Mikey's Ghia Thread...

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by flat_iv

Mikey,

Do you have any more closer detailed pics of your nose/nostril section of your ghia? I have a 74 Ghia with a 2.2 Suby and I am at the point to start cutting the front end to let the air in to the compartment. I also reversed the intake manifold around and modified the stock headers to work. I ended up shortening the headers by approx. 2 1/2" in total height.

Good Luck on you project.

Richard

I wonder if this is what you mean?

This is from the inside, I'm not finished yet. I still have to make a way to seal the radiator compartment off from the rest of the trunk. It will seal against the hood.

You'll notice in the picture above I didn't have a place for the gas tank to sit, I've already replaced that along with the parts that mount to the front beam. There was almost no way to cut enough holes in the original stuff with out totaly weakening it beyond use. The trunk will be sealed off from there to the hood.
Here is another without the radiator.

And yet here is another with out the radiator, but with the fan. Odds are I'm going to move it to the back. Unless I'm mistaken, it's better to pull the air though then try to push it through. Small desigen error.


Thanks, good luck on your project. I'm not sure if I'm going to shorten the header, I shortened the oil pan already.

[NO_H2O]

Looks like your gettin' it done Mikey. What is that big thing in the front for?? Looks like you will have some wicked A/C in that car. Or is that a huge intercooler.

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by NO_H2O

Looks like your gettin' it done Mikey. What is that big thing in the front for?? Looks like you will have some wicked A/C in that car. Or is that a huge intercooler.

What big thing? Oh that. It's a... cooler for the engine, like an 'oil cooler'.
I'm going to work hard to get it done for next show season. With enough money and hard work, it can happen.

[yellow73]

Keep going Mikey,
We are enjoying your progress. Thanks for the updates I can't wait to see the finshed car!!

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by yellow73

Keep going Mikey,
We are enjoying your progress. Thanks for the updates I can't wait to see the finshed car!!

Thanks Nigel for the motivating words. They do help.

If I can get a break from working at my job every weekend, I'll put some time in on it. This is my kind of weather.

[Mikey]

I've been lazy for a while, but I'm back after it hot and heavy. It's going to be finished. I worked 4 hours both monday and tuesday, 6 hours wednesday and today, and about 8 thursday. Along with working at the shop about 3-4 hours right after I finish with my car. 10am til 9pm makes for some very long days.

I have my fenders Finished. well, as close as I can get them, they match too. Side to side. I also have the rear inner fenders peiced back in place. That has been a chore, a few days have been spent just on that, and I'm still at least 1 day away from moving up top. I have a few more places to fix in the body for I start preping it for paint. I can't wait, I want to start thinking about the 2007 show season, but I don't want to put the buggy before the horse, I have to finish the car first.

I wanted to avoid it as much as possible but the fenders will have filler in them. I'm sure Dave and Yeti will help. From bare metal, where do I go? Epoxy primer? Filler? High build?? I'm totaly lost. I can ask Tim, but I want to get a second opinion first. Where I can, I'm going to take it down to bare metal.

I have a goal, for it to be painted or VERY close by the end of january. I know it's crazy, but if I work every chance I have, I know I can make it. Tim said by the end of March. I kinda want to prove him wrong too.

Thanks,

[wrenchnride247]

Originally Posted by Mikey

I wanted to avoid it as much as possible but the fenders will have filler in them. I'm sure Dave and Yeti will help. From bare metal, where do I go? Epoxy primer? Filler? High build?? I'm totaly lost. I can ask Tim, but I want to get a second opinion first. Where I can, I'm going to take it down to bare metal.

Regular body filler works best on bare metal. Shape the filler as close to smooth and level as you can, then shoot two coats of primer just on the filler work. Then shoot the rest with three coats (so thats five coats just on body filler sections) of primer. Your going to be sanding those filler area's more than the rest of the car. So, the two extra coats on the filler will help to "block" the area out with less recoats. If you've never done auto body before... I suggest getting a book on the subject (cheaper and less time consuming then redoing everything ) I use Evercoat, and House of Kolor products (sometimes PPG). Check out www.hok.com for some good info on lots of products. There are links in a nav bar that takes you to sister sites with book's, tool's, and color codes. Hope this helps.