This day I cleaned the A-Pillar moldings (posts left/right on the windshield). These are made out of die cast (zinc).

The dashboard chrome molding around the aluminum plates are looking really sad (cleaned as well). The aluminum plates I'll replace with reproduction from Jan.

Some more parts from the parts stack in my attic are visible. E.g. the directional switch.

Happy New Year!

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

(IMG_8242 A-Pillar molding cleaned.JPG)

(IMG_8241 Dashboard bezels and part of directional signal switch.JPG)

IMG_8242 A-Pillar molding cleaned.JPG (286KB - 47 downloads)

IMG_8241 Dashboard bezels and part of directional signal switch.JPG (316KB - 46 downloads)

Today I was lucky, I got a thermostat housing (thank you Nathan) that looks surprisingly identical to the one on the engine and a NOS cap for the power steering pump. The original power steering pump cap I brushed with the rotating brush and discovered a rusting through hole and heavy corrotion ontop of the cap. The rubber seal on the other hand is still fine. There was no water inside the power steering pump.

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

BTW: condition of the die cast parts of the passenger compartment. Most probably made out of Zamak 3. Humidity (greater than 65%) is a main factor for blisters and pittings (as signs of zinc pest). Parts made after 1960 are usually considered free of the risk of zinc pest since the use of purer materials and more controlled manufacturing conditions make zinc pest degradation unlikely (wikipedia)

Long time at the body&paint shop to visit my Letter and helping mounting a rear fender of a 2019 Renault Clio. I marked some resting issues and showed it to the boss, e.g. the hole under the drivers side rear seat. it should be flat and round as the one on the passenger side. The trunk floor is in work now (recessions on the welding line).

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

(IMG_8266 front foot well area passenger side.JPG)

(IMG_8267 front foot well area drivers side.JPG)

(IMG_8268 rear seat area passenger side.JPG)

(IMG_8270 rear seat area drviers side.JPG)

IMG_8266 front foot well area passenger side.JPG (256KB - 35 downloads)

IMG_8267 front foot well area drivers side.JPG (258KB - 38 downloads)

IMG_8268 rear seat area passenger side.JPG (264KB - 35 downloads)

IMG_8270 rear seat area drviers side.JPG (299KB - 37 downloads)

First of all a question. What do you use to close the gaps at both A pillar base junction to the rocker panel?

On the passenger side the jumping cracker is history (I'm very, very happy - got my Letter with that jumping cracker, noticeable even with the carpet installed). On the drivers side rear passnger seat floor, the hole is round again and the floor is even like before (destoryed by the lock smith shop, with no notification).

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

(IMG_8314 A pillar base passenger side.JPG)

(IMG_8315 A pillar base drivers side.JPG)

(IMG_8316 rear passenger floor drivers side.JPG)

(IMG_8317 foot well passenger side.JPG)

IMG_8314 A pillar base passenger side.JPG (151KB - 37 downloads)

IMG_8315 A pillar base drivers side.JPG (169KB - 36 downloads)

IMG_8316 rear passenger floor drivers side.JPG (153KB - 35 downloads)

IMG_8317 foot well passenger side.JPG (141KB - 36 downloads)

I hope Dieter, soon you will come to the lucky part of your restoration. Have you all parts ready for assemble?

Good Luck!   - SERGE -

The propeller shaft is free from rust. Pending works are coat of final color, replacement of the u-joint, replacement of the dust boot and a new grease package (2 ounces, 56 gramm).

(2) The propeller shaft is finally painted. I'm waiting for the parts ordered at RockAuto. After I got the notification, I'll visit Leif to visit him and pick up the parcel. I'm asking me, if the dust boot already once has been replaced. I'm missing two tabs at the front cover of the B/T.

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

(IMG_8327 rear end propeller shaft.JPG)

(IMG_8332 front end propeller shaft.JPG)

IMG_8327 rear end propeller shaft.JPG (188KB - 27 downloads)

IMG_8332 front end propeller shaft.JPG (123KB - 24 downloads)

I got the new brake lines this morning. Checked the content of the parcel and packed the brake lines into the box again (waiting to be installed) in my attic.

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

(IMG_8351 new brake lines.JPG)

IMG_8351 new brake lines.JPG (306KB - 19 downloads)

Thanks for your question. No, I'm keeping the original four drum set up. For the speed of the traffic in Switzerland it's enough. For sure with a disk brake set up at the front axle, the braking power would be better, but no chance to get the historic state when getting to the traffic administration.

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

I did a phone call to the engine restorer.. the engine block is at the zyinder grinder shop. At the restorers the crankshaft has been polished (.01 under size prior polishing - once grinded is the judgement of the engine restorer). Bearings for the crankshaft and camshaft are ordered.

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

The body and paint shop owner works very carefully (more than most generic swiss professionals). We visited the freshly primed Letter and discussed about the further steps. The body&paint shop owner announced, that the rear end is almost finished.

Happy Restoring!

Dieter

(IMG_8418 rear end three quarts view passenger side.JPG)

(IMG_8419 driver side rear end sight to the front.JPG)

(IMG_8421 passenger side rear end.JPG)

IMG_8418 rear end three quarts view passenger side.JPG (315KB - 1 downloads)

IMG_8419 driver side rear end sight to the front.JPG (288KB - 2 downloads)

IMG_8421 passenger side rear end.JPG (284KB - 1 downloads)