[Alvin]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Some guys are happy with holding her hand.

"Sure, it could happen!" "I'll just hold your hand now, yess ma'am, sure I will. Honest Injun!"

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

Wheels/tires look GREAT....that's always the "icing" on the cake...and GOOD icing is ALWAYS better.

Quote: The front park lamp assemblies were loose, so we removed the center spoiler section to access them and remedy the problem. That went fine, both assemblies were missing the lower mounting nuts and the top nuts were loose:Quote.

FWIW.....Every unmolested Van Nuys built 78 I've ever touched/molested had loose front signal lights with missing lower nuts....

Hope GM recognized the employees cost saving work habits.......or perhaps there is 100,000 nos fasteners sitting in somebodys garage/basement.

GR8 point! I thought the same when reading the OP, that has been my experience also...all of them are "loose as a goose" that I've owned or worked on.
Never seems to be an issue when going down the road or affecting the parking light bulb life or operation either. And - I don't know why...

[Bentwheelbob]

Well the exhaust system is done. The correct headpipes arrived and MPD and Joey the Welder rolled in today and finished it off. It looks great, but I can't wait to get the gas tank in see how it sounds and what change it has made in terms of throttle response. Here's a few pictures starting with one of Joey taking full advantage of one of the period signs I have gathered.



Before





After

[The Boss]

Need an inspection cover?

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Need an inspection cover?

Nah, I've got one, but am too lazy to pull the starter to put it on when I am planning to pull the motor and tranny anyway before too long. Besides, this thing leaks so much oil at the rear main seal I think I am probably better just leaving it off.

In fact, with the floor pan looking so good and the new exhaust, I am beginning to wonder just how much I want to drive it before dealing with that issue. I hate to recoat the floor with "Pontiac rustproofing" and don't really want oil coked all over the new exhaust. This might be a one and done burn out with the new tires and exhaust...

There is a frame off restored 1971 TA for sale at RK Motors that caught my attention in this regard. Beautifully clean underside with oil spatter coked all over the exhaust and muffler. Pretty nice looking car with at least one wrong fender and a sky high price tag. Here's a couple exhaust shots.

[The Boss]

It's surprising how pitted the axle tubes are for such a fine underside - what gives?

[Bentwheelbob]

So the exhaust system is done, the gas tank has been installed and the car is once again alive. The exhaust sounds good. Really it almost sounds stock, just a little more throaty. Just need to get the rear sway bar back on and we're back on the road at least for one run. I'm leaning more and more toward going ahead and yanking the engine. We'll see. Here's a video of the exhaust and a couple pictures.

Video - Click Picture

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by The Boss

It's surprising how pitted the axle tubes are for such a fine underside - what gives?

That rear axle did not get that rusty/pitted under that body tub.....springs look to be in similar condition...

[Alvin]

Car looks great Bob!

Can't remember where you posted Q about undercoating,
but this thread is right on the money re your OP subject http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=759404

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by The Boss

It's surprising how pitted the axle tubes are for such a fine underside - what gives?

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

That rear axle did not get that rusty/pitted under that body tub.....springs look to be in similar condition...

I think Chris was talking about the car at RK Motors pictured in post 220 of this thread. The only rust on the the Gold Car's rear axle is very superficial and the same for the springs and driveshaft.

[roundportponchos]

Looking great....

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

I think Chris was talking about the car at RK Motors pictured in post 220 of this thread. The only rust on the the Gold Car's rear axle is very superficial and the same for the springs and driveshaft.

I knew it wasn't yours....has the wrong transmission and not enough pedals..........

[The Boss]

Looking real good there Bob.

You're a good caretaker - leaving them better than you found them.

If you ever get bored, I could drop off one or two of mine.

[The Boss]

That's cool!

[Alvin]

Did you pick up any SWAG for the Y88 @ this past weekends' TA Nats?

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Did you pick up any SWAG for the Y88 @ this past weekends' TA Nats?

I didn't get much, but there isn't much I need. I did get a reproduction 1978 dealer order form and a Y88 photo that was for the sales book. I really need the battery holddown nut and it looks like AMK makes that part. I would also like to have new/great replacement W72 valve covers, but no one had those. The best news was that I got several great leads for replacement bodyside door molding for the Black Car.

I did have a nice surprise when I returned home. My custom license plate for the Gold Car arrived and it is pretty cool. One of the benefits of living in a backwoods "Burg" like WV is that most custom license plates are available. Especially ones related to Pontiacs. Here's the new plate...

[The Boss]

Very cool!

[Alvin]

[Grand73Am]

Pretty good match. If you'd like to improve the match, gloss-wise, you could scuff it with some ultra-fine scotchbrite, find some flat clear model paint, and spray some of that on it to dull it down.

[78 TA KID]

spray some matte clear on it !!!! It will tone the shine down other wise color looks dead nuts good job!!!!!

[roundportponchos]

Here's an nos one. Base is black, since new, color should be unfaded. Hope this helps Bob