Re: Spray Day
 

I've also been continuing the reassembly of the drivetrain. It's starting to take shape: I installed the carb, a/c compressor, alternator, clutch bellcrank, backdrive linkage, etc.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...8/PA230016.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...8/PA230011.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

By the way, does anyone have a spare power steering reservoir for a 70's style GM pump? Mine is crushed beyond repair from years of prybar initiated fan belt adjustments:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...68/pspump2.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...68/pspump3.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

Looking good; you could go into business doing this type of work.

Re: Spray Day
 

I don't have the patience for body work. I can do just about anything else (within reason) -If it's greasy, it's easy! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: Spray Day
 

Steve, Bruce has 2 that he will let go real cheap https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif unknown if they work, but they look good and dirty. I will email you too.

Re: Spray Day
 

I ended up just ordering a remanufactored AC/Delco unit ps pump. They are relatively cheap and we'll see what it looks like when it arrives. Today's project was removing the original shifter handle from the factory Hurst Competition Plus shifter so I could send the shifter out for a rebuild. More bonehead engineering: It seems a previous owner devised his own version of a shim to take up some of the slack from the worn out insulator that retains the stick. He jammed a 1984 penny alongside the shifter. It took about an hour of tapping, picking and chiseling to get the one cent piece out of there, just so I'd have enough room to slide the two feelergauges in to release the retainer tabs. I am beginning to believe that the Lord of Pontiacs up there seems to be getting a kick of throwing these little hurdles my way. Gotta love these weekly backyard challenges.https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Spray Day
 

My dad used to tell me all the time...If it's easy it ain't worth it! That used to make me mad especially when it was a pain in the neck job I was trying to do. But I wish he was still around to tell me that some more. Looks great Steve! Its all worth it.

Re: Spray Day
 

[ QUOTE ]
By the way, does anyone have a spare power steering reservoir for a 70's style GM pump? Mine is crushed beyond repair from years of prybar initiated fan belt adjustments:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...68/pspump2.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...68/pspump3.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

If you end up still needing a pump reservior, PM me, I think I may have one on a 71 Bird subframe.

Re: Spray Day
 

[ QUOTE ]
It seems a previous owner devised his own version of a shim to take up some of the slack from the worn out insulator that retains the stick. He jammed a 1984 penny alongside the shifter. It took about an hour of tapping, picking and chiseling to get the one cent piece out of there,.https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ] I know where your coming from, Years ago the throw out bearing was jammed in tight on my 69 Z, it took a few hours for me and my Dad to cut it out of there, what a project that was https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Re: Spray Day
 

So after the penny removal funfest it finally occurred to me that my labor costs are 1 cent/per hour. I knew I was getting away too cheaply on this car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: Spray Day
 

[ QUOTE ]
So after the penny removal funfest it finally occurred to me that my labor costs are 1 cent/per hour. I knew I was getting away too cheaply on this car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Question is, did you salvage the penny and set it aside for the photo/documentation album? It's all apart of your journey. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Your ride looks stunning. Keep the pix a comin'! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Spray Day
 

I finished the prep on the firewall last week and painted it over the weekend. I used the mask and spray bomb technique with Rustoleum Satin Black, which as you can see is pretty darn close to the original black on the outer cowl areas. I masked off the original paint on the outer cowl areas and just painted the center panel, keeping it within the original lower overspray line.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...8/e3732b56.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

Today I stripped the upper cowl area. It had several layers of fisheyed glossy black paint on it, so it had to go. I masked off the original caulking and used chemical stripper very sparingly. I then washed it all down with water followed by mineral spirits. The metal is surpisingly nice underneath. Once I get the cowl done I will finally be getting close to reattaching the subframe and drivetrain to the body.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...8/5ed01cb3.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

Here's the cowl tag area. Original rivets are intact. There was a small plug of caulking in both rivet holes. I removed it so it wouldn't retain any of the chemical stripper. I used an old toothbrush once the stripper did its work: no wire bristle brushes here, didn't want to damage the soft metal tag.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...8/39afd30d.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

Lookin good. Amazing how nice some of that 30 some year old metal is. Cowl area looks like fresh metal. Sam

Re: Spray Day
 

Being a Northern boy myself, I can tell you there's nothing like a car from a non-salt state like California.

