1963 Dart 170 2 Door Post Resto
So, I did a bunch more little stuff with the car over the past few days. Did a little more wet sanding and compound work on some spots I wasn't happy with. Discovered on the front passenger fender when taking care of a run in the clear how thick the clear was :mad:. Actually blew though the clear and base into the primer. Real tiny spot but it happened. I was able to touch it up ok and blend it in so that even though I know where it is it's difficult to find. Thank god. Wasn't looking forward to the possibility of repainting the fender and trying to be sure it matched. Got rid of the run though...lol
Sat in the trunk today and wet sanded using 3000 grit 3M paper (sponge??) to get rid of the light overspray that somehow managed to get inside the car while I was applying the base coat. went over it after with the meguiar's ultimate compound to bring back the shine. Worked out pretty well overall. Still have work to do in the cabin. Did the rims as well today.
Then I decided to see if I could get the car to spin over. It's been apart for 3 years so I was curious. Hooked up the battery cables (temporarily as I need to clean them up or replace them) and put the battery in. Turned on the key and the oil light came on...good sign. Turned the key and it spun over. Only let it spin a couple revolutions as I still need to top up the transmission (don't want to run the transmission when it's low). Actually have to replace the crappy base pan gasket as its leaking at the front edge. Also have to put gas in it (just finished installing fill tube and vent as well.)
Then I got brave and decided to try the electronics. Turned on the headlights and nothing. Tried a few times and finally one came on. What?? They are both new. Pulled out the dead one to find I was a bone head. I test fit it previously and never plugged it in as I was going to remove it but never did. Hooked up the ground and plugged it in and voila, we have light. Tried the high beams only to find the dimmer is pooched (remember, this was a kinda basket case car when I got it, in various stages of disassembly). Ordered a new one, should be in tomorrow. No tail lights. Discovered at some point I blew a fuse. Swapped it out and those new tail lights look awesome. Brake lights and signals work too. Still have to install the front park lenses after polish. Wiper motor works as it should (good ole one speed...lol) and heater works. I do have a minor fan motor squeal when it is switched to defrost and on high speed. No noise at any other time. Gotta look into that one. Have a spare motor if I need one. Don't want to have to pull the heater box back out if I don't have to though.
One issue I did run into is no dash lights. As I recall, they weren't working when I got the car. I was hoping it was a dirty connection at the dash cluster. Doesn't look like it. I am now suspecting the circuit board on the back of the cluster. I have a spare, but don't know the condition. Will have to pull my meter and confirm I'm getting power and go from there. I have good ground as I have signals and high beam indication and the oil pressure lights. I don't think it's the switch as the light in the shift selector is working fine. Time will tell I guess. Also one of my horns is only working intermittently. It was missing one when I got it and I found a used one and cleaned it up. I guess it needs the internal contacts cleaned a little better to get it working. I think I have other spares. I will have to check.
So, I did a bunch more little stuff with the car over the past few days. Did a little more wet sanding and compound work on some spots I wasn't happy with. Discovered on the front passenger fender when taking care of a run in the clear how thick the clear was :mad:. Actually blew though the clear and base into the primer. Real tiny spot but it happened. I was able to touch it up ok and blend it in so that even though I know where it is it's difficult to find. Thank god. Wasn't looking forward to the possibility of repainting the fender and trying to be sure it matched. Got rid of the run though...lol
Sat in the trunk today and wet sanded using 3000 grit 3M paper (sponge??) to get rid of the light overspray that somehow managed to get inside the car while I was applying the base coat. went over it after with the meguiar's ultimate compound to bring back the shine. Worked out pretty well overall. Still have work to do in the cabin. Did the rims as well today.
Then I decided to see if I could get the car to spin over. It's been apart for 3 years so I was curious. Hooked up the battery cables (temporarily as I need to clean them up or replace them) and put the battery in. Turned on the key and the oil light came on...good sign. Turned the key and it spun over. Only let it spin a couple revolutions as I still need to top up the transmission (don't want to run the transmission when it's low). Actually have to replace the crappy base pan gasket as its leaking at the front edge. Also have to put gas in it (just finished installing fill tube and vent as well.)
Then I got brave and decided to try the electronics. Turned on the headlights and nothing. Tried a few times and finally one came on. What?? They are both new. Pulled out the dead one to find I was a bone head. I test fit it previously and never plugged it in as I was going to remove it but never did. Hooked up the ground and plugged it in and voila, we have light. Tried the high beams only to find the dimmer is pooched (remember, this was a kinda basket case car when I got it, in various stages of disassembly). Ordered a new one, should be in tomorrow. No tail lights. Discovered at some point I blew a fuse. Swapped it out and those new tail lights look awesome. Brake lights and signals work too. Still have to install the front park lenses after polish. Wiper motor works as it should (good ole one speed...lol) and heater works. I do have a minor fan motor squeal when it is switched to defrost and on high speed. No noise at any other time. Gotta look into that one. Have a spare motor if I need one. Don't want to have to pull the heater box back out if I don't have to though.
One issue I did run into is no dash lights. As I recall, they weren't working when I got the car. I was hoping it was a dirty connection at the dash cluster. Doesn't look like it. I am now suspecting the circuit board on the back of the cluster. I have a spare, but don't know the condition. Will have to pull my meter and confirm I'm getting power and go from there. I have good ground as I have signals and high beam indication and the oil pressure lights. I don't think it's the switch as the light in the shift selector is working fine. Time will tell I guess. Also one of my horns is only working intermittently. It was missing one when I got it and I found a used one and cleaned it up. I guess it needs the internal contacts cleaned a little better to get it working. I think I have other spares. I will have to check.