Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Photos => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: TxBandit911 on February 04, 2012, 08:45:44 PM

Title: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 04, 2012, 08:45:44 PM
So, I finally got it home. I will put up more pics soon. I'm itching to get started.....

I'm happy to see it home.....

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pJJTP4rnfKTOaPE9sEi7cCrzAHmKX-cQf5iYrhQBgh11FGip_Hg8b0KnJCnk1qr1o76X-dxgHpjxIyQPEoFZGeQ/WP_000102.jpg?psid=1)
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: ShakerBreaker on February 04, 2012, 08:56:43 PM
Congratulations Sir
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 04, 2012, 09:08:12 PM
another quick one...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pMwAJkTTKxy9_pKHg7H-9VyEMdnpfyNQYkFc4oY_vKynL-8RV4MJNKnUiHWlqkKTXLR137YT9yX9DzL-1OceV5g/V__1C04.jpg?psid=1)
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Tin Indians Rule on February 04, 2012, 10:08:04 PM
Another 76'er! Yay! Sure looks like a solid car to start with. Is it numbers matching? Was the engine and transmission included? What options? You sticking with factory or ???
Title: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: BONES on February 04, 2012, 10:23:54 PM
Congratulations and welcome to the '76 club.  I started a thread somewhere for 76'ers to provide information about their cars - please join us.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 05, 2012, 09:43:52 AM
Another 76'er! Yay! Sure looks like a solid car to start with. Is it numbers matching? Was the engine and transmission included? What options? You sticking with factory or ???

Yes, its #'s matching...Engine and Tranny included. The Options are, Power Windows & Locks, Rear Defroster, Deluxe interior. No go on the factory 8 track tho (bummer). Someone put Snowflakes on it and a white fender. The Driver's side fender is ruined and I also have to find a hood. The Owner also gave me a extra set of doors and window glass. I'm going to have to replace the floors, truck pan, and part of the quarters. This will take some work, but I got to this before it was too late...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Tin Indians Rule on February 05, 2012, 10:09:53 AM
awesome. Sounds like she's well optioned. I can't wait to follow along as you start on her.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: NWW-79 T/A on February 05, 2012, 11:57:21 AM
I'll be following this. What a cool car. 455 4 speed
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 05, 2012, 07:37:10 PM
Unloaded it today....I have a small garage, but it will be good enough. Here at Ft Riley there is a HUGE shop for us soldiers to use with lifts, paint booth/ body shop, parts store, and even a full engine machine shop. So, I'll be set up...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pwUpdmmgOIViDS4BTJxCwSIySN6UlGvnfwFFw-_9LgRVT5sLv4V-ljbKoVAG_rsk-Dic8ar66WMN3KmnUQuB_tw/PhotoChooser-7e971c4f-3286-4f05-b5c9-669aa685f8a9.jpg?psid=1)

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pxN7bQct-O7B3aFBEG4u24zesmjiTq76DFKGFKZr-JDvuWNLAKHabPsGVCU957iQYCznqtiqQt2thrWowHPZ5Zg/PhotoChooser-1d794e6b-b132-45c5-aff1-d84a249f6991.jpg?psid=1)

I cant wait to tear into this beautiful car....
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: ryeguy2006a on February 06, 2012, 04:06:59 PM
Nice to see another 76 being saved. Good luck man. Nice that you have all of those services available to you.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Burd Turd on February 06, 2012, 06:10:55 PM
There's no front lic. plate frame. ;D
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Tin Indians Rule on February 06, 2012, 06:44:46 PM
Dang Burd. I had to scroll back up to see. When I seen the pic missing the whole front bumper I snorted! LOL  I have an NOS holder if he needs one.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: joe d on February 06, 2012, 07:44:18 PM
have a 76 locally here in southwest florida for $6200 supposedly all original California car, he says absolutly NO rust and has original paint. i may go look at it, but looks a bit rough in photos
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 06, 2012, 08:59:42 PM
There's no front lic. plate frame. ;D

There will be!!! Until then, I will hang them on the wall with pride 8)


Today I went out and got a few things I will need...it's been a while since I've done this kinda work and I dont have much left in the equipment category. I picked up a new paint gun, a media blasting kit (cheapo, but it will do me), angle grinder, and a couple of new air tools.

I have found out that the price of paint has gone WAY up in the last 12-15 years...whats up with that? Thank you EPA.  ::)

I still gotta pick up a compressor, but that will be next week I think...untill then, I will be working on tearing the car down...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: NWW-79 T/A on February 06, 2012, 09:03:23 PM
Your restoring this to factory condition right? What's the original colors?
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Tin Indians Rule on February 06, 2012, 10:12:24 PM
man you gotta post pics of everything here! Even tools. LOL Can't wait to see you get started!
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Burd Turd on February 06, 2012, 10:22:49 PM
oops wrong thread.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Tin Indians Rule on February 06, 2012, 10:25:18 PM
She has the nicest set of heels I've ever seen.  :o

Thanks Burd. Now my post looks silly! LOL
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 07, 2012, 07:36:43 PM
Ok...tool pics...Tractor Supply is your friend....

I got this nifty Paint Gun, on sale for $89...SCORE!!

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p6Sraec9pyTmc96J8nnCady9xyXgck1Y_wJhVsnV45iFMqEw8DyE8de9kxLz8EXl1Gw6y1vo4pqug2gplJICMTA/WP_000103.jpg?psid=1)

And here are a few small things I picked up while I was there...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pm6TDVYouzvZgjHs8b0zJjvFYZbaTr6w3UWN8l4LOc04hKqst3cEGxBZOSSqTiWDPCFZDTgisCOcGtxsu92Fmhg/WP_000105.jpg?psid=1)

And this is the cheapo Blasting kit I got...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pMcvCTVYZH2nXGpwF8BupqgcyWsxu4zRGQi-5rcU2XxQYtq2Ij_i9Uyk1hMqnio80l_rtI5D6i3ku1b5Oe3Orig/WP_000106.jpg?psid=1)

I think I got some decent deals at Tractor Supply. Got away for $350 total, not to bad. I'm going to order a compressor soon, and I gotta pick up a welding machine, then I'll start ordering the replacement sheet metal I need.

Oh yeah, question for the experienced guys here.... I talked to a guy at a PPG dealer, and is the Omni line even worth looking at or should I stick to the real PPG products??? I have used Omni stuff about 12 years ago, and it worked out "ok"....but I have been out of the loop for so long, I'm not sure what to go with...

Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 07, 2012, 09:37:44 PM
Ok, so I went out to the garage and put the Engine on the stand and poked around a little.....enjoy the pics...

Is this Beautiful or what????

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pvaV8qyHRyL8HQdyNH5GAtuXU_6op9nH1LJvDiK-F-yt3ipodA8LeRZGlFs9VgwSdugZYY1XZnmVMYg7Cx6glCg/WP_000109.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pOIK3MwgMbcLjtR-cc9UPw5RdT3kn0aaL2HqPKsPrdExvUv29FgQjEnMFUnGX7xbiZwjX5bcUnC9qZyEEQmc-ww/WP_000110.jpg?psid=1)

This is what I packed inside the car to get all this stuff home..

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pDqPGH-k2KEj0tRSPRv2ais35SDBIjOFqbz3byNS3sjjjTMR-nmtLYYkWRRVOm_MR229sOYvu8roHwyqxtTVq-w/WP_000111.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pqAY99Ccyjgs2UX6N4h_yTVeULbf9hZZRrgcHsuH51B0gsUgVLXIdzD-pnNsBRS1UzVRm2MYpb2_JMdLbQYxn6A/WP_000113.jpg?psid=1)

The front subframe...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pi6sBk1gFo5sTcggxMG6xj_EZfllQOiBswBmEro5pX_rlAusvm7YL0O24amODYfSdkiXI9tzqubsySdHeKEhP4A/WP_000114.jpg?psid=1)

More parts stuffed in the trunk....

