[Bentwheelbob]

Looonnngggg day. With the short block about to ship the pressure is on to get as much of everything else done as possible. MPD came over and we spent most of the day doing final cleaning on the subframe, stripping down the top of the core support, and stripping down the cowl. It's getting close to the point where we start masking and painting, but it probably needs another good day or so.

After spending most of the day on that, we decided to get the bushings and ball joints in the control arms so they would be finished and could be shelved. On the upper ball joints I bought the rivet head bolts so they would look more original. We had a big problem with them in that without a bolt head to hold they just spun once they got so tight. Eventually we ended up prick punching them to provide a surface with some tooth, and that did the trick. The lower ball joints were a SOB and we finally gave up on them figuring that we would be better starting fresh. The top and bottom surface of the lower control arm is not parallel and it makes it tricking to press them in straight. Here's a few pictures.

[Grand73Am]

Are those rivet head bolts specifically made for ball joints?

I believe ball joint bolts are supposed to grade 8, so if those are not, I wouldn't take a chance with them. If you could dimple them like that, I have my doubts as to their hardness. Just trying to save you from a potential problem.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

So is that your stamp Alvin and are you going to let me borrow it, or are you just teasing me with a random internet picture?

I've got one Bob I can mail it down to you.

[lumarkhood]

Really fun to follow this thread!

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

So is that your stamp Alvin and are you going to let me borrow it, or are you just teasing me with a random internet picture?

No Bob, nothing but a big tease...

Originally Posted by The Boss

I've got one Bob I can mail it down to you.

...and here it is! Teased one right out for you! Another reason to love PY and the various contributors - the creme continues to rise - as Boss is the perfect example of that here (thanks Boss).

Seriously though - several years ago here on PY someone was repopping the stamps, and may have been offered FS via PY for short period of time... One poster commented that he took the design he wanted to local sign/stationary shop and ordered one from them..

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by Grand73Am

Are those rivet head bolts specifically made for ball joints?

I believe ball joint bolts are supposed to grade 8, so if those are not, I wouldn't take a chance with them. If you could dimple them like that, I have my doubts as to their hardness. Just trying to save you from a potential problem.

Grand Am - thanks for your post. They are made specifically for ball joints and sold by InlineTube. Inline usually sweats the details and sells good stuff. They were not very easy to punch, but I appreciate your post and will keep an eye on them if I ever get this beast back on the road.

Originally Posted by The Boss

I've got one Bob I can mail it down to you.

Thanks Chris. I'll take you up on that when the time comes. Hopefully it's not too long.


Well, a pretty productive weekend. We started out fresh on the lower ball joints and it went much better today. I used Moog ball joints and MPD mic'ed them and they were .014" larger in diameter than the old ones. That certainly made it harder. Also, the control arm ball joint hole probably had 8 coats of paint since I painted them black first and then taped off and painted the tips. After putting the ball joints in an -18 degree deep freeze and removing the paint we finally got them pressed in using a 20 ton press, but it wasn't easy. This was and is a learning experience.

