Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum
Trans Am Photos => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: Nexus on July 30, 2009, 10:56:25 PM
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Well I thought I would post some past and present Photos of whats going on with my car and include a little story behind it.
It all started 9 years ago when I was leafing through the local Bargain Hunter. I came across this Firebird Esprit which featured T-Roofs, 301 V8, tilt steering, rear spoiler and rally wheels. The guy was asking $1500.00 (Canadian). Wanting a Trans Am, I had little interest in purchasing the car but I called anyway to go have a look because I was curious. I went, I looked and was amased at how there was so little rust compared to everything else I had looked at up to this point. I made a few phone calls to gather some cash which I didn't have of my own and I offered the guy $800.00 bucks cash. To my surprise he took it.
this is what I drove home
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1030454.jpg)
Then I probably made the worst mistake! I drove it to my grandparents and put it in the Garage and stripped it like you see below
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1030456.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1030457.jpg)
This is how it stayed for the next 8 years. The only thing I have done is gather parts, read and learn about the car, move it from house to house, etc. etc.
This is how it looked this spring when I got it to my current house
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1030585.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1030589.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1030590.jpg)
Well over the past month I have cleaned out the garage, emptied all the parts out of it, and today I was able remove the subframe and engine assembly.
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040484.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040485.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040486.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040487.jpg)
All of this action has got me excited about working on it again. I am just glad that my wife has not forced me to get rid of it because I don't know of too many wives that would put up with it for 9 years. It also gives me pleasure to flip the bird to all those who keep telling me to get rid of it because I'll never get it back to gether. Oh it will go back together and it will be painted this colour
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/357917649.jpg)
I came across this colour yesterday and it is exactly what I had pictured in my head for what I wanted. Long story but if you have read all of the post, thank-you and I will update it as I go along over the next while.
PS.
If you remember "Project Rescue", It will provide several donatable parts to make "The Project" run again
This is Project Rescue R.I.P.
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/P1030581-1-1-2.jpg)
Thank-you for your time
Charlie
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thats funny and cool. Hopefully you are working on it right now.
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nope...at work...helps pay for the car
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Funny your story is very similar to mine, The funny thing is that the color you chose is the exact color I am having mine painted. Good luck with the project and NEVER GIVE UP on a dream.
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Just keep working on her, every hour counts! Thanks for sharing the story.
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Your story is so much like mine. I started with a 70 standard bird...built the engine (350p), crashed it, put the engine in a 74 grand prix, then a 74 standard bird (went through the engine again with a smaller cam) found a 79 T/A in 1995 and put the motor and a rebuilt th350 tranny in the 79. It's been under a tarp and now in one of those "tarp garages" and I'm finally getting some work done on it this year, and lining up my winter projects.
Please keep the stories and pics coming..I thought I was the only man left with an understanding wife...she's let me drag the engine and cars everywhere we moved...now she can't wait to drive it (she raced her neighbor in the 70 bird before she even had her liscense!...we were just dating then..now married 23 years!)
Rick C.
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i just bought a 1979 6.6 project car and im so excited
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Don't let anyone tell you it won't ever get put back together!!!
So yesterday I managed to spend most of the day stripping the car further.
Blower motor/shroud off firewall, heater core, Brake booster/pedal assembly, wiper assembly, all screws, bolts gromets, etc. off outside of firewal.
Then went inside and removed shifter and linkage, throttle pedal, steering column, parking brake pedal, wiring harness inside and out, wire shrouds, and everthing else that was attached to the front of the body.
I'll get some pics up after of it...at work right now.
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Doea anybody have a close up picture of the firewall. I have accident damage and want to see what things are supposed to look like
After I was done stripping it I was able to pull out my hammer dolly and massage out some obvious stuf. Neighbors were real thrilled with all the noise :) :) :)
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Here's mine
(http://home.roadrunner.com/~cdjmcarter/1978-ta/images/firewall.jpg)
The wrinkle just above the tranny hump is due to the distributor hitting the firewall during a crash. This was well before I bought it and not disclosed at time of purchase.
If you're looking for something else, let me know as I might have a pic of it. If not, I have a 80 firebird with no engine/tranny that I can pop the hood off and grab some quick pics.
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Right on thanks Brian.
So the next silly question is what is the difference in cowl vent hood (top of firewall/ dash) between 72 and 79.
