p1800s- Project Black Widow build thread by Toomanytoys

3 minute(s) of a 30 minute read

Because the car had been sitting out side for so long, most of the chrome parts where very pitted and rusted. Some I'm having to replace, others I was able to buff out. I'm still searching for a good, close by chromer to do some pieces that are either impossible to find or too expensive to replace.

New bumper:

Saving old locks for the doors and latches

New shiny bits on car

What to do with the rear running gear? My options were to keep the original and rebuild it, get a newer one with disc brakes or go with a ford 8.5. After talking to a lot of guys and debating what would be best with my intentions for the car, I decided to rebuild the stock one. This meant new polyurethane bushings, rebuilding drum brakes, cleaning and repainting, and going through the differential (which still looked good).

Starting point

Blasted and cleaned up

I had the usual problem removing the drums. Had to brake down and get the Volvo specific brake puller. That actually worked well.

The cylinders were shot but an easy fix. New shoes and clean up and it hopefully will provide good stopping power.

Rebuilt

Freshly painted 

Installed in car

Getting revalved Bilsteins for the rear. I want to lower the car about an inch. Waiting on the front end and engine install to see how the car sits. Then I'll decide what springs to go with.