Reconstruction has begun.

[Luva65wagon]

Looking almost like time to skin the whole thing in a layer of something and do the long-board dance over it. All those layers of bondo will show no matter what if you just prime it.

The roof.. it is amazing to see knowing what it once looked like. You should post a before and after of that so we can flip back and forth -- Ouch! Ahhh... Ouch! Ahhh...

[doghows]

Couldn't find a real good one of the roof before. But this will give an idea of how much damage (work) was done to it before the start to make it pretty part came..

[pbrown]

Two medium coats of PPG DPLF epoxy primer will do a good job of covering all the filler. Don't worry about that. You should consider the spray-on polyester filler (Slick Sand) if you have a gun that can handle it. It looks good so far. Keep it up. It's worth it when you see the results.

http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=28

[BadBird]

Looking good. Not trying to sound like a professional because I sure don't qualify. But make sure you use lots of guide coat and keep going till it's perfect. Just looking at the pictures makes my elbows hurt. Can't wait to see it. Larry

[doghows]

Thanks guys. Slick sand is already on the shelf, and I have a 30" long board just waiting its turn. It looks like a lot of filler in the pics, but I don't think I have any spot thicker than a dime. It seems like I put a bunch on and most of it ends up on the floor. I also bought a tin of guide coat that goes on kind of like when you wax a car. Has a little pad with it and you rub it on the car. Seems to work well.
I think I am going to test fit the engine and trans one last time before I get going with the primer coats. Just want to make sure all is good.
Thanks again for the tips and tricks, I am hoping to get it in paint this spring/summer.

[doghows]

So I did the final fit and finish for the engine and AOD. Looks like a little trimming is in order for the shock tower braces?? Maybe an aftermarket kit?? So it all fits well underneath and cross member came out good. Now to pull it all back out and sand some more...
Did I mention about how I love body work??

[Luva65wagon]

I still think the best designed and thought-out tower support I have seen (and one I plan to duplicate exactly on the Ranchero - 'cause I HATE those shock-tower braces - is the one from Powell's car at the Regional Kenny and I attended in Oregon. Very nicely engineered and accommodates exactly what you are doing too. And doesn't require much bodywork, though I know you love doing that.

[pbrown]

You'll be wanting to swap out that rear sump oil pan if you plan on steering the car in the future. That pan is right in the way of the centerlink.

[falcon cobra]

steve your motor looks really low, this is mine when I had the FI on it with stock falcon V8 motor mounts, I only had to make one crappy cut on the brace...jh

[Luva65wagon]

...if you plan on steering the car in the future.

Details, details...

[doghows]

Wow Thanks guys I have not even checked that yet. Guess I better do that while the motor and trany are in..

[doghows]

Here are some pics of the cross member I built. I set it up on blocks and jumped on it and it held so I should be good...
Fresh out of powder coat..

[Luva65wagon]

Wow Thanks guys I have not even checked that yet. Guess I better do that while the motor and trany are in..

Yeah- it's a given that the rear-sump pan won't work on rear-steer systems, so just use the front-sump system, which is a dime a dozen setup.

I didn't see that your setup seemed lower in the engine compartment (comparing all three examples posted today), but regardless, you have enough skills now to fab something better than what ford did in 1960. That's for sure. Better to do it now than later. While you're at it, you know. Plus make it removable. Lots of things are out there to deal with this; Patrick just posted what he's going to use (the removable style like you see on Mustangs) and Falcon Cobra (John) uses another system which I think too is sold for Mustangs, but easily adapts to Falcon. I personally like the custom look of the one Powell did, but will require a tubing bender to do right. That was heavy wall tubing he used and you can't just bend that in your vice and get it to look that good.

[Luva65wagon]

Here are some pics of the cross member I built. I set it up on blocks and jumped on it and it held so I should be good...
Fresh out of powder coat..

Have you tried putting it up in there after it was all welded and pretty? It looks purty.

[doghows]

I put it back in after all the welding was done. I hope the powder doesn't make it too tight. Nothing a hammer won't fix...
As far as the oil pan, I take it I have to change the oil pump too. Crap let the nickle and diming begin..
OK clue me in. What am I looking for, my salvage yard is very difficult to deal with and not so good at getting stuff. I might have to make a trip over to visit Roger and his project and go to a pick a part over there?? What years do I need to find, or will any front sump pan work?? DO I need a pump or just a different pick-up tube? Maybe I can steal it off the engine I sold?