Topic: My winter project! Front end rebuild(Video Added)02-05-10

[rad400]

looking good leigh.

[ta78w72]

You didn't miss anything....I did.  I didn't realize you had the W72 engine.  I couldn't tell from the picture that it was an HB.  The W72 engines came with the HB which was larger than the standard 400 hub (which is what I thought you had).  The standard 400 hub is smaller (it doesn't have the rubber insert and the metal part outside the rubber insert) and uses a timing tab.  The W72 engine has the timing marks on the timing chain cover.  So, you're perfect!!

The W72 engine was designed for higher RPM's than the standard 400.  I don't think the standard 400 would fair very well at higher RPM's.

By the way, GM still has that HB in stock for something like $30.  I bought one as a spare for my car.  They're made in India though.

By the way, you have a great car.

[limey]

Thanks ta78w72, you've put my mind at ease, I didn't realize the standard 400 had a different HB.   The HB I purchased was "Hecho in Australia"

[limey]

Here are a few more pictures of the underside now cleaned up.  Now just waiting for the parts to come back from powder coating

[kjkjkcjkcj]

wow that came out great.

[SoonerTA]

limey, that is turning out great!  I bet that is fun doing it with the engine still in the car.  I can't wait to see it completed. 

[limey]

limey, that is turning out great!  I bet that is fun doing it with the engine still in the car.  I can't wait to see it completed.  

PIA   Not much room for sure.  One of these days I will pull the engine, but it was rebuilt about 3 years ago, so I'm trying to avoid it.  This is my last major project(I hope).  Then I can concentrate on the nit picky things(they're all nit picky, I know )  Thanks for the kind words

[jphillips3333]

That does look good ... did you just clean up the underside, tape off the crossmember and blow some paint on it?

[SoonerTA]

As bad as I am with spray paint, I would have had to cover EVERYTHING, haha. 

You have done a great job, limey. 

[limey]

That does look good ... did you just clean up the underside, tape off the crossmember and blow some paint on it?

That's it!  Used a wire wheel, taped off the entire area, then hit it with a primer, then with the black.  I would love to powder coat the entire front, but that's more of a project than I need right now.

[jphillips3333]

I'm thinking about hitting the inner fender of the '76 car with some spray can primer and some black satin paint.  I just need to scuff it up to get primer to adhere and I'd be good.

The fender has a couple of spots where the heater hose has rubbed the paint off so it's a temporary fix until I end up doing a complete disassembly like the ones somebody is doing on here every month.

[4SPEED]

nice work. I'm do'en the same. kind of. on the 77.   powder coating and replacing parts.

[4SPEED]

is this it?

Part Number:  # 318117 

 
1976-79 HYPER-FLEX POLYRUETHANE BUSHING SET - BLACK 
http://www.classicindustries.com/controller.cfm?type=product&action=productDetail&productId=25660&productSearchCatalogId=3

[limey]

That looks like a pretty comprehensive kit!  I ended up purchasing my kit from NPD, I went with all rubber.  I tried to link the kit, but they have some kind of interactive catalog.  Page 52, top left corner.  I did the same when I rebuilt the rear end last spring, I also picked up some parts from Helter here on the forum.  I'm enjoying your 77 rebuild, keep the pictures coming  

[kjkjkcjkcj]

now why did you go with rubber and not poly?