Let the games begin!

    Taking the 41 apart has become a fall ritual but I'm hoping this is the last year I'll have to do this.  This year's plans call for a paint touch up on the front end to repair all the chips, converting the rear main seal to a one piece by machining the rear of the block, adding air conditioning with heat and defrost and reinstalling the stock 5 lug axles in the rear with wheels to match the front wheels.  The door panels are going to have to be removed too in order to readjust the driver's door and fix the lock mechanism.  Both vent cranks don't work right and a couple of the window cranks need to be replaced.  There's a few other items on the list that will become apparent later.
     I had some spare time today so I got started with the disassembly.  The chrome trim down the middle of the hood was removed along with the grille, headlights, parking lights, front bumper and hood.  That pretty well cleared the front end and makes it ready for removal.  In order to remove the hood, the first step is removing the hood springs.  I failed to take pictures last year of how I was able to accomplish this without any special tools.  14 large fender washers are all that is needed to remove the springs.  First, lower the hood as far as possible while still being able to get your forearm between the hood and front fender.  This will stretch the spring and separate the coils.  Next, insert the washers between the coils taking care to add washers to the back as well as the front of the springs.  Here's a picture of the spring and washers with the hood nearly closed.

And here's a pic with the hood open after the washers are installed.  I only inserted 11 washers but I was still able to work the bottom hook off the bracket. 

Once the bottom hook is removed, the bolt  holding the upper bracket needs to be removed and raised a bit in order to remove the upper spring hook.  To remove the washers, use a floor jack to stretch the spring a bit until the washers can be easily pulled out again.  Lowering the jack will restore the spring to its original shape.

Removing the front bumper makes accessing the rest of the front end parts easier.  Here the floor jack is used to support the bumper so I can remove the bolts holding the bumper to the frame horns.  Jacks stands are under both sides of the frame for safety.  Notice the hood trim has been removed from the center of the hood.  I was unaware that the hood is actually a two piece unit and bolts together in the middle. 

     With the bumper removed, the rest of the front end parts were easy to unbolt and remove.

     That's all I was able to accomplish today.  It's Halloween and my grandson's birthday.  He is coming over later to trick or treat.  ;)