Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum
Trans Am Photos => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: T/A Kid on December 04, 2010, 04:32:52 PM
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Some of you know I've been looking for a 70 - 73 firebird I bought one today it is a 1970 base firebird no engine or transmission it originally had a 350 with a automatic.
Not sure how I will go about this one I have a 400 with a automatic I guess I'll decide as I go. I had looked all over all that I found were cars rusted out bad underneath, floor pans, trunk, however the bottom looked good on this one just one small place in the radiator mount. The guy had it painted and then restoration stall out on it shows 67000 the seats look good but I know they had to be recovered they look too good, however the hood come up missing or stolen, so far the body looks real nice I supposed it being stored inside his garage made all the difference.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/32578-1/101_2738.JPG)
Hmm the blue and black body don't match too well was originally a blue body
sorry I checked all the fries are gone probably build sheet too.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/32581-1/101_2742.JPG)
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/32584-1/101_2744.JPG)
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It looks like a pretty solid base. I always loved the 1970-1973 front end.
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It looks like a decent car to build on, what are your plans for it?
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I've always liked the ram air hood I think I will try to find one ,then go from there maybe a new paint job one of these days.
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Very nice... I look forward to the rebuild thread on it!!!!
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Looks like a nice place to start :) Good luck with it :) a formula ram air hood would be nice on it :D
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i have a special love for the 70-73's take really good care of it dude.
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Sweet looking firebird. Good luck with the project.
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Started pulling the interior out checking out the floor. I think mice love Firebirds this was all under the back seat I wonder if a build sheet is chewed up in that mess?
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/32958-1/101_2751.JPG)
I've seen worse but certainly need work will be alble to tell how much after the sand blasting.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/32964-1/101_2754.JPG)
Front seat area looks good
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/32967-1/101_2755.JPG)
Hmm rear seat has some more ventilation holes on passenger side driver side looks ok, what do you think guys patch or order new pan sections ?
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/32970-1/101_2758.JPG)
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I did some sand blasting to see how bad the floor pan is look like I will need some floor pans :o
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33034-1/101_2764.JPG)
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33040-1/101_2766.JPG)
I found a hood a couple of hours away, I picked it up last week will need a little work but not much, no I didn't paint it yellow the guy before me did it what is it with people painting a car a crazy color like yellow ? ;) not sure what color I will go back with yet maybe marina blue or key lime green.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33046-1/101_2768.JPG)
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wow it looks like a great start for a project. with a car in that solid shape, i would def just replace those floor pans just to make it perfect. Judging by the new hood are you planning another yellow car???
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No hood was just bought painted already, I'm thinking key lime green or more likely marina blue.
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Ah the smell of Kroil to remove rusted bolts and dust from 40 years ago, I finally got started back on the project not a lot of progress but at least I'm moving.
Some of the bolts came out fine but I had some of the spring clip nuts that had rusted so bad the twisted into.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33434-1/101_2806.JPG)
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33437-1/101_2807.JPG)
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good work so far looks like this one went to a good home.
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Awesome! I can't wait to see more pics/progress! Those early Formula hoods are my favorite of all the 2nd gen hoods!
I am envious of you guys with multiple birds!!
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looks like the 71 I pick up soon. (rust) keep at it.
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doug, did you end up getting that one off tac?
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yes, I told him I'll take it. just need to find a good weekend to go get it.
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Be sure to post some pics when you do pick it up , or do you have some photos you can post now ?
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ya I have a few he sent me. its a pile. in need of lovin. yours is in better condition. I'll post pics when I get better ones.
because I'm at 95% I'm buying it. I still need to see it up close.
sorry for the hijack.
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we derailed the topic a lil bit...lol 70-73's are too cool even when completely wasted and unrestorable.
