Modify, or
Restore!!!
That was the
question I had asked
myself . I liked the restored cars, but I also like the HOT RODS!!! So
I
decided to.........
RESTIFY!!!
That's what
started my journey.
Cost breakdown
22 February 2006 – Its
been
a little over two years since I have added anything to this. I have
done a lot.
I removed the 8.2” ten bolt that a past owner replaced the 12 bolt with
and
installed an 8.5” ten bolt from a 75 Nova. It was a bolt in swap
almost. I had
to have the drive shaft shortened by 1 inch and had to get different
u-joint
straps because the yoke was different on the new rear end. I added a
Power Trax
lock right differential and
I also added power steering. I used a box from a 76 Olds Omega and bought the pump and lines from Schucks. I also upgraded my 4 wheel manual drum brakes to 4 wheel power disc brakes. Check out my brake page. I also added a Pioneer sound system, CD player, 200 watt amp and some 4 way speakers. I really like Pioneer stuff.
2 November 2003 - Well
it was
a pretty productive summer with some tangible benefits. I finished up
that AM
radio with great results, I put the hurculiner in the trunk and cleaned
up and
rerouted the birds nest of wires. I cleaned her up real good in July
and took
her to a show on the 19th. The 2nd annual Northern Quest Casino Open
Car Show.
There were over 200 cars. I took 1st place in the "Muscle Car,
Modified,
All Years to 1972" I thought I would have at least placed third but
when
they called me for first I was very happy. I beat out some nice cars. I
am my
own worse critic. I snapped a few pictures the weekend after the show.
I had a lot planned for the winter but I have to deploy again. I
actually leave
tomorrow morning, for 4 months.
I don't have to much left on the Camaro. Sunvisors, the front bumper
center
brackets need to be put in, a new rear end and I want to put my stereo
in the glove
box. I will have a little time when I get back.
Pictures
15 January 2003 - Where has the time
gone. Well
it is hard to get this updated, been pretty busy. Here is what's left
on the
Camaro.
Just got an original AM radio from Ebay will take a look at cleaning
and
refinishing it tomorrow. I need to put the Hurculiner I got in the
trunk. It’s
a paintable bedliner for pickup boxes but will work great in the trunk.
I will
splatter paint it aqua and black when I am done.
I am going to add power steering and disc brakes very soon. I have
taken the
Crane electronics out of the glove box and will be relocating them to
the
engine compartment tomorrow. I am getting rid of the birds’ nest of
wires that
have plagued my car from day one. I am going to add an 8.5 inch rear
end from a
72-74 Nova. Stronger than the anemic 8.2 I have in it right now that is
not
original. I need to finish the front bucket seats; I have already
finished the
backs of the front seats and the back seat. I have to order new seat
cushions
to finish them. I have to get new sunvisors, side dash AC vent outlets,
new cig
lighter, Install the CD player/stereo in the glove box. I will make it
look
good, not just thrown in. I have to order new steel pieces for around
the
windshield and back glass and the roof drip molding, around the wheel
wells and
for the lower RS trim below the doors. I have decided on the Chevy
Rallys, 15X7's
for the front and 15x8’s for the rear, 235R60/15s front and 255R60/15s
for the
rear. Dunlop GT Qualifiers. I also have to finish the RS wiring
and
switches, motors and stuff for the headlights. Lots of work to be done.
I am
trying to get motivated on my project again. I enjoyed driving it this
summer
(all of about 300 miles) but I want to finish it before I drive it
again. I am
not going to give you any timelines...I know I can’t keep them...I will
be out
in the garage all day tomorrow and Saturday. I have a pretty big list
of things
to do. LET'S ROLL!!! Anybody want to help? Just email me and bring me a
beer..... Remember I am in
25 March 2002 - OK it sure has been a while. I have a reason. I deployed in September 2001 for Operation Enduring Freedom and spent 5 months working and sweating my butt off. Just got back a few weeks ago. The Camaro is still waiting for me to finish. I am going to get to it soon. Just waiting for it to warm up a little. Looking forward to a good summer.
19 August 2001- Sure
has been
a while. I have not really done anything with the car. Been pretty
broke. I
detailed it this week for a car show yesterday. I joined a Camaro club
a few
weeks ago and we had our 11th annual show yesterday. I managed to get a
third
place in the open under construction class. I lost to a
11 February 2001- OK.OK...OK
so
it’s been a little while. I got all moved in
I started back at Checker selling parts again. They call it Schucks
here but it
sticks in my mind as Checker.
27 October 2000 - Not
too
much going on. I put the car in storage, but still take it out once a
week to
enjoy a good cruise. I put the seat belt on the driver’s side. I still
have not
dyed them but it is a state law in
I attached the hoses for the heater core (a little cold in
15 September 2000 - I did get a little work done since the 25th of August. I put the heater control assembly back in the car. I hooked up the control cables and worked them out a little. With my car being an AC car the wiring is tricky when you have none to go by and you have no AC equipment left. Can you say Vintage Air? When I finish the car I will look into putting a Vintage Air system into the car. I repainted the master cylinder, it had leaked at one time and all the paint had been eaten away leaving a nice rust coating. Next on the list is re-dying the seat belts to put in, and ordering the seat foam and the side springs.
25 August 2000 - I have been pretty busy lately so I haven't been updating my page as I should. Here is what I have done in the past two months. I polished one of the rims to see how it would turn out. It was OK for now but I still want a set of Chevy Rallye's. 15x7's so if any one has a set they are willing to part with let me know. I was hearing a noise coming from the transmission so I yanked that out a few weeks ago. OK so it was about a month ago. I had my brother in law Jason come over and help me put it back in today. I got a crotch full of gear lube and ruined a good pair of shorts. Some advice, if you can get or find one of those plugs for the back of a transmission get it. It is worth the money. I had the tailshaft sitting in my crotch while we were putting the transmission in. I was covered, couldn't move and it was a nasty feeling, as I could feel it running through the crack of my ass. The throw-out bearing had gone bad. Tomorrow I will finish putting the car back together and get it back out on the road. Hopefully that was the only problem with the transmission. I hate gear lube. Other than that it has been pretty slow. Summers are always busy.
26 June 2000 - I
finally got
some things done this weekend. I remove the rear seats and recovered
them. This
actually was pretty easy. I was afraid that it would come out wrinkled
and not
fit well, but came out looking awesome! If you have never recovered
seats
before start with the back seats. They will be a little easier and will
give
you some good practice for the front seats. I recovered the back of the
drivers
seat. That was not to bad. The biggest problem I had was putting the
wrong
cover on first. I looked at it a little too quick and then after I
attached the
center hog rings and tried to stretch the cover over I realized what I
had
done. I had to walk away for a minute or two to get my composure back.
I
finally got the right new cover on with no problems. My back is pretty
sore
today. A lot of bending over is required for this job. I am going to
try to
finish this project up Wednesday night if Kim does not have to much for
me to
do.
Pictures
15 June 2000 - Things are going kind of slow. I did get out to the garage for a couple of hours last night. I installed the windshield molding, which went in pretty quick. I had cleaned all the window sealant out really good. That stuff was all over the little rivets that hold the clips for the molding. I did not do such a good job on the rear so I took that off as well and cleaned them all up and installed the molding on the rear window again. I stretched out the headliner again. It looks much better. I used the clamp style paper clips, stretched it out and just kept working around the car until I had a pretty good fit. Looks much better than it did before. Just take it slow and look at the way the material rolls out and you can stretch to get rid of the looseness. I have a little more stretching to do. I have to change out my plugs; I can tell that they are fouling out a little. I would like to put some smaller jets in the carb. I have the kit; it’s just a matter of time.
You can see some of the slight wrinkles. They will come out after the final stretching. At that time I will use a hair dryer to smooth out the remaining wrinkles and then I will use some 3M spray adhesive to clue it in place before I attach the moldings.
30 May 2000 -Finished up the
Console, this
was an easy job that really turned out excellent. I used a low gloss
black.
Actually used ceramic engine paint. I wanted something that would stand
up to
scratches and would be tough enough to take a little banging from the
seat
belts. Turned out super. I wire brushed all the painted surface, taped
off the
chrome accents, dismantled the gauge cluster, used Vaseline around the
chrome
work around the gauge lenses and taped off the rear courtesy light and
sprayed
with the rattle can. 3 light coats.
I started the headliner the other day but just about gave up. I had
problems
trying to hold it up in two or three different places. I will use the
adhesive
and some paper clips when I try it again. I got so frustrated I had to
put it in
the trunk for now.
The new seat covers came in today. PUI stuff. Looks really good and it
should
be easy to install (I know that is what I said about the headliner.).
I will get an update for all in a few days.
I got pictures
24 May 2000 -It’s
been a
hectic couple of weeks. Working my ass off. I have not done too much on
the
car. I installed the rear window trim, looks like hell. It polished up
pretty
good with some 0000 steel wool and some Blue Magic, but it is pretty
beat up. I
had the front and rear end aligned. Turns out when I put the rear on
the leaf
springs I had missed the centering pin a full half inch on the
passengers side
(DUH). From what I hear this happens pretty frequently.
I ordered my new seat covers from Rick's last night. They should be in
next
week. I hope to get some more work done this weekend. I am going to
take out
the seats, take them apart and clean it up to get ready for the new
coverings.
I started putting the headliner in yesterday. Looks to be a straight
forward
job once you remove the listings. Then again maybe not, I have heard a
few
horror stories.
I took a long cruise Monday. Took it down some back roads and did a
little
racing around to see how the car feels at different speeds. I have to
loosen up
my steering box a little, a little to tight. I fooled around with the
timing a little
too, seems to be a little better at idle speeds. I lost most of the
jerkiness
in the drive train. I did notice on some fairly sharp corners with no
gas pedal
that the engine wants to die. I will increase pressure from the fuel
regulator,
hope that will fix it. I got stuck in some traffic and I noticed that
my temp
never went above 190F. I used to have an overheating problem before the
rebuild. Since then I have straightened the radiator fins, cleaned out
the fins
(loaded with sand and dirt, bugs and stuff) and added a stock radiator
cowl and
a new high RPM flex fan. As soon as I find the digital camera I will
get some
more pictures out.
9 May 2000 - The
work is
coming along slowly. I fitted the carpet and installed the front kick
panels. I
painted the grill and put that in this weekend as well. The grill
turned out
pretty good. I put the instrument cluster in too. Replaced the front
leaf
spring mount on the passengers side. Re-installed the seats. The car is
a
little straighter but still needs to go to the alignment specialist on
Thursday. I am hoping to get some more done by this weekend. I would
like to
get the rest of the interior in, the door panels and the headliner. My
rear
side panels and the sail panels are just toasted. They will have to be
replaced. I will have some more pics soon.
There is a cruise this weekend but I have to work till 5 but should get
off in
time to make the parade to Ford's drive in. Its a true restaurant-drive
in. A
little small but nostalgic with all the hot rods that are going to be
up there
Saturday night. I am not sure if my wife Kim is going to go. I would
like it if
she came with me. She's not really into the car thing. She said that I
could go
if I wanted, but it just would not be the same if she did not go. A car
show
was our first date.
2 May 2000 - Working on the Camaro has renewed the interest again. I got the door glass installed and the window fuzzies. Looks pretty good. Installing the glass proved to be a real chore. I got it figured out finally. I had the back glass in and lined up but once I got the door glass in I had to re-align the rear again. I had to do some welding on the regulator. Dave had fixed a broken weld but when I got to looking at in I did not know why the driver’s side was missing the extension to bolt the window to the regulator. I could not even think of where the broken piece was. I took out the window and there it was, still attached to the glass. Took about twenty minutes to wire brush it and weld it. I laid the cowl in and the lower windshield molding. I am going to bring the car to an alignment shop on Thursday to align the front and rear. The rear is a little off. I hope they can help me out.
25 April 2000 - It's
Back!!!!
I got the Camaro back last Friday!!! It was a great ride home, the
highway is
nice and flat and the car runs great at the higher RPM's. Around town
it is a
pretty jerky ride. The
Got a little cold this morning (no heater) good thing no rain (no wiper
motor
or wipers). I will get some more work done tonight. I got off work last
night
at 10pm and worked in the garage until a little after 1am. Its about
the only
time I get now-a-days. I still have to install the door glass, wiper
motor,
wiper transmission, dash gauges and a whole lot more. I am getting
there.
New Pics
3 April 2000 - Got
out
Saturday to get some work done, we looked at the rear end and made some
adjustments. Still not perfect but did manage to straighten it a little
more.
Its going to have to go to a frame shop. The frame needs to be aligned
and the
rear needs more adjustment as well. Check out the pictures. I still
have a lot
more work to do. I might take it home next week so I can do some work
at home.
Check it out.
28 March 2000 - The 18th I got out to do some work on the car. We had to re-align the doors and the hood. After spraying the paint we noticed that the door was now hitting the rocker panels on both sides. Just the lower corner of the front of the door. Of course we had to re-align the fenders after that to match the doors at the new level. then of course we had to re-align the hood. Chipped the paint in a few places. Dave did it, not me. He assured me that it would never look like anything happened. He said that always happens. Dave got the rear spoiler stripped and painted and mounted. I just have to wire the lights and I will be cruising. No carpet but I will be running again. I have not been out since. Gas is to expensive just to go out and spend an hour or so. 23 miles out and 23 back, almost 5 gallons of gas in the 'Burban. @ 1.61 a gallon it’s pretty expensive. I should have some pics this weekend.
12 March 2000 - I
took a trip
out to Belt today to do some work on the Camaro. I did not really get a
lot
accomplished. I mounted the tail and the back up lights with the seals.
