So some small updates for everyone since i have been neglecting this thread.
I yanked the motor, replaced the lower end gaskets and bearings and re-assembled the motor plus freshened it up with a nice coat of paint. New headers, new valley pan, new oil pan and some other bits n bobs.
While I had it out I decided to clean up the engine bay and tackle the Vintage Air upgrade. First step before all this was to replace the subframe bushings which were shot. Glad to say they all came out without incident however the ends of the subframe were rotted out. So the rest of the car came apart so I could repair the subframe. Also of note were the mounting points for the swaybar bushing were shot and the front sides where the bumper brackets mount to the body were weak. I cut out and welded in new steel for the sides and reinforced the lower section for the sway bar bushings.
No now my garage is a disaster zone.. lol
I repaired the ends of the frame with new steel, re-inforced the mid body mounts under the pads. Blasted the frame and just put some nice low gloss black paint on it. It has not looked this good in 35 plus years.
Inner fenders got blasted and paint as well as the core support. They look new again.
Putting it all back together is next on the agenda. First up is new poly engine mounts, then a full Suspension rebuild with all new poly bushings, new upper ball joints (they were original factory ones), lower ball joints are already new, new UMI springs and KYB shocks, new larger sway bar and end links.
Everything that came off will go through my HF blast cabinet and get a fresh coat of primer/paint.
Then the frame goes back on and its time to put the engine in her place and fire it up. Once i wrangle the kinks out ill put the rest together.
Photos so far here for those interested.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=4966c49293
Can you re-use the lower control arm bolt nuts? There were no spring washers or anything just the bolt and what I think are undersized nuts. Two had to be cut out and two came out (one of those two went into the trash as it was too far rusted). But i'm debating just buying grade 8 bolts or sourcing originals from SecondGen Graveyard but i wonder about the nuts?
Thoughts?
feel free to browse the photos to date there are many and i am adding more as i make progress for those who want to follow along.
Louis