|
my project is under way
not sure if this is the correct section, if not mods please move.
after a couple months i can finally get this build underway. friday night we dragged it out because the passenger side rear drum was locked. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pspalkgsmf.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psljmbq1bn.jpg saturday morning we fixed the locked drum and was able to turn the wheel. added brake fluid and bleed the system http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psfuasfzqb.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pskgdlhbxr.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psczsezl46.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psjpi81uee.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pshxyov4uo.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps671eukaa.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0rwbqrwr.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps25imk24k.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pszitr7yfv.jpg yes that is ****. apparently a possum got inside through what im guessing is the taillight opening and well it did this http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psk3kykjuv.jpg no worries, cleaned it up http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psehaco3i4.jpg this was the trunk with the chrome moldings. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psudbwara6.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psg671bdyx.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pssgiainma.jpg these are all the trims i found inside the car. still in good conditions http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3i8eoohb.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psqyx0jstf.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pspaoc8tth.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps1dtdnvw3.jpg cleaned up the trunk http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psuo4pggwq.jpg i have the center console inside the storage, along with door panels, rear seats, quarter panels, taillights etc... and my 1st picture with the car out of the garage. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pscdf8stfj.jpg now i have questions. hopefully i get some good answers and suggestions. what is a good recommendation for chassis sealing? or coating what can i go with on suspension? this will not be a drag car, or for pro touring but i want nice handling. control arms? shocks? springs? for the a/c system i will be going with vintage air. unless someone has good something different i dont know about. brakes, i want disc all around. any specific brands? im not going all out like wilwood or brembo. but just a weekend drive. a good radiator along with electric fans? as for the engine im not sure if i want to stick with the 326. i would really like a 400 if i can find one for a good price and get it rebuilt. i will be switching from carb to efi with fitech. my questioin is if i slap it on the 326 and later find a 400 can it be recalibrated for the 400? trans, i really want to find a th400. the rear end i will rebuild it with a posi trac and higher gears just not sure on what yall have used and gears would be good starter? alternator? what about changing out the whole wiring harness? i know they make a whole harness for the car which is around 600. im willing to spend the coin on it. gauges? i like the original ones but ive seen some pretty cool ones. wheels and tires? i do like the pro touring look but torque thrust wheels give the muscle look. i will be going with the original burgundy color, as for interior, not sure if i want to go with black or burgundy also. ill be updating this thread as the restoration continues. comments are welcome and suggestions even more... thanks guys |
Looks like a very solid project. I can't answer all your questions but here is what I did on my car. Front disc conversion from a 72 Nova. I had my frame powder coated along with many of the chassis parts. I stayed with the stock A/C set up except I went with an S-6 compressor instead of the A-6. Using the stock starter. I switched to an internally regulated alternator after having problems with 3 aftermarket voltage regulators. I bought all new wiring harnesses from M&H. Wait until you get the motor, tranny and any other mods before you get the wiring. Then call M&H and they will help you with the right harnesses to fit your application.
I am going to put a set of 17" Year One Rally IIs on my car. |
May I ask why the 72 nova disc conversion? For the a/c I wouldn't mind more room in the engine bay, I guess for a cleaner look which is why I would think vintage air. Would you happen to have the model # on the alternator? What did you pay for harness if I may ask? Those wheels are sick. Wouldn't mind looking into those.
|
Quote:
http://www.wiringharness.com/ |
Chassis coating I would go epoxy with topcoat, POR-15 or similar, or rustoleum, probably in that order, depending on prep method, motivation, and desired results.
I'd definitely redo the wiring, but don't order it until you've nailed down everything else so you order one with the right circuits for all of the options and non-stock stuff. IMO some of your plans don't mesh together 100% (why set on TH400...esp when you don't even know what engine you'll have?). Also why fuel injection? My advice: add a third pedal. Why 4 wheel discs for a weekend driver? 69-72 front discs and stock rears work great...staying with a stock part based setup makes things a lot easier. I've never seen a set of gauges in a GTO that look better than the originals, and stick with the red int if you go burgandy or black on the exterior. The 65/66 metallic red interiors look outstanding when redone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Stick with the red interior..every other car has black...I would definitely go with an overdrive...stick or auto... good luck
|
I found a bop th400 from a 69 lesabre for a good price. That will bolt up to the pontiac 400 with no problem correct? (I'm getting my grease hands on a 400 also). I just want to be 100% on everything. I'll be getting the chassis sand blasted and coated here at work. Hell of a price I can't complain about. Bdk1976, you got me thinking on the fuel injection and I decided to keep it carb... for now... and 4 wheel disc brake is honestly a preference since I want the car looking sexy all the way. Plus I know I said a weekend warrior but I will also drive it to work and ****. I don't want to end up with a garage queen. Been there done that. Never again. I will enjoy this car, like an 8 ball and 2 hookers.
|
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/pts/5507653210.html
Here's the Craigslist add if yall could take a look at the pictures. |
Can't tell from the pics in the ad.....is it a long tail or short tail?...pretty sure the GTO came with a short tail which means you would need to shorten your driveshaft...fyi
|
If you are using the car as a driver then give a 200r consideration. Better for the engine and your pocket. It may cost more but it will be better overall. Turbo 400 are tough but not touring friendly. Nice car best of luck
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
To take the torque of a Pontiac 400 it would have to be built up to with stand the torque. The turbo 400 would be better for the track and much cheaper..
|
Yes, that something I would prefer. I'll leave the OD for the daily. A 4 speed auto is rather left for this car. I want power. Raw power. I'm thinking ahead of time, but I know what I'm looking for.
|
sept 1 2016, day 1 of resto progress.