Mounted
the front parking/directionals. I will have to take them all off again
once I
get it home to get them all cleaned up. I put shock extenders on the
rear
shocks, I had a problem of the KYB's being extended almost all the way.
I just
felt safer knowing that the shock would have equal travel either up or
down.
The car really looks good in the sunshine.... can't wait till spring.
I was going to re-align the rear end but ran out of time. I am thinking
about
the replacement front leaf spring mount that I bought from Rick's. I
remember
it being just a little bit different than the one I took off. I think
that is
why the passenger side rear sits up almost an inch higher than the
driver's
side.
Pictures in the
sun.
6 March 2000 - I have been pretty busy this week with work. I did not get out to see the Camaro, but I did call for an update. Dave has finished the color sanding and has started to buff. He could not control himself. He had to do the stripe first. He is actually using a 4 step process. Color sand, buff, swirl remover then polish. He just could not stop talking about the stripe!! He said it turned out better than he had wished and the rest of the car is going to be the same way. He's stoked up. That's pretty good when your body man gets excited about what he has done. I'll have to bring him a 6 pack and a big bag of peanuts or something. I can't believe their is actually paint on the car. I was actually a little nervous about seeing the car with the original paint. I was not sure if I was going to like it. I almost started smoking again. Once the polish is done for the entire car, Dave is going to retouch the underside that he over sprayed. Then he is going to polish up the original rims (Indys) just so I can have something to drive it home on. Then we will put the lights back in. I plan replacing all the lenses, the housings just need some good polish. I am not going to worry about the trim right away, I am thinking more along the lines of a carpet and some sort an interior. The old stuff is ok, except for the drivers seat and the carpet (which I tossed). I will need new foam and covers for the fronts but all in due time. I am in to this car over $14,000 which includes the $3,500 I originally paid for it in 1992.
29 February 2000 - All I have to
say is click
here.
28 February 2000 - Well, it’s done. I went over to Dave's last night and I watched as he painted the stripes over the sealer. He did the stripes first because he is going to step the paint. Meaning it will all be one level. I believe from the factory the stripes were painted after the body color making the stripe higher than the rest of the paint. He only had 24 hours to lay the clear on after painting the stripe. That means he had to paint the rest of the car today. I just got off the phone with him and he painted it today. I did not have a chance to get out there today, but maybe this weekend. Here are some pictures that I took last night. The car is in sealer in these pictures. The stripe is as it should by the diagrams in the GM assembly manual. Dave said he shot three coats of clear and that the paint looks very deep. Just the way a base coat clear should be.
8
18 February 2000 - I finally got
out to see
the car. Dave was just wet sanding and getting it ready for paint this
weekend.
Here are some pictures that I took.
Thumbnails
-
16 February 2000 - Well its Wednesday and the car is getting closer. Dave stopped by Monday and picked up the bumpers and the tail light assemblies. he wants to make sure that everything is going to fit before he seals the body before painting. He needed the bumper to drill the new hole in the new rear quarter panel. He got really nit picky this weekend and had to detail the headlight wells in the fenders and the nose of the front header panel was a little dimpled underneath so he fixed that as well. I will most likely head out on Friday, maybe sooner if I can get the time. He said this weekend it will be painted. He is going to use a slow cure clear coat. The fast cure cures faster than he can put it on. He says this weekend so I will plan on next weekend.
10 February 2000 - Got out to see the Camaro last night. Dave has had to realign both doors again. He has put in the vent windows and has done some cleanup work around the front and rear wheel wells. He has the car up on jacks to raise it up off the floor so he can get under it and do some blocking on the bottom. He is thinking that he will be able to paint this weekend or maybe monday. He wants it to be so perfect that every time he turns around he sees something else that requires attention. He has finished re-inforcing the cut-out for the backup lights in the rear lower valance, the metal just seemed a little to thin for his liking. This is what he said, so I figure that he will spray in about two weeks. "I'm going to do a final block on it today, tomorrow I plan to retouch the underside with all the over spray from the primer coats, going to be taking all day Saturday to tape it. Sunday to paint. might need an extra day to fix any thing that does not block out my satisfaction." Its in the middle of his shop on jack stands, its next in line to be finished, so I know that it is close.
4 January 2000 - Dave's back, he should be getting on the Camaro by now. New Years went pretty smooth. Nothing blew up and that was good. I am going to give him a call tonight and find out if I am going to be able to drive any time soon. Winter kind of came, but not really, still no snow. I t did get cold the other day but it is back up to 40 degrees again today. I seen people riding their Harleys on Christmas Day and on New Years as well. Pretty cool.
-
20 December 99 - Still
nothing going on with the Camaro. Dave should be back in about two
weeks. Still
waiting for winter here in
-
12 November 99 -
Went out to
see the car yesterday and to do some work on Dave's truck. He had to go
to
Now guys we all know what kind of problems that could lead to. We are
still
waiting for winter up here in
29 September 99 - I
went to see
the car last Friday but have not had the time until today to get the
update
in. I took the car for a ride again after cleaning up the oil
leak. It
still leaked. It was not a dry seal as I had thought. Right in front of
the
fuel pump boss are two holes that are threaded. I did not have a bolt
in them
before so I did not think that I needed to it still. Well to make
a long
story short, I put a bolt in the top hole and cleaned up the oil again
and went
for another spin. I came back and hey......no oil. I really need to get
the
rear end aligned it is pretty bad and the u-joints are probably not
doing well.
Here is a picture of the car and how it stands as of last Friday.
Front
end down
17 September 99 - I
got to
drive the car on the road today!!!!! Wow the car is totally different!!
Tightened up the front suspension and all the sheet metal for the front
clip.
Put 5 gallons of gas in and went for a little ride. The front end came
down a
lot. It now sits exactly where it needs to be. I am thinking all
the
front end bushings and springs just needed a good jostle to get
everything to
settle out. I also think the KYB gas adjust shocks do not
adjust
until you drive on them.
Only had one problem. I have a pretty good oil leak. My engine sprayed
oil all
over the engine compartment. Only in the front by the fuel pump
mounting
location. I am thinking that it is the timing cover, but I have never
seen a
timing cover spray oil maybe seep, but never spray. I am going to try
to get
out Sunday to clean it up and see if I can tighten the cover up while
not disturbing
the rest of the engine components. (one of the reasons I like a long
water
pump)
13 September 99 - What
a
difference a week has made. We have finished up the front sheet metal.
Its
straight as an arrow. The hood was a little tricky but came out right.
Back up
lights turned out exceptionally well considering we had to cut the hole
to put
them in. Really close to paint now. I have to take it on the road this
week to
help all the parts settle in before the paint goes on. I took these
pictures
Sunday night. Had to expand to another website. I ran out of room!!!!
Thumbnails
5 September 99 - Not
much got
done over Dave's this week, he is in the hunting mode. I think
that I
have given hunting up. Do not quite know yet. Just can not find
the
time. Here are some pictures that took this morning of some small
pieces
that were sandblasted today.
Thumbnails
1 September 99 - Got some more pictures!!! Things are picking up. We hung the fenders Saturday, as Dave would say "What a pain in the Bazooka". Hood is about finished up, sandblasting more of the little parts i.e.: hood hinges, bumper brackets, headlight buckets and the such.
23 August 99 - Starting
to
look like a car again. I got out to see it Saturday. Dave
had
finished up the fenders and was doing some preliminary fits. I am
questioning the front end. we slid the front fender extensions on
and the
front end sits way to high. The suspension is so stiff. I can sit on it
and it
will not sink. I had planned on installing AC so I got the
springs for the
small block V8 with AC. Right now I have no AC and lost a lot of
weight
from the aluminum heads and the intake. I think that I might have to
get a set
of 6 cylinder springs without AC. I might just get some spring
compressors and throw a couple of them on, but that will look
tacky.
Decisions Decisions....... Here are some pictures that I
took. Can
you see that it has a stance like a mustang? Sort of high in the front
end?
From
rear to front driver side Passenger
side Dave
working the fender Coming
along
11 August 99 -
The doors are on again for good this time. The weather stripping
is on
the doors. It took a couple of days to fit right. It takes
a little
bit to squeeze the weather strip to conform to the shape of the space
between
the door and the jamb. The upper color is on the doors also. Looking
pretty
good.
Weather
strip Drivers
side Drivers
side far Passenger
side Close-up
hinges Interior My Wife
3 August 99 - Ok I am figuring out
this camera pretty good now. I cut down on the size a little so
you do
not have to move the picture around to see the whole thing. I
have some
excellent shots of the jambs and the doors painted, wow....... I am
actually
getting some color thrown at it!!!
Door
shot 1
Door shot 2
Jamb
shot 1
Jamb shot 2
Upper Jamb shot 1
-
-31 July 99 - Had take the doors
off again in order to paint the jambs. On off on off, I
want to
drive my car. I am digital now. Got a Sony Mavica Digital Camera.
Man is
this thing nice. Here are some pics that I took yesterday.
--
-22 July 99 - Things are moving
along pretty good right now. The car has been in Dave's garage
for about
a year now. Last week I had a roll of film developed.
Pictures
turned out pretty good. The real news is that both the windshield and
the rear
glass is in and sealed. the dash and interior has been repainted and
cleared. Rear side glass is installed and working (they never
went up and
down before). Doors are installed, fenders are primed and almost bolted
in
place (as of Monday the 19th). Dave is about to do the final block for
the
fenders and the rest of the body as a whole. Check out some pictures
and check
back towards the end of the week. I will probably have an update as I
am going
out there today. Oh for those interested, the trunk lid is painted
(interior).
Real good picture of the color the car is going to be.
Painted
trunk lid
Before
shot of the
interior
After
shot of interior
(bad shot but
really looks good with the clear coat)
Trunk
weatherstrip,
jambed prior to install
Stance
is very important What do you
think? Sitting pretty high, should settle out.
-16 June 99 - Been a while since the last post. I have been busy with the wedding and everything else going on. I made it out to Dave's place yesterday, I get out there about once a week. He is real close now. The Camaro is back on the ground. It really looks awsome. The wheel wells look brand new, the body is straight as an arrow. The doors are primed and ready to go on. Decklid is primed and ready for paint as well. Dave wants to block it one more time once the whole car is back together. I took some pictures but they will not be ready until I finish the role. I thought he was going to put the doors and fenders on a few weeks ago, but that was just the prefit. I can't wait to get it back so I can work on it. I originally wanted to do all this bodywork and paint myself but i am really glad I paid someone else to do it. Rest assured that I did all the rest and I will be doing the rest by myself. He has had it a while but this is a side job for him. I know that when I do get it, I will be more than pleased about the job, but I don't mind waiting for it.
21 April 99 - Got some more pictures. The new door skin looks awsome. Don't have the pictures of that yet, but they are coming.
This looks better.
Getting it right Reworking the lower valance.
This looks good.
This even looks right.
Much better.
This is the old.
This is the new.
-
13 April 99 - Door skin came in last week and I ran it out to the shop. Dave was out working on the Camaro. He was shaving a few microcentimeters off the rear lower valance. It was just a hair to high. The ruler just did not want to sit even on the surface. Nit picky? No just good. I talked with him at Checker Auto Parts last night and he has the new door panel all ready welded and cleaned up and has the doors back on the car to block. He has to align the doors a little more then he will have the fenders on by the end of the week. He says he will have it ready for the wedding as a wedding gift. Kim has only seen the car once and has never heard it run. Shes going to get shocked. Spent all night last friday putting a new transmission in my suburban. I am still sore but the Suburban is back on the road. Anyone want to buy a "grandpa truck" my 84 C10 pickup. I blew the tranny on the way to Texas last month, only got 250 miles out of town. Had to rent a car, an 99 Altima, was actually a fun ride. Mostly because it had under a thousand miles on it when I rented it. Anything new is good.
31 March 99 - Its been a long
month. Had to go to Texas for 3 weeks. I was going to go to the Super
Chevy
show in Dallas but it was rained out. Major Bummer. Bought a Suburban
and the
transmission went out, now I have to fix that.
Getting ready for the wedding on May 15. The car is coming along
very
well. Got down to see it last Friday. Dave was doing a
final block
on the roof and the back half of the car. I had to order a new
door skin
for the passenger side, it was repaired once before, again the prior
owner
pretty much just pulled it out halfway and skimmed it with bondo.
Dave
would rather replace the entire panal then try to rework the existing
panel. I agreed. New panel from Ricks was $119 before
S&H. The
wheel wells turned out awsome. The lips were reworked and the rust
taken out
and filled with metal. Its not going to be to long now. He did
move the
car to the center of the garage so he can work around it better (a good
indication that it is the next in line for completion). He is
also going
to recut the holes for the backup lights on the rear lower
valence. I am
going to try to get this role of film taken so I can get some pictures
for all
you dedicated folks that review my site on a regular basis.
25 February 99 - The rear quarter
and the lower valence have been finished, here are some before and
after
shots. I was out to see the car last week but did not get any
good shots.
Dave was spraying the first coat of primer-sealer on the entire rear
half and I
couldn't stay too long.
1.
Rear valence after the dent was
pulled.
2.
After the holes were welded and the
filler applied, there is not really that much, Dave used a bout a
quarter cup
total.
3.
This is what was found under the
bondo on the passenger side rear quarter.
4.
This is how to cure rust. Cut it all
out, clean the rest out, seal prime and paint.
5. The
new panel from Ricks first
generation fit perfectly. The new panel was welded in, again very
minimal
filler used.
6. The
lip of this quarter was rolled to
fit larger tires, It is now pulled out, and reformed to what it used to
be.
28 January 99 - Rear quarter is
back on the car. Rear valance pulled out to specs. Its not
going to
be long now. (famous last words)
1
2
3
4
5
-
15 January 99 - Got to go see the
car yesterday. Dave has really stepped it up. He has got a
few
other projects lined up but will not start them until he gets mine
done.
I did manage to take some video and have transfered the pics for your
veiwing
pleasure
PIC1
Rear quarter after
panel was cut
PIC2
Lower section of
hood (just stripped)
PIC3
Top part of hood
(some minor blemishes, will be
reworked)
PIC4
Lower rear valence
(Dave took out a lot of plastic
hear)
PIC5 Have to pull the
dent out, stretch the metal, then
refinish
-3 January 99 - Hidy Hoe, Its a
new year!!! The Camaro is still in Belt, Montana. Dave
should be
back this week. I would like to go see the car this week but I
will be in
Atlanta for the next two weeks. While there I am planning a trip
to Ricks
First Generation Camaro located in Athens, Georgia. Starting to
get
excited about the Camaro again. It has been kind of on the
back
burner for a while. You know what they say. Out of my
mind,
out of sight. or is it the other way around? Once I get the car
back into
my garage I will find the time to work on it.
--
17
December 98 - Well
the car has not been touched since the 20th of November. Dave
had to take off to Wyoming on business and will not be back to the
first week
of January. I am going to get the pictures scanned soon I
hope. The
scanner at work has been down, but I found out a freind has one so I am
going
to get some pictures scanned soon. I know I have been saying that for a
long
time. I did finally manage to get my own home computer so now I
don't
have to do this at work. Actually its still not mine.
5 November 98 - Got to go see the
Camaro last night. Dave has cut out the rear quarter, and started
preping
the match.
He has had to do some work on the drivers side rear lower
valence. It
took a hit a long time ago and it needs some attention and some
refitting. Took
some more pictures, just need some time to scan them.-'
2
November 98 - Wow!!!
Aint been here for a while. Had problems with my
server, damn thing put up a firewall that cut me out of personal web
pages. I found a solution (sorry, if I told ya, I'de have to kill
ya...) I have been going thru a lot lately, getting ready for the
base
inspections, studying for Tech. Seargent, learning a new job, my
divorce, its
also hunting season now, working my tail off. Anyways the car is coming
along
slowely. Dave had to get his hunting done and had a few other cars to
get done
(one car to do does not pay the bills). Dave had to replace the
passenger side
rear quarter. I dropped that panel off to him a week and a half ago but
have
not been able to tear myself away from work to check on it. I got the
panel
from Ricks, looks pretty good. I have more pics, just have to get them
scanned
in.
-4 August 98 - I got some new
pics!!
1
before
5
IT RUNS!!!
2
after
6 in the shop
3
rt front 7
all this bondo was removed
4
front
8
to reveal this
overlapped panel
I should have some more pics soon. Just have to burn up
the rest
of the roll of film I have. Will be heading out this evening to
see the
car. First time in two weeks. Keep in mind I started taking
the
pictures above about the last part of June.
-
22 July 98 - Well I am back,
don't know for how long. I have to move around till my new office
is
done. Ended up having to canx most of the parts I
ordered. I
had to get some cash up to move into a new place.
Dave finished out that rear quarter, does not look like anything
was
ever wrong with it. The way it overlapped he just made one cut
right
above the where the old metal was, pealed the new metal off that
overlapped,
then welded the seam, a little grinding, a little sanding, some
chemicals were
added, primed , you get the picture. I can't tell there was ever
a seam,
and I challange any body that looks at the car to tell me where it is.-
12 July 98 - Ok got most of the interior ordered. Had to leave out a few little odds and ends for know. Also ordered interior screw kits and tons of little nitniod parts that I need. Looks like I will have to order a new instrament cluster trim, I have tried so many paints and methods that it just will not work.. It might be because I used armor all on it for so long. I really dont know, They are only like $47 so I am not to worried about it.-
19 July 98 - Tuesday night went to see the car. It is looking awsome. Door jams and roof are primered. Window channels cleaned up. Dave did run in to a problem with the rear quarter. Someone in the past had replaced the rear quarter and just cut out the old panel and spotwelded a new quarter right over it so the top of the quarter overlapped, and filled it with plastic. Good thing there is more than enough panel to repair it correctly.-
--
29 June 98 - Got out to see the car Saturday. The body is almost down to bare metal. Looking sweet. Sanded down the plastic instrament cluster. cleaned it up with some lacquer thinner and tested some paint. Bubbled like acid on a penny. Stripped it down again and am open to any suggestions. I think I will try some vinyle primer first and maybe a different paint, maybe a vinyle type paint. Will try to get interior ordered this week, I have a huge list of parts to get.
-
22 June 98 - What an
incredible week!!!! Did some most excellent fishing, will be
investing
more time on that endeavor.
After some trailer snafu's got the car to the paint shop Thursday
night.
It is going to look awsome. Should take about three months.
Will
try to get some of the other things ready for when the car comes out.
Actually
not to much left. I have to repaint the grill, console, and a few
other
odds and ends and put the interior in.
-
11 June 98 - Glove box door
installed. Bought a new battery and mounted it up front where it
belongs. I was tired of having it sit next to me in the car.
Cleaned up
the cables, shortened them and connected them to the battery. I
bought a
dual terminal battery, I used the side posts for a much cleaner
look.. I
have to rewire the harness to the alternator. Since I got rid of
the
externaly regulated alternator and moved it to the other side of the
engine (I
dont like the alternator sitting way up to the right) the wires
have just
gone across the front of the engine. Will rewire from the fuse
block back
around the back of the engine and have the wires come from the back of
the
block. Will look much cleaner. Especially with the new
looms. Got some neat deals to attach them to the car to
keep them
away from everything and keep them routed so they look cool.. House is
sold and we will close in a couple of weeks. Divorce should be final by
July.
Car goes to the
paint shop Wednesday,
17 June.
-
4 June 98 - The glove box
door is painted, real important when painting do not touch the part you
are
painting. I noticed that the edges where I picked it up, the
paint pulled
away from the primer. I had to do a little sanding and
respray.
Other than that turned out pretty good.
-
2 June
98 -
Last night got the glove box door stripped and primed. That Tal Strip
aircraft
coating remover is super stuff. You can buy it almost
anywhere.
Will paint it today between jobs. Did a little work on the
dash.
Polished/cleaned the wiper knob and the retaining nut for the headlight
switch. The knob for the headlights will have to be replaced as
well as
the cigarrette lighter. Took the instrament cluster apart to
clean, might
end up having to replace the whole plastic housing, it has cracks and
gouges
from 31 years of use. Will try to salvage it. I think if I
use a
1000 grit emory cloth I can get most of the scractes out, or even cover
them
with some plastic filler and smooth out. Some of the cracks I
might be
able to super glue, don't know yet.
