HZ panelvan resto

[DuncanM]

The easier way is simply media blasting... but it's pricey and make sure they know what they are doing. This way is a lot cheaper - but time consuming, dirty and you end up like a pin cushion....

[DuncanM]

And... the issues start.... The nose cone has been fun... At first glance it looked pretty good... possibly too good for a 45 year old nose cone on a shitty panelvan...

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However, when I started stripping it, a lot of surface rust again. No issue really, but the lower nose cone had been covered in around a centimetre of bog... when this was stripped back, it was clear it was dented up big time. My major issue here was that there were substantial dents and gouges on the three mould lines there... so I decided I needed to get out the hammer and dolly and get stuck in. Just wanted to get it back to it's original lines (close enough), so the repair I do later is just a skim of filler, not a truckload...

So after about an hour or so of panel work it got a lot closer...

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OK, then moving on, one of the bumper bar support eyebrows had the usual rust behind it, not bad, but worth doing. So drilled out the spot welds..

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Ground back both the eyebrow mould and the panel behind and sprayed both in weld-thru primer prior to welding

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Just a simple plug weld refit and all done.

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Then rub it all back again, the usual wire wheel etc etc and in etch primer... Another one down....

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[Valencia]

Your getting good at this caper
Awesome work

[DuncanM]

Thanks Valencia... As I said I've done a fair few Chargers (and one Torana and an HX Monaro, but this is my first van - so I'll inevitably calling out for advice and help when it comes to reassembly since you guys know way more about these vans than I do!!

[DuncanM]

So on a change of pace I decided to look at the other parts I need to get in order. So I got into the heater... I was lucky as the car came with a heap of spare parts - multiple heater and air boxes, vents, etc, so I have my selection of the best ones... I decided to choose the best one, test the motor to make sure it worked, and then rebuild it... So standard grubby heater fan...

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Stripped with the wire wheel, a heap of wax and grease remover, some fine panel beating of the flange and good to go...

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Next tackled the main engine bay heater box. Needed to be rubbed back, minor filling and high fill and then colour...

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Then I looked at the heater box itself and the vents. As expected the 45 year old foam on the vents to prevent air flow was knackered...

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So after a quick trip to Clark Rubber, the vents were dismantled, cleaned and new foam applied. Fiddly job but worthwhile...

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Then stripped and cleaned up the rest of it, got a new heater core from Rare Spares (hopefully it's OK) and all ready to go...

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Not as notable as the body work stuff, but still things that need to be done....

[Sandaro]

Good golly you've done a lot of work in the last 3 days!!

[DuncanM]

More like a week to be fair. Just started posting 3 days ago

I also don't have a missus so way more time to spend on it ;)

[HZSM50]

Great to see keep the pictures coming and let us know how it’s all going

[Robbo]

That’s great work you’re doing there.

[Innuendo]

Gee, you're having some luck with the panels. Good progress and some nice work there.
I dream of the day I find a HQ bonnet in that sort of condition. Good thread, I will be watching your progress.