I have seen replacements for 70 - 73 and not 74 -81
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Well took me awhile get them up here but here are some pics of what was accomplished a week or two ago
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040503.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040504.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040500.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040509.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040511.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040506.jpg)
Thats it for now
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So yesterday I removed the old patch I put in the floor on the passanger side. I put the patch in about 8 or 9 years ago when I first took the car apart. I then had a good look at the floor and the firewall before stopping for the night. Bedtime for the kids and the noise was keeping them up.
Today I removed the frame mount to get to the fender/frame support bracket in the last picture. This allowed me to reshape it using several hammers and dollies. I must have spent an hour and a half just on that bracket. Again, I'm sure the neighbors were thankful when I went into the house with all the noise I was making.
This leads me to my question.
Should I continue to try and hammer out the firewall around the heater core opening and down into the toeboards, or should I cut and weld replacement sheetmetal in there while I have access to it?
Let me know what you think
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Here's some pics of the work
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040584.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040586.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040585.jpg)
Check out the accident damage:
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040581.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040583.jpg)
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So what was hard to see in the pictures above was the fact that the firewall sheet metal was stretched from the accident it was in.
It was pushed up against the air intake tunnel that runs behind it.
Today I finally got myself organised and the confidence or balls in this case to attack the sheet metal with the torch for some old fashioned heat shrinking
Let me tell you it didn't start out pretty. In fact it got that bad that I almost gave up in favor of cutting and rewelding new sheetmetal in it's place.
So I sit here pretty damn proud of myself that one I didn't give up, and two I managed to not oly fix my mangled mess but was able to make the panel look relatively flat and achieve the shrinkage I was looking for in the first place.
Can't really tell too much from the picture but you can at least see all the torch circles
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040743.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040742.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040745.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040744.jpg)
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What I forgot to mention was that todays learning curve took me about 3 hours to figure out and then fix the mistakes...but I gotter done
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Well managed to work on the car a bit more today.
Monday I went and had a good look at my donar car out at my dad's and was excited to see that I could use a section of the firewall in behind where the heater core goes to replace what I need to on the Project.
So out came the cut off saw and grinder again, and I removed some more of the bad. Now I can get what need from the donar car and weld it into place, then I can concentrate on fixing the toe board section and get the frame mount reinstaled.
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040747.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040748.jpg)
If it wasn't for the accident, (before I got it) none of this would be necessary
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Nice work....very involved! Looks good!
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Nice cut - look like a patch would work. Might be a stupid question (I'm no welder) - would you cut that to fit or overlap it?
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Yeah I will replace exactly what I removed to keep it as factory looking as I can
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I thought as much but thought I'd ask.
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hell of a job. looks good.
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Ahh Shucks...Thanks...lol
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got any updates ?
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No...It's been really cold here and with Christmas being next week and working lots, I haven't had the chance. My Garage is not heated so it makes it hard to work in when it's 15 degrees below freezing
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Nice work! You're inspiring me to break down and buy that welder so I can tear into the 80 firebird. Thing that's stopping me is 1. lack of space for the teardown (I have no garage to speak of) and 2. the Y88 isn't quite finished yet.
But I will be looking for a decent mig welder come 2010...tax refund will fund that!
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lol...All I have at my house is a Lincoln 110V welder at the moment...but I have at my disposal a 220v Lincoln, A Miller TIG welder, a 220v Arc welder and for those really big jobs a diesel powered arc welder set up for arc air stuff, oh yeah and the usual oxy/acetalene if I desire...Now I just have to learn how to use them all ;D ;D ;D
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Well nothing major to update you all on but today I ordered the passanger side toeboard that I am going to use on the old girl.
I ordered the passanger side from a 69 F/B and I will trim the metal to make it look factory.
This is what the guy's at Texas T/A's said they do to fix that part of the floor
I will be picking it up on Friday morning after my night shift. All I have to do now is go cut some parts off my donar T/A and start putting things together again
Everything is cold around here and burried in snow so ambition to collect the parts are low
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ya it been to cold for me to. yesterday and today 12* with wind. my shop got up to 40* to cold to work on the old girl in that. it will worm up in about 3.5 months and get back on the body.
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My dad has a karasene blower heater that i will borrow so I can get something done but I need to clean the garage first so I can move around
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Well I picked up the toe board today...finally...the guy forgot to order it last week but I picked it up today. Naturally I went out and played with things breifly because it is really cold out there today. I will have to do some creative planning and cutting but it will work out fine. I also need to get my donated part from my donar car first so it will likely be awhile before that happens. So this could be my last update for awhile.
