Topic: 1979 Trans Am Coupe Rebuild

[rpguitarrepair]

Not much to report, as usual progress is impeded by silly things such as a missing part in my ac kit, and 1 of 3 belts actually fit. I did get the engine and tranny mounts bolted in, alternator, ps, ac, fan, and ac compressor attached.






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[Grand73Am]

Probably 7-8 years ago, when I went to buy new belts for my 79 403, they sold me the wrong ones. Turns out the listing in their books was wrong, and I think it was listing 400 belts for the 403. That might have happened to you too, so could be why you have belts that don't fit. Anyway, I found the right belt sizes and these are them:
Power steering pump and the alternator both use the same length belt, which is 15470.
The original a/c compressor belt is 15595, but don't know if it will work with your new compressor.

[rpguitarrepair]

Thanks, Steve. I didn't think to try the 15470 on the alternator, but it did fit the ps. The Sanden uses a ~60" belt, so the factory belt was about 3' too short. Armed with your advice, I should be good to go after one more trip.


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[rpguitarrepair]

I'm rained out today, so I'm back to posting...
Me and my helper putting in fuel lines:

[rpguitarrepair]

Got the engine wired while I was waiting to get the qjet back from Cliff Ruggles.


Got the inner fenders on, the engine started, and the battery tray in it yesterday.


Disregard the stray wires laying around, I still have to get them streamlined and tucked away. I thought I had a good center brace for the core support lying around but I can't find it... need to test some horns, too. That said, I still have to install the AC condenser anyway. I was kind of bummed that I didn't get the paint started before winter, but at least it can now move under its own power. My goal was to have it running by the end of March, and it was fired this week so that's not bad. After working on this car for so long, finally hearing it run and move was a morale booster.

[Grand73Am]

Looking good Randy. Congrats on getting it moving. Is that the Classic Auto Air air conditioning kit? Good to see that since I'll want to do that too. Thanks for the updates!

edit...forgot that I'd seen that you have the Classic Auto air earlier. It will still be good to see how it works for you. 

[rpguitarrepair]

edit...forgot that I'd seen that you have the Classic Auto air earlier. It will still be good to see how it works for you. 
[/quote]

I need to get the condenser installed and out of the dining room    The only hang up I had was getting the right-sized belt. The directions say something like 58"- 62", but I tried about three belts before I got it right.

[Gold79ta]

Not sure if you mentioned this earlier as I have not looked at your entire post yetbut wondering what heads you have? Stock 403 or early 350 heads?
The reason im asking as i see you have 10 bolt valve cvers and every hole is used.

[rpguitarrepair]

Not sure if you mentioned this earlier as I have not looked at your entire post yetbut wondering what heads you have? Stock 403 or early 350 heads?
The reason im asking as i see you have 10 bolt valve cvers and every hole is used.

Good eye Gold79ta. My engine builder determined that the 403 heads with the larger ports would breathe better, especially with the 2.10 int/ 1.71 exh valves he installed, though I had another set of #7 heads for the job jic. The 403 heads actually have all of the same bolt valve cover holes, they're just not used on the stock valve covers. The valve covers are vintage pieces that I found after a bit of a hunt for valve covers that wouldn't interfere with other brackets. My son asked me if I got them and the MSD box at the same time haha.

[Gold79ta]

So the heads have 10 bolt holes?
I thought the 403 heads only had 5 holes in the head?

[rpguitarrepair]

So the heads have 10 bolt holes?
I thought the 403 heads only had 5 holes in the head?

These have 10... though my original valve covers didn't use them all. As to whether this is common I couldn't tell you, but I would assume that it is.

[pancho400cid]

Looking great!   Like the red engine paint.

[rpguitarrepair]

Looking great!   Like the red engine paint.

Thanks Pancho. I just couldn't bring myself to paint it corporate blue, so I painted it the color the car will be, 2014 GM Super Red.


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[rpguitarrepair]

Got a few more pics and a little bit of progress to report.

The body jambed-in before hanging panels


Doors and fenders hung




and the trunk (still have to jamb-in the trunk spring cover)


At any rate, hoping to get the hood installed this weekend. We started running out of bolts and shims and everybody was wiped-out from the heat by Saturday evening.

[pancho400cid]

Nice.... most of the "big pieces" co-located again!