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#41
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Finally got around to working on this car over the winter, pulled the engine but no rebuild, just replaced the original nylon gear with an NOS gear (Nylon too, don't shoot me, I just love how quiet the engine sounds with it). Did the front and rear seals, inspected the bottom end (pump-bearings etc but left it all alone as no measurable wear anywhere). Fresh coat of Pontiac blue and back in she went with a rebuild of the original rad, waterpump etc and new hoses belts etc. Went through the original distributor the original distributor. Did the front bushings and went through the brakes and installed 4 delco non gas shocks. She runs like a champ, smooth, quiet and torquey.
Only PITA is the left turn signal indicator stays on when you turn the lights are on, all the signals themselves work perfect, i even pulled the front bumper to inspect all the wiring and changed all the bulbs to be safe. Must be a ground fault on the dash cluster or the printed circuit. Getting at that is a PITA in and of itself!
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My Break Away Squad 1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops) 1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt) 1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon 1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop) 1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop) 1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon 1969 Executive 4dr Sedan 1969 Bonnie Cvt 1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them) 1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt) 1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them) 1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model) |
#42
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btw, having also just gotten my wagon on the road it is really interesting to feel the difference between the standard suspension on this car and the Y96 suspension that the wagon was ordered with. On the big cars Y96 meant firmer springs and shocks and a 7/8" sway bar in lieu of the standard 3/4" bar. Since both cars are running NOS delco non gas pleasurizers the springs and bar are the difference. Both drive really nice but the Y96 is definitely a more buttoned down feel on corners and at higher speeds.
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My Break Away Squad 1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops) 1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt) 1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon 1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop) 1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop) 1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon 1969 Executive 4dr Sedan 1969 Bonnie Cvt 1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them) 1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt) 1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them) 1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model) |
#43
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I ordered some NOS material from SMS to redo the front seat, no rips but it's stained beyond salvation. The original owner (I'm the second) was a rancher and wore those oiled cotton greatcoats.
You may notice I found a set of power door locks (the car was ordered-I have the original dealer order form-with them but the factory failed to install them), it was an 8 hour project but it came out perfect. The challenge was finding a set that had nice switch plates (most are pitted), that's what held up the project till now. I also swapped out the original wire wheelcovers onto my Catalina. Two reasons, one the wire cap sticks out and can touches the skirts on corners and I didn't find they looked good on this car anyhow. I found a set of nice original 69 spec 15 by 6 rally's and had them painted. I like the look and I put a set of Maxxis 235/75/15, very close to the J78's the car was built with. I've decided to repaint the car (outer panels only-the jams are beautiful), hard choice with original paint but the paint is too far gone for my taste.
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My Break Away Squad 1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops) 1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt) 1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon 1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop) 1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop) 1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon 1969 Executive 4dr Sedan 1969 Bonnie Cvt 1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them) 1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt) 1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them) 1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model) |
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