Glamour Shots.. '62 Valiant Wagon
1/29/24:
I made some more progress in this ever-snowballing project.
I finalized the 8 3/4" Housing, New perches fully welded and cleaned/painted to the best of my ability.
I would have liked to dipped the part in molasses for a few weeks, but I do not have the time or tank so such a task.
The axle shafts that came with this rear end were typical O.E. small bolt pattern pieces that were redrilled to 5 on 4.5.
I converted them back to 5 on 4.0" Lug circle and threaded in some old 1/2-20 Studs cut them flush and welded up the 5 on 4.5" drilled holes.
I got the housing set on the leaf springs and the old 7.25" removed. I found time to take care of some other small fiddly things too: New Rear Brake Hose, Rear Brake lines for the axle, Mounting the rebuilt wheel cylinders in the backing plates, Cleaning the OE parking Brake cables (they were really nice under the Factory/dealer undercoating and paint overspray.)
Perch on this:
All welded and ready for paint.
Painted - Still lots of pockmarks in the housing, but at the going rate for these axles, I am okay with that.
Redrilled axles returned to semi-stock.
After the Blast Cabinet and Painting:
Housing Getting set in place:
1/29/24:
I made some more progress in this ever-snowballing project.
I finalized the 8 3/4" Housing, New perches fully welded and cleaned/painted to the best of my ability.
I would have liked to dipped the part in molasses for a few weeks, but I do not have the time or tank so such a task.
The axle shafts that came with this rear end were typical O.E. small bolt pattern pieces that were redrilled to 5 on 4.5.
I converted them back to 5 on 4.0" Lug circle and threaded in some old 1/2-20 Studs cut them flush and welded up the 5 on 4.5" drilled holes.
I got the housing set on the leaf springs and the old 7.25" removed. I found time to take care of some other small fiddly things too: New Rear Brake Hose, Rear Brake lines for the axle, Mounting the rebuilt wheel cylinders in the backing plates, Cleaning the OE parking Brake cables (they were really nice under the Factory/dealer undercoating and paint overspray.)
Perch on this:
All welded and ready for paint.
Painted - Still lots of pockmarks in the housing, but at the going rate for these axles, I am okay with that.
Redrilled axles returned to semi-stock.
After the Blast Cabinet and Painting:
Housing Getting set in place: