Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

View and post your 510 project(s)
User avatar
Byron510
Moderator
Posts: 12658
Joined: 01 Jul 2003 23:06
Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by Byron510 »

Well, it's been over 8 months since I got the damaged windshield, and I'm still fighting with the insurance company on this one.

This week I pulled the plug - I want to drive the car. The insurance company aside, I took the steps to install the Pilkinton glass which we bought in a bulk order a few years back. Today was the day to start this project.

I went out last night to start remove the stainless trim in a relaxed fashion. 10 minutes later I had the trim off and the glass removed. As this was an OEM installation, the factory uses very little additional sealant. The rubber gasket was beyond reusable as it was quite hard in the corners and already separating, so the glass was cut out as it makes less of a mess. In fact cutting out the glass didn't extend a single crack in the already heavily damaged glass. A new sharp blade in a box cutter and the glass was out in a couple of minutes.

I polished the paint with rubbing compound around the windshield frame as it works great for getting the surface good and clean.
Attachments
IMG_5683.JPG
IMG_5683.JPG (92.77 KiB) Viewed 4448 times
IMG_5681.JPG
IMG_5681.JPG (109.06 KiB) Viewed 4448 times
IMG_5680.JPG
IMG_5680.JPG (127.58 KiB) Viewed 4448 times
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
User avatar
Byron510
Moderator
Posts: 12658
Joined: 01 Jul 2003 23:06
Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by Byron510 »

Next I installed the new Datsport gasket on the glass, and for the first time I am installing the glass with the trim already in the rubber before installation on the car. So the trim was installed. Admittedly I had a bit of an issue keeping the gasket on the glass at the top while placing the trim, but I eventually got it done. A couple more hands would have been nice. The rope has been inserted and later today with my father assisting I will pull that rubber/glass/trim package into place.

I was very happy to see that the area around the windshield frame in very good shape. No rust to be found anywhere! Honestly it’s one of the cleanest windshield frame areas I’ve ever worked on.

I look forward to clear vision from the driver’s seat soon.

Byron
Attachments
IMG_5698.JPG
IMG_5698.JPG (110.74 KiB) Viewed 4448 times
IMG_5688.JPG
IMG_5688.JPG (105.65 KiB) Viewed 4448 times
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
User avatar
Byron510
Moderator
Posts: 12658
Joined: 01 Jul 2003 23:06
Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by Byron510 »

So, we have talked much about glass quality and thickness. It was noted that the Chinese glass was quite thin, but I didn't measure it.

For reference, the Triplex/Pilkinton glass thickness was 5.94mm.
The OEM Nippon glass was 6.35mm

Is there one of the Chinese windshields still around that someone can measure? I know it was significantly thinner, that wasn't hard to tell just by looking.Be good to document just how much thinner it was.

Byron
Attachments
IMG_5692.JPG
IMG_5692.JPG (117.35 KiB) Viewed 4446 times
IMG_5693.JPG
IMG_5693.JPG (83.88 KiB) Viewed 4446 times
IMG_5696.JPG
IMG_5696.JPG (74.3 KiB) Viewed 4446 times
IMG_5697.JPG
IMG_5697.JPG (87.12 KiB) Viewed 4446 times
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
User avatar
Byron510
Moderator
Posts: 12658
Joined: 01 Jul 2003 23:06
Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by Byron510 »

Dad dropped by in his metalic jade green '53 Ford Custom lead sled on the way to the A&W Cruise In tonight, and we finished the last 10 minutes of the installation. I used a different kind of rope and really liked it. I'll have to post the photos.

It went in quite well. The glass seemed a bit tall, had some issues getting the top corners to seat in. I am sure it'll be watertight as a result!

Good to go with crystal clear vision out the front for the weekend. Have to put new rubber on the wiper blades now to match that new glass!

