Username

Password

Remember me
Forgotten your password??
No account yet? Create one
Home

Post new topic    BMW 2002 FAQ Forum Index > Project Blogs
Jump to:  
Thread Topic: My '71 02 PROJECT Threaded

   
Date: 1-2-06 07:59
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: My '71 02 PROJECT

well, here goes. as probably happens more often than admitted to, my small refresh has turned into a full-blown project.

A little background: I bought this car last february because its engine was freshly rebuilt (<20K per PO) and it appeared to have minimal rust for these cars. the car is relatively stock except some minor upgrades from the PO. My intent is to keep this car essentially stock with perhaps the following exceptions: move battery to trunk, reinstall missing swaybars, bilstien HD's, repaint using the non-OEM dark brickred paint that is currently on the car (could be granada or granarot, perhaps). install 5spd.
According to MT this car was made July 19, 1971. This will be my 2nd extensive refurbishment I've done. The first was a 1974 '02 that I did back in 1994. Enough time has passed to have forgotten the pain.

I plan to reuse any and all parts that appear useable with my criteria being, effect of failure, difficulty of replacement. With this mindset, I would consider reusing a wheel cylinder, whereas I would always replace subframe bushings. I would consider reusing a good used front windshield gasket but would not reuse a used rear quarter gasket.

This car will not be a show car but I hope to make it a good '10-footer'. In the hope of speeding things up a bit, I am seriously considering sending the body to a paint shop to free up some time. I have another '02 to do after this one.

I've attached a few photos that show general condition at this point. I've been busy cleaning and repainting miscellaneous parts. It is well worth the money to have parts cadmium plated. I started this effort by completely disassembling and salvaging a crashed 02 with 5spd. All those parts were cleaned, blasted and repainted in preparation of reinstalling on this car. The parts removed from this car will likely end up on my next car....

By including my project in a public forum I hope to accomplish two things: bragging rights,
peer pressure to keep me on topic and perhaps encourage others to post


DSCN0226.JPG
 Description:
Front subframes, one primed, the other ready to reinstall. both received engine mount reinforcement plate welded in place
 Filesize:  143.5 KB
 Viewed:  67 Time(s)

DSCN0226.JPG



DSCN0224.JPG
 Description:
misc parts after Cd-plate and painting
 Filesize:  157.18 KB
 Viewed:  95 Time(s)

DSCN0224.JPG



DSCN0223.JPG
 Description:
my stash of Cd-plated 02 nuts and bolts, fittings, etc. also showing wiper fixtures that have been epoxy coated and baked (using excess paint at work).
 Filesize:  166.32 KB
 Viewed:  53 Time(s)

DSCN0223.JPG



DSCN0216_edited.JPG
 Description:
As it appears 1/2/06
 Filesize:  163.91 KB
 Viewed:  56 Time(s)

DSCN0216_edited.JPG



bmw_support 009.jpg
 Description:
As it appeared about 1 month ago
 Filesize:  163.49 KB
 Viewed:  35 Time(s)

bmw_support 009.jpg






Date: 1-5-06 07:25
From: robspeed in HELLabama :P View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: wowowowowowow

thats how to restore parts!! cant wait to see more ;) i wish i had the time and patience to do lisa's underpinnings like that. I did fully strip and repaint her front subframe (after STOUT reinforcement), but lost patience and energy when i got to the backside of the car.... looking forward to more progress on your project!! :)
_________________
-Rob S.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!! www.jennaishealed.org !!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Date: 1-15-06 07:47
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - update

work is proceeding slow and mostly on weekends, but i've tackled a couple hurdles since the original post. I've actually practiced MIG welding with my 'new to me' Craigslist Craftsman welder. I used the beat up fender I'm replacing as my learning tool. Additionally I sorted out the used air compressor that's been sitting around since buying it 5 months ago. Next up is a go at sandblasting next weekend if the weather's good. before stopping for the day I cut my rusty spare tire well out, to be fitted with a spare purchased from 2002AD last march. it'll probably be several hours of cutting, filing and nudging the replacement in place. i definitely am aiming to butt-weld it in place. we'll see. i'm alarmed at just how THIN the spare tire-well sheet metal is. hopefully, there's enough material from the rusty one to patch up another tire-well I have, for the next car (waste not, want not...).


