Topic: Schmeave’s 1979 Trans Am 400/T56, T Top conversion

[4speed76]

Can't wait to see the progress

[ShakerBreaker]

Looks like a lot of fun

[TAKID455]

Picked up car from blaster. OK job, but it got the critical areas done. I need to DA the body anyway. Some of the etching primer that was applied 15 yrs ago still holes up under blasting. Good stuff. I don’t mind that. A good bit of work to go before primer, but I’ll be able to attack it.

Lots of parts are at the powder coater which should be done in a week or so.

Bare metal was treated w/ a rust inhibitor to prevent flash rust hence the deeper color.

The following paint marker remains were found on the firewall. If the owner wants, I ‘ll put them back. I believe I have the RPO code definitions correct.

A31 – Power Windows
N65 – Spare tire
D54 - ??, I know is a common code
F41 – Suspension Package
WS4 – Trans Am

[4SPEED]

looks good,  what media was it blasted with?

[TAKID455]

Baking soda for the sheet metal and sand for the the hard parts, underside and inside. #2 or 00 sand, finer than play sand he said. The blaster was conservative on the outer panels as he didn't want to warp them. He could have gone a little more aggressive and been fine IMO. He did use a combined mix in areas that either had heavy rust and or filler. Being the inside will be sprayed with Lizard Skin and the bottom undercoated/ Herculined, we were not all too concerned with those areas.

[Yukon Jack]

So impressive when a  vehicle in that condition is saved!

[rcombs]

Here are some photos of Schmeave's dash bezel that will be a part of the interior upgrade.....

[TAKID455]

Time for an update. All suspension and drivetrain components have been powder coated. T56 build is almost complete and the rear end will be build shortly with 3.73 ratio gears. All hard has been blasted and sent to get cadmium plated in black and gold.

As always, more thin metal and rust was found as things progressed. Most of that has been replaced to prevent future deterioration. The frame section is the last piece remaining. A donor section will be removed form a part car instead of doing patch work as the car is intended to see some use.

Rough body work is almost done and hope to have at least the body in primer soon. The doors and trunk lid will be fit to the car prior to spraying the primer to check for misalignment.

Subrame repair






Cowl portion




Rust hides everywhere






Fender







Auto to T56 shifter conversion . Stock 4spd console will be used and in stock location. Hole in floor is more centered than the stock hole as the T56’s shifter is in  the center opposed to on the side of the trans.

[ScottieB]

I look forward to seeing this completed. I am very interested in the T56 swap.

[TAKID455]

Wrapped up all the metal work sans a frame patch w/ floor area above it. Was coming up on moist weather so I wanted to get this into primer. That area will be done shortly. Did rough body work and applied a poly high-build primer for the body and PPG DP for the areas that wont be sanded. High build sans pretty nice vs others I have used. Filler looks built up. But most of it is very thin.  Now its time to block the body and find highs and lows.

T56 trans is done and looks awesome. Headers are ceramic coated black and all suspension parts, bracketry and inner sheet metal have all been powder coated.










Doors are rather awful from the factory. It takes a good bit of work to get them straight.

















T56 - Rev lock out and bolt ons need to be detailed.

[4speed76]

Car is looking good, keep up the good work.

[Bayou_Flyer]

mmmmmmm....t56...did it come with the spacer/adapter? I need an extra gear or two, so can't wait to see more of this project.

[TAKID455]

We have a bellhousing that adapts the trans to the Pontiac block. 

[Bayou_Flyer]

Sourced bellhousing or custom made? Was thinking about the Keisler or American Powertrain offerings, but wouldn't mind keeping a little money in my pocket piecing it all together.

Be sure to post a pic of the underside once the drivetrain is in. Looking very good....

[TAKID455]

Not this car, but another one I did.





This one has a modified Lakewood bellhousing as none were available when the car was built. Quick time has a nice unit today which I will be using for this build. Crossmember is a custom unit that I engineered. I can have more made if needed.