wheee!

I still have this to look forward to!

Hmm I don't have any cherry bombs... Let me look around work and see what I can find! I'll check with the boys in bomb disposal this morning

On another note, I tried "drifting" the spindle out with Thor this afternoon. No go. Thought I'd simplify a bit and took the sawzall to the joints an separated the control arm from the spindle. After that, the ends of the spindle pin literally dropped out of the control arm!... Sadly, the spindle centre section is totally seized. I gave it a few whacks and realized this will take heat and pressure... Back at it tonight with a torch and heat gun followed by Thor. If that fails, off to work it all goes to the 50 tonne press!

The downside to seam separating for me is that my damage is right on the seam.... See first post.

I wear a full SCBA mask and do all my welding in an inert argon atmosphere chamber.... Seriously though, good tip!

wow... That looks awesome! Might be swaying me to go that way....!

I have such a tool . Cutting it open might make it easier to repair and restore as well... I will try pulling it if I have no options on a replacement unit. Failing a good pull, I will cut it open and restore it that way.

That is my planned process if a new tank does not materialize. I may even cut the whole thing open!

There is no area of the pin exposed to chill.... the opnly option is heat to the sleeve so the pin can be "persuaded" to move ...

They don't want the hassle with a rusted part being shipped. They are just not interested in selling it to me when they can sell it local. Again, the issue here is overall cost. My tank is not leaking or unuseable, just damaged and dented. Sending it away for repair or buying a new one is really cost prohibitive versus a second hand one in good shape that I can seal and refinish myself.

The problem is not restoring the finish or sealing the tank, it's bashing out the severe dents on the bottom and side. And for a reasonable price. Shipping a tank will cost me around $100 each way, plus the restore costs. That's why I am looking for a relatively good tank to refinish myself. I can buy a restored tank online with sending unit for approx $600 US ($800 cdn) plus shipping my tank to them first and being deemed a suitable core (if not add another $400 US - $550 cdn).... You can see my issue here. I can use this tank, it just won't be pretty.... Or I have to deconstruct the tank and repair the metal.

The Captain and I need to get together for drinks.... the inner nerd in me is intrigued

Wow! very nice! I like the work they did and the rest of the car looks great too.... Curious about the door cards... Custom?

We do that with some parts at work. We pack one in dry ice, the other goes in the oven. Put them together and they are pretty much permanent. I will definitely give the part some heat with the heat gun, then 'persuade" it to move with a few well placed love taps from Thor!

Heat would be the obvious remedy but I don't have an Oxy-Acetylene setup in the garage. I have a small heat gun but not the best for this situation.... and yes, I have removed the other pin with speed and violence (mushroomed head). I'm not worried, nothing will stop me from getting it out.

hmmmm.... all day and no one has even viewed the thread???

Well, naturally I was counting on you to ask the Obvious... Yes, rethreaded a nut and BFH'd it several times. Also attached a stripped nut removal tool to the opposite end and air impacted the frog outta it till the end of the spindle busted off. Of course it has also been soaking in penetrating oil for three weeks off and on. Next is drift punch and BFH again along with some more oil.... THEN the sawzall and a torch if necessary. 50 ton is last resort cuz I don't wanna drag it all to work....

I have time.... lot's of time! Just thought it might be a good deal at $100 (plus shipping)

Thanks Captain! I am thinking this one is only going to succumb to speed and violence... I am not looking to save the support arm, as I have previously noted they are both bent and not being salvaged. I just need to ensure the hub/spindle remain undamaged!

So, the wreckers in Alvarado Texas won't ship me the gas tank I need... Anyone know someone in Texas near Alvarado that could look at it and perhaps perform a little third party transaction? They say it's rusted inside, but as long as it is not damaged, and no holes, it could still be salvaged maybe... Thanks guys! ...or even better, does someone HAVE a 1976 gas tank they are not using that I could buy? Mine is pretty banged up.

Thanks! I read that before too... So, the wreckers in Alvarado Texas won't ship me the gas tank I need... Anyone know someone in Texas near Alvarado that could look at it and perhaps perform a little third party transaction? They say it's rusted inside, but as long as it is not damaged, and no holes, it could still be salvaged maybe... Thanks guys!

After the spindle pin decided to kick my butt, I moved in to finish removing the tar mat from the hatch area. It's all gone now!

I have access to a lot of good tools and failing that, military grade explosives...

I have a 50 tonne press at work ....

.... 0 for 2... I can't do anything but laugh at this. This spindle has made a home in the support arm. Challenge accepted...