Irene is topless!!!
I finally got her front ladder off today, without removing the wings or
engine....
After removing all fasteners passing through the triangular mounting brackets
for the ladder, I jacked the engine slightly with a transmission jack and
removed the engine mounts. I then gradually rotated the ladder forward at the
top. This required some judicious blows of a heavy hammer...it needs to
rotate forward and also move upward...it will make sense as you do it. I also
loosened the transverse strut holding the wings together so they would sag
outboard a bit. Seems that removing the steering box would have made it
easier, but I did it without doing that.
Obviously, the acid test will be whether I can get the new ladder in place in
reverse order...stay tuned...
Incidentally, Irene is the car listed in the "FORMAT" as 1958 +4.....as usual,
the advert and the car shared only passing similarities. Was able to get her
for $9900, instead of $11900, including almost everything to rebuild the front
end, so I'm happy. As Katie said when I came in today with grime all over my
face "Been kissing Irene again, dear?"
Best to all
PMB
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