Bart-Barbara

Good luck, but on the other hand there are plenty of parts still available. Also, nothing lasts forever but my hope is yours, is that they are reasonable either with you or someone else who'll keep these parts in circulation.

They've had the same parts listed for a couple of months. If any parts have been sold I haven't noticed. Air-cleaner 199.00, front bumper 549.00, radiator 199.00, etc. GOOD LUCK! The worse thing is because of the rarity of some of the parts is it may drive up the price elsewhere. I've found very fair and reasonable people right here at Ratsun and the people at the Sacramento swap meet fit the same bill. Patience is a virtue...

Is it possible to get a pic of this polyethylene bumper? I know what you're talking about on the new cars and don't doubt your research. Just thought a pic would help all understand your description. Thanks, Bart

I found this site and believe the dimensions are very similar. Have not contacted company about cost but they are strictly in this business. Most of their weatherstripping has a steel spine that helps with clamping and holding to the body. They also have many styles on this link to their site - http://www.automobil...al-rubber.html# For what it's worth #501 seems most like what would work on our 411 wagon

Was there and enjoyed. Great people, great cars, great parts. Everyone's passion for the Datworld experience was evident. Done many a car in my life, but today opened my eyes to what car building is all about. People enjoying people and helping any way they can. 5 VW's, 1 Chevy, 1 Plymouth, 1 Dodge, oh crap I've done allot of cars but finally have one that has a life to it. Once again, not the car but the people. Thanks everyone for taking me in and teaching me so much in just one short afternoon. And yes, once the 411 is done I am convinced a 510 is in my future. There is a little 320 pickup that may happen first, but i'll get there sooner or later. Thanks again

I will take any and all pics of AC that will help get some AC is these old beauties. Coming soon... My mechanic believes this AC system is so clean it must have been some dealer type install. He said they would send a box of parts for the dealer to install as an aftermarket kit. Will try to find out more... And yes, the 14" steelies are preferable but I'm planning on just finding a set of original hubcaps and have both sets to use for the life of the car.

The spare is the original 155/80/13. A bit of a problem now is that they are (the 13" wheels) slowing being phased out and the ones you can get are pricey. The other problem with the bigger tire is that it will not allow the spare compartment lid to fully close. the original tire will fit but is unrepairable, so I will try and find one. And the only reason I went with the mag wheels is to get something on it to smooth out the ride, until I can find stock hubcaps and then mount original tires of the stock rims.

Correction on the size - 195/70/14 & 195/60/14

Thanks for the compliment. My wife and I are really enjoying this project. To answer your question, yes, all four do touch but not in a bad way (more annoying). The back wheels barely touch the wells (on bumps) but only on the tread portion of tire (no side wall and no sharp edges) and no damage. The fronts only touch if the front wheels are fully turned and on a curb, like turning into our driveway. Going down the road there is no rub on front and light touches on the back. It's not dangerous or that bad, but enough to get the right tires on it. The tire shop shows the 185/70/14 at 24.2 inches overall height. The 185/60/14 is 22.4 inches

Just shy of 8 weeks and this is where we are at. Not showing off, but keeping many of you that are interested in our progress and/or have helped with info and a few parts. Two important discoveries - 1) those interested in the AC. Still researching but this was a all-pro install. If you would like more pics like routed lines, condenser, lower pulley, etc. will be glad to post. MOST IMPORTANT!!! If you choose do go with AC make sure it is a newer 134A or later. Ours takes the now that I know infamous R-12 refrigerant. Hard to find, and expensive to recharge. 2) We test drove it with the old tires, got on the the freeway for a short 1 mile on and off and thought it was gonna EXPLODE!!!! So we shopped, measured and found a set of 185/70/14 and were pretty comfortable with what we found (see pic) for 200.00. The tires are new and the rims a very clean (but not new). It now goes down the road just fine. BUT!!! They fit tight in the wheel wells and on tight turns or bumps the tires do touch. Interestingly enough, they do no damage to the tire or the body. The permanent fix is mounting a set of 185/60/14 which are the exact height of the previous tire 185/70/13. Anyway here it is. We are going to drive it for a month or so before painting and doing up the inside. Oh, and as good as it runs and tight on the road, the milage of 71,000 just might be correct. Engine number, body stamp Vin.# match ID plate.

Never thought of the AC being that big a deal, we just used it. Now y'all got me thinking to see who, where, when and of course how did they squeeze it in. It's a Borg Warner compressor, Fridgette (interior) controls, condenser is mounted in front of the radiator and the hoses neatly wrap around and through the engine compartment. I'll do some research and see what I can find out and will send more detailed pics. Some fabrication is obviously needed to mount all that is required.

Thanks for the compliments everyone. We're having allot of fun, and we know not to take breaks from a project cause sometimes it's hard to gear back up. Barring any snags we should be done in another month or so... hope I didn't just jinx ourselves. lol

Here's where we are at one the month mark - mechanical & electrical sound but going to shop for AC charge and to straighten driveline. Spent the last two weeks (after work) straightening body. This weekend we finished a second block prime and sand. Almost ready for paint... Still have the lower panel to do but it must come off to get it right. Will work on it while it's at the mechanic.

AC pics

Making progress. Goes to shop this week for mechanical fine tuning. Here's where we are so far... My link