-
29 May
98 -
Finally had some time to get some work done on the Camaro last
night. Finished up the hood latch assembly. Got some good
news this
week, got a buyer for the house. If all goes as planned I should
be able
to get my Camaro to the paint guy by the middle of June. Got some
fishing
done Monday. One little pike then was blown off the water.
The
glovebox door is giving me trouble, the paint is so thick it's not like
sanding
off like the rest of the dash. It is almost like someone used a
heavy
polyurethane type paint. It fills the sandpaper really quick with
a gummy
type stuff. I think I will just pick up a can of Tal Strip and
remove the
paint that way.
-
19 May
98 -
Stripped the hood latch assembly today will sand it down and paint it
tomorrow
if I don't go fishing. Thats all I can think about is
fishing. A
friend of mine went in did some fishing in Alabama last weekend and all
I could
think about was going deep see fishing last night. Around here I
might
catch a couple of big Browns or maybe some Pike. Nothing like the
Jacks
(Crevell and Amber) or a big King Mackeral, Cuda' or something we used
to catch
in South Carolina.
-
14 May 98 - I can't get the
car painted untill the house is sold.
Anyone
wan't to buy my house? Or if you are like really rich or
something and
want to donate some money to the preservation of classic camaros just
email me
and I will give up my address. I am starting my divorce
procedings so I can't take any
money out
of my savings. I might have to make a few more house payments and
since I moved on base I am not getting my housing allowance anymore.
Going to start on some other projects on the car. The hood latch
assembly
and the hood hinges are going to be next, still have to finish the
glovebox
door. This should take the better part of a day to do. When
the car
finally goes to the bod shop, I will start on the grill and the
headlight doors
and assemblies. I have the original headlight door motors, I am
going to
clean them up and see if I can get them working again. Still will need
new
limit switches a bushing kit and a few other parts that have been
trashed. Gotta find some time to do some fishing too.
11 May
98
- Havn't had to much time this passst week for the car. I
did
manage
to get the fenderwells completely installed. I was so tempted
just to
throw the fenders, and everything else on to take it for a spin.
But good
things happen to those who wait. I should be able to drop the car
off next week
for the
paint job.
-
30 Apr 98 - Radiator is installed. Had a problem. Wednesday I get the car together start it and let it run for a little then climbed in, stepped on the clutch, slipped it into reverse and let the clutch out. The car started to go back but not like it should. Remember a few months ago when I put the longer throwout bearing in? Well it was so much longer it would not let the clutch fully disengage. Yesterday I put the shorter bearing in in and still had the problem of the clutch fork hitting the firewall. So I had to let the transmission down again!!! Got my cutoff tool out and started to cut the clutchfork. Took a little while but finally got a cutout of about 1 1/2 inch long by 1/2 inch deep cut off the top of the fork right where the bend is. Slapped her back together put my old exhaust system in and started her up. Let her run a few minutes. Jumped in. stepped on the clutch gave it a little gas, spun the tires, I was not even trying. Scared me a little. Practiced a little foot control and backed her out of the garage for the first time it 2 years!!! Drove it up and down my back alley a few times. I was shaking a little, like the first time you drove. Remember? Any ways I am MOBILIZED!!!! Everything works great!! Whats next? Paint job!!! Interior after that.
-
29 April 98 - The inner
fenderwells, radiator support and a few other brackets are
painted. I
will be finishing up on the radiator today and will have it installed
today if
everything works out. I should be able to move the car today
also(AWSOME).
Early
Pictures
Earlier
Pictures
-
27 April 98 - Car runs!!!! Just can't run it long. (no radiator) I will be finishing that this week. I am all moved into the new house. The Camaro is still at the old house. My new neighbor has a 65 Mustang, Its pretty nice for a Ford. I think with a little detailing and some interior work it would do quite well at the shows. He has a trailer that he said we could use to tow the Camaro out to the BODSHOP.
21 April 98 - Ok So its been a while. Cali was nice but a little to crazy for me. Got the gas tank installed, looking good. Got the driveshaft back and primed last night I will paint it up today. Will try to get the new fuel line bent into shape today. Should not be a real problem. Still waiting for my inner fenderwells and radiator support. I think if I have any more blasting to do I will take it elsewhere. Moving this Friday. The new garage is only a third the size I am used to. But I do have a shed I can store the stuff I am not using like engine hoist and stand and a few other odds and ends. The fuel pump is wired up, I installed a switch that is between the ignition and the fuse block. I can run the pump only when the ignition is on and if I have to, I can shut it off when the ignition is on or in ACC. Mounted the switch right under the ignition switch on the dash. It is lighted to. Green for go!!
8 April 98- Got the gas tank done this week, scrubbed it down with a scotch brite pad and got it down to the galvanized steel, coated it with a rubberized undercoating. It took a few days to harden but it looks awesome. Got the fuel pump mounted on the rear frame rail just forward of the rear axle. Make 4 sure that if you put one in that it does not interfere with the rear axle travel. Got the wires run to the pump just got too hook them up. Got the ignition switch mounted with the new lock cylinder and switch, works ok but could be better. I have to force the key to the right to engage the starter and it will not set itself back from start. New parts just take a little time to brake in I guess. Found someone to paint it!! He is going to take it at the end of this month if I can get it ready to go on a trailer. I seen some of his work and it is excellent. All the body work and paint (base/clear) for about $2800. He said about 4 weeks from start to finish. Sold the house this week too. Close at the end of April. Gotta go to Los Angeles next week so I don't know if I will get the car totally ready to send out by the end of the month. Plus I gotta move to the new place on the 24th. I am off tonight so I will get the tank in and the wiring for the fuel pump. Still waiting for the parts I sent out to be blasted. Been raining here past few days so I might not get it back till Friday. I will also work on my radiator tonight.
30 March 98-Had a good weekend. Did some beer drinking and got to work on the camaro. Adjusted the rear end so the angle of the pinion is not so bad. I had to tighten the nuts on the shock plate so they were level. Got my rear shocks in, I think I need shock extenders, the KYBs are fully extended on the rear end and I cant get a thread with me in the car, But on the other hand I will be adding the trunk lid, gas tank doors, interior and such that will add more weight. I will hold off on that for a few weeks. Wired up the starter and most of my ignition, cranked the engine over a few times to check the wiring, worked fine for the first few times. Then I did some rearranging of the wires, tried it again and got a warning tone from my ignition box. I had broke a thin sending wire off the distributor so I have to fix that now. I will be refinishing the gas tank this week, all my mounting hardware and anti-squeke kit from Ricks sure looks good. Any body installed an electric Holley fuel pump? I am looking for a mounting location, it is not recommended for the engine compartment, so it has to be on the rear end somewhere, any suggestions? I will drop off my stuff to be blasted this week.
