Wing Vents

The wing vents were a mess, and not only needed new glass (they were both cracked) but new rubber weatherstripping as well. So apart they come.

Here's the beginning state.

First, the two screws holding the top pivot have to be removed. (And who knew stainless could rust like that?)

Next I removed the bolt on the bottom pivot, along with the spring. I kept track of order of the washers and shims for reassembly

Now that I had a little more movement in the window, I could easily remove the top pivot by sliding the mount to the side.

Then, after replacing the nut on the end so I wouldn't damage any threads, I gently tapped the bottom pivot out and removed the inner window and frame.

There are two rivets on each end of the outer frame that hold the weatherstripping in place. These must be drilled out (or carefully filed off.)

The glass simply slides in place, but might be a little sticky after all these years. So I ran a razor blade around the edge on both sides, and then carefully slid a screwdriver in the ends and lightly pried to break the seal. Here it is finally broken down:

 

 

I won't bore you with the cleaning. First, the surface rust and crud were removed using a wire brush. The inner frame, since it was painted, was sanded and primed, then painted. The outer frame, since it is stainless, was polished using 0000 steel wool and a little WD-40.

Then it was time to install the weatherstripping. This was, by far, the most painful part of the operation. But with patience, a watered-down soap solution for lubrication, and a dull screwdriver to coax it in place, I was finally able to get it installed. If you end up doing one yourself, I found it best to start at the hole for the bottom pivot and work your way outward.

A follow-up with a couple of pop-rivets to lock it in place, and it was ready for reassembly.

And here's the finished product, ready for the glass.

Now time to lather, rinse, and repeat for the other side.

Air Cleaner

I picked up a fairly neat Air Cleaner the other day over at Studebaker John's--a mid-50's Packard air cleaner (I believe) that can be easily switched from an oil bath to a paper filter. Pretty cool.

sorry for the unsteady phone pic!

This said, it has a few problems--there are a couple of small dents and dings and since it had been sitting for a while it had managed to get a manageable size mouse nest inside of it. Unfortunately, since it was sealed there was no way to get into it to remove the nest or get to the backside of the dings to pound them out. So off comes the bottom.

I used a cutting wheel on a dremel--this would allow me to weld the bottom piece back in place later.

 

And somehow, those nests are always bigger than you expect them to be:

Now that I look at it (and the tubing that was inside this part) there really is a lot of restriction in this air cleaner. Might be better if I open/clean things up a bit:

no going back now

Since I did that, I needed a way to bolt the filter on. I could weld a piece of metal and drill a hole and tap it to thread in a bit of all-thread. But then there'd be this big piece of metal right in the way of the flow. Hmm...I wonder.

A little twist here and there...

And a couple of welds should make that a little better

And it is back together, ready to go be rechromed.

But first, I think I'll see if I can find a filter that will fit slightly better...

Quick update

On Friday, I dropped my seats and center consoles (I have both a front and rear console) at the upholstery shop. I found an experienced and recommended person who has done numerous Studebakers; unfortunately, he lives 2 hours away. But it is worth it to me for that experience--it should save time down the road, and if I want to drive it on International Drive Your Studebaker Day this year, saving time is very important.

And, back home, I kept cleaning, sanding and painting small parts. My pile is growing: