Made some progress this past weekend...installed new rear bearing cups using the old cups as an installation tool (plus a few pieces of scrap). I ground down the outer surface of the old cups and welded a piece of 1/4" scrap across the diameter for the punch to index on. They worked great! Got the bearings from Chuck. I'm supposed to pack the wheel bearings in bearing grease, like normal, correct?

I also cut out the passenger floor area and fit the replacement piece I got from C & G Ford. Took my time fitting and pulse-welding (MIG) it in. Feels nice and strong now. Still wondering how I should finish it off, POR-15? Still thinking about it.

I also bought new rear hub seals for the Timken. They're leather, and I've never worked with these types of materials before. Any advice? All I know is that I should soak them in light oil for ~2 hours before installing them. I'm not to sure about these, are there any modern seals available for the 14"-drummed Timken hubs? Or should I not worry about it and just install the leather ones? Does anyone know how long these leather hub seals last?

As always, thanks for all the great information sharing, folks! I really appreciate it!

 

Oh, I also repaired the front 2 seat frame mounting cage nuts. They were both ripped and rusted-out.

I'm really enjoying working on my F3! Next-up, wheel cylinders all around, master cylinder, rear hub assembly and front bearing replacement. Gotta read up on the intricacies of king pin replacement as well!

 

I got my king pin bushing reamed and I'm ready to re-assemble my front suspension and brakes. I'll also be re-assembling my rear brakes and hubs/seals (newer type, not leather) & bearings. Making some progress...

 

Awesome work, sure feels good to see some progress.

 

Nice progress, thanks for the pictures!