TireWell 002.jpg
 Description:
"new" spare tire well. i anticipate hours of fitting and filing before this is ready to weld.
 Filesize:  141.26 KB
 Viewed:  38 Time(s)

TireWell 002.jpg



TireWell 001.jpg
 Description:
rusty spare tire well upon removal
 Filesize:  146.73 KB
 Viewed:  36 Time(s)

TireWell 001.jpg






Date: 2-19-06 04:54
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: update 2/19/05

well, it's been a while since posting, BUT, i have been busy. thought i'd save up before posting again. in the interim i've sucessfully welded the spare tire well in. not the prettiest welds but should be easily hidden with seam-sealer and paint when finished.

BiG TIP: it would have been MUCH easier to cut the spare tire well oversize and merely drop the new one in IF you are lucky enough to have a lip to hold it in place. unfortunately, the folks at 2002AD did not see fit to provide enough lip (in spite of request at time of order) so i had to spend a lot of effort to make a snug fit. it required two additional cuts inorder to squeeze the new tire well in the opening. these slits were welded up and ground to shape.

NEXT UP is the front nosepiece. i've cut and fitted two patch panels to size. i would have welded them in place but decided that i'd better metal-prep the remaining rust. this entailed powerwashing with soap to remove as much residual grease followed by phosphoric acid spray. i'm currently letting it soak while i update this post.

upon drying i will use POR-15 on the inaccessible areas covered by the patches. the backside of the patches themselves will receive a coating of cold galvanizing compound prior to welding.


71_02rust005.JPG
 Description:
close up of rust removal hole
 Filesize:  158.93 KB
 Viewed:  38 Time(s)

71_02rust005.JPG



71_02rust001.JPG
 Description:
my car in its current state awaiting water rinse and drying out time.
 Filesize:  174.79 KB
 Viewed:  40 Time(s)

71_02rust001.JPG



71_02rust003.JPG
 Description:
close up of my two front rust problems. patches were made from the drivers side fender that i will be replacing.
 Filesize:  163.68 KB
 Viewed:  45 Time(s)

71_02rust003.JPG



71_02rust002.JPG
 Description:
spare tire well successfully welded in place
 Filesize:  153.66 KB
 Viewed:  40 Time(s)

71_02rust002.JPG



71_02rust004.JPG
 Description:
photo showing amount of debris hidden behind the crevices of the nosepiece. this, after considerable vacuuming and tapping. beware folks
 Filesize:  175.45 KB
 Viewed:  43 Time(s)

71_02rust004.JPG






Date: 4-16-06 09:20
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: update 4/16/06

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted any progress. I've been busy doing a lot of little rust patches. it's tedious work and the quality of my welding leaves much to be desired but i am seeing some improvement. i rely heavily on my cheapo craftsman grinder.

i've spent quite a bit of time on the passenger side front fender. truthfully, if this were being done in a shop it would certainly be cheaper to replace it with new, but my goal is to reuse as much as possible that is original. i've already committed to replacing the driver's side door and fender (a tough decision cuz it means loosing the original VIN tag on the door...). the front fender suffered earlier bondo job which i spent some time hammering and smoothing. i'm hoping that it will require less filler this time. my quarter panel also appears to have thick bondo as well. we'll see when i get there. till then i've added a couple older photos for completeness, put some recent work.