4 Attachment(s)
after years of it sitting in the garage, 11 years of owning it, and a damn **** up from a previous "body shop" it is finally in my buddies body shop. we tried to tow it with his quad yesterday but the front passenger side drum was sticking and was dragging the tire. i pretty much ended up having to pull.... no... hammer the drum off along with stuck brake pads. screw it. disc brakes are going on it. so today after work we strapped it and towed it to his shop. lucky me its 2 houses down. cant ask for more. ill be making progress post. with pictures. he will have the body off the chassis and they will do the whole body while i take the chassis and get it sand blasted, coated and painted. after that. its back to my garage for new control arms, steering parts, new suspension, brake upgrade, brake lines. fuel tank, fuel lines, etc... now. can yall suggest suspension? i want full disc. it will cost more to do all 4 rather than just front, but that doesnt bother me. ill be pulling the original a/c and adding a vintage air system on it. this will be my weekend car. i want power of course. im not expecting to take it to the track but i want power. nothing like pulling from one of these new cars. i get it. this is a boat. but thats what makes it sweeter. im open for suggestions guys..
thank you. George oh. and it was INJUNTOM (member here) who helped me get the driver side door i needed for it. i cant thank him enough. |
Very cool car! Hard to beat Powermaster starters and alternators. T400 trans are also hard to beat for strength, reliability, and cost. Lots of guys like an overdrive trans, but they are a lot more expensive to get them to hold up like a T400 depending on power level. Depends on how much highway driving you plan to do to justify the extra cost there. I personally love cruising on the highway at 3000 rpms which is intolerable to many. You didn't mention what rear you are using, but you might want to upgrade instead of sinking a bunch of money into a 10 bolt, or do what I did which is run it til it breaks and then upgrade. As far as brakes, I have done well with my front disc/rear drum setup(manual). As far as rims, I am a huge fan of rally ones or twos, either of which would look great on your car. Good luck!
|
4L80E has the strength of a T400 and OD. I know that's what is going in my next project for sure. Just doing it once, and doing it right the first time is what I want for myself, your needs may be different.
|
Ocmdgto, I hadon't thought about the 4l80e or the 700r4 even at that. Depending on price I wouldn't mind it. Will it bolt up to the engine with the bellhousing it comes with?.. as for the diff. I've been trying to find a 12 bolt with no luck. Not sure exactly what vehicles came with a 12 bolt. Unless you suggest something different...
|
4L80E is only made in chevy bellhousing pattern, so a $70 adapter plate is needed for BOP/Cadillac bolt pattern. You'll never break one on a up to 750 HP street/strip car if it's done correctly. With added hard parts that can take it to 1200 HP.
It's virtually a light truck T400, with OD added (75% of the internals interchange between T400 and 4L80E). Used in diesel and BBC applications, and 3/4 and 1 ton with a SBC. I have one in my 93 dually turbo diesel, and it takes everything I throw at it with 255,000 miles on it. Towing, plowing, with no complaints. I've owned it since 2010 and have only changed fluid and filter in it so far. |
As far as rears go, nothing wrong with a twelve bolt. You might want to check out some of the ready to run 9" or Dana 60 packages offered by Srange, Moser, or Quick Perfomance. Some guys on here use the 8.5" 10 bolts with great success. I would toss the 326 and get at least a 400 if you want to pass anything faster than a Prius.
|
Sirrotica seems like im convinced on the 4l80e. i mean a th400 with OD. im thinking yes. if id be going with that trans i was thinking on what trans controller. any thoughts?
ocmdgto ill look into the 8.5 10 bolt. yeah the 326 is going out and im looking for a 400. i know some people would rather prefer all original for big bucks but id rather build for me to have fun in. |
JL, you might want to track down "ol pinion head" on here, he lives in Texas also and I'm pretty sure he builds rears.
|
Just use this controller: http://www.usshift.com/?utm_source=b...0controller_MS
If you need a transmission Jake's is probably the best source for 4L80E builds: http://www.jakesperformance.com/ |
cool so i got that down. what about suspension?
|
Save that 326 Jay. They were a good little engine back then, and one I'd still use today.