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The side notes help keep it interesting :)
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OK here is a few pics
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/71%20Bird/71Firebird001.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/71%20Bird/71Firebird008.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/71%20Bird/71Firebird003.jpg
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Looks pretty good on the outside Doug, did he send you any shots from underneath ? I know I looked at several cars some even had decent paint on the outer sheet metal but the pans and frame rails were shot, the owners actually went to the trouble of repairing the outer sheet metal and left the pans and rails in awful shape. Good luck I hope you found a good project let us know if you make the deal. Thanks for the pics
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definately much rougher than the 71's i had but still savable.
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it needs floor pans. and a center trunk pan. and rust around the back glass.
the toe board area , rear seat pan, trunk drops, tail panel, frame rails are all good. (what Im told)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/71%20Bird/71Firebird029.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/71%20Bird/71Firebird035.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/71%20Bird/71Firebird058.jpg
the inside is trash, I will put a harness in it for gauges ( t/a set up ) formula stearing wheel, and so on. ( harness cut and spliced, no power going anyware. )
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/71%20Bird/71Firebird033.jpg
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save it save it save it.
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Doug can handle that easy enough but the flock of birds is growing he's going to have to set up an assembly line to get them flying again :) On the more serious side I think the days of finding the easier to restore cars are about gone they are getting old and the elements have taken it's toll on them. Doug I agree I believe it would be well worth the trouble to restore this one I've always liked the 70 - 73 models, keep us posted.
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x2 , that day is gone. I looked at a 73 a month ago for 4k, the paint was driver quality and fresh. but it just didnt look right . the under side was rusty , bumpers needed chromed and the interior needed help.
I think it was full of mud insted of metal.
I found a dog house from a formula , but havent stoped to look or ask about it yet.
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yep i know where a really really really solid 72 formy is but no title (not that big of a deal to get corrected in this state) but also the interior has been aten up and the interior and trunk is filled with coon poopy i refuse to buy such a solid car for that kind of price filled with germs and who knows what else. that guy wants 5k for it. i said clean it and spray it down with anti bacterial stuff and get a title and call me. that was 4 year ago. this car has been in his barn since 81 or 82 and it was fresh from cali back then
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I'm moving kinda slow finally got the car off the lift installed bracing and onto the rotisserie and set it on the blocks to take a pressure off of it till I get ready to media blast underneath.
I plan to build a tent out of plastic sheeting around the car like I did for my tractor when I painted it, I hope it works as well for the car and keep most of the blast media out of my shop, hopefully I can start blasting next weekend. The weather is fantastic today but rain is supposed to be moving in otherwise I would do it outside I can only work on it a few hours at a time and I didn't want to leave it out.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33609-1/101_2833.JPG)
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33612-1/101_2834.JPG)
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Keep up the good work, at least you are going in the right direction.
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this is going to be great to watch. is that your personal shop? looks like a really sweet set up if so.
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progress ,, I like it.
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Thanks everyone ,yes it's my own shop I built a couple about three years ago it's a good place to hang out I think the family enjoys me being out there away from the house as much as I do ;) I will try to post some more shots later in the week.
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I like any shop you can have the overhead door open in January ;)
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I finally got done blasting and started spraying paint.
Here's the tent it kept most of the debris from getting all over the shop.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33690-1/101_2838.JPG)
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33687-1/101_2842.JPG)
Going to spray some undercoating in the wheel wells, then start on blasting the rear end and sub frame, Lord willing.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33693-1/101_2843.JPG)
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god every time i see a car like that it just reminds me of a giant model car
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this kinda stuff makes me proud to be an American! God Bless You!
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Thanks guys may be even slower for a while it costs too much to heat the shop the LP gas is expensive ???
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I love this stuff. Thank you for sharing
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Thanks guys may be even slower for a while it costs too much to heat the shop the LP gas is expensive ???
my brother heats his shop with chinese oil that he gets for free. He also heats his house with it. He refines it so it doesn't smell.....
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What primer and undercoating did you use, if you dont mind me asking.
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I used Eastwood rust encapsulator three coats, Eastwood primer three coats, and three coats of clear from the local paint distributor Rozars. I used the Eastwood brand when I can get it on sale or with a coupon I also had a gift certificate. I will be using the 3m brand undercoating in the wheel wells.