Byron
Attachments
IMG_5707.JPG
IMG_5707.JPG (65.9 KiB) Viewed 4432 times
IMG_5700.JPG
IMG_5700.JPG (98.49 KiB) Viewed 4432 times
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
User avatar
two_68_510s
Supporter
Posts: 3894
Joined: 18 Apr 2010 11:20
Location: Ben Lomond California

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by two_68_510s »

Gorgeous!
Joel

2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX


“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
User avatar
RMS
Supporter
Posts: 1921
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 01:03
Location: Richmond BC Canada

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by RMS »

very nice
two_68_510s wrote:I guess our donkeys are quicker then your sled dogs!
User avatar
funwithmonkeys
Supporter
Posts: 1336
Joined: 05 Sep 2013 09:34
Location: Vancouver, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by funwithmonkeys »

wow seeing clearly...that sounds like such a luxury.
If no one from the future comes back to stop you from doing it then how bad of a decision can it really be?
WxMan
Supporter
Posts: 227
Joined: 22 Feb 2013 08:38
Location: Victoria, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by WxMan »

Nice work. Thanks for taking those thickness measurements. That's very interesting stuff to know. I'm still kicking myself for missing out on that group buy...
The company motto seems to be "We're not happy 'till you're not happy."
User avatar
Byron510
Moderator
Posts: 12658
Joined: 01 Jul 2003 23:06
Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by Byron510 »

It's been a while since I posted an update on Ole Blue.

Lately this old car seems to only get a wash for 510 Day, and that's about it. It was last insured in 2015. In 2018 I put a 1 day permit on it.
I try to start it every month or so - let it idle and warm up - get the moisture out of the interior during the winter months - drive it around the driveway to exercise the brakes and clutch.... that's about it, and about as far is its gone lately. but you know, hot or cold - it fires up every time.

So this past Friday early evening, my wife says - let's take Ole Blue out for the 510 Day drive on Sunday....
My mind is suddenly whirring around a quickly compiling list of things that are completely right - and completely wrong with - suddenly taking a car on a drive through the country side that has been basically sitting for 5 years...But I said sure - committing myself to making it work. Fool!

Firstly - the poor thing looked like shit - honestly! I has already scraped the build up off the roof when I snapped this shot, but this gives you an idea of what it looked like outside.
IMG_5440 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5440 (Medium).JPG (173.04 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
It took 2 1/5 hours to remove the green - then took it in the shop where there was some light - and it looked like this.
SHER0719 (Medium).JPG
SHER0719 (Medium).JPG (139.7 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
So now - the assessment. Lights all worked - I adjusted the points and it flashed right up - on 5 year old gas. So apparently I had used the Chevron 94 without ethanol - nice. :-)
I did a few hard stops on the gravel in the drive way - the brakes were locking and releasing. I jacked up each corner to check that they were fully releasing. As did the ebrake. Fluids were good, clutch reservoir was a little low - will keep an eye on it.
So I decided at this point - it may be possible to actually take this car for a drive. I committed to getting a permit the next morning to do a local shake down run the next day. But the thing still looked like shit!

So I dug around and found that I had bought a bottle of Maguire's Ultimate Compound - oxidation remover. I do not recal how long ago I bought it. I also found a pretty worn out foam polishing pad still on my polishing grinder. I have no idea what it was used for, because I've never waxed or polished a car. I suspect it had been used to polish aluminum at some point way in the past - probably a manifold. Anyways, it was all I had - and nothing was open since everything shuts down early due to COVID restrictions. And I figure - what the hell do I have to loose! I put the compound on the grinder, and ... holy s**t! I could not believe what I was seeing after a slight run over with the polisher in two directions. 5 minutes of work netted vastly superior results. So at 10 o'clock at night, I resolve I'm going to polish the car....
IMG_5460 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5460 (Medium).JPG (119.04 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5461 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5461 (Medium).JPG (104.13 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5462 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5462 (Medium).JPG (74.62 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5449 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5449 (Medium).JPG (88.53 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5453 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5453 (Medium).JPG (69.15 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5454 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5454 (Medium).JPG (93.57 KiB) Viewed 2996 times

Long story short, Ole Blue looks like this by 3am...