DSCN0063.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  176.79 KB
 Viewed:  37 Time(s)

DSCN0063.JPG



DSCN0051.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  173.66 KB
 Viewed:  33 Time(s)

DSCN0051.JPG



DSCN0059.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  158.34 KB
 Viewed:  31 Time(s)

DSCN0059.JPG



door-Jamb 001.jpg
 Description:
using a house jack to push door jam back to near perfect alignment. it's as good as i'm able to get it and i figure i can always have it done professionally later
 Filesize:  165.38 KB
 Viewed:  34 Time(s)

door-Jamb 001.jpg



bmw_support 006.jpg
 Description:
original body damage to this car. the PO lost hope when confronted with the dimwitted attempt at repair done by an itinerant body man.
 Filesize:  155.88 KB
 Viewed:  38 Time(s)

bmw_support 006.jpg






Date: 4-16-06 09:26
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: update 2/19/05

more photos showing some of the small patches i've been doing. also included is a photo of some of the metal bits i've cut out. this car actually is not really that bad as far as rust goes, so far.

soon, i'll be stripping the paint and preparing for epoxy primer.


DSCN0064.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  175.83 KB
 Viewed:  54 Time(s)

DSCN0064.JPG



DSCN0066.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  151.38 KB
 Viewed:  37 Time(s)

DSCN0066.JPG



DSCN0070.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  161.23 KB
 Viewed:  36 Time(s)

DSCN0070.JPG



DSCN0068.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  142.5 KB
 Viewed:  39 Time(s)

DSCN0068.JPG



DSCN0065.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  163.59 KB
 Viewed:  36 Time(s)

DSCN0065.JPG






Date: 5-14-06 05:02
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 5/14/06

just an update as proof i haven't given up on this. most work occurs on the weekends. i'm almost through with the strip to bare metal (or nearly bare metal). the following three photos show progress to date. i've got one more little rust patch to put in the nose section.

my biggest surprise is how incredibly straight and rust-free this car actually is under the paint. a PO really put on some bondo thick and i was expecting the worst. fortunately, this car is in great condition and should be somewhat easy for me to tune my body smoothing abilities with.


DSCN0091.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  166.39 KB
 Viewed:  39 Time(s)

DSCN0091.JPG



DSCN0090.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  195.51 KB
 Viewed:  37 Time(s)

DSCN0090.JPG



DSCN0089.JPG
 Description:
 Filesize:  208.19 KB
 Viewed:  36 Time(s)

DSCN0089.JPG






Date: 5-14-06 05:02
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 5/14/06 (nt)

(nt)



Date: 7-2-06 07:29
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 7/02/06

i took the suggestions from this forum to heart regarding the thoroughness of paint stripping that i still needed to do. that in itself set me back another month and a half of weekends to get ALL the paint off this car. i've been reading up on painting as well.

the following pictures show the first step in the paint process: epoxy sealer on the fenders, hood, doors and trunklid. i hope to lay some bondo on tomorrow. additionally, i'll be sanding and preparing the car body for its coat of epoxy sealer. all this sitting around under a cover outside doesn't help w.r.t. surface corrosion.

additional work to date since the last posting has included rebuilding my rear trailing arms, more cleaning and painting of parts and removal of suspension and installation of temporary wheels for the body to roll it around.


71_02paint 005.jpg
 Description:
epoxy sealer. this is a real milestone for me!!!! my very first.
 Filesize:  165.51 KB
 Viewed:  33 Time(s)

71_02paint 005.jpg



71_02paint 004.jpg
 Description:
 Filesize:  180.56 KB
 Viewed:  23 Time(s)

71_02paint 004.jpg



71_02paint 003.jpg
 Description:
fenders et al. stripped to bare metal
 Filesize:  175.62 KB
 Viewed:  33 Time(s)

71_02paint 003.jpg



71_02paint 001.jpg
 Description:
it's nice to have a backup car to remind myself WHY i'm doing all this work in the first place. shown in the photo is my daily driver '75 in front of my project. in the background is a '73 automatic (original OEM Inka, repainted by PO ugly copper)
 Filesize:  196.89 KB
 Viewed:  41 Time(s)

71_02paint 001.jpg






Date: 7-4-06 06:24
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 7/04/06

here's a couple photos for completeness. i haven't accomplished nearly as much work as i had hoped for this long weekend, but i did actually use my HVLP gun for the first time. baby steps i'm sure, but forward progress nonetheless.