I had a 66 Tempest Custom with a 326 and ST-300 back in 1972. I even added the GTO grills, GTO emblem, and GTO parking lights to it.. all for 75 bucks at a Pontiac dealer. Tranny went and I swapped it.. like a fool. That engine got 25 mpg on a trip with the 4bbl. Not an HO, but someone had put the 4bbl on it. |
Im in the process of ordering suspension. where and what can i order? im wanting all new shocks, springs, trail arms, upper and lower control arms.
|
check out Global West...tubular control arms w/aluminum bushings and delrin inserts...also B body spindles to change the roll center and improve handling
|
I'll check them out. I'll be ordering by next week and want to make sure Ill order the correct stuff and that I won't forget anything. As for body mounts?
|
buddy of mine sent me a picture today while i was at work. said tomorrow it will be going on the machine and off the frame. so thats my queue to get what i need done to the chassis. sand blasted, coated, painted. then suspension, disc brake conversion, fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines, steering parts etc....
but i just thought about it. if im going with a 4l80e, then i should get the cross member done to the chassis before coating. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb7659bsn.jpg |
wanted to see if anyone has bought this or if its worth buying its a cross member for a 4l80e conversion
https://www.amazon.com/G-Force-Perfo.../dp/B00JLTVCS0 |
Any thought on that cross member?
|
There's a good chance you can reuse your original with a little bit of creative engineering...welding...and save some money...looking good
|
Good stuff! Love watching these build threads. Gives me motivation and ideas for my eventual build. Good luck and keep the updates coming!
|
minor update from yesterday night and tonight.
pulled accessories off. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps7lt8xwlt.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...sddtt1bxp.jpeg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...syecbplbr.jpeg and this was the end of the night http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psqwg2xlzx.jpg wiring harness is removed. boy getting to that starter was a bitch. ok so i have questions on suspension. i was looking over on viking shocks and they have some that are coil overs which work with stock lower control arms or tubular arms. from what i understand you dont need to buy specific coil over lower control arms. can somebody verify that for me. wouldnt mind coil overs on my car. front and rear. also what can i go with for rear suspension, what do you guys suggest? |
JL-
Looking good!! Really enjoyed the pics of the body coming off the frame and being put on the rotisserie. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Keep the pics coming. Thanks. CB |
any suggestions on shocks and springs?
|
Didn't do much this afternoon, but i did manage to just remove the passenger side brake line which has seen better days or years.
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psiz8nnv9h.jpg other than that removed the fuel lines. they were in good conditions but they will be replaced when it comes down to it. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psu9q4o6lt.jpg im still wondering on suspension. im really wanting to go coil overs, but dont want to buy them without some feed back on what ill actually buy. as i said before, i was looking at vi-king coil overs. or even QA1 coil overs.. |
did some more removing this afternoon after work. here are some pictures..
shocks all around removed for new coil overs.. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps6di0eitc.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psla5npnsm.jpg cut and pulled off exhaust http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psp8jykhxm.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psv9xmtvz9.jpg had no problem removing exhaust off of manifolds http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps1nx8432y.jpg and of course the power steering gearbox came off also. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps2ep3weko.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pssgyr5gel.jpg somebody know what that little ground is for? http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psvqluhtvd.jpg i got some limited edition shocks for sale, barely used in case anyone is interested lol http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psd5sduyfz.jpg got body mounts?.... http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps98nxj5iz.jpg to be continued....... |
had some fun this afternoon.
out with old http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psqk9xhxzs.jpg in with the new http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psivf4z4h5.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps7jrbyshk.jpg im gonna have to move the crossmember a bit back, nothing hard.. i was thinking about changing out the tailshaft housing, getting the shorter one. Should i? |
Quote:
|
Aberfromen, yeah I did figure that. I will be rebuilding the whole tranny and if it means changing out the output shaft I'm ok with it.
|
gonna stick to the longer tail housing for a shorter driveshaft.
moved the crossmember back and it sits lower than original. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pss4zqvlmr.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psrqvetm1q.jpg im gonna shim each side to compensate for the height to fix the angle. gonna bolt the crossmember when ready and then remove the drivetrain again and take it for the sand blasting and coating. |
|
havent posted for over a week but pulled the engine this past saturday after work.
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pshmlifonm.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pslaqdpz2d.jpg summit racing came through with my rear control arms, front control arms and qa1 rear coilvers. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9sb3u9o0.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psr1s4fhyw.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psodbgp5eg.jpg i got the chassis loaded up on my trailer. Gonna remove the brake shoes and remove the e-brake cable to change it out for something less in the way. ill be unbolting the diff. and the front suspension also. really want to make sure the sand blasting gets into every crevice. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psj4as6ca1.jpg |
Good job!! Don't worry about the sand... it will get into places you never thought it would! Lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
finally after so many errors by QA1 i got my from coilovers.
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psg527dyxd.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pskih34tz8.jpg |
haven't updated in months but i found myself a 400. priced pretty good also. its a 72 ws block with 7k3 heads. ill post pictures tomorrow.
|
I've been away for a couple months but I got some updates.
Powder coated chassis http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psiduqhcux.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psgeepilx2.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psafclommy.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psz2qmvjnz.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psvehfff18.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psmxucorin.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps88w0g5hi.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...psab9dr112.jpg http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...pscnqfcmi5.jpg The engine is the 326 but we are just putting new gaskets to drop it in our 31' for pick up with a 700r4 and a 12 bolt from a camaro. |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:32 PM. |