23 March 98 - Fixed the sway bar problem, which turned out to be no problem at all. Just had to loosen the frame hardware. Got my KYB shocks in the front now. Ran the wires for the under dash and the main engine compartment and light harnesses. Still waiting for my order from Rick's. I am going to farm out the rest of the sandblasting, not really much left to blast, just big things and a few small brackets. Inner fender wells, radiator support, bumper brackets. Shouldn't take more than an hour with the type of equipment this company uses, @ $40 an hour. Mounted the electronics in the glove box and made sure the box door will close with no interference. I did do one pretty dopey thing, When I put the heater box in I should of put the defroster duct in first. Sucker don't go in with the box in the way. I will think about that for a little while. I would like to just run some hose up to the vents.
19 March 98 - Got a few things done this week, the heater assembly is all in and it actually blows air. New seals really helped out, before you got hardly any air flow because every seal was gone. Mounted my coil and picked out a place for my other ignition boxes. The glove box will just be an access panel to get at the HI6 and the XR700. I have to cut a piece of aluminum and shine it up to use as a mount for the boxes. I will probably get that done today. I will also start on the gas tank and the radiator support. Ordered bunch of parts from Rick's 1st Generation monday should be here tomorrow. Mostly fasteners and bolts, saves time when you don't have to stop what you are doing to refinish a nut or bolt. Having a problem with my sway bar, seams that the end link bolts are not long enough. Any body got the same sway bar from the Vette Brakes suspension kit?
13 March 98 - Did a little work since the 9th, blasted the pulleys and the blower housing got them all painted. Attached the pulleys and the new fan to the front of the engine installed the belt and adjusted the alternator. I had to take my new master cylinder off and bring it back for exchange. I tried 3 different caps on the stupid thing and it would not seal. The new one does not leak. I think the first one was just a little flawed and the cap fits much better on the new one. I did try the chrome cap from Mr. Gasket all I can say is its crap. Today I will try to get the heater assembly back in. I was checking out the blower motor and it is original. Built the same month as the car 11 of 66 and its made by rochester. Just a little geewiz info.
9 March 98 - Got some pictures to put up. Check them out at the top of the page. Got the heater box finished. Will work on the blower housing tonight after work. Shouldn't take to long, I will probably have the whole assembly in the car by the weekend. Also got the alternator in and the wires are finished. Its getting close. I should have the motor running again very soon. I hate to say when. I already predicted to have my exhaust in last month, but I haven't even ordered it yet.
6 March 98 - Picked up a set of
Crane's Fire Wires yesterday and started to cut to length. Really looks
good so
far. I have always been hesitant about cutting my own wires but it is
easy and
the results are super!!! Had to order the master cylinder cover,
no one
in town had the one I needed. After I cut the wires today I am
going to
start on my heater installation. I have to sand it down prime it and
paint
it. I was going to do the heater delete thing but decided to have
a stock
appearance.
Plus it gets cold here in Montana. Oh by the way, my orders for
Virginia
were canceled. I will be staying in Montana to fill a QAE slot to
watch
over the Contract for base supply/fuels. Not bad for me but the
Liz (my
wife) is not too happy. Actually she's downright pissed. Shes a
southern
girl and hates the cold and winter in general. At least the
Camaro
will
not be thrown on a trailer for a trip to the East Coast. She wants to
go ahead with selling the house. It was a pretty big blow-out. I think
we are done. She is driving me nuts, it's time for a divorce. I told
her that and she asked when she could go home to South Carolina. She
was happy? Ya, well me too.
2 March 98 - Things are going at a pretty good clip now. I bent and placed all my brake lines Friday. I did a pretty good job. I was pleased with the way things turned out. That night I started bleeding them (by myself). I had leaks all over the place!! The rear lines that that go to the wheel cylinders I had to double flare and I guess I am not as good as I thought on the double flare method. I had to replace the lines again. I just put a few extra bends into the lines and bled them like that Sunday. My friend Rob came over Sunday and we drank beer and ate a jalapeno pizza and bled them brakes again. The remanufactured Master Cylinder has problems with the cap sealing. I will pick up a new chrome cap today and see if that helps. Have not really thought about what to do next. Any suggestions?
23 February 98 - Weekends are cool. Got my new throwout bearing Friday and had it in the car Saturday morning. I now have a clutch again. I had to return my rear brake hose, wrong one. Ordered one for a 69 camaro. I think a past owner swapped out the brake line from a 69. I am having trouble at double flaring brake lines now. I took a length of scrap line and spent a couple hours just double flaring but still can't get it perfect everytime. Also got a few small brackets and such blasted and primed ready for paint. I noticed when I was installing my front hoses onto the wheel cylinders you have to be careful not to cross thread the threads, the lines have to be forced into the opening of the wheel cylinder and turned at the same time. Almost destroyed the thread on one of the wheel cylinders.
20 February 98 - Yesterday I finally
got a few things done. I bent a few of my new brake lines, I got them
at NAPA.
They came with the spring protector already on the line, they look
really good.
Not stock but still look good. For the longer lines for that run to the
passenger side front and the line that runs to the rear I had to get
bulk line.
(NAPA only had 60" lengths) Tried to double flare one of my brake lines
for the underside to the rear end. I NEED PRACTICE, THATS FOR SURE.
Pulled the
trans last night also. I just unbolted it from the bellhousing since I
did not
need to get to the clutch itself. I do have the smaller throwout
bearing. I
will pick up the 1 7/8" bearing when I go to work tonight. Its about
1/2" inch longer than the one I have. Should work just fine. Installed
my steering
coupler now I can steer again. Feels real good, no more crunching
sounds and
the steering wheel doesn't bounce up and down anymore. I will have more
pictures soon.
13
February 98 -
Click
here first!!!
I couldn't figure
out how my steering column went back together. I spent more than a few
hours
trying to figure the top part out. Why could I not get the upper
bearing low
enough in the column to install the c-clip???!!!! It was like the shaft
shrank
or something. AAAAHHHHH!!!! But then it hit me when I noticed the shaft
shrinking even more at each attempt to force the bearing assembly in
the
column. I had forgot that that shaft collapses!!!!!I laughed at myself
for a
few minutes, then got down to business. Stretched the shaft back out
put it all
together and had it in the car in 20 minutes flat. Still working the
clutch
fork thing. I looked at the subframe again and I can get another 1/4 of
an inch
by alignigning the subframe. The passenger side of the subframe matches
perfect
with the alignment hole on the frame but the drivers side could be
moved a
little. I will try that monday. If that dont work I will have to get
the longer
throwout bearing to take up some of the slack in the fork.
10 February 98 - Started reassembling my steering column. (finally) Took me about 45 min to figure out how the bottom assembly went together. I still have not figured out the top bearing assembly. I have 3 schematics on how everything goes together, but you have to be a rocket scientist or something to fiigure out which part is which and which goes where and how its supposed to set. Repacked those steering shaft bearinings. even with just the new lower bearing installed I can tell its a major improvement. Still have not done anything about the clutch fork. Picked up my new master cylinder, a tube cutter and a flaring tool. Next payday I will pick up all the new lines and start cutting them to fit.
