Grfishmaker's '47 rebuild

[grfishmaker]

 In order to make room for a defrost vent for the windshield, I put in a extra piece of oak (with a plywood spacer)and cut an opening for the air vent.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/47003.jpg
I finally got to use some of my birch to make a finish on the dash area.
After I installed the windshield I tested the air flow that came through the defrost vent and tried a few shapes and angles to see what I would need to get a good air flow coverage across the window. Once I picked the best shape I made a air deflector out of oak to deflect the air flow onto the windshield.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/newdefrostventdeflector.jpg
Here's a picture of the bottom of the defrost vent air intake. I made a cone shaped funnel that fit into the wood opening with a 2 1/2" nipple protruding out the bottom for attaching the hose from the heater.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/47005.jpg
Here's attaching the ignition and gauges to the new dash. I decided to just go flat rather than out at 45% angle like I had planned.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/wiringdash.jpg
Installing a few switches. One for lights and two for spares for the time being. Later, one will be for interior light, and one maybe for a backup light.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/wiringswitches.jpg
New dash ready to go.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/newinterior.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/bde005.jpg
There, for all you varnished bombardier fans, I dedicated my dash to you. lol Just kidding now. No hate mail
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/dash4.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/47012.jpg
Late last fall I had the windows cut out and ready to go. Little did I know that it would be four months untill I got back at the rebuild. Well I tried installing them last month with the rubber "tractor gasket" type that the glass supplier said was the standard that everyone seemed to use and like. I tried a few times to install a window and it didn't take long for me to realize I was wasting my time and would only be a matter of time before I broke a window. So I loaded her up on the trailer and off to the experts.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/w011.jpg
 I have used the rubber gasket material on my '53 that Dan Shaver sells and find it far better than this thicker type rubber that I have now. I find it alot more pliable and easier to use and if I had to do it again, I would use Dan's type. I suppose everyone has their own preferences and we all use whatever we find easier to work with, but that's my own opinion (besides, who's going to trust the word of anynow who paints their bomdardier white). Just kidding .
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/insidecargodoor.jpg
Here's in cargo door ready to go.
I still have to make up some sort of handles for the inside of the doors, but for now I just used old lamp wick. You can see how the prethreaded holes on the door latch is so handy for attaching whatever you come up with.  You can use any length 1/4" bolt if your design calls for it. I will use the old standard cable string pull (I think) unless some of you guys have some suggestions.
Also, I have to add the door springs.

[grfishmaker]

Oh ya, that's a genuine moose hide steering wheel cover. (Not sold at Canadian Tire.)

[kpm]

sure taking shape Gary looks awesome!!
                                                         kpm

[the old trucker]

   Grfishmaker it looks like your doing OK.. Did you turn that horn button yourself & do it work ?? I think I may try to make a wooden steering wheel later on sometime.   Ot is proud of you!!! 

[grfishmaker]

No, I just picked up a 5" round piece of wood from a craft store. I don't know what or if I'll put anything in the centre of the wood for a decoration (NO OT, not your picture) or if I'll maybe just leave it as is.

[the old trucker]

  Now you got my feelings hurt !!

[grfishmaker]

Well there OT, I thought of taking your picture down off of my dart board and use that in the steering; but then I would have to replace that one. Hope you can see my perdicament I'd be in.

[marcdds]

hi yuo are doing a nice job on ur bombi . the dash looks nice will you be using the original gauges .if not do you want to sell them .job well done will look graet when finished 

[grfishmaker]

Thanks there marcdds, appreciate your comments. The two large gauges were in the machine when I bought it, but not working. Both were missing their glass. I don't know what it would be to get them cleaned up, but oldsledz gave me a contact that does that sort of thing if you are interested. You are welcome to my old gauges if you like as I won't be using them. I can send you a picture if you like and you can decide wether you want them. You may be able to find better ones if you put out a request in the wanted section.  Let me know.

[marcdds]

ya send me some pictures im interested i have some spare glass i think will fit

[the old trucker]

   Hey Grfishmaker, where did you get your gauges & did you get the matching sending units for them ?? I think I would like them with a white background..
                                                               OT.

[grfishmaker]

Those three gauges were in the machine when I bought it from KPM . As they were working, I just simpley cleaned them up (scraped off that yellow paint) an mounted them into the wood. They are those types that you see in places like Canadian Tire, Princess Auto (three in a cluster) that have there own mounting bracket. I just threw the bracket away and mounted them individualy. Actually the oil pressure gauge is not working, but the sending unit is there and I think it is just a matter of checking the connections. I checked the temperature readings with a laser reader and they are accurate.
They are the same gauges as the ones on some of my first posts of the interior.

[grfishmaker]

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/m012.jpg
I thought I had posted a picture of the dash area back when I started tearing her apart, but I guess not so here's one. Those are the three gauges on the left side of the dash.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/hummingbrid353.jpg
Here's one more. I forgot how nice it used to look. OT, I can get you the name of the yellow paint if you are interested. ha ha

[the old trucker]

   Grfishmaker I know times are tough nowadays, but let me know your belt size so I can take up a collection from the members here & buy you a new one, since you used your old one to hold your heater core up with. I wonder if it belonged to KPM at one time ?? 
                                                                                            OT.

[grfishmaker]

Actually that belt is bombardier part # 236209-2A and was an update to replace the bolts because of the faulty gas pedal that used to jump up and knock the heater off it's original bracket. I think KPM told me that the leather comes from the left side of a mature male Tibetian Rock Lizard and is very hard to find these days. After hearing the story of the belt I paid a little extra just to own one. (The belt now sits in saftey deposit box in Winnipeg and is not for sale).