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A great find....definitely on my to-own list. The great thing about a non-matching car is the blank canvas that you can work with to make your own. While I don't have the room for multiple T/As, I'd have to clear out my 77.....something I'd seriously consider if I stumbled upon a solid project car.
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i wish i had this car.
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I've seen pics like that somewhere before. nice job.
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Hey that tent idea is great!!
Someone here had told me that I could do the same thing............but to prepare the carport, wet it down from top to bottom (inside), and let all elements settle.
Then take heavy plastic, like you have here, and close off the front of the carport.
I'm thinking I can borrow a few fans from the hospital........the floor typ fans that is used to dry wax and such, and have them facing outwards to blow fumes out. Like this
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy211/drewstruevalue/Flooring%20and%20Carpeting/CIMG1337.jpg)
Ya think that would work?
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I think it would work, but I think you have to be careful with the type of fan you use some of them can set off an explosion with some fumes. I know there are some on the site that know far more than I do about this, I may be off base on this one.
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Oh? Wow, I never thought of that. Can you recommend a reputable fan?
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I'm thinking someone with more expertise will weigh in on this one.
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it could work but since its not yours, i wouldnt use it as its going to get paint engulped in it and will look old and crappy by the ending of one paint session.
I use a spark arrested exhaust fan though im guilty of using old box fans in the past and never had a problem. the key is having it on before painting thus not creating a spark when turning it on.
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a house box fan is more then enough. if you get to much air moving all kinds of dust will be in the air.
and as said . soak every thing with water, and keep the floor wet the hole time.
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you just better hope your neighbors are cool with it as they may complain. make sure you tape some furnace filters to the back of the fan to keep from getting overspray on houses.
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I did some work on the differential and the sub frame, and repainted them. Now I got the car where I can roll it again :D
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33980-1/101_2851.JPG)
Cut me some slack on the 3rd gen camaro wheels they hold air, for a while anyway.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33977-1/101_2859.JPG)
I will be pulling the 400 motor and trans out of the ( No trim tag 1976) :-\ It runs great so I might as well use it in the 1970. Hats off to the orange blossom special for the donation !
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33983-1/101_2861.JPG)
I was a very nice day so I opened up the doors and did some shop cleaning well at least enough to get all the birds in the roost.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/33989-1/101_2864.JPG)
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Very nice to say the least. Very nice.
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Somebody should invent a slobber/drool font!
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very nice.
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Looking good.
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Thanks for the comments guys. I haven't done any powder coating since the yellow 79 I did the exhaust in high temp powder and some other pieces, so today I had some time and powder coated one of the rally rims to see how it would look. I used the rally rim gray color and supposed to be a chrome powder followed by clear I was not very happy at all with the results I believe paint would look just as good or maybe better. I may even try to find some honeycombs rims :(
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/34019-1/101_2873.JPG)
I really like these rims but they are around $200.00 each but man I love these I think they would look great on the 70 !
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/34017-1/Pontiac_Rally_II_Wheel_Chrome_1.jpg)
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Nice progress. I am envious of your shop.
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Wanted to wait and get a shot of the motor in place, but I ran into a bottleneck with the motor mounts. I haven't decided about the chrome valve covers yet, my last car was stock so I may add a little bling to this one. This is supposed to be Pontiac metallic blue , Eastwood aluma blast on the trans and high temp gray powder coat on the exhaust manifold. Maybe I will get the mounts straighten out next week in the meantime I'll cover it back up and wait ???
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/34241-1/101_2929_002.JPG)
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nice nice just keep getting that car ready for me buddy.
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Wow I'm moving slow even for me I sat the engine and trans in today I just have the carb and valve covers sitting on the engine, will start bolting all the engine parts on soon I hope .:P The engine came out of a donor car it was running good so I thought I would just use it as is for a while.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/34328-1/101_2932.JPG)
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I know I am kinda late to the party, but it is looking really good, nice work. If you still want to use honeycomb wheels I have a guy out here thats got those and everything else stock parts you need. I have not found one thing he doesnt have yet ;D. He sells parts nation wide so it may cost a bit for shipping but I know where you can get them. Pm me if your interested.