4 February 98 - Let see what have I done since the 23 of Jan? For starters I finished up the dash, looks real good, a few flaws but still very presentable. The shippment from Rick's came in. Firewall insulation pad is a bear to put in. The fasteners that came with it are a pain to work with. They are plastic and trying to get them to go into the holes in the firewall is a challenge. The kit came with six of them, and I promptly destroyed three on the first try. Good thing they sent extras. I have sandblasted and painted all the parts for the steering column and the pedel assemblys. I got the pedels in no problem, but the clutch fork is hitting the firewall not allowing the clutch to engage. My choices are to drop the trans and replace or modify the clutch fork, I am also looking at the possibility of modifying the firewall. I will let youall know what I do when I do it. The E-brake is in so now I have something to keep it from rolling while working around it. The steering column will be put back together this week (hopefully). I just put the house on the market today so I don't know what I will get done with the list of things to do for the house. STRESSED OUT!!!!
23 January 98 - Sanded down the dash again, primed it and tested the paint again. More bubbles!! I have to sand it down again!! Good thing I just tested the paint. I missed a few spots anyways the last time I sanded. I knew I would have to do a few coats of primer with more sanding so I am not to dissapointed. My order from Rick's 1st Gen is not in yet. I can't wait to get to VA. Then I could take a road trip to by parts. Lotta places for 1st Gen parts on the East Coast.
22 January 98 - Well last night didn't go to well, My wife had a list of things to do or else. In other words Honeydews, I didn't get to much done. Really tired of her insistances. I cleaned up the windshield channel, and sanded down the dash. I tested the paint I bought on the dash and all it did was bubble and show every crack from the old paint that I had just stripped. I will sand it down again tonight, I think I am going to bring it down to the metel, prime it with Veri-Prime and use an Acrylic Urathane system from PPG in gloss black. Thats what I used on the frame and it will stand up to chipping. Did not get any sandblasting done. I am off tonight so I can probably get a lot done.
21 January 98 - I get to work on the car Tonight. Its tuff working two jobs and trying to find time for the Camaro and my family. Its a good thing my wife is nice enuff to let me spend as much time as I do on my car. It isn't much time but I am getting there. Tonight I am going to sandblast the brake/clutch pedel assembly, Start sanding the dash and the painted trim around the interior. My firewall pad and a few seals should be in this week. I might even have time to finish up that steering column I started and have been afraid to try to put back together. Shouldnt be to bad but man is there a lot of delicate parts that could be put in backwards. I have a couple of different assemby guides, The one from GM is good, its actually a parts manual but has some awesome schematics. The assembly manual for the 67 Camaro is perticularly handy, it has torque specs for just about everything on the car.
16 January 98 - Shifter is all in. The new rods and parts really tightend it up. Shifter sits in the right place now. I will have to take it off to install the speedo cable. Fixed the E brake assembly. blasted and painted. Decided to paint the dash in order to install the under dash parts so I don't get any overspray on anything. Sanding it down today and painting this weekend time permitting. On the E brake cables, sandblast spray down with laquer thinner (got mine in an old spray bottle) let it dry and paint to taste.. I was going to paint mine red, but went with a Spray Gray Cast Iron color. Same with the spring guards on your brake lines. I wouldn't blast the actual lines. No pics yet, sorry, but real soon!!!!
15 January 98 - Got my new shifter installation kit in last night. I had to cut a notch into the bottom of the shifter bracket to clear the non-original trans that has some kind of mounting flange below the tailshaft housing. Now the shifter fits thru the hole and it looks like I can grab 2nd and 4th. Will put the new shifter rods in tonight. Got my new bearing in for the steering column. The emergency brake pedel assembly is looking terrible. The front mounting hole had stress fractures and broke off.. I will have to weld in a piece of metal so I can remount it. I paid 90 bucks for a little ARC welder from Wal-Mart. It was a good investment. I might have to take off the shifter bracket again to attache the speedo-cable, should of looked at that. Have a friend with digital camera coming over tonight. Pictures tomorrow? Maybe.
8 January 98 - I discovered why my transmission tunnel looked like someone used an ax to fit the old shifter. The mounting plate I had was for a different type of 4 speed in a different car. The adapter plate I had, sat the shifter back about two inches from center of the new trans tunnel I had to put in. In other words I cant get 2nd and 4th due to the shifter location. Looks like I will have to get the installation kit now. Another 90 bucks. Someday I will add up all my receipts and post it here. Don't let my wife know, I know she would have a fit. Blasted and painted some small parts like the gas pedel, some clutch parts. Have to order a firewall seal kit from CI and some seals for the clutch Z-BAR. Supposed to be -10 degrees with a wind chill of -35 degrees for the next few days. My heater in the garage can't keep up with that. Should of bought a bigger torpedo heater.
6 January 98 - Shifter came in today!!
5 January 98 - Disasembled the steering colomn to find all these little ball bearings falling all over the workbench. I work at an auto parts place and don't know of any source for steering colomn bearings that have been discontinued since the mid 80's. A friend at a GM Dealer parts depot has a search program and found one bearing in Arkansas.
I have replaced, or restored all the bolts by sandblasting and recoating. A good tip for used washers bolts and nuts is to blast them together cover with a quality enamil paint and bake in the oven at 350 for twenty minutes, let cool in the oven for a few hours. I have been using Plasti-Cote semigloss enamil with amazing results. They look almost powder coated and resist most torqueing and chipping.
Summer 97 - Started sandblasting the firewall, underside, trunk and the inside. One thing I wish I had done when I had bought my Air Compressor form Sears last year was to buy one that I thought was too big. 3.5 HP and a 15 Gal tank is way to small....This took two months to complete. I work two Jobs so I honestly admit I didn't give it all my time.
Spring 97 - The engine is bolted to the frame. Lots of little parts were getting blasted, painted and installed. I was really proud of the work I had done. I had really overdone the detailing. The front drum assemblies looked brand new, the engine was really bright and contrasted good with the Gloss Black frame. I even detailed the Bellhousing for the 4 speed trans that I had rebuilt. Did you know that the bellhousing is made of a high quality aluminum? Some aircraft stripper and some steel wool took it down to the bare aluminum. I polished for a long time and when I was done showed it to a few friends. They thought I had it chrome plated!!!! One friend dropped his trans that weekend and did the same thing with equal results. Fishing season is in full swing, not to much car stuff going on.
Winter 96 - The 327 ran really good with the double hump heads, and the holley and the regular Performer intake. I WANTED MORE!!! The suspension was going to be top notch why not the engine? I had read alot of good things about the Edelbrock Performer RPM Power Package. I knew that is excactly what I wanted. So I got the RPM Aluminum Cylinder Heads, the RPM Cam, Carb, Intake. Even went for the Accu-Drive Gear Drive. Crane Roller Tipped Rockers, Dynomax Cyramic Headers, Crane Ignition Systems. And of course I had to get all the Edelbrock covers (valve, timeing), Trans-dapt Chrome Oil Pan.
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