[428ho4spd]

After having these sleeved and rebuilt, they should be good for many years to come.

[428ho4spd]

Drums were painted gold early on by the original owner so they would show through the openings of T-T mag wheels he installed. You can still see what's left of the original paper axle ID sticker on the left rear drum (last photo). I will be painting them back to black like they should be.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by 428ho4spd

Took the brake system apart earlier this week to send the original master and wheel cylinders out to be restored. Even at just 35K miles, I was surprised to see how much material was left on the original shoes. You can see the Delco markings on the outer edge of the shoes on a few of them. The drum surfaces look good too, nice and smooth.

You are doing that car a great service in its preservation. My hat is off to you. I would recommend running the original brake shoes and drums as-is. They are fully bedded, and are made of superior materials than new friction materials. They should last for 100,000 more miles. I am still running the original rear brake shoes on my '83 Toyota 4x4 with almost 300,000 miles on them. They have about 30% lining left. Yours look to be about 90% ....so you are 'good to go'!

[428ho4spd]

Originally Posted by geeteeohguy

You are doing that car a great service in its preservation. My hat is off to you. I would recommend running the original brake shoes and drums as-is. They are fully bedded, and are made of superior materials than new friction materials. They should last for 100,000 more miles. I am still running the original rear brake shoes on my '83 Toyota 4x4 with almost 300,000 miles on them. They have about 30% lining left. Yours look to be about 90% ....so you are 'good to go'!

Thank you, I appreciate that! Its a slow and more costly process trying to keep as many original parts on the car as possible, but I know its the right way to do it for a car like this. I plan to do just that, I'll scuff the drum and shoes surfaces lightly to clean them off and run them as is. I'm sure these original shoes will outlast me!

[77 TRASHCAN]

Did you remove the remnants of the plastic timing gear teeth, from the oil pan???

THanks for sharing!!! You are doing it ALL, exactly as I would, AND as it should be done!!!

[428ho4spd]

I never removed the pan, I really didn't want to pull the engine. What I did do is inspect the pan and pick-up screen with a friend's borescope and we saw nothing there, both were clean. I then filled the crankcase with mineral spirits, let it sit for a week and then drained and strained it... I got nothing but darkened thinner. I did a second quick flush to be sure with the same results. I also had my friend cut open the old oil filter that was on the car when I bought it, it too was clean inside. I'm thinking and hoping that most of those pieces came out with Rex's frequent oil changes. The engine was/is very clean inside.

Before starting the engine, I did check the oil pressure with a manual gauge while priming it. I got an instant and steady reading of 63 lbs each time.

Thank you, I'm trying to do it right. I have two great friends that deserve credit as well, they have helped me tremendously while guiding me through this... thank you Chris (60sstuff) and Wayne!

[400 4spd.]

Thank you for sharing your documentation with pictures. I feel that this thread will be invaluable for years to come.

[428ho4spd]

While waiting on the original brake cylinders to be completed and returned to me, I went ahead and ordered new tires for the original Seneca Bronze painted wheels. I stripped the black spray paint off the remaining three wheel faces, then cleaned and waxed them. I then had the new F70-14 Goodyear Speedway Redlines mounted up and ready to install on the car. These new tires closely match my original spare.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Are the new tires radials???I've heard they make radials that look like old tires....

[428ho4spd]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

Are the new tires radials???I've heard they make radials that look like old tires....

No, they are bias ply. I believe those are only made in the Firestone Wide Oval, Coker offers them.

[gto19]

Looking good ! We’re those wheels painted that gold from the factory?

[428ho4spd]

Originally Posted by gto19

Looking good ! We’re those wheels painted that gold from the factory?

Thanks, Eric. Yes, that's the original gold paint that was underneath the black spray paint that original owner applied.

[ZeGermanHam]

They look amazing. Never in a million years would I think that it's possible to remove a topcoat of spray paint without destroying the original paint underneath. Nice job!

[77 TRASHCAN]

429HO,
Is there anything, at all, left to do, save for enjoying driving it?

Are you going to use dot 5 brake fluid??

[2nd67GTO]

Glad to see justice served to this rare beauty. Mine was very similar when I purchased it. Thought to be all original. A.I.R. A/C, Power seat, etc. Mine is an automatic however. Too far gone to be a survivor, once stripped I found left quarter had been replaced, right quarter pretty hammered, kink in the frame rail behind the rear end and rear crossmember of frame bent up. Changed my direction somewhat.
I did find that only 350 ish Champagne Poly cars with AIR were produced. Don’t remember where I found that, but it stuck.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by 2nd67GTO

Glad to see justice served to this rare beauty. Mine was very similar when I purchased it. Thought to be all original. A.I.R. A/C, Power seat, etc. Mine is an automatic however. Too far gone to be a survivor, once stripped I found left quarter had been replaced, right quarter pretty hammered, kink in the frame rail behind the rear end and rear crossmember of frame bent up. Changed my direction somewhat.
I did find that only 350 ish Champagne Poly cars with AIR were produced. Don’t remember where I found that, but it stuck.

Is that the original shade of gold???

[2nd67GTO]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

Is that the original shade of gold???

Yes, champagne poly mist with a little extra gold pearl for good measure. Matched the non faded color under the trim.

[428ho4spd]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

429HO,
Is there anything, at all, left to do, save for enjoying driving it?

Are you going to use dot 5 brake fluid??

Yes, I will be installing a correct Gardner exhaust system after I've had a chance to "shake it down" and see what else may be needed.

No, staying with DOT 3.

[428ho4spd]

Got the brake system finished and put the original wheels back on the car. Went for a short drive around the neighborhood and it drove very nice, even on the bias-ply tires. Car is very solid, no rattles and felt great. Next will be a new heater core (started leaking yesterday) and then a new Gardner exhaust system. Its slowly getting there!

[60sstuff]

SICK GTO !

GB,

You’ve done right for this low mile Survivor.

Every move has been top of the line, as it should be.

Thanks for sharing.

Chris.