IMG_5463 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5463 (Medium).JPG (153.32 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
And I reattached my very rare emblem - it was ready to be lost...
IMG_5466 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5466 (Medium).JPG (86.41 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
Later Saturday morning after getting about 4 hours rest, and due to COVID and store hours being reduced, I couldn't get the insurance permit until 10am. And at that I stood in line for 1 1/2 hours to get the permit - apparently I wasn't the only guy wanting insurance on this nice sunny weekend! (thanks Rob for keeping me company during this time in line).
With a vehicle permit in hand, my daughter and I then take Ole Blue for a burn down the highway, about 30 miles to the east. Put in a fresh tank of fuel, and head back. It drove great. The only thing I notice is that the car is getting louder as I go - but no rumbling backfire.

Getting home, putting the car on jack stands... to do a once over underneath - and the source of the noise became obvious.
IMG_5471 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5471 (Medium).JPG (113.17 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
A trip up to the local auto parts store and $100 later, I have a muffler and some hardware including 2 clamps and 2 hangers in case I can somehow use them.

Off with the offending part;
IMG_5473 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5473 (Medium).JPG (124.56 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
And onto getting the new one installed. The replacement was the same width and height - but 2" longer. It's all I had access to, so I made it work.
In the end, I used the factory hanger at the front of the muffler, and modified and used one of the new ones on the rear. Managed to get the muffler centered in the panel, laying parallel to the ground and hanging properly.
IMG_5476 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5476 (Medium).JPG (121.4 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5482 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5482 (Medium).JPG (103.97 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5483 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5483 (Medium).JPG (125.32 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5487 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5487 (Medium).JPG (99.11 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5488 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5488 (Medium).JPG (108.85 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5489 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5489 (Medium).JPG (82.25 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
Upon start up, I check and found a gas leak at the attachment point to the crusty old tailpipe. The second clamp was put into use there after taking this shot and it worked at sealing that issue up.
But I then found a hole in the pipe, right at the low spot under the axle. No doubt rusted on the bottom side for the same reason the muffle was - all my idling over the past few years likely left a pile of water in the low spots. A quick wire wheel made it clear the problem was bigger.
IMG_5493 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5493 (Medium).JPG (86.78 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
By this time it was past 5pm, and all the parts stores are closed again (Damn COVID!). So I pull out the welder and stuck on the worst looking bubble gum patch you ever did see... my pride won't let me post a photo. But it held all day Sunday, so it did it's job.
Yes - the whole pipe from the manifold back needs to be replaced soon.

The car is super quiet - really one of it's most redeeming features.

We took the 510 Day / Mothers Day drive as a family in Ole Blue and had a great time. And it felt great to breath the life back into Ole Blue. In turn, she gave us a great day and made me think that I need to get in this car more often. It is so much fun to drive - for all the opposite reasons that the Bronze hot rod is fun to drive.
IMG_5523 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5523 (Medium).JPG (190.1 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
IMG_5526 (Medium).JPG
IMG_5526 (Medium).JPG (244.83 KiB) Viewed 2996 times
And just one last quick update - the odo indicates just over 44k miles these days.

Byron
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
User avatar
510wizard
Supporter
Posts: 1031
Joined: 12 Sep 2005 09:50
Location: Reno, Nevada

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by 510wizard »

Looking good! That Maguire's Ultimate Compound is the bomb when it comes to old paint. I used it in the 620's bed, looks like new!
User avatar
Byron510
Moderator
Posts: 12658
Joined: 01 Jul 2003 23:06
Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by Byron510 »

I could not believe how well that Maguire's product worked, Monte. If you just look at the two passenger side shots in the workshop, back to back - it's bloody amazing! Even though the car has major damage on nearly every panel around it's periphery, the car just looks so much better now!
When I stood back and took that photo at 3am - bloody blurry eyed and beat, I thought to myself - I've actually polished a turd! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Pretty amazing stuff.

Byron
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
greenthumb
Posts: 261
Joined: 19 May 2013 20:57
Location: Langley, BC

Re: Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

Post by greenthumb »

So gratifying to see that old oxidized paint come to life. Looks like you guys had a great time.
Post Reply