I haven't posted as I used to lately for different reasons.
First we had some storm coming our way and needed prep a bit the house, then my T-bird got wind damage (drove in high winds and front lights covers were ripped off it)
so gave it some love (and replaced the damaged parts with my 91 parts) for the rest I've been busy on the 73, as I need first to get it done to be able to continue on the 71 inside.
But as this weekend was a dog weather AGAIN, I could not work on the 73, so I went back to details.
There was some offer on E-bay for a non working clock (which I don't have), that came with the clock cover that is damaged and full of holes on the 71, the harness also missing on the 71 and the top console cover, which is was cut in 1/2 in my 73.
So bought it and got it last week as it would fix multiple problems/missing parts.
I've started of course looking at the clock first, as it has a GT stamp, I knew right away that I was looking at a hopeless case. But me being me, I needed try anyway!
So put everything apart and found out the expected: the coils got hot and eventually shorted everything. The plastic holding them, the feed and more gears supposed to be inline
was broken in 3 pieces. melted it all in one piece, realigned everything, soldered the broken wires, de-rusted a bit the gears, oiled them and as I expected: busted. No circuit, too much corrosion. As I planned a quartz alternative, I had wasted enuff time, so moved on to what really mattered to me: the parts that will be mixed with another mechanism (which I'm currently seeking)
De-rusted, removed the ugly paint that was on the plastics, plated the cover, cleaned up the dial, plated the hardware...
and ended up with good as new parts.
After I gave it some love the clock cover ended up pretty ok. But because 2 of the plastic rods behind were broken and glued back badly at some point,
I have find some plastic rods and melt them on the back so I can mark this one done.
The top console, that was of course not lighted on E-bay same way, showed the classic corrosion lifting the alumnium deposit... and had also 2 cracks, that i've repaired and worked away on the grain side with a thin layer of bondo applied with fingers.
Someone also sprayed some cheapo rubbery primer at some point and needed to remove all that before I could be busy trying to make it look good again...
The bubbly part went off easy, but it took me a while to get rid of the entire region to obtain a seamless blend with the rest.
Removing the bubble also answered my question about how I would be able restore the grain. Turns out the plastic has and keeps the grain. hence why it took a while to gently scratch the aluminium film away without damaging the plastic. As 50% was still sticking nicely, it was a patience game to get it done.
Removing the rubbery primer was also a source of fun (not). The thickness that was sprayed was insane.
Eventually, at the end of the day, I was happy to have all looking I wanted looking pretty good. As said above, next will be to merged a quartz 12v mechanism in this clock, may be custom 3d print some gears to keep the knob functional for the arrows... No rush as its all details. I'll post on this when and if I come to it.
Anyway, I will probably not post much (or nothing) on this thread in coming weeks, (may be couple of months) as I want the 73 back on the road and have the garage free for the 71. Unless of course if this dog weather keeps ruining my plans.
To be continued...