1947 Kit Rebuild Update as of 23 February 2011

[Classic Finn]

Heikki
good job so far on the restoration, are you going to keep them or what ?arfter the restoration is complete

Regards Mike

Hello Mike Its really nice to hear from one of my favorite tear owners. Its a beauty.

I will keep these Kits in the family since one of my sons turned 18 this summer so he can also enjoy camping in a historical tear. We,ll pass them on to our children once the time is correct.

Pleasure to hear from you once again.

Greetings from our family to yours.

[Classic Finn]

One thing that came to mind as we dismantled the walls away from behind the axle hubs we noticed also there had been rubbing onto the sidewalls leaving a big gouge on the aluminum as well as tare. What is this from?

Is from the walls being too close to the hub? Or is that also the walls were warped and rubbing too close? The walls also were apart from that lower section all the way across. From inside you could see the highways and byways..

Hopefully this isnt caused by anything else. Maybe have to use thinner ply. As it was 18mm So I may use 15 mm instead.

[mvperini]

Heikki
Thanks i have always liked your teardop. I also have a build journal going, 1957 cardinal . check it out and let me know what you think

Mike

[Classic Finn]

Heikki
Thanks i have always liked your teardop. I also have a build journal going, 1957 cardinal . check it out and let me know what you think

Mike

Thank You for the kind words Mike. Im no pro but do my best with the capabilities I have. I saw your fantastic build and resto. All our entire family can say is Beautiful and The work you do is sooooo professional.

[Classic Finn]

The parts are about redone and pics on the way. Stay tuned I,ll get photos for you shortly.

[Shadow Catcher]

"One thing that came to mind as we dismantled the walls away from behind the axle hubs we noticed also there had been rubbing onto the sidewalls leaving a big gouge on the aluminum as well as tare. What is this from?"

A possible/probable cause is the difference in tire profile from 1940's to what has been on it since. Others who are more knowledgeable may well have a definitive answer.

Keep up the good work this is a thread I am watching with great interest.

[Classic Finn]

"One thing that came to mind as we dismantled the walls away from behind the axle hubs we noticed also there had been rubbing onto the sidewalls leaving a big gouge on the aluminum as well as tare. What is this from?"

A possible/probable cause is the difference in tire profile from 1940's to what has been on it since. Others who are more knowledgeable may well have a definitive answer.

Keep up the good work this is a thread I am watching with great interest.

Yes thats exactly what we found on both sides of this tear. Weve got new caravan tires ordered for this also. The axle itself is in good shape as well as bearings. Also the inside has been cleaned and new grease has been put in. Its like new now. The only thing we will still check is to see if the wheels are not out of round just to make sure.

In hopes thats all is now well. plus Im going to use a bit thinner rebuild ply on the floor as well as walls to hopefully eliminating this problem from reoccuring.

[Classic Finn]

Here,s a pic of the Kit as it was upon arrival. Notice the fenders and color on this.


The fenders have been totally redone, all rough areas and broken areas have now been fixed. These fenders were quite rough with chipped and cracked areas from rocks and what not. So here is a pic of before as it looked especially on the fenders, beige in color and shortly I,ll upload the after pics of the fenders all redone.

Inside has a special rock shield & preventive of 3 layers sprayed on. Color base coat & New black gloss paint. And 4 coats of clear. They look as though they came from the factory now. Im really pleased as how they turned out.

The frame itself will be here this coming week that has been bead blasted, galvanized and powder coated in color black as well as a modern coupling that is up to date so it can be towed with any vehicle here in Scandinavia or Europe. And safely.

New electrical wiring has also been installed. The wiring is a one piece kit that in Germany is called a Smart Kable with easy connections for those with hardly any electrical experience such as yours truly.

[Classic Finn]

Ladies and Gentleman here are the old new fenders from the above pic of the 47 Kit. Once upon a time they looked rough and wrong color in my opinion.




More pics shortly

[toypusher]

Nice!

[Classic Finn]

Nice!

Thank You Kerry

[toypusher]

Nice!

Thank You Kerry

I have a fiberglass set of those and hope to someday have a paint job that nice!

[Classic Finn]

Nice!

Thank You Kerry

I have a fiberglass set of those and hope to someday have a paint job that nice!

Kerry you and the Mrs cmon over with the fenders and we,ll have them done for you. We,d love to have you here.

[Miriam C.]

The fenders are really beautiful Heikki...I am sure the rest of the Kit will be just as nice!

[Classic Finn]

:applause: The fenders are really beautiful Heikki...I am sure the rest of the Kit will be just as nice!

Thank You Auntie M... Im going thru all small pieces at the moment such as the original window frames & Rain gutters are reusable also. The original back light is also redoable. Trying to reuse as much as possible.

The galley hatches Im going to try to reuse also.