Thanks for following along
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awww come on wussy, a little frostbite never hurts for more then a few days. ;)
ya, It's to cold for me to.
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lol...yeah yeah
I was in the garage with my moccasin style slippers playing with the fitment until my feet started to tingle and go numb...very weird. That needed a 1 hour snooze to warm them up
;D ;D ;D
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you need a heater buddy.
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I know...I should have one for next year...I need to change the windows and some how fix the gap under my garage door this coming year.
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you should get a heater this year so you can work on your car comfortably this year and then this fall when it gets cold again, you will be ready for it.
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I have to get my dads karasene fired heater
I call it his little jet engine heater cause that's what it reminds me of...
Need to clean it out too. Starting to get cluttered and Don't have the luxary of a lot of room
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got rafters? they make for nice storage. also i use the "little jet engine" as well
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No rafters but soon I will be flooring in the upper section for an attic...All part of the plan
I should take pictures of it I guess when I get started again
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iI tried the jet engine thing. the smell gets to me. I got a big one in my shop. heat good smell bad.
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I agree, but beggers can't be choosers
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I am used to it now. better smell than clear coat i must say.
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my favorite is body filler.
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I love the smell of body filler.
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I love the smell of beer,while working out in the garage.
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no beer in mine, i dont drink alone. I dont work when i drink so no garage at that time unless we walk out there to show it.
dave you get a heater for your garage yet? of did it finally warm up down there for you. haha i seen it was warmer here than in florida the other day.
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I'm more of a summer beer drinker and not really a huge drinker to begin with. A case will last me months
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Well Iknow I said I probaby wouldn't have much to post in the next while because of the cold weather!!
Guess what?
It has been hovering around the freezing mark for about 4 days now so I took advantage of the really warm weather and went out to my dad's to retrieve the parts I need for the Project.
Did i take pictures you ask?
well I forgot the camera!! So, no biggy, I will ask my parents to use theirs. Spent the first hour trying to get a digital camera to work. No such luck. I tossed that idea out the window and went to the back yard to get what I needed cut off the car.
When i get the parts home, I will take a picture of it. You guys/girls will cringe when yoyu see how I cut it.
Now keep piece of mind knowing that nothing salvageable was destoyed or cut. Most normal people would hauled that thing to wreakers by now but I see lots of good parts on her still.
A saws all is a great invention and came in quite handy for todays job
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I'm the same way. that's why I still have that 77 parts car still. I no as soon as I get rid of it, I'm going to need something from it.
(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/th_007-11.jpg) (http://s846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/4_SPEED/?action=view¤t=007-11.jpg)
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Exactly!!!!!
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That is all the case with me.
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i have found that with the 79 i was so eager to chop up and get out of here. there were alot of items i could have used. whoops.
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lol...no worries of that here. You'll have tp pry the rusted heap outta my fingers. I'm too cheap yo get rid of it...might be something good on it
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lol...no worries of that here. You'll have tp pry the rusted heap outta my fingers. I'm too cheap yo get rid of it...might be something good on it
THER is allways items that you/or someone you know will need.thats why i have alot of parts,im a firm beleiver in waste not.
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Ok well my dad finally droped of the donar section I cut off and need
I tacked the roof back on for kicks and giggles
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040773.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040774.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040772.jpg)
And this is really what I have been needing to continue with the firewall and floor restoration
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040776.jpg)
I have since trimmed the rust off the bootom of the panel and I now have a good section to graft back into The Project
The cold draft coming in under the garage door froze my toes so that's when I came back in the house
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so are you going to use the peice with you vin# on it
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I was debating about that
Whether or not to transfer my vin over. I don't know yet
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i would otherwise one day someone may accuse you of tampering. i'd picture document it for your own records.
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I was actually thinking of that after Doug mentioned it and I figured that I've gone through this much trouble why not get it done for all the time it actually takes
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So I did some number conversions while sitting here and I thought the Southern boarder market would be interested to know that my car only has roughly 66,000 miles on it
I also got a propane stove from my dads that I plan to heat the garage with...I can also cook someting at the same time ;D
Question:
What paint should I use to paint the bare metal on the firewall before I spot weld the new piece over it. The seam down the passanger side where firewall overlaps
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040747-1.jpg)
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id use a self etching primer, or a weldable primer with high zinc content....both would be sufficient.....then go over the seams with new seam sealer....
