progress on the 29 (pics)

did some work on the 29 today and yeasterday... here are some pics of the new pulleys, roof wood, and my consturction paper roof (pattern to cut my new roof with) .. I think I am going to have to lower the center metal support a little more though... I already lowered it 1/4 of an inch... one question I have is how can I transfer my pattern to my donor roof? it is a ribbed roof so If I put it on top of the donor roof I would assume it would be too short length and width do to the ribbed roof keeping the pattern off of the roof, and on the inside of the roof I would think would be the best but I have the supports still there... would it be best to remove the supports and place the pattern on the inside ?? if so how do I remove them I am sure they are just glued with some industrial glue of some sort but how do I get them off with out damageing the donor roof?? any suggestions on transfering my patten ??

thanks,
simon

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...f/CIMG5207.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...f/CIMG5209.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...f/CIMG5210.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...f/CIMG5212.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...f/CIMG5213.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...f/CIMG5214.jpg

Don't try to cut it to the exact size at the boneyard, cut it a little larger so you have some trimming room when you start fitting it in place. I think I would cut it big enough so that once you find a roof with the right curvature you can lay it on top of your car and go underneath and trace around the edge. Or if that isn't feasible you can at least have enough material so you don't have any gaps to fill from cutting it too small the first time.

Car is looking good BTW.

Don

Well I already have a donor roof off of a dodge caravan... I was thinking I would cut the roof about 2-3 inches bigger than my pattern that way I have a little wiggle room as far as moving it around... I am unable to trace from the inside... the side wood will be in the way.. of course that means a lot more cutting and trimming better buy a few more cut off wheels... I hate useing them since I seem to be allergic to them...

If you have a Harbour Freight around, you might want to go there and pick up a handheld air shear (nipper) they cost around $40, they are junk but usable for a one time project. That might be one way to get away from the cutoff wheels Edd

once you get it sit on the car the way you want it. i take a nail head slide it under the top and hook it on the lip of the top of the car and tap it with a hammer on top. going around it till i can connect the dots with a stright edge. then take a magic marker mark the outside of the marks. then use a 4 in side grinder with a paddle wheel 80 grit to cut the final 1/4 inch. jonathan

Thanks guys,

all these suggestions sound great!!!!!... the nail head Idea and the cutting the middle of the pattern out.... sound really good... I was thinking about it... now the pattern I made spans the gap with the curvature of the roof ribs... so logically if I was to cut a piece of metal that size it would span the gap correct?? now my donor roof is ribbed so if I was to pay my patter on the out side of the roof (raised ribs ) it would be bit short correct?? but If I was to lay it on the inside of the donor roof it should be perfect since the ribs would be going the other way not raising my pattern off of the roof.. correct? okay now this leaves one delema the inside of the roof has the original factory brace on it... I assume these are glued with some industrial glue if I could remove them my problem I think would be solved .. anyone have an Idea on how to remove them and if my logic is correct...

thanks
simon

if i remember correctly the glue is a black putty. i got the braces off with little effort with a big putty knife so it doesnt gouge the metal. and it may of been during the winter when the putty was a little stiff. jonathan

thanks I will give it a try this weekend.... I already ruined a butter knife the fiance didn't like that much , but heck there are two of us and 15 knives what is one less :-)