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Bertha’s loooooong saga

62156 Views 1102 Replies 55 Participants Last post by  ETriggs, 
ETriggs
Ok, I am putting this thread together so I have a record for everyone to see, suggest, comment, and critique. I have been to the first six Nationals, all without Bertha. Seventh was the lucky charm! I can't let this happen again, it feels too weird.

Here is the list of what I have remaining to do in the next 334 days. By June 24, 2022

1. Get car back home to Auburn. (Yes, it is in Defuniak Spring FL. right now.)

Sheetmetal Work
1. Buy new one piece floor and trunk floor and install
2. Install new rockers
3. Install and repair quarter panels
4. Repair rust / dents in roof
5. New hood
6. New Cowl
7. Repair dash (knee dent on pass side)
8. New trunk-to-bumper panel install and smooth into quarters
9. Align trunk lid
10. Prep and prime and paint

Glass
1. Rechrome side glass frames
2. Buy and install glass. (Vent windows done)

Wiring - install AAW kit I bought
  1. Engine
  2. Dash
  3. Interior
  4. Rear body


Drivetrain
1. Get motor running (already rebuilt)
2. Prep transmission (fluid and install filler tube)
3. Turn front brake rotors (they are new, but rusted a bit in the Florida humidity)
4. Buy and install gas tank (lines are already run)
5. Install steering column and wheel
6. Finish routing and hanging exhaust

Interior:
1. I already have a complete kit from Gina Ciadella (modified 670 trim). It is ready to install.
2. Install wipers, radio, etc. Just enough to make it fully functional

Trim
1. Buy new bumpers (front and rear) and install.
2. Finish polishing all of side trim. I have all of it, it just needs polishing.
3. Get new taillights and install


I think after this, it will be ready to drive to Nats. Not perfect, not complete, but drivable. That is what I want more than anything is for it to be drivable.

I am tossing around set on colors now, but will use a dark silver / gray metallic for the car with a dark blue metallic for trim Strato blue / white. I still have to decide on specific colors though. Paint is now a mix of the VW Strato Blue and Porsche Aetna Blue. I am sending a sample to Orion Automotive and it will be called "Bertha Blue"

Am I forgetting anything major? I have had this car for 10 15 years, I need to get it on the road!!! Finished!
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Shadetree55
ETriggs said:
Somewhat back together. Need another carb gasket and to finish running everything back together. Will pull the valve covers off and polish quickly.
View attachment 396481
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lotsa progress
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ETriggs
Shadetree55 said:
lotsa progress
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Thanks! I am waiting on the black sealant to fully set before I do any more. It’s all torqued down though.
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Shadetree55
ETriggs said:
Thanks! I am waiting on the black sealant to fully set before I do any more. It’s all torqued down though.
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yeah, I like to let that sit and cure on it's own--preferably overnight at least
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ETriggs
Shadetree55 said:
yeah, I like to let that sit and cure on it's own--preferably overnight at least
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I will probably fire it up again tomorrow afternoon if I get everything hooked up.
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Shadetree55
ETriggs said:
I will probably fire it up again tomorrow afternoon if I get everything hooked up.
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good luck---waiting for the good news
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ETriggs
I am making a new set of plug wires for it, I bought an Accel or Moroso kit, I forget which right now. Yellow wire, 8mm. I have to cut and crimp them in the morning.
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Shadetree55
ETriggs said:
I am making a new set of plug wires for it, I bought an Accel or Moroso kit, I forget which right now. Yellow wire, 8mm. I have to cut and crimp them in the morning.
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Yellow, probably accel! I just made a set for mine and used Moroso . Not my favorite job constantly up and down running them behind the ram horns. Installed heat sleeves on all 8 from the boot to rear of oil pan.
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ETriggs
I have the cheap headers, i will put the basalt sleeves on the wires before I install. I also need to pull the headers and paint/wrap them.
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H
ETriggs said:
I do that on most everything, but I skipped it on my intake. I paint pen mark everything after I do a final torque but goofed on the intake. I will certainly do it this time!
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The self induced problems are the worst! Been there, done that, LOL
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ETriggs
HILLBILLY 823 said:
The self induced problems are the worst! Been there, done that, LOL
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I’m really starting to think all of my engine woes were due to the fact that the intake was not fully torqued down. If that’s the case, I’m gonna be so mad at myself I wont talk to myself for a week.
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ETriggs
Waiting on fittings to finish up the engine, I’ve been squirting some paint.
Black base with sating gloss on these parts. Front splash pan (obviously), front bracket for alternator and the fabricated stiffeners for hood hinge to fender.
Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Plant Grass Outdoor furniture Electric blue
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Dragsix
Man! you are moving right along!
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ETriggs
Dragsix said:
Man! you are moving right along!
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I gotta get this thing moving like a car, not sitting like a couch. If I can get the engine running right by next weekend, I will drive her to the local car show.
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BamaNomad
What if it rains? :)
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ETriggs
BamaNomad said:
What if it rains? :)
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Don’t care. If I get wet…. I get wet. I have a car cover for it if it does rain that will keep the rain out of the empty side windows.
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ETriggs
Looking closer to ready again. Tomorrow I will get the alternator and rest of the front stuff done. Then to redo the front brake lines.

Motor vehicle Automotive design Automotive tire Helmet Automotive lighting
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KRUNK !!!!
LOOKING AWESOME !!!
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ETriggs
KRUNK !!!! said:
LOOKING AWESOME !!!
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Thanks! I need to respray the inner fenders while I have it apart. I can do that tomorrow too. It will be sunny. It was a frog choker this afternoon, rain was coming down sideways for a bit.
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Dragsix
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Don’t know if you have any interest but I used some stainless spring wrap to dress the lines up a little on Patrick’s car. Inline tube sells it on eBay.
Green Motor vehicle Hood Automotive tire Gas

My infamous metal flake master all dressed up with the spring wrap.
Bookcase Electrical wiring Engineering Shelf Cable
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ETriggs
That does look nice! I have some silicone and fiberglass sleeve for the new hard fuel line you see up front. I gotta hide all that wiring, it looks like crap. I’m also ditching my booster to give me more room for the oil dipstick. I doubt Lindsay will ever drive Bertha so that makes power brakes not as necessary.
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