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Ok it took me less than an hour to accomplish stuff this mornig
After the kids got on the bus, I came in the house, looked at the website, went back outside, jumped in the Jeep and went to the local auto parts stroe that also has an automotive paint section, picked up some paint, got back in the Jeep and went to the gas station for a new propane tank which they didn't have any left, went to the coffe shop drive through, went to a different gas station to get what I needed, came home, brought everything in that was needed, went into the garage, looked at the gap under my garage door and readjusted it to sit better, set up the propane stove and got it lit to warm up the garage, got my floor fan to blow warm air around, answered the phone, and finnaly sat down down to look at the website again while the garage warms up and enjoy my tea (Two weeks without a coffee so far)
Everything took about 45 mins to complete!!!
I will paint this morning in hopes i can weld this afternoon...we'll see
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looking good, what color is that red you wanted to paint it? ive been thinking about something exactly something like that. really dark yet i dont want to see any brown/purple breaking through.
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Please tell me you're using your original VIN and not swapping.
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Your car is shapping up nicely. Looks like a lot of welding, but it also looks like you know what to do. Can't wait to see more pictures of the progress.
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Please tell me you're using your original VIN and not swapping.
I will be keeping the original vin with it!!!
I will also transfer the original vin over with the firewall piece...as it turns out I have some metal to fix there anyways due to rust so I can kill 2 birds with one stone
The paint is a crimson metalic clearcoat over a silver base...I might even try a crimson pearl setup but haven't decided yet
There would be less welding If I didn't have to fix the accident damage it had to the firewall but such is life
Thanks for reading the post everyone and thanks for the comments
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OK this is what i've done over the last week or two.
I got my donar piece fitted and welded on the car. Took me a while to do but it got accomplished. Here it is
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040820.jpg)
After staring at it, inspecting it, and being down right disappointed with how it turned out out and fitted, I decided to cut it out, get the old peice, trim off the bad, fit into place, Tweek the welder, tweek me, and welded it into place
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040846.jpg)
I then tweeked the welder some more, and added the next peice in to fill the gap. I seen to have the welder and me working the way I think it should but There can always be room for improvement.
Practice, practice, practice
It's been really about 10 years since I've done any sheet metal work of any kind and this is the first time I've used this welder since I inherited it from my father inlaw.
Opinions on how to make the welds better are welcome
here is the last pic
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040849.jpg)
I was a proud papa because my son finally took an interest in wanting to work on the car
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040818.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040819.jpg)
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Oh yeah...after that was done today, I started fitting in the new floor pan by making a template but I am reluctant to start cutting for some reason... can't afford to mess it up.
we'll see how things go but i might try to fit the new toe board after I get it cut out. then a flat peice of sheetmetal to fill in the rest of the hole. Some grinding, and feather edging to hide the crappy welds, and then i can move on to the other side
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you both are doing a fine job. ;)
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Awe thanks Doug...shucks
lol...I need a life
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So today i did the unthinkable to start my day!!!
I cleaned the garage before I started...wish it would just clean itself
yesterday to end the day off i played with the toeboards that i picked up from a 67-69 FB
I made a template and traced it on the sheetmetal, cut the toeboard in half because it isn't wide enough and most of it i don't need.
here is what it looks like
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040859.jpg)
After I was done cleaning up today I decided to work on the frame mount rather then the toe board. It took me 2 hours of hammering, studying, fitting, more hammering and I started to giggle like a little girl when I got it to fit properly, and now it looks like it should. Deep down i didn't think I would get it right. Figured I was looking for a donar
Just as a reminder the car was in a fender bender and the frame mount was out of alignment.
When I get the mount cleaned up and welded on the car, I will post more pics
thanks for following the thread, it helps keep me motivated
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Looks like things are coming along nicely.
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Well it's been over a month since the last update so here we go
I worked on the frame mount, getting it hammered back into respectable shape. Wow what a lot of work! I just about wore it out putting it on the car and taking it off the car but managed to get it right. I had to fix some cracks in the metal which I drilled the ends and then welded them in, Then I coated it with black chassis saver paint. Today I was able to fine tune the fitment and put it on and take it off only about 15 times this time, but once I was satisfied, I pulled out the welder and had at her.
