Stretch goes boing, then sings.

Dr.Jass

Dr.Jass

Pastor of Muppets
Spent the day out at Chateau Resiliency yesterday, finishing the extended axle/spring/brake restoration and swap and stuff or something.

His Flexibility had already gotten the springs in, and the axle housing (with fresh 3.55 Sure Grip center section) was in place though not bolted.

Pics? Sure!

Here's a shot of the refinished drums. Fully painted with my favorite cast paint inside & out, with red faces (like Stretch!) so the color shows through his styled wheels. Baked at 350° until the cheese just started to bubble... :D

After that comes a shot of Mr. Elasticity staring blankly at a backing plate, wondering why it hasn't yet assembled itself.
 
After the staring, he came to the realization that the standard "flat-rate" method of setting backlash, which involves axle-shaft abuse, might be better accomplished with the axle firmly installed in the car, so out came the clear-coated U-bolts ( [Stretch] I made 'em myseff![/Stretch] ) and the impact gun...
 
Cinching up the other side, and a close-up shot showing the remnants of the factory-slopped red drum paint on the wheel studs...

Yes, that's a painted backing plate, also baked on for durability.
 
Mr. Stretch gives himself a brake. He assembles drum brakes so fast, I didn't even have time to get pictures.
 
It would sure be nice if the factory spent that much time and attention to detail as you guys are doing. Good job fellers. [smilie=e:
 
About this time, our friend Paul stopped by with his '68 Hemi Chicken, with a fresh chip in the paint from (that's right) actually driving a Hemi car!

Pants were moistened.

Paul was impressed with His Royal Enlongatable's project, which was startin' to look like a car again.
 
First pic is just before we got to the shocks and swaybar; second one is all bolted up and ready to bleed... he re-used his original brake lines (yes, I hate him too ;) ) which is cool, but perhaps an aesthetic misfire. Same goes for the shock hardware. :D

I didn't get pics of us actually installing the shocks, since that was a two-man operation. Same with the rear swaybar.
 
Damn shame to hide such beauty behind a wheel...

Speaking of bleeding, Stretchbucket later found out that Jester was right... "down the road" is far more effective. [smilie=2:

Just kidding... he was changing the speedometer gear for the new, lower ratio. [smilie=e:
 
Dr.Jass said:
he re-used his original brake lines (yes, I hate him too ;) ) which is cool, but perhaps an aesthetic misfire. Same goes for the shock hardware. :D
Click to expand...

Along with a non-blasted sway bar :D
 
All day, Stretchy had worried about the car's stance, which is always a concern with new boingers. Once we had it on the ground, all fears were put to rest... it sits great. While the car was apart, he'd put all-new K-member bushings up front which actually brought it up a little, so he thought he might lower it ½" or so... he'll know after a drive.

What?! No drive?! Nope... one of his exhaust manifolds is out being milled to correct a warp and small leak, so the car couldn't leave the garage. :(
 
Stretchy was so happy, he couldn't stop himself from a soul-stirring performance of O Sole Mio. He hadn't even put down his "no brake fluid on the nice new parts" apparatus before starting his operatic masterpiece.

He's a great guy and everything, but this "bursting into song" sh!t can be embarrassing. It's like hanging out with The Sound of Music. [smilie=e:
 
Looks good. I like that car.
I'll bet he breaks into song because that Red Wings hat is too tight!
 
Very nice! [smilie=e:

Thanks for the pics and commentary Doc...almost like being there. [smilie=c: [smilie=w:
 
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