72 TA : New Project - Page 15

**njsteve** · #**141** 11-12-2005, 11:09 PM

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!

budnate · #**142** 11-13-2005, 12:27 AM

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...

**njsteve** · #**143** 11-13-2005, 02:51 AM

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.

**MosportGreen66** · #**144** 11-13-2005, 02:59 AM

Steve... is the unit fiberglass?

**njsteve** · #**145** 11-13-2005, 03:23 AM

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:

budnate · #**146** 11-13-2005, 03:54 AM

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.

**Salvatore** · #**147** 11-13-2005, 05:59 AM

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!

**SamLBInj** · #**148** 11-13-2005, 07:13 PM

Coming along very nicely Steve..Keep the pics and updates coming, very interesting

**njsteve** · #**149** 11-21-2005, 02:35 AM

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!

**njsteve** · #**150** 11-21-2005, 02:38 AM

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.

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