Good luck,
Josh
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When I decide what I'm going to run I'll get back to you thanks for the heads up !
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WOW,,,,,that motor is bright 8)
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It looks more silver under the lights in the shop, the Pontiac blue doesn't stand out very much.
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I been busy of late haven't accomplished much on the car I did get the A/C box clean painted and mounted here are some before and after shots. Hope to run the wiring mount the radiator so I can run the motor and trans and check for leaks before I start putting sheet metal back on.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/34829-1/101_2950.JPG)
I know not a lot done but it helped my feelings just to get this back on the car, too many irons in the fire.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/34835-1/101_2958.JPG)
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Looking sweet! Whats gonna happen to the donor 76?
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Not sure yet I really need the fenders for this car but I hate to strip the 76 down it's a fairly decent car, I guess I will look for some fenders for a while and end up selling the 76 or stripping it.
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Hey T/A kid, my guy with the rims also has fenders. Let me know if you want his contact info.
Josh
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What Did you do to the A/C Box ?? How did you clean it ??? or is it paint ?
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Cleaned it inside out then shot blast the rusty tubes and vent doors, painted the tubes, box and applied the clear coat.
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Nice job on the A/C box, how difficult was that to install with the motor in?
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Thanks ! The job went relatively easy the fenders were off, so I replaced the heater core and cleaned and painted the A/C box.
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My Dad's health has gotten worse so I haven't been working on the project as much, at least we have him at home so we can take care of him. I put a few things back on the car now I'm going to start on the wiring which I kinda dread someone has made a few changes along the way you all know what I mean :P. Between work and helping take care of my my Dad it will be a little slow, But I'm thankful he's still around he has always been there for me !
Stock 400 hooking up accessories
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/36039-1/101_3038.JPG)
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/36042-1/101_3039.JPG)
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Sorry if I missed the answer..I love the shop and pics.
How do you like your rotisserie/What brand?
Thanks.
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Thanks, I made my own rotisserie and bought my jacks from harbor freight I just took different ideas from some on this site and the web.
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After checking out my wires and gauge I determined that the problem was in the sending unit ordered one from Rock auto it came in today. I hooked it up and it worked so I will try to install it this weekend. I know this isn't much progress on the upside Rock auto had a good price on the sending unit hope it works out ok.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/36650-1/101_3064.JPG)
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TIP....IF YOU HOST PICTURES ON PHOTOBUCKET OR ANOTHER HOSTING SITE YOU NEED TO LEAVE THEM THERE AND NOT DELETE THEM. IF YOU DELETE THEM THEY NO LONGER SHOW UP AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE THEM.
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Any front photos of the accessory mounting of the power steering and alternator?
Looking to paint up all my brackets and such and I have a few different versions and spares.
Thanks.
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Norwood I think all my pics are on this site what pics was I missing? Will double check that. Savingthebird76 will try to post more pics of the motor but the paint is not correct, I've seen some posts on this site somewhere that tells the correct color for most all the pieces under the hood.
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Kid yours are good to go....when I click on 4speeds links they come up that they were moved or deleted from photobucket,;(
LIKE THIS
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/crabs24/DSCF3934.jpg)
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Norwood you have to overlook me sometimes I'm a little slow ::) Made some progress today got the tank painted and the sending unit and gauge are working. completed a few odds and ends , hope to start the engine up before long.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/36659-1/101_3066.JPG)
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Nice looking progress.
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Finally posting a pic of the project first time welding rear quarters in so excuse the green horn work.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/38652-1/DSC_0068.JPG)
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/38658-1/DSC_0066.JPG)
I'm afraid I have the wrong air cleaner base just about an 1 1/4 " from hood to cleaner will have to research the site and see.
(http://www.78ta.com/gallery2/main.php/d/38655-1/DSC_0067.JPG)
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JOHN WTF? What Happened to your other Build?
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? Who ? what other build?
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Wrong Guy Sorry!