Author Topic: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration  (Read 14223 times)

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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Body by Fisher Tag
« Reply #15 on: December 14, 2015, 09:25:24 AM »
someone know how to decipher this body tag.

One letter indicates firebird not trans Am? 
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #16 on: January 08, 2016, 09:59:05 AM »
Nice! Good luck with the restore, post pics as you make progress.

thanks Bman

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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #17 on: January 08, 2016, 03:35:41 PM »
Could the seat frame frame be broken?    I just replaced the rail because it was broken.   Now the back inside rail can not bolt down. the rail is about 2" above the floor.  This is the passenger side seat.    Plus both the driver and passenger side seat dont seem to be centered when bolted down.  It seems they are too close to the door side, leaving al kinds of space on the console side.  Can anyone also tell me if seats were interchangeable from the 71 -79 models?  I ask because my center console had seat belt guided on them and i understand that wa sonly on 70-71 model trans am's.   My seats also don't have a guide on the side?
« Last Edit: January 08, 2016, 03:44:59 PM by eviledolean »
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #18 on: January 08, 2016, 03:38:15 PM »
Could the seat frame frame be broken?    I just replaced the rail because it was broken on both side.   Now the back inside rail can not bolt down. the rail is about 2" above the floor
Here is a picture of the broken rail that was replaced.   Should this rail only need one spring?
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #19 on: January 20, 2016, 03:09:17 PM »
Finally got new door sweeps, new felt blocks and passenger electric window repaired and restored.  Waiting on my door water shields from Eklers, so I can install the new Black Deluxe door panels..   Swapped out the door sills I had with a pair a friend gave me, his had the pressed Fisher Tag on them.  The ones I had did not even have that.  I think the originals were riveted ones?  Will sell the old for $10.
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #20 on: January 20, 2016, 03:12:24 PM »
Got some seatbelt.  I was told they would fit a 79 trans am haha.   It seem the buckle is slightly larger in the end.  Maybe someone can tell me what Car it could be be used in?
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #21 on: February 02, 2016, 05:06:29 PM »
Not much to report on my restore.  Been short on funds.  Got my water shields in for the doors, hoping to get the new Deluxe door panels installed this month, but still need to fix a couple minor thing on the doors like the passenger lock in missing the lockpaw to secure the lever.  Where can I get these anyone know?   Such a small thing but hard to find. 

My First love, my 1979 HO-racing Turboforce Car.
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #22 on: February 02, 2016, 05:13:08 PM »
Looking for Members Southwest Pontiac Car club, El Paso Texas Area.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/El.Paso.Trans.Am.Club/

http://edozogar.wix.com/el-paso-swpcc
« Last Edit: October 25, 2016, 05:54:42 PM by eviledolean »
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #23 on: June 14, 2016, 12:25:14 PM »
Hello everyone,

I picked up a 1970 350 Pontiac engine today for $150.00. 255 hp Engine code YU, Head code 11, Block casting 9799916. Engine turns freely and does not appears to have any major issue's. Look like the original intake, no carb or distributer. Ill dig into this week and do basic compression test etc. The top end look pretty clean with the
covers off.
I also have a 76 Pontiac 400 which is in very bad shape internally but everthing else is good like fuel pump, HEI, edlebroke intake and edelbroke 75cfm. Accessiories.

My question is what parts will interchange seamlessly, between these. I don't have much money and a 350 Pontiac engine is better than no engine for now. repairing the 400 will cost me a good $1500 - $2000.

1. will the 400 flex plate work on the 350. I have a th350 trans.
2. engine mounts/brackets, are they interchangeable.
3. 400 fuel pump work on the 350
4, starter from
 the 400?
5. Headers swap. My 400 has 6x head, the 11, 70 heads look pretty much the same d port so I think the headers will fit right on also.
6. I also have a Edelbroke Perfomer manifold and 750 cf. card that I think will fit also.
7. HEI distributer from 400 to 350?

Looking for some guidance.

If all fails I'm only out $150 bucks. will lube the cylinders later this week and do a compression test. Then pull off the oil pan to check out the bottom end.

Just looking for cheap solution to get the car running right now, until I can find a 400 or 455 to slap in down the road. any suggestion welcome.
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #24 on: October 21, 2016, 01:41:59 PM »
Well put in a replacement engine for the 400 that was pretty much shot.   Its a 1970 Pontiac 350.   Ran into an issue where the 70 heads don't have the proper mounting hole on the top to secure the alternator/power steering bracket.  Anyone know of a fix or after bracket I can get so I can mount alternator and power steering back on?
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #25 on: October 25, 2016, 05:40:06 PM »
Well put in a replacement engine for the 400 that was pretty much shot.   Its a 1970 Pontiac 350.   Ran into an issue where the 70 heads don't have the proper mounting hole on the top to secure the alternator/power steering bracket.  Anyone know of a fix or after bracket I can get so I can mount alternator and power steering back on?

looks like i found one unwires here with some searching on my own:

http://www.78ta.com/HTAF/index.php?topic=41991.msg428837#msg428837

Don't know how well it will work on a aluminum intake manifold.  Don't want to crack the manifold.
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #26 on: October 25, 2016, 05:48:48 PM »
Pontiac 350 slowly coming back together.  Got it in and down to final connections like the power steering issue.   Then it is try to turn her on time...  I keep saying just a couple weeks more and it turns into months.   L ::)

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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #27 on: November 30, 2016, 09:45:48 AM »
Well, stuck the radiator back in, connected everything and added water.  Surprise, the freeze plug on the back of the passenger head is leaking.   Geez, no luck.  Should I pull it apart again or just try to replace the frizzed plug in place?  Any recommendations?

Attached is a picture of my first car build along with my first ever car race.  60's in Olean New York, Soap Box Derby (Yes I'm old).  Had the fastest car and time down the track, but I lacked the driving experience.  Never hug the steering wheel coming off a ramp, your face tends to smash into the steering wheel and disorients you.   LOL  Thats how I lost... I was weaving and crossed the center line by a fraction and got disqualified.  Me on the left in Blue car.    Still have the Car stored away at my bothers house.  Great memories building this!
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Offline eviledolean

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #28 on: February 10, 2017, 11:07:03 PM »
Well finally got my new/old 1970 Pontiac 350 I bought for $125 buck w/engine stand to start up today.  Well at least for a short while, until we fix the fuel problem.. No fuel to the carb.  The mechanical fuel  pump lever seemed really hard to press down.  I could not even do it myself.  Anyway will get a replacement tomorrow and try again.  Still need to figure out how to properly connect the 1407 Edelbroke 750cfm throttle cable correctly along with the kick down bracket.  May need to fabricate my own bracket.
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Offline NOT A TA

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Re: Ed's 1979 Trans Am restoration
« Reply #29 on: February 11, 2017, 11:46:05 PM »
70 Power steering brackets were one year only.

You may be able to make a bracket that acts as a spacer to raise your stock throttle/kickdown bracket like the one in pic below.
John Paige


Dear Not A TA,
This is Tin Indian's wife. Would you please stop posting pictures of your car? Especially ones with er, ummm, sidepipes. I'm dizzy already and have to get up early in the morning.  :-X