[Doright]

Hello all been a Lurker off and on for a while now, long time Pontiac fan.

OK The project where to start been working on it for years off and on taking entirely to long to do, I am rebuilding a Very rusty 70 Esprit into a TA/Firebird custom long story short BUT car was gone with rust and had been moused over badly before I got it, needing lots of parts that were either missing or destroyed. Its not going to be matching number correct anything just trying to rebuild what should have went to the crusher long ago.

I am nearing the end of all the Rust repairs these included lower rear quarters both sides, full Trunk trunk pan, removal and repair and re-instillation of rear tail panel, Trunk drop offs both sides, A pillar repairs both sides, Cowell Panel and now recently discovered small area of left forward Rocker panel and rear window channel repairs on both sides.

As I said above I am getting close to being done with the metal work I am no pro just an armature hobbyist trying to build a Hot rod.



as it started


What a mess


It gets better














So the cutting and drilling started





hmmm pretty big to go threw the Trunk


off comes the Tail panel


Fitting Trunk pan


Trunk drop offs


lower quarters patches








Believe it or not I reused this panel

[77 Canamman]

Great job on the rust remediation. Honestly, all of that rot is pretty typical for a rust belt 2nd gen

[Doright]

I started this thing 6 years ago many other projects have gotten in the way since starting it and life in general.

but I am back on it and making slow progress.

my Tig welding

[Doright]

Here's a few more pic's






















I got this panel its the inner tail panel will see how well the new one fits
[/quote]

[Doright]

[Doright]

As If all that were not enough for me to deal with, I have this as well.
Why didn't I walk away from this one I knew it was a Rust bucket why oh why







This is gonna get interesting in the repair department :knockout:

[Doright]

[Doright]

Hey guy's how do these look? These are not for this car their for another car Im working on BUT I was thinking about doing it to the Birds parts.

windshield wiper things Before


After


Lets see Door latches, trunk lock, door strikers, windshield thingy's


My favorite


Not bad looking 45 year old hardware in my opinion

[Doright]

Oh shucks almost forgot about today's update










So hows that for Fit???? Try buying that in any store catalog!

[Doright]

This post bring the project up to date as of today still lots to do
Trunk is in and welded in

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5537.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5538.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5539.jpg[/img]

Tail panel blasted clean repaired reinstalled
[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5542.jpg[/img]


I was worried about Trunk alignment after putting the Rear panel on as it was impossible to do while assembling it with all my 20 inch Vise grip clamps in the way but it turned out great I am very happy with it I used the factory panel alignment jig holes and lots of clamps and Clecos.

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5535.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5540.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5541.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5532.jpg[/img]

Trunk drop offs installed
[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5531.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5530.jpg[/img]

Holes in frame rails damaged from some ones attempt to hang exhaust from welded on tabs to them repaired.

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5529.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5525.jpg[/img]

A Pillar post rust repairs completed and cowl removed for rust repair replacement panel and Media blasting.

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5523.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5524.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5521.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5522.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5528.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5520.jpg[/img]

Welded up Marker lights decided to deleat them

[img width=800 height=600]https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/Marvinator/1970%20FIREBIRD/100_5518_1.jpg[/img]

Windshield and rear window channels have been blasted clean still have some repairs to do to aft window frame.
Also blasted door frames clean. I have to order more Glass to finish the blasting, and I discovered some rust in the left Rocker panel where the fender attatches over it while blasting inside under the Cowell panel easy fix.

All and all its coming together my welding skills are getting better wish I could redo my left quarter panel repairs but what is done is it may be ugly in parts where I blew thru and welded up but its solid and nothing a skim coat of Fiber glass wont hide and its better than it was before I started and I am not buying any more panels for this car! I will do better on my 71 TA it needs the same repairs.

[Doright]

Why isnt my last posts links working???
I checked my P/B account my band width for linking is unlimited????

I don't understand the problem with my links ?????

[Stuart]

Looks like an ambitious project, but you're making good progress!

[keith k]

Always great to see one getting saved!
Based on the VIN, it's an early production car. Did it have the pot metal tail panel filler on it? (if the original was still with it).

[Doright]

Hey Keith
Unfortunately no it had a broken original plastic one on it.
If It had the Pot metal one on it I would have just sold it to some one doing a Matching numbers resto though this car is just gonna be a Nice solid driver when done.

Im still looking for a Super T10 or a Munci M22 for it (any one????)

I have a 455 Im planning on putting in it.

I still have the Pontiac 350 and auto tranny I pulled from it if any one needs a 70 350?????? I have no idea if it was original or if it ran I got it home and just pulled it as I knew I was putting a 455 in it.

[4dblnkldude]

You have more patience than I ever will. Kudos for bringing it back.

[1965gp]

Nice project- love 70-73 birds. What process did you use to clean up the latches, hinges, etc? They look great

[72projectbird]

Nice! Looks about as rough as my 70.

Looks like it's coming along great!

[Doright]

Originally Posted by 1965gp

Nice project- love 70-73 birds. What process did you use to clean up the latches, hinges, etc? They look great

Parts were cleaned and de greased then Glass beaded in my Blast cabinet, then Plated and then polished.

I first got started with Plating with a Copy Cad plating kit from Caswell many years ago There are other Plating baths commercially available from other Pro Plating outfits. I started with Caswell doesn't mean you have to use them.
I am now getting into Copper & Nickle plating and making my own baths solutions. Most all are proprietary mixes so they can be expensive.

I would love to get into Chrome But I would need a dedicated shop or shed for it myself. Just to many steps with Big dedicated Tanks special air extractors needed for the caustic fumes.

Im not gonna kid any one Plating can be very expensive especially when first starting out uses dangerous chemicals and Heavy Metals which are dangerous and may cause cancer precautions must be taken proper Proper protective equipment must be used and when done with chemicals they must be properly disposed of also expensive!
I keep my tanks sealed air tight when not in use prevents evaporation and check PH when ready to use again may have to raise or lower PH by adding to it but generally last a long time.

Hardest part is cleaning the parts, Their is also some math involved to figure out a parts actual sq inch size once you know the Parts square inches you figure the out the Voltage and current to use to plate them then its just polishing the part or protective coatings.

Its labor intensive if your doing a lot but easy work goes fast makes 50 year old parts look new again its not for every one.


If you want to try Plating small parts get I suggest a small Kit from Caswell with a Battery for a Transformer like I did one thing led to another and I am in it deep!
you can also use a Battery charger BUT be forewarned controlling Voltage and current is key to nice plating job you don't need a super expensive transformer or super hi current one for small parts the bigger the part the bigger the Bath the more current you need and bigger transformers.