71_02paint 012.jpg
 Description:
other side, also clean
 Filesize:  157.07 KB
 Viewed:  33 Time(s)

71_02paint 012.jpg



71_02paint 008.jpg
 Description:
pretty straight car, i think
 Filesize:  172.08 KB
 Viewed:  38 Time(s)

71_02paint 008.jpg



71_02paint 007.jpg
 Description:
front end showing a couple patch panels
 Filesize:  179.38 KB
 Viewed:  37 Time(s)

71_02paint 007.jpg



71_02paint 006.jpg
 Description:
six hours of the most boring, monotonous sanding
 Filesize:  198.67 KB
 Viewed:  73 Time(s)

71_02paint 006.jpg



71_02paint 014.jpg
 Description:
my buddy Ramone
 Filesize:  159.52 KB
 Viewed:  25 Time(s)

71_02paint 014.jpg






Date: 7-4-06 09:08
From: TMK-001 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 7/04/06

Looks like it is coming together very nicely!

What sort of cat is Ramone?

He looks just like Tabetha... she doesnt belong to be, just visits frequently while her owner is out.
_________________



tabby.jpg
 Description:
 Filesize:  117.78 KB
 Viewed:  50 Time(s)

tabby.jpg






Date: 7-10-06 04:30
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 7/09/06

it's nice to know i'm capable of learning on the job. last week i sprayed the fenders, doors etc only to find fisheyes.

after spending a couple hours over the course of several days with solvent cleaner and clean rags, i'm happy to report absolutely NO FISHEYES this time. additionally, the finish is not as shiny and more of a matte finish this time. i think that is more of what the sealer should look like.

i actually had to get on my back to paint the rockers and the rear section by the exhaust.

i hosed the floor prior to spraying which i think helped. i'm very pleased with the results. i'm going to get additional lighting when i apply the actual base coat/clear coat. admittedly, there were a couple thin spots i found only after emptying and cleaning the gun. oh well.

btw, i'm using an Accuspray gun with 0.9mm tip. i bought this used on ebay and had to completely clean and rebuild it before using. i'm happy with it so far. don't have any other gun to compare it with though.


71_02paint 027.jpg
 Description:
 Filesize:  157.75 KB
 Viewed:  32 Time(s)

71_02paint 027.jpg



71_02paint 026.jpg
 Description:
 Filesize:  157.86 KB
 Viewed:  35 Time(s)

71_02paint 026.jpg



71_02paint 025.jpg
 Description:
 Filesize:  144.65 KB
 Viewed:  41 Time(s)

71_02paint 025.jpg



71_02paint 024.jpg
 Description:
 Filesize:  155.34 KB
 Viewed:  30 Time(s)

71_02paint 024.jpg



71_02paint 023.jpg
 Description:
this car continues to please me with the relative straightness.
 Filesize:  166.08 KB
 Viewed:  36 Time(s)

71_02paint 023.jpg






Date: 7-10-06 07:50
From: TMK-001 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 7/09/06

Nice progress! I am hoping my car is at this stage right now as well!

Did you say you hosed the car out? Does that mean you added water? I hope not. Blow out with a compressor and use a product by PPG called Prepsol... that will clean the surface perfect for paint.

Todd
_________________




Date: 7-10-06 06:45
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 7/09/06

[quote="TMK-001"]
Did you say you hosed the car out? Does that mean you added water? I hope not. Blow out with a compressor and use a product by PPG called Prepsol... that will clean the surface perfect for paint.

Todd[/quote]

no, i didn't hose the CAR out, i hosed the floor of the shed down to minimize any airborne dust. it seemed to help, too. i wiped the whole car down with wax and silicon remover prior to paint and it really helped.

btw, i like your friend tabitha. she does not look amused at your attention, at that moment. i also like your choice of Polaris. that is the color i want to paint my tii when i get to it after this car. actually, this car is 'training wheels' for that effort... my tii is originally Malaga. i come to like this color more and more, but one car is enough and i've always liked the smart looks of Silver and Chrome on these 02's.



