Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

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InterMechanico
Little Wheel
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Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#1 Post by InterMechanico » Fri Oct 23, 2020 1:01 pm

I've been keeping this one under my hat for a little while, but please meet my long term project!!! We're on our way back to town now. This is another Thormanby Island rover, and it definitely has sentimental value. The previous owner was a fantastic human being; very kind, old school type of person.

She is a 1953 80" Station Wagon. She's pretty much complete, and is an original Vancouver car. Was running when parked.

The engine turns; I believe it'll even run with some care, but it's not really driveable so why start it up. Engine parts are way too hard to come by!

Any advice on not botching this is appreciated. Rushing into it is out of the question. I've learned from old mistakes :roll:


Have a great weekend everyone!!
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Roadqueen17
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#2 Post by Roadqueen17 » Fri Oct 23, 2020 2:38 pm

Sounds great...any pictures would be appreciated by all!
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#3 Post by InterMechanico » Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:31 pm

Absolutely impossible from the mobile phone, Friends!

However, give me a few moments...
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#4 Post by InterMechanico » Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:46 pm

this will take a few
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#5 Post by InterMechanico » Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:47 pm

a few more
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#6 Post by InterMechanico » Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:48 pm

And a few more here
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ANDYD
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#7 Post by ANDYD » Fri Oct 23, 2020 7:56 pm

Very Nice, an Oldie but a Goodie as they say ...
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RobinS
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#8 Post by RobinS » Sat Oct 24, 2020 7:44 am

Never use the capstan fairlead roller as a towing hook. It will bend and or break
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#9 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Oct 24, 2020 9:04 am

Noted. Thank you Robin
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#10 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:24 pm

Following up on the project. I figure maybe some.of you could use a little good news and inspiration!

I began the teardown of the 80" this weekend, and should have everything done to major components by days end Sunday.

A couple of positives to mention:

The chassis is actually in really good shape, and is easily repairable. I'm obviously very happy about this. The awful rust I had thought I was up against is only 36" of the RH chassis rail just behind the fuel tank. The bulkhead outriggers, the forward fuel tank outrigger and the outer portions of the rear crossmember require replacement, but everything else is super solid :D

It looks as though all the driveline from engine to axles is original to the truck, and visually in absolutely stellar condition.

Chassis #36133407
Engine #36137081
Transmission #57100755 (early failure maybe?)
Front Axle #36137069
Rear Axle #36115xxx

Here are some pictures for you fine folks!
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#11 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:25 pm

Some pictures....
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#12 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:26 pm

And some more...
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#13 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:27 pm

And some more more....
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#14 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:29 pm

And some more more more...
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#15 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:31 pm

How about a couple more? 8)
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#16 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:37 pm

Some shafts and axles and stuff
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#17 Post by InterMechanico » Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:40 pm

I cannot overstate how much Silver Grade Never-seez will be used during reassembly.

As far as chassis protection goes, I'm going with Coal Tar Epoxy. Works great, even in salt water.
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#18 Post by InterMechanico » Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:37 pm

Cool to find an original Shelley LJ25 screw jack under the seat :D :D

I got it done; the easy part anyhow...

I can't believe how much of the hardware came out looking brand new, literally!
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#19 Post by InterMechanico » Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:39 pm

Spring Shackle hardware...
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RobinS
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#20 Post by RobinS » Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:49 am

A really nice " unmolested "series one Julian . A great project. I know the capstan winch is far from a priority at this time but there is a guy in the series one club who has cast new fair lead brackets identical to the originals if you can't find one to replace your broken one.
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Wilfpower
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#21 Post by Wilfpower » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:27 am

Wow! Looking forward to following the transformation! Thanks for all the pictures!!!
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StuartL
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#22 Post by StuartL » Wed Apr 07, 2021 9:26 am

Looks like another BC Government truck as it has straps across the front wings. I am currently redoing a '52 80 that was used by BC Forest Services and will finish it in period BC Forest Services Livery. It is great so many people are interested in the early Series 1's again. Slow and steady just like they are.....the LRSOC is a great resource.
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Turton
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#23 Post by Turton » Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:20 pm

Such a cool rover with great history. I will enjoy watching the restoration
Geoff
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webmaster
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#24 Post by webmaster » Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:10 pm

Reminds me of my '52 - 80" resto way back in 1996. Truck sat under a tree in the Okanagan from 1973 till I found her in 96. I poured some diesel down the cylinders and after letting it sit for a month, she started fine. Ran for several years before I rebuilt it.
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Enjoy your rebuild!
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InterMechanico
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Re: Sweet Darlin' 1953 80" Station Wagon

#25 Post by InterMechanico » Mon May 24, 2021 6:24 am

Thank you for all the advice, guys.

A few pictures of the frame repairs in progress.
A far cry from the 2 days I thought it would take, but coming along nicely...

I bought a new welder which really helped move things along. I have a bunch of welders, but they're mostly geared toward heavy projects, and are a little clunky working with 2 mm plate.

The model I got (slightly used, purchased from a friend) is the Fronius TransSteel 2200C multi-purpose. It does steel and aluminum MIG very well, DC stick and DC scratch start TIG which I havent tried yet.
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