This is what I got for pictures:
this is the mount after I fixed it
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050001.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050002.jpg)
cracks I welded
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050008.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050007.jpg)
one of the many fitments
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050006.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050005.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050004.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050003.jpg)
Black Chassis saver paint
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050009.jpg)
mount painted and welded on car again
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050083.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050084.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050086.jpg)
What I forgot to mention and show was all the time I spent cleaning the rust off the mount before I painted it up
Now I have moved onto the floor. I spent a little time trying to get it to fit properly but like the rest of it, it has been a learning process.
We'll see how it goes
Thanks for reading
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Charlie,
Nice metal work!
Pat
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looks like you know what your doing. keep it up. :D
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Thanks!!!
I seem to be getting to know the welder and how to use it. I still think I could do a better job if I had my dads welder but I'm not set up for 220 in the garage yet so the 110 will have to do
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Nice work Charlie, Glad to see some progress.
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I agree it looks like you are doing a great job on the fab work, but you lost me on the cleaning out the garage thing ;)
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I have to park a motorcycle, kids bycilcles, mini quad, large vaccume, garbage cans, etc. al wedged in this small space. I clear everything out to work on the car. Whats missing is the compressor and everthing I fogot. It's like working in a closet but at least it's out of the rain
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1040488.jpg)
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atleast you dont have a sub frame on to help take up more room in there. that makes for easier walking around the car right?
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RE: nexus I think it is you who needs a bigger place more than me.
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atleast it is a roof over the car is the way i look at it. the bigger they are the less organized they seem to be. I know that first hand. my old 2 stall had much more in it and looked so much cleaner than my pole barn does.
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Wow! Keep up the good work.
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Thanks guys.
Yeah having the subframe out reallly helped with the room.
Not to worry though. In about 4 years I plan to build a 32x40 garage with 2 levels.
Then I will have a bit more room than I'm used too
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Well Today I got to work her some more. I managed to get one section of the toe board welded in place. It's an ok job but i made lots of mistakes and I'm not entirely happy with the job. It will have to do though because I can't afford to start over
here are some pics:
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050099.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050101.jpg)
Now to try and finish up this floor, so I can move on to other things
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Wow that's ugly. I'm glad it's hidden under the frame mount
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Ok as we all know, speed is not an option with my build...thank God because I would have failed miserably
It may come to some surprise for some that know how long I've been working on this thing so check this out, It's been ten years since I could say the floor on the passanger side is fixed.
I just need to pass the grinder but I spent most of the afternoon working on her and managed to button up some long time jobs
have a look and be gental with the welding, 'm still getting used to my dad's machine, and I'm not sure if i will be able to get any better then that with out some guidence but, it is solid anyway
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050194.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050196.jpg)
(http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt192/Nexus_wfo/The%20Project/P1050197.jpg)
Ten years, I have to admitt I'm pretty proud of myself!!!
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Its looking good, hey you at least are going to finish there project on like so many others. Ive heard of restorations lasting 15-20 years so dont worry about time, just do it right.
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you doing a fine job Charlie.
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Well this past week or two, I ground down the welds, tidied up some of them, and today I wiped down the floor with cleaner, and decided to paint the passanger floor, and fireall with chassis saver satin black paint.
I decided to paint the floor with a very liberal coating of paint first to coat the minute parts with rust on them, then I will go over the seams with seam sealer tomorrow, and then i will recoat those areas with the same black paint.
the plan after the floor is done from the inside is to cover it with Dyna mat and start work on the underneith.
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I don't know if you got any seam sealer tape for the Dynamat or not if you didn't I recommend you get some or some of the tape that looks like foil they use it on duct work, reason being I installed Dynamat and where you cut it it tends to get pieces of the backing here and there and it will end up getting all over everything clothes bottom of shoes shop floor you name it I learned the hard way ::) Good luck and keep up the great work and Thanks for the pictures.
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dude your doing a fine job. my brother welds every single day and still sometimes when working with sheet metal he is unhappy with the results as well no matter how long it took him to do it. no matter what atleast its tight and no longer a hole in the floor. 10 years is a long time but look at it like this. my y88 is a 15 almost 16 year gig between me and my uncle and its far far far from done and really needs to come back apart 100% and be put on a rotisserie with bbq sauce.
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I figure if i keep chipping away at it, i'll be driving it sooner or later
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I figure if i keep chipping away at it, i'll be driving it sooner or later
This is the way i see it keep upgrading you will have evey trans am ever made and then some.
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might be all balled into one!!
but at least it will be mine!!
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might be all balled into one!!
but at least it will be mine!!