Re: Spray Day
 

How true that is! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: Spray Day
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
By the way, does anyone have a spare power steering reservoir for a 70's style GM pump? Mine is crushed beyond repair from years of prybar initiated fan belt adjustments:

[/ QUOTE ]

If you end up still needing a pump reservior, PM me, I think I may have one on a 71 Bird subframe.

[/ QUOTE ]

A great big thanks to Ray (a.k.a. BARNFIND) for sending me a free-be 1971 Pontiac power steering pump with no dents in the reservoir. I was even able to cancel my back-ordered pump from AC-Delco, which saved me a bunch of $$$. Ray - Awesome guy! That's what makes being a member of this website so worthwhile. Carguys helping other carguys.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Spray Day
 

I have the firewall and cowl top completely painted now. I followed the original overspray lines on the cowl edge:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rewalltop5.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

I also reinstalled the factory Hurst shifter on the M22. I had Peter Serio rebuild it. He did an awesome job. It took one week, including shipping both ways! Turns out it was the original shifter dated from August 1971. When I took it apart it had all of the factory installed hairpin style clips and washers still intact, as well as the original rubber grommets. Pete's website is: http://www.precisionpontiac.com/contact.htm in case you need his services. He is the expert in Hurst stuff and I highly recommend him. I also sent out the handle to be rechromed. Got that back today. It was $45 and my local chrome guy in Newark, New Jersey did an excellent job - Flavio, of All Bright Metal Finishing (973) 371-8060. Took him 8 days for the job. He does a lot of show car stuff and is very reasonable and meticulous...and things are finished when he says they will be. (which is rare for a chrome plater these days)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...8/shifter1.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

I spent the past week restoring the a/c evaporator housing. It even had it's original POA valve, dated September 21, 1971 still attached. Some gentle application of paint stripper and degreaser removed the years of gunk and overspray, leaving a very clean fiberglas housing. Even the original red paint inspection mark and the Harrision decal remained intact. I replaced the factory heater core as I was not about to trust the 33 year-old piece in there. I also replaced the a/c wiring harness as the original was melted beyond recognition and repaired with, of all things, aluminum foil and duct tape. Gee, no electrical shorts there!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...irewallac1.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...irewallac2.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

Hey I need to clean my a/c box as well..can you tell me how you got away with stripper and not messing up the finish?? or did this step get the box to sparkle for lack of a better word... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Spray Day
 

I brushed it on and waited only a few minutes before wiping it off and then washing it down with mineral spirits to kill any remaining stripper. It did this, maybe two or three times to get all of the paint off. Lacquer strips very easily, the stripper emulsifies it and it just wipes away, whereas enamel based paints bubble first and then can be gently scraped away with a plastic scraper. Either way make sure you wash it with water and mineral spirits to remove any remaining stripper residue. Too long and it will attack the fiberglass. After I had it all clean and dry, I lightly dusted it with some Rustoleum clear enamel to bring back the gloss like the original shiny fiberglass finish.

Re: Spray Day
 

Steve... is the unit fiberglass?

Re: Spray Day
 

Yes, the outer shell is made of a grey fiberglass with visible chopped strands in it. I think all of the GM "suitcases" as they are more ommonly called, were made of this injection molded fibreglass. Here's a closer look:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...irewallac3.jpg

Re: Spray Day
 

aahhhhhhh I see you cleared it you rascal...I thought it had a little bling to her..it turned out awsome I will try the same recipe and see how I do.

Thnx for the tip, Bud.

Re: Spray Day
 

Probably made from the same materials as the tail light housings from the camaros are made. They have like that marble affect. Very nice job Steve!

Re: Spray Day
 

Coming along very nicely Steve..Keep the pics and updates coming, very interesting https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

How to tell your car has a lot of miles on it...
 

These are the clutch related parts I had to replace on my 114,000 mile Trans Am. I will have to weld up the elongated clutch pedal hole but look at how much of the linkage parts were worn through after 33 years of heavy shifting. By the way, these pedal is as it came out of the car: that's the original finish on it -still no rust after all these years!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...clutchrods.jpg

Re: How to tell your car has a lot of miles on it...
 

I installed the subframe on the car today. It actually went very easy, just rolled it back on the floor jack and lifted the body with a transmission jack with a 8-foot fence post supporting the body.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...meinstall2.jpg

Re: How to tell your car has a lot of miles on it...
 

Here it is all connected back together after 6 months apart:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ubframeon3.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ubframeon1.jpg

Anyone have one of these to spare?
 

I am in need of the little rubber molded hose that goes from the heater fan motor housing to the a/c housing. The one pictured is actually for a Corvette and the curve is wrong. Anyone out there have an extra? They should be the same for all F-bodies for a number of years.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...heatertube.jpg

Re: Anyone have one of these to spare?
 

Awesome stuff Steve! I enjoy the pics and the info. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Thanksgiving day activity
 

As a post-Thanksgiving family activity I finished the rear differential and cleaned it up. The one thing that always bothers me about restorations is that some guys out there take way too much time to reproduce paint marks that were originally applied in about two seconds at the factory. My solution? I had my kids do the paint marks and they had a ball! I had the 10 year old do the letter "E" that was on the bottom of the dif, simply because my 5 year old isn't so hot on his alphabet skills at the moment.
Here's the original paint marks:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../reardif10.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...olorcodesa.jpg

and here's the 10-yer-old's version:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rearpaint3.jpg

Thanksgiving day activity
 

Here's the remainder of their arts and crafts activities for the day. We replaced all of the marks that were found on the rear as it was in the car, no extras, just the orginals. I printed out photos of the marks and gave them to the kids to duplicate. Here's the 5-year-old's masterpiece. They are available for contracting out on outside restoration projects. They now consider themselves "Semi-Random Paint Application Restoration Technicians."
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rearpaint2.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rearpaint1.jpg

72 T/A progess
 

Anyone ever see one of these? I found it in the bottom of my driver's side fender last year and didn't think it belonged to the car so I tossed it in the garbage but it missed and landed on the back of my workbench and it's been there ever since. The other day I was perusing the 71 and 72 Pontiac repair manuals and found this diagram that explains exactly what it is! Turns out it is the original horn relay cover, installed at the factory. I have no idea why they used it but I guess I'll put it back on since it came from the car.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...elaycover2.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...aydiagram1.jpg

Re: 72 T/A progess
 

That's great getting the kids involved.
I am sure they will remember that for a long time!

Re: 72 T/A progess
 

Just got the original power brake booster back from Steve Gregori in California. He does an awesome job on these units. I have the entire brake system done now but have to clean up the rear leaf springs before I can reinstall the finished rear and hook up the rear brake line.

The master cylinder is a 5470409 but it doesn't have the bleeder screws. The original one on the car was the same way: no bleeder screws. So I am still wondering if the car, being a late 71 build should have a master cylinder with the bleeders or not? Anyone have an opinion on this???
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../engbrake1.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../engbrake3.jpg

Re: 72 T/A progess
 

Nice detail work Steve, your TA is looking good ! The master cylinder should have the bleeders, I may have one in my attic above my garage and will check for you. It was off a 71 TA I used to own 15 years ago. I had my 10 year old daughter help me out with some paint daubs as well. She really liked it as well.

Re: 72 T/A progess
 

That would be great if you could find one. I've been checking all the parts stores and it's kind of the luck of the draw whether you get one with the bleeders or not. So far, not.