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1ptdfQrZDbLCK5x04qCwgQr81jG8xNd3EmyIHo3rnZbj1bRLIJ8hs1sq8kDONmEG-14JtMqcKZ4lO2yDyDf2sFJw/WP_000115.jpg?psid=1)

The Crank and the Carb...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1ppwhf7AHOGtHumDAMYo3VblKkVdFAFVBgwSbwbIzB9XMIjBzZncloVfjxK1Kj5rJxSczY23igS5O83wk30bniJQ/WP_000108.jpg?psid=1)

Heads, Tranny, and other misc parts that were included...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p3pBkWhRLhRukCFtvJPXYR_gLSE8nmUGIr6yT85G-aGdchKThwF842-FoAl94ucwaZA1SMCizRg3-9UARu_UQ5A/WP_000107.jpg?psid=1)

I wish I had more time to work on this car, but the Army keeps me pretty busy and the wife and kids take up almost all thats left. I believe I can get tho, all I gotta do is make the most of the time I have....wish me luck guys...
Title: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: BONES on February 08, 2012, 12:43:43 AM
She's definitely beautiful and waiting for you to make her shine.  Good luck!
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Justin on February 08, 2012, 03:08:26 AM
wow. What a big bunch of goodies. Looks like you got everything needed basically. So was it a project that someone unbolted everything and then lost the fire to finish?
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 08, 2012, 10:05:27 AM
wow. What a big bunch of goodies. Looks like you got everything needed basically. So was it a project that someone unbolted everything and then lost the fire to finish?

Well, what the seller told me was that he started tearing it down, and he went looking for a parts car, and by chance he found a better body, so he said this one was too good to cut up, so he figured he would just sell it to someone that wanted to save it. I looked at his new project and its a super nice body, I would have done the same thing. This guy has a good sized shop with a lift and few projects in the works...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Justin on February 10, 2012, 12:39:54 AM
Sweet. So is he going to be a good place for you to go if you are needing anything? Do you have any immediate plans for yours yet?
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Tin Indians Rule on February 10, 2012, 05:33:14 AM
Thats a really nice score of parts too. I'm curious about something. You're seats appear to be 1975 deluxe seats in oxblood and I think the 75 seats and that color are the best looking seats available for the 2nd gen lineup. My question is what is the color code on the cowl tag for the interior? I've heard oxblood was not offered in 76 but yet I've seen one other 76 Trans am with Oxblood interior. Thanks and I can't wait to see you start saving this ol girl.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 10, 2012, 09:20:07 AM
I also noticed the seats were not '76 seats. But the frame is the same, so when I recover them, no worries. If I recall, the cowl tag shows my car to be firethorn interior, but I will check again when I get home.

I do love the look of the '75 seats, better than the '76. I don't know what to do with the car really, I like the idea of a factory restoration, however, I got this car to build a L/E clone, because there is no way I could ever afford a real one. Not to mention, I want a few minor upgrades, like 4 wheels disk brakes, heads/cam/intake, true dual exhaust, you know little stuff, and I for sure don't want to do that to a REAL '76 L/E.

At the same time, I don't want to be disowned by the Pontiac guys...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: BONES on February 10, 2012, 05:29:05 PM
I also noticed the seats were not '76 seats. But the frame is the same, so when I recover them, no worries. If I recall, the cowl tag shows my car to be firethorn interior, but I will check again when I get home.

I do love the look of the '75 seats, better than the '76. I don't know what to do with the car really, I like the idea of a factory restoration, however, I got this car to build a L/E clone, because there is no way I could ever afford a real one. Not to mention, I want a few minor upgrades, like 4 wheels disk brakes, heads/cam/intake, true dual exhaust, you know little stuff, and I for sure don't want to do that to a REAL '76 L/E.

At the same time, I don't want to be disowned by the Pontiac guys...

It's your car man, do it up the way you want  to.  Nothing disrespectful about a quality restomod IMHO
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: NWW-79 T/A on February 10, 2012, 05:48:13 PM
I think this car should ascetically be factory. A SE clone is one thing but a #'s matching 455 4 speed in factory colors would be more special in my opinion. Do aa you want with it, but I think the car is too cool to make a clone out of it
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: ShakerBreaker on February 10, 2012, 06:05:31 PM
I just like how you are fired up about it.
That's the "crap" I like  most.
Guys and girls with a passion for a sweet muscle car.
What really trips my trigger is the father son/daughter projects
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: 76T/AFLY on February 10, 2012, 08:29:38 PM
Awesome car! Welcome to the 76er club X2.  I agree, a nice original is always cool no matter what it was from the factory. But you gotta be happy with what you're doing to keep the motivation up during those times when the project seems overwhelming. You make a mental picture of the finished car, maybe even have a rendering drawn and tack up on the garage wall, and keep trucking till you have the car finished. Good luck, we'll be here rooting you on.
Side note, if nobody else told you. You need to stand that crank up on it's end, hard on them to lay like that. same with the heads and flywheel. ;)
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 10, 2012, 09:31:21 PM
Awesome car! Welcome to the 76er club X2.  I agree, a nice original is always cool no matter what it was from the factory. But you gotta be happy with what you're doing to keep the motivation up during those times when the project seems overwhelming. You make a mental picture of the finished car, maybe even have a rendering drawn and tack up on the garage wall, and keep trucking till you have the car finished. Good luck, we'll be here rooting you on.
Side note, if nobody else told you. You need to stand that crank up on it's end, hard on them to lay like that. same with the heads and flywheel. ;)

Yeah, I took the pics right after I unloaded everything, I squared it away as soon as I could...:)

Thats the thing, I like the original idea...but darn it, its like I want two cars!!! lol. Either way, I got time to think about it as I replace the rotted metal and get the body back in solid condition. As of right now, its a 50/50 if I'll go original or not. The way I see it, I can make this a clone, and do the few upgrades I want and its no big deal, or I can go original color inside and out, but I am still going to do the few upgrades I want, either way, the purists will give me crap for it, lol.

 I see this project as saving a car that someone didnt love anymore, we as people can grow and change over time to our full potential, why cant a car? I have some friends over on a LS1 board, and they think I am nuts for not just throwing a big cube LSX engine in it and a 6spd tranny and one of those expensive front subframes with coilovers and all that crazy stuff....one guy even said I should put a T/A front end on it (cause he thinks ALL 2nd gen T/A's look like a Bandit car)

What I want is simple, a great looking car, with a few upgrades to make it a little more fun to drive, not a chopped up monstrosity that no one can tell what it was in 1976.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 10, 2012, 09:33:23 PM
Oh yeah....I played with the Engine today after work.

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1puCPjIt0XLw8-hPe5TyOV4B2SrG3xolwiaHMv1MhywPaoxzkF41UF_Rg8-nMk1VXe45IiMt9IthFQ12W0iPXTLA/WP_000118.jpg?psid=1)
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 20, 2012, 06:35:54 PM
So, I was going to put up some pics of the tear down, I pulled the rear bumper and tail lights out....and then I was doing some grinding and got a sliver of metal stuck in my eye and spent the day at the hospital getting it removed....just my luck.

I'll have more pics up soon...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Burd Turd on February 20, 2012, 08:15:20 PM
dude..... please tell me the sliver got in even though you wore safty glasses.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 20, 2012, 09:11:43 PM
dude..... please tell me the sliver got in even though you wore safty glasses.

If course....I tilted my head to get a little better view of what I was doing and it slid right behind them....then ouch....I then finished my work and went to bed, when I got up this morning it was badly swolen and hurt like hell...so I figured I would go see the doc....

I always feel stupid going to see the Doc, cause I'm a medic, and this stuff isnt supposed to happen to us, lol
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Burd Turd on February 21, 2012, 11:54:13 AM
I had a pc in my eye years ago, a small pc, it started to rust, and got a huge infection. I wasn't even working on a mustang!
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: brian c on February 21, 2012, 12:00:02 PM
That's the problem with safety glasses, stuff can still get around them. Goggles or a full face shield would be better even though they do nothing for the fashion police ;)
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 21, 2012, 04:11:17 PM
That's the problem with safety glasses, stuff can still get around them. Goggles or a full face shield would be better even though they do nothing for the fashion police ;)

Well, if you cant look cool while working on a trans am, whats the point? lol
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: ksirb94 on February 21, 2012, 04:47:12 PM
Well if it was a Camaro and you wanted to look cool while working on it, all you'd need is a mullet and a trailer park. lol
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: NWW-79 T/A on February 21, 2012, 04:53:24 PM
Well if it was a Camaro and you wanted to look cool while working on it, all you'd need is a mullet and a trailer park. lol
Lmao
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: kjkjkcjkcj on February 21, 2012, 08:39:12 PM
Welcome to the show.  You have a great car.  My 2 cents is to keep the color and interior stock.  I would add interior engine mods like a cam to keep the stock look from the outside.  Also, I would go with an eagle one crank.  This will give you a longer stroke punching the motor out to something like 468 or 474 will get you more compression with the stock numbers matching heads.  This will be the best way to get some big power gains. 

Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 21, 2012, 08:58:56 PM
Welcome to the show.  You have a great car.  My 2 cents is to keep the color and interior stock.  I would add interior engine mods like a cam to keep the stock look from the outside.  Also, I would go with an eagle one crank.  This will give you a longer stroke punching the motor out to something like 468 or 474 will get you more compression with the stock numbers matching heads.  This will be the best way to get some big power gains.

Yeah, I got some plans....but I really dont like red interior...never have. If it was tan, black or blue interior it would for sure stay. I also have some plans for the engine, forged internals for sure on that one and some other improvements here and there.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: NWW-79 T/A on February 22, 2012, 01:13:33 PM
Welcome to the show.  You have a great car.  My 2 cents is to keep the color and interior stock.  I would add interior engine mods like a cam to keep the stock look from the outside.  Also, I would go with an eagle one crank.  This will give you a longer stroke punching the motor out to something like 468 or 474 will get you more compression with the stock numbers matching heads.  This will be the best way to get some big power gains.

Yeah, I got some plans....but I really dont like red interior...never have. If it was tan, black or blue interior it would for sure stay. I also have some plans for the engine, forged internals for sure on that one and some other improvements here and there.
Seems like swapping the interior color would be a pain in the a$$. Youd have to buy new seat covers, headliner and carpet, door panels. Take out and paint all the hard parts like the dash.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 22, 2012, 08:30:43 PM
Welcome to the show.  You have a great car.  My 2 cents is to keep the color and interior stock.  I would add interior engine mods like a cam to keep the stock look from the outside.  Also, I would go with an eagle one crank.  This will give you a longer stroke punching the motor out to something like 468 or 474 will get you more compression with the stock numbers matching heads.  This will be the best way to get some big power gains.

Yeah, I got some plans....but I really dont like red interior...never have. If it was tan, black or blue interior it would for sure stay. I also have some plans for the engine, forged internals for sure on that one and some other improvements here and there.
Seems like swapping the interior color would be a pain in the a$$. Youd have to buy new seat covers, headliner and carpet, door panels. Take out and paint all the hard parts like the dash.

Well, since 95% of the interior is rotted, cracked, or missing to begin with, buying or painting the remaining 5% isnt that big of a deal...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: NWW-79 T/A on February 22, 2012, 08:39:57 PM
I guess that would make sense. I wasn't saying not to do it, just that it would be a lot of work lol
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on February 25, 2012, 08:46:47 PM
Ok, so I went out and worked on the T/A today. I got the glass removed, and removed just about everything on the rear portion of the car....here is what I found...

The driver side quarter is rotten on the bottom, not too bad if you ask me, upon inspection of the inside, it looks as if everything above the side marker is good...the passenger side is not as bad. This should be a simple fix...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pOWO4GF3LkanAmA6UlktoNdclkGkcVi4ATsvk-CIbHKH_JCoRPbxo2rzBOfFgIZXaS4DWgctg-a6OXcXvF83xAQ/WP_000135.jpg?psid=1)

Behind the bumper was rotted, of course...the inner piece at the bottom is completely gone...gotta replace both...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pnwqs7lI_kpXdv6gxlI2W2gtDowC5g1B3Xxa3Y0lvcO-j82QG_ZZh7jAshjFLY5dtlrSy1yocblx1H_Nmwa52hg/WP_000134%20(1).jpg?psid=1)

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pBIQeIt1hilR2V_RMdyPvqm68lcypuwrFWDSR9_8cDnsmRTmHviAiN0ntRuye9Liw_VN9tYpTZT6jwJaQrB5r-g/WP_000133.jpg?psid=1)

The trunk floor has some rust thru in a couple places, and the pieces that are on the sides that connect to the quarters are rotted, too...However, the channel where the trunk lid seal goes is in really good shape....

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pxpLKtgZRlOTDjY6estlP7LawAwO7EkZuKD_6aJdaru0LGS8C45ZGF9vhxFGK9UK4RuMkp18VUFr1jcNcB0yzbA/WP_000131.jpg?psid=1)

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1piAlKSLjoF60QzPt6gBIJPb9o2AssPjhn0_NMdyzO6WavoosVOII70rhFB8r13xDogD_2cjPU-geJPAX8MhJbYw/WP_000132.jpg?psid=1)

Now, here is the one I am not sure what to do with...on the drivers side of the filler panel between the back window and trunk lid, there was a small dent, after I removed the glass and panel, I found that the corner of the quarter panel, right next to the window was bent in slightly and the seam separated a little. When the window was in, you could tell because the channel where the window is setting didnt touch the glass in the corner next to the dent. Its just that little bit on the corner. You should be able to see it in the pic. Not sure how to fix it, any ideas????

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p3WsxGelFXxVPUM5AsbdPCCIo0SKx5Wq5_Mpte9T0tRoI2fIQCaD7GgW3xZxzgN_-5NKS7Mr0d0JLSFcSr05SWg/WP_000130.jpg?psid=1)

I do have this car on it's way to looking good again....
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: grubbano on February 26, 2012, 08:07:49 PM
I wish I had more time to work on this car, but the Army keeps me pretty busy and the wife and kids take up almost all thats left. I believe I can get tho, all I gotta do is make the most of the time I have....wish me luck guys..


I feel your pain regarding time, I have 2 kids and work for myself.  You have made  a lot of progress tearing into your car and seem to be gung ho on getting her done.  I made the mistake of spending every spare minute last summer in the garage and the result was a decent looking car but an angry wife which gave her a sour taste regarding the car.  I think she's coming around now but it took a lot of work.  I had to lie to her and tell her I love her more than the car! jk but seriously I just wanted to give you a heads up and to help a fellow TA lover avoid the mistake of an angry wife.

By the way, that is one sweet 455 ta

As far as that dent by the window goes, maybe a stud gun would work if you have access to one.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: grubbano on February 26, 2012, 08:12:22 PM
I forgot to say "Thank You"  for serving and putting your life on the line for me and our country!

Jared
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Burd Turd on February 27, 2012, 10:26:41 AM
YES  ^^^^
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on March 10, 2012, 10:36:26 PM
Ok, I worked on the car again today...I got pretty much everything in the dash area out as well as most of everything off the firewall in the engine bay. The Dash was so dry rotted that when I got it loose, it broke into about three pieces, it wasnt flexible or soft at all anymore. The firewall is pretty solid, I found a couple places I will have to patch up, but nothing huge...looks like the A/C had been dripping water inside the car for a long time so the toe board on that side is rusted out, floor pan, too. Soon I will be finishing up the tear down and pulling the front sub frame off, then I am off work for the week of the 19th so I am hoping to work extra hard to get this thing stripped down to the metal, cut the rust out and shoot some epoxy on it...my biggest concern right now is stopping the rust. Here are a couple pics...enjoy...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1ph8wRXiUH-EDiDYtNP7LWQ74Nt2kbbJJkREvoloPYoLMsojYybem-btbcG2SlcdV09dVTbCz32czA8-dYmBfLpg/PhotoChooser-3972f9a9-58f6-4ddc-a9c5-0414e0d7d75b.jpg?psid=1)

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pcV6_1NIxSA2cW2gXQmGLLNoHm-dCazUhghidaHCRSRYTriXHXP2d9sw9fAK6-IHsIGfBqEzgoAFxfYV3z69Yhg/PhotoChooser-302448e1-8470-48ca-b198-003a707b47ef.jpg?psid=1)

Also, under the dash in the speaker grill, I found this wooden mount someone carved out of wood with two little Kraco speakers in it...it was almost funny till I found out that instead of trimming the wood more to fit better, they cut a hole in the plastic A/C duct to make room ruining it....morons...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pP6kKTc8xVw6oObh3rIPVNAtxbPPUMqakEyL62vafKkPKXGcnogZxJaO3O6wZk5j9epi3Zjojy81v8AvbAt0RwA/PhotoChooser-598467d9-07b9-407c-b868-4d565ac1c2bd.jpg?psid=1)

I cant wait to get the old paint off this car and get some good epoxy on it...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on March 11, 2012, 07:16:33 PM
I was bored today so I decided to disassemble the A/C controls and fix them up...

Before....
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pYwwLde6aXmyw8_FYQeEek7luDyf6x-Rw0ps7J7wkYDOvhegfpy9rcXeYGUNWL1puD6VDK7egI6f4WdnTl1sasQ/PhotoChooser-a5fdf5ac-aa1f-41df-8b0e-2d57327fb0fc.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p6YXYRuKrYR7t4CduqcDSNovdaatCQVd0nKUR8Ch5XIW_xjwSJ6b51qgHlxAxcAsE20xFFe_kiwhvC11tzC1u2g/PhotoChooser-9eb6ba73-7503-4d17-86f2-9e39c1d50cc6.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pzGyBzp0hLnjEZkpviYjKGcG71_9hWhrMrWT4hf_XiQO-W4DXqZVSWm0ra0kWVyVpTYBS3ajCCcRZlqIY5dXOfw/PhotoChooser-cce9767a-8ba2-4954-aca0-900727b633e8.jpg?psid=1)

After...
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pE4XfqYNdBXHTqpIcyQm7U8yLdZoJQZg3IUw-UqAX1dgML_kYljxmjFSgiMaUuShOmJ6JD8EfklsDETAlDN4LAQ/PhotoChooser-f4f7421f-7d63-4a31-ab09-099028e3adb2.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pVxhjMMoA6hfjwDni4VVVPuzfzASTPkXM4rTvyuvQQLW7amCfnTk5b89-o_zaiUylgekx832HwBFExEmjdWrB2g/PhotoChooser-d9f3d5e3-bf75-4d03-ac0d-f72e0154cdda.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p3ycaP8-SmcxSah5j2DcAKs2bsvMsWC6dyLamVNpAL3TaY9YXQv6s58877BYlRJs1Fm6i0LHpJVA6jQ9ENtVkSQ/PhotoChooser-0e430489-25d2-4ac6-80f7-9d96c63b3703.jpg?psid=1)
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: joe d on March 11, 2012, 07:22:23 PM
well done
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on March 11, 2012, 07:30:23 PM
sorry this pics are so big...I had the camera on the wrong setting and didnt notice till I posted them...my bad...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: NWW-79 T/A on March 19, 2012, 08:31:20 PM
Any progress on this? Been a while since you updated. P.s I have a 76 hood and front bumper if you still need one
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on March 19, 2012, 08:40:53 PM
Any progress on this? Been a while since you updated. P.s I have a 76 hood and front bumper if you still need one

I worked on it yesterday...taking stuff apart...working on the never ending parts list...
every time I take something new apart, I find some more rotted metal I am going to have to replace...
I'll have some new pics up soon...I fractured my wrist and am now in a brace for a while, so that will slow me down...
I will be needing a Hood and Front Bumper, not ready for it yet tho...I'm low on storage space. If you still have it later, I will need it tho, thanks...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Schroeder on March 20, 2012, 08:17:29 AM
That looks like a nice can of straight you have sitting there above the firewall.  Mind if I have a pinch? ;D
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on March 22, 2012, 08:26:24 PM
So, I worked on the car some today...still taking stuff apart...

Due to my lack of space, I have resorted to hanging stuff on the wall..

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pkmY1abQS-cHFYbV1-NnV-GdvK-6UTfq7m0aNRJF3g1sef0J1mlBEk_5TO4eyzF_Hwn1OEOJcOmkKuM3Tuii72A/PhotoChooser-a82023cf-54c4-4289-90e1-7c3a15f43e9a.jpg?psid=1)

I have the front end just about apart...just the subframe left to pull out...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pouazQfhILnMHTt1H3X9tvgt5cf4C3ZZsCwzJ6WwElBmkTcQldT5UdFRGx6nw8KqUoz3oIz0ugGrAtJmhVgoVGQ/PhotoChooser-5a45998a-d222-4b72-ac77-968694eed046.jpg?psid=1)

Here is a pic of the front floor...gotta some work to do in there...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p1l0KYYrJf5UV8Qikg5h8NVC8DhGXjAMfZ8Zz_MFKga078jPdGewkVYwhwxNFoFZpUw_27a_KqYg9RsAmv1iNrQ/PhotoChooser-ef50b5c7-ae80-4e46-985a-28c5d55577e8.jpg?psid=1)

I am collecting quite the pile of parts to reuse at a later date...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pLqWKo89Z1OaWWpke7awikp_tVzJOintNfJ5yn5UyxpPYr9m0ck-6TeswPipjcv52KNeOnawgylF2wbq0cls5Iw/PhotoChooser-9f27dda6-1711-4d9c-840c-8ba330b55c31.jpg?psid=1)

This is a piece of the front fender...look how much body filler was on it...made me laugh..

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pw8caibaclaBtni7UeHcHPsx6xGjqJi4_UiXouht3QIFmlNFIyAXwrTlsiaBu5d6jd_sBuH5dljuX0P9XsmwZKQ/PhotoChooser-7bede797-055b-4c57-b8f0-b3a9a79c87f2.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p5VOJ02ki4uZe11Poo2on6kJe1NECGy6NuvSJwE7CipXbs9abIKyfNC80COnz7aqiIEkiG2y5LMQ92MsEJbT5dA/PhotoChooser-3dbe9375-9cca-42f8-9999-aceeaa2b55bc.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pH8TyIbt0T4qxkABtjsJ8d4oIeZpyzpSA50vHh51qd2eLPOkkkHlMlxNuh2HIFSaNtB4FZgw_fN68iMQCBs2ZlQ/PhotoChooser-ca59b2ed-60d5-4f66-8ac4-8f9062ddf420.jpg?psid=1)
(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p8vXxUEZQ_tL8Zt_33ASHeNiLnSM-QobS1PdMb8Nh_DYwvMdqnoXyZnA52IkODy-9mKoJdtiEWJ6g_5rmv_4yrQ/PhotoChooser-9ef756b6-b650-4c70-94d5-534ded975ddc.jpg?psid=1)

And one more pic, just for fun...

(https://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pzTLuUW_S2an82-NvuskuLFiYdl6X706V6WLpdaglevh_N6xsNsDCLGIl3P2VdK2jtfIUGGWcWQsToq0S0wKQVQ/PhotoChooser-42c65a4b-0ce7-41b3-81b9-308ed2160e04.jpg?psid=1)

All in all, I'm getting there...but its going slow...I haven't found much that I have removed that I can reuse...I tossed the one fender it had today, when I removed it it had been patched and bondoed to death. Also, the radiator support was bent upward at the bottom rail, like from a crash, and I found more rot in the floor in some bad places, but I guess I will have to just roll up my sleeves and get it done, slowly...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: joe d on March 22, 2012, 09:11:57 PM
sorry for your headaches TX looks like a tremendous amount of cancer
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on March 22, 2012, 09:32:23 PM
Yeah, the floor pans I'm not too worried about, full length pans will cover whats rotted out on those with a little help from some new toe boards... But I do have some other issues to deal with,
when I cut some of the metal off the rear panel, the back half of the frame rails pretty much turned to dust and fell out, not to mention they were PACKED with dirt, this car looks like it spent its life on a dirt road,
so everything on the bottom of the car is packed with dirt and rotten....
So, this all just adds to the Parts list...good news is the roof, upper quarters, and A-Pillars are all in good condition...the Firewall and Cowl area arnt real bad, couple patches here and there...

I have found a reason this car must be finished...according to the cowl tag, this car was built 4th week,  April 1976, I was born May 3rd 1976
My wife refers to it as my "Birthday Car" and it was meant for me to find it...and fix it.
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: joe d on March 22, 2012, 09:40:27 PM
i am sure it will all work out especially since your wife named it your b-day car
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: Jimmys77 on March 22, 2012, 10:51:08 PM
Just keep working on it and one day you'll be glad you stuck with it as your driving it down the road fully (95%) restored (it's never truly finished, lol).
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: dodgeram106 on April 15, 2012, 11:02:08 PM
How's the car coming now any new pic's..
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: TxBandit911 on April 22, 2012, 11:07:34 AM
Well, I havent touched it in over 3 weeks, had to put everything off for god knows how long due to having to do a engine swap on my wife's Z28...I hope soon I can get back to it, but I used a lot of the budget on her car. Updates will be coming back soon...
Title: Re: 1976 Trans Am 455 4spd...Finally...
Post by: joe d on April 22, 2012, 11:16:15 AM
sorry to hear that TX but priorities are priorities, same issues here having put about $4k into the benz the last 3 months due to suspension issues