Ok, I got the wheels prepped by polishing the lips and peddles. They are now ready for enamel dipping. I will update the photos when I am done with the dual paint schema. There is one of the center caps that needs to sanded and re-polished, as it has some pitting on it. Also, one of the caps is not the older 3-pronged caps. I am searching for a replacement. I believe one of the wheels that I have coming in today should satisfy that and move my search down the road. Let us see.
This is just pictures of the things that I worked on today, without much explanation. Removal of partial front panel, removal of doglegs (passenger fender) and final paint removal on front Porsche Fuchs wheel.
I am looking to polish a set of Fuchs wheels, but I am looking for an extension shaft for my standard grinder/polisher. If you know where this exist, please let me know.
This distorted photo above shows the space that between the lower nose cut and the picture that follows. Getting the inner structured install is going to be a challenge.
Sizing up the new inner structure. While it is not that same as the original in shape, it will serve the purpose. I will document my steps once I have both pieces installed.
Inner Structure from the inside
Here is a view from the inside.
Inner structure from the side view
Repairing mount for Inner Structure
I cut out the lip where the inner structure is mounted. I used my plasma cutter as I was majorly frustrated from removing the spot welds to the valance in the front. So, I welded in and filed down the new replacement piece.
Here is why I used my plasma cutter to originally remove my inner support panel. As you can see, the section was really rusted up due to the prior crash.
I am currently researching where this tab connects when rebuilding the front pillar. I've examined the old one removed and it doesn't seem like this existed on the original design. If you know how this connects, please comment to let me know.
Just purchased my new inner nose structure (headlight support bracket) from Wolfsburg West. I should have by the end of the first week of the new year. After this, I will have all the parts to completely build the front section back to good.
I used a plasma cutter to remove the front headlight support bracket. I guess it was from being lazy or just frustrated with removing the inner valance off of the frame. I've fabricated a new replacement for the section that I quickly cut out. For some reason, this still seemed a lot simpler. This was done on both sides of the van. I am currently awaiting my order for a new headlight support bracket. I just need to grind it down once a few places are tack-welded to the body. This piece is required to spot-weld the inner valance to the body, so I must put it back. I'll show this completed, but I will only continue after I have the replace support bracket in my possession to try it on for size.
Just making sure that I am going in the correct direction with the fender and pillar from the size perspective. It doesn't completely line up yet because I have not grind-ed down the tack-welds for the side rocker panel that I repaired previously. This is just to check to see if the angle will be right when I hit that step soon. This should be completed in a few weeks.
Although, the valances does not fit onto the frame, because of metal that still needs to be clear off the two frame post. I had to try it partly on to make sure the part's location is exactly where I expected it. This is an AutoCraft part, so it is very proper. Stay tuned.
You can watch this video to get a full status of what I've just discussed:
