72 TA : New Project - Page 14

**mockingbird812** · #**131** 10-30-2005, 07:57 PM

[ 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.

[/ QUOTE ]

Question is, did you salvage the penny and set it aside for the photo/documentation album? It's all apart of your journey.

Your ride looks stunning. Keep the pix a comin'!

**njsteve** · #**132** 10-31-2005, 01:29 AM

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.

**njsteve** · #**133** 10-31-2005, 01:35 AM

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.

**njsteve** · #**134** 10-31-2005, 01:42 AM

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.

**Salvatore** · #**135** 10-31-2005, 05:05 AM

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

**njsteve** · #**136** 10-31-2005, 06:02 AM

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

**Salvatore** · #**137** 10-31-2005, 06:37 AM

How true that is!

**njsteve** · #**138** 11-09-2005, 02:53 AM

[ 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.

**njsteve** · #**139** 11-10-2005, 05:08 AM

I have the firewall and cowl top completely painted now. I followed the original overspray lines on the cowl edge:

**njsteve** · #**140** 11-10-2005, 05:20 AM

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)

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.