Date: 7-10-06 10:40
From: TMK-001 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT - 7/09/06

Thanks :-) I certainly love silver and mine is originally silver, so I had that bonus. Maybe my next one will be a different color. Who knows.

Now I understand what you mean with the watering of the floor... while I have been over working on my car in the paint shop, I have seen them do this with a simple watering can. They have a concrete floor in their booth rather than the grate with the water underneath and they swear by it after years with a grate and water filled booth floor.

Keep us updated, it looks like it is coming along very nice!

Tabby always looks cuter in real life than she does in pics, she is a bit of a dram queen when the cameras come out :-P

Todd
_________________




Date: 7-16-06 07:29
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT-7/16/06 update (nt)

here's a few photos to mark my progress. i've been doing a bit of bondo and sanding in the evenings. i'm getting the hang of it. i installed the doors and fenders today inorder to visualize the whole car as i continue to block it. i will remove these to paint door jambs, inside fenders, etc..

can't wait to shoot the color....


71_02paint 036.jpg
 Description:
this is a location that had about a 1/2 inch of bondo previously. i think when i'm done i'll have maybe 1/8 to 3/16 inch. what were they thinking???
 Filesize:  177.68 KB
 Viewed:  36 Time(s)

71_02paint 036.jpg



71_02paint 034.jpg
 Description:
the passenger side door lines up nicely. unfortunately, the driver's side is slightly off due to the previous impact damage. it's close enough for me. i'll just ignore it...
 Filesize:  174.45 KB
 Viewed:  30 Time(s)

71_02paint 034.jpg



71_02paint 033.jpg
 Description:
i've temporarily installed both doors and fenders as i try to block this car. it's slow work but i am seeing progress.
 Filesize:  172.14 KB
 Viewed:  41 Time(s)

71_02paint 033.jpg



71_02paint 032.jpg
 Description:
a further attempt to better align the lower driver's side door hinge due to previous impact at lower A pillar.
 Filesize:  175.76 KB
 Viewed:  46 Time(s)

71_02paint 032.jpg






Date: 8-27-06 06:42
From: jerry View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT-8/27/06 update (nt)

i've spent the past 6 weeks trying to make perfect a reasonably straight car. bodywork is incredibly boring work. most of my effort is on weekends. i finally learned what i think is the appropriate technique and that is to skim the entire surface with a THIN layer of bondo and block it down till the underlying finish just becomes visible. this leaves about a 1/16 inch thick layer of bondo over the entire car. this will be sealed again with another coat of epoxy sealer before i use a high-build 2K primer for final smoothing before paint.

i am starting to understand why bodywork is soooo expensive. i'm sure the pros can do this stuff MUCH faster than i'm able to do.


71_02paint 043.jpg
 Description:
after sanding the surface is sprayed with a guidecoat and then sanded again till entire surface is uniform in color (white). recessed areas are spot bondoed and resanded
 Filesize:  171.12 KB
 Viewed:  37 Time(s)

71_02paint 043.jpg



71_02paint 042.jpg
 Description:
front fender after sanding
 Filesize:  165.45 KB
 Viewed:  28 Time(s)

71_02paint 042.jpg



71_02paint 041.jpg
 Description:
front fender with thin coating of bondo before sanding flat
 Filesize:  176.75 KB
 Viewed:  25 Time(s)

71_02paint 041.jpg



71_02paint 039.jpg
 Description:
passenger side showing thin layers of bondo
 Filesize:  172.7 KB
 Viewed:  40 Time(s)

71_02paint 039.jpg



71_02paint 037.jpg
 Description:
drivers side with thin coat of bondo sanded down to 150 grit
 Filesize:  161.67 KB
 Viewed:  26 Time(s)

71_02paint 037.jpg






Date: 8-27-06 06:51
From: Pinepig in Citrus Heights, CA View user's profile
Subject: Re: My '71 02 PROJECT-8/27/06 update (nt)

I feel you pian. Sanding SUCKS.

I just painted mine and I bet I have 100 hours easy in sanding.

Looking good.
_________________
Charlie Mac in Sacramento.
My Blog

I'm an كافر