[Joe37]

Its ready to go in the chassis,

[Joe37]

More,

[TAKerry]

Beautiful!

[78Macho]

Well, there you have it folks! I took the tranny mount over tonight. It's a wrap, the engine and tranny are ready to go back into the car! Easier said than done, maybe? Plans are being made to haul it back to my house and get it in the car. Believe the most positive part of the process will be the fact that the radiator/core support is not mounted and the unit will slide in more than it will need to be raised and then lowered into place.

Keep you posted.

[78Macho]

Well, here you go! A million miles ahead of where it has been slumbering for many years. While I still have a chunk ahead of me before it actually fires up and the car is running again, I am stoked to be right here!

A huge thanks to Joe Hand for his expertise in getting this engine and transmission rebuilt, running and ready to go back into the car. His brother Tom came out this afternoon to lend a hand.

I believe it is safe to say that is has been at least 35 years since this motor has been in the car!

[Skip Fix]

Very nice!

[TAKerry]

I'll pay for the gas for you to give me a hand getting to that point!

[74Grandville]

you're making some great progress!! Some observations you may want to look into. the heat shield doesn't look correct on the exhaust manifold. i believe the one on yours is for ealier setups. Also, the front pulleys look like they would be for an A/C car. non A/C got a larger water pump pulley and smaller crank pulley.

my original plan for my 79 TA was to make a w72 copy. that lasted for a year before i went a whole different direction with the 428... lol

[Joe37]

Pretty sure you are right about the heat shield. The pulleys are for a A/C car, went that way for the extra cooling byway of higher rpm on the water pump. Due to the extra cubic inches, any help with cooling is a plus.

[Poncho Dave]

Looks great!

[78Macho]

Anniversary of purchasing the car was last month, 4 years ago and counting.

First, thanks for your input on my restoration. Given the fact the car wasn't complete, as it was 100% advertised as, I wouldn't be struggling getting it put back together correctly. So far I now have an incorrect exhaust heat shield, air cleaner breather tube and starter support bracket for sale!

1. Correct heat shield sourced and installed.
2. Gas tank straps refinished, I had painted them black, they were originally a galvanized, natural finish.
3. Attempting to paint the core support for the third time. I had it blasted and the media they used was too harsh.
4. Purchased a catalytic converter mounting bracket (thanks Jason), refinished it and ready to install.
5. Purchased an original, low mile correct catalytic converter (thanks Jeff).
6. Purchased an NOS header pipe. Picking it up on the trip to MCACN later this month.
7. Purchased a correctly dated, Norwood, space saver spare tire.

Currently looking for a reverse lockout set up, another item missing!

Punch list made for getting the car back on the ground for the first time in several years, including getting brake fluid in the new system.

Albie McHenry, the original owner, said he ran across the original salesman that helped him order the car at Coopers. Unfortunately, the conversation didn't go far in reference to the Trans Am. But, at least I have a name for the history book. Thinking about getting a business card made up to put in the owners manual packet!

[78Macho]

I forgot to post this. I found a guy on ebay that had a bunch of blank, original Pontiac "New Vehicle Inspection Procedure" forms! The form is two part, white outer copy is for the new car owner and the yellow is for the dealer file.

Think I am getting close to having a complete owners manual packet for the car!

[78Macho]

Guessing the reverse lock-out linkage search was in top three items that were not to be found. Came down to asking a couple of parts sources to go their sources! One afternoon, I had two to choose from! One was heavily coated with rustproof undercoating and I bought it. Price was fair for how rare an item it is.

I have the exhaust a third of the way done now. Haven't decided how I will finish up, aftermarket or I know of an NOS system ($$$).

Just got the rubber mounts for the radiator.

Stay warm and safe, spring is around the corner!

[TAKerry]

Beautiful.

[78Macho]

Coming up on the 5th anniversary purchasing the blue car in October, 2019. This is the first time it has been out of the garage since then.

I have quite a few items started, but not finished. Joe Hand is a saint! He plans to get the car started and lot driving!

[78Macho]

Well, good news and bad news...

Joe had the car running! That is a huge win, hands down, I am stoked!!!

Unfortunately, the punch list grew much larger.
1. Heater core is shot and leaking like a sieve.
2. Neutral safety switch wires have been cut.
3. Steering column key cylinder is not working properly.
4. Rear brakes are absent.
5. E-brake on vacation with the rear brakes.
6. Oil pressure sending unit is for a warning light and not a gauge.

Nothing on the list that can't be fixed within reason.

Some other good news is that Joe's brother Tom is working on a project to complete my exhaust from the cat back. Details to come.