You are the only one who has to love it all the rest can buy their own trans am
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I see that you are using chassis saver. How well does that work at stoping rust? The guy that I got the Yellowbird from recomended it but another opinion never hurts.
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I just started using it in last couple of months so I don't have a real opinion yet. The outobody shop I got it from swears by it, and it goes on harder then the hubs of hell. It can be thinned and sprayed or brushed on. It is really thick, and sticks to everything. I am happy with the results so far, but it dries streaky when you use a cheap brush. I plan to get some more today to paint over the seam sealer I plan to get today.
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The guy that I got bird from always used the foam brushes... really cheap, one time use.
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might be all balled into one!!
but at least it will be mine!!
KEEP up the faith,its all we have to help us.
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The guy that I got bird from always used the foam brushes... really cheap, one time use.
I picked up some foam brushes but cash has been scarce so I haven't had the oportunity to pick up more paint...haven't had the time to work on the car either!!
oh well...I can only do what I can do!!
might be all balled into one!!
but at least it will be mine!!
KEEP up the faith,its all we have to help us.
I keep telling myself this...that's why the car has been around for ten years
thanks for the responses
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excellent work man! I really appreciate your story, as mine is very similar. I have had the car for18 years, and am finally attempting to put it back together. Yup, understanding wife too, most of the time :) I have had extended FAMILY members mock me and actually make fun of me for having "pieces of metal in my garage" that would never get done. I still remember the stupid look on his face the next time he saw it and I pulled the cover off the reveal the mirror finish Marty blue paint! I will never forget it, and oh yeah, It WILL get done!! NEVER let anyone tell you that you cannot accomplish something!!
Keep the pics coming, I am enjoying this one!
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18 years Eh!!!
Well i have some time then...lol
I was hoping I would've had more accomplished by this time but work and life keep getting in the way of that...lol
A little here and a little there and eventually there will be a finnished producted
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As long as you touch something, think about how to do something, and accomplish 1 little piece every week or so, you will keep your momentum. Working for me the last 12 months or so........Still a long process. Wife, kids, and work come before, ALWAYS....
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As long as you touch something, think about how to do something, and accomplish 1 little piece every week or so, you will keep your momentum. Working for me the last 12 months or so........Still a long process. Wife, kids, and work come before, ALWAYS....
Amen to the wife&kid comes first.
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Well it has been a year since I have touched the Project!!!
Life has steered me away from her at the moment but it is not forgotten.
she lonely, quietly, patiently in my work closet, just waiting for me to do some work!!!
on the bright side, I had a high effincency gas furnace given to me for my garage, so I'm hoping the work closet will be heated this winter, and just maybe I can do something to her
September also marks the 11th year I have owned the Project and shamefully it still sits in pieces!!
everything is about time and money!!
thanks for looking!!
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Unfortunatley I have neither. :'(
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Well at least you have it, and will get to it when time/money allows, that's the important thing!
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Charlie just saw your thread, your are doing some amazing body work. Don't feel bad about not working on her much. I to said mine would be done long before now, but life sometimes has other plans. The important thing is you do work when you can and when you can't you still think about it so she is not forgotten. I look forward to seeing more of this build and thanks for all the pics.
Josh
BTW how has the chassis saver held up? I used POR-15 looked great for a bit but it tends to not hold like I wanted.
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so far the chassis saver is doing well but it hasn't had much of test just sitting there
thanks for looking everyone
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Well it finally happened!!!
I found someone who wanted to sell me a toeboard!!!
It showed up in the mail this past friday!!!!
only one problem...my wife took it and said i couldn't play with it until after christmas...she stole it for a gift!!!
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quick someone send charlie another toeboard lol
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WOW...2011 is my last post on this...and that's about the last time I worked on the poor girl. So much has changed in my life over the past 8 years and I am happy to say that I still have this girl, and I will be resuming my work on it this fall. I'm not able to do a full restoration on it as I don't have the funds but I do want to get it cleaned up, and put back together so that I can make it road worthy and drive it. Something I've only done once. I actually need to relearn all the little details I could ramble off before so I figure if I write it down here, then maybe I will be more committed to being active on here again.
Sadly the last picture I posted was about as far as I got on this thing. My dad and I are building a garage, hole has been dug and waiting for the contractor to start the concrete. It will be 32'x36' so it should be big enough to work in it comfortably and it has to be done by the fall.
If people are curious, then maybe I will post progress pictures of it going up on this thread.
cheers for now
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We have a cement pad so this ole girl will have a new home by winter
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1778/43175796105_0c36d2d5ed_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28MieXF)20180816_081746 (https://flic.kr/p/28MieXF) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
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Garage is up now and the car has been moved inside.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48644505523_86a7c8f4a2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h7xNK6)20190829_195129 (https://flic.kr/p/2h7xNK6) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50413609613_eb04b66822_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jNSVKK)20201003_133658 (https://flic.kr/p/2jNSVKK) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
Recently the subframe has been repainted and restored and put back under the body
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50316994503_1239410718_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jEkKrZ)2020-09-07_06-06-24 (https://flic.kr/p/2jEkKrZ) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50413048722_40ecd58ee5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jNQ42d)20201003_120619 (https://flic.kr/p/2jNQ42d) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
Now I am working on the engine that Black Betty provided for me
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50665393302_9a97551c9a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kc8ogQ)2020-11-30_10-55-02 (https://flic.kr/p/2kc8ogQ) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
Got her running - click on the photo
(https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/50726281122_81bb1b9103_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2khvs6Q)20201215_202638_1 (https://flic.kr/p/2khvs6Q) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
and now the transplanting has commenced
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50759618982_e8ce2ccb18_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kksjhw)20201223_103456 (https://flic.kr/p/2kksjhw) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50759618992_be2a4ea340_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kksjhG)20201224_171221 (https://flic.kr/p/2kksjhG) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
Surprisingly, it looks pretty good inside from the top view but I have yet to remove the oil pan. She sat for around 10 years before I went through the steps of getting her fired up again.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50831998527_bbb7a5e4a5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2krRhcH)2021-01-13_11-15-01 (https://flic.kr/p/2krRhcH) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
and the engine code - Being an 80 block, it is the same block used in the Turbo TA cars, so it's slightly beefier.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50831997952_33d9276930_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2krRh2N)2021-01-13_11-14-49 (https://flic.kr/p/2krRh2N) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
I also scored an EFI system for it for a mere $150,00 Canadian but this will be a future mod as right no the goal is to just get the car back together and driving!!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50666995897_1acbd0fba0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kcgAEM)2020-11-30_08-17-19 (https://flic.kr/p/2kcgAEM) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50667105606_7607cf907e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kchahj)2020-11-30_08-16-58 (https://flic.kr/p/2kchahj) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
The last thing that has happened, is that I have finally given her a proper name and we settled on "Ruby" formerly know as "The Project"
Cheers and stay safe.
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can you give us some feed back about the fuel injection system when you get it installed?
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Nice, even Santa helped.
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I be posting feedback for sure but I'm just hoping I get it done before the second coming of Christ!!
Yeah the old guy hasn't cut much off that beard for quite a while!!
Since the last post, I have cleaned, sandblasted and painted parts while I made decisions on the block.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060780757_949c930c6c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4RbV)20210318_155837 (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4RbV) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51059983333_e0644ac7f0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kMZL9e)20210318_155900 (https://flic.kr/p/2kMZL9e) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060703931_a88266fea1_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4smk)20210316_211240 (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4smk) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060786637_d93456a7f5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4SWi)20210316_211254 (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4SWi) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
The JB weld experiment:
So in an event to keep things low cost, the aluminum on my 301 has seen better days as you can see in the photo all the pitting the coolant neck has.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060790622_9defe537a2_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4U81)20210311_083308 (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4U81) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060791662_2bd46975bd_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4UqW)20210311_083319 (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4UqW) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
So, pull out the JB weld I had on hand and fill in the pitting.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060792412_3d8810d01c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4UDS)20210316_191911 (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4UDS) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
the final result is this
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060786637_d93456a7f5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4SWi)20210316_211254 (https://flic.kr/p/2kN4SWi) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
The experiment comes in when the aluminum and the JB weld get heated up and being too different types of material. We shall see how it does when I pull the engine apart in a few years and give it a proper rebuild!!
funny thing is, the bare metal pics are of a different housing and the one I used looked very similar in condition but I forgot to take pics.
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I am still working on restoring the water pump housing as the aluminum was really pitted on both units I had and I'm thinking it's from people using non aluminum friendly coolant.
I have also cleaned up all the casting flash and wire brushed all the surfaces on the block, then everything was coated in WD40 to keep the rust at bay until I can get it cleaned and painted.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51145700802_2676666fb7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kVz5XC)2021-04-29_10-11-11 (https://flic.kr/p/2kVz5XC) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51146375986_9d7a2a997f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kVCxEJ)2021-04-29_10-11-01 (https://flic.kr/p/2kVCxEJ) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
DISCLAIMER!!
What I have decided to do with this build is not the most popular way to refresh an engine, and I'm sure others will shutter but with that said, too bad, get over it...lol
Also, I am not building this for maximum power, or racing of any kind. I won't be thrashing the engine so for now, this will suffice and will likely work well unitil I can do it up right.
This is a super budget refresh build so I saved money where I could (like machine shop work) and purchased parts that I could find at the cheapest possible price. Also I am not replacing the rings, crank bearings, lifters and anything else that was working just fine before I pulled it apart.
So with that said, I purchased new connecting rod bearings, to install which will wear prematurely because of the scratches in the crank/bearing surface but It should hold out ok until I can rebuild this properly and at that point, I will purchase some better quality parts that were recommended to me.
Due to rusty push rods, I replaced those and also picked up a new, budget friendly timing chain set. A new pickup screen for the oil pump, frost plugs, temperature sensor, exhaust manifold studs, fresh fuel tank pickup screen, indirectly related to the engine and some shiny rocker cover tabs to spread out the tension from the bolts were also purchased.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51176039909_cde353ddb7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kYfzHF)2021-05-12_08-25-16 (https://flic.kr/p/2kYfzHF) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
Also something that excites me the most is that we decided to go ahead to to install the Atomic EFI I got for Christmas sooner than later.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50666995897_1acbd0fba0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kcgAEM)2020-11-30_08-17-19 (https://flic.kr/p/2kcgAEM) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
Didn't seem to make sense to spend money on things that weren't staying with the car so with that in mind, I purchased a 7 pin electronic distributor from an 81 301, and a fuel pump and fuel filters.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51172288942_3b2643ea0c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kXVmFQ)2021-05-11_04-53-25 (https://flic.kr/p/2kXVmFQ) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51173751189_8595491693_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kY3RmZ)2021-05-11_04-53-07 (https://flic.kr/p/2kY3RmZ) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
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Nothing ground breaking but I was able to get the cylinders notched and I also started disassembling the heads
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51271579480_b66124b81b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m7GfiE)2021-06-25_04-02-46 (https://flic.kr/p/2m7GfiE) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
the black marker is what needs to get removed
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51270733373_81543f928a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m7BUMB)2021-06-25_04-03-54 (https://flic.kr/p/2m7BUMB) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51271284514_6b314a5b6e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m7EJC3)2021-06-25_04-05-12 (https://flic.kr/p/2m7EJC3) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
All cleaned up!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51271581990_05a2348646_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m7Gg3W)2021-06-25_04-04-51 (https://flic.kr/p/2m7Gg3W) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
Let the head games begin!!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51273564695_6ff3977184_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m7Sqrv)2021-06-26_04-05-35 (https://flic.kr/p/2m7Sqrv) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
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Finally did a bit of work on the heads
Wednesday I was able to stirp it down more, remove the casting flash, clean everything up but I still need to remove 4 broken exhaust studs
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51420574831_54f1a6a647_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mkRTr2)2021-09-02_10-11-14 (https://flic.kr/p/2mkRTr2) by Charles Marson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155880712@N06/), on Flickr
Yesterday I removed the 4 broken bolts (4.5 hrs later and 1 helicoil) and lapped the valves. After a good cleaning, I'll look to put the head back together.
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So, I recently pressure washed the block and heads with hot water, dried them with air and heat, and coated everything in WD40 to keep the rust at bay. I then reinstalled the pistons into the block, reinstalled the crank, and when I started torqueing the connecting rod bolts, my torque wrench apparently was crapped out because I broke one of the studs. Furthermore, the gamble I took on ordering standard stock connecting rod bearings didn't pay off because the crank had already been ground once. Should've taken the 10 mins to measure but like a big dope, I didn't!!
What to do?
Well, I decided to retrieve the spare 301 that I pickled, pulled the crank and pistons from it and much to my amazement, the crank looks great. Also this crank has never been ground...I measured so the connecting rod bearing I already purchased will fit this crank. I also punched out a rod stud and replaced the broken one with one of the 16 spares I now have!
We shall see how all of this pans out!!
BTW...Torque wrench went into the scrap metal bin!!