from the B pillars and remove the reinforcement piece from the windshield frame. That black goo is terrible stuff. Got to get the windshield trim off and I'm afraid I will destroy t getting it off. It appears that when they installed the T Top, they used plenty - plus of the goo and it's stuck pretty good. Looks like a lot of work just cleaning it up.






More later!

P

Katatak;

Looking good. I was going to recommend you go through the frame reinforcing before you cut the roof off but I see that is a bit late....

When you start your reinforcing, take LOTS of measurements in the door jambs and cross corner in the cockpit area. I had a few issues with my convertible back in the day when I was doing the reinforcing. I ended up with a slightly off cockpit on the passenger side to begin with and had to fix it. Support the rear frame behind the strut towers on each side with some sort of jacking devices and adjust the gaps and cross cockpit with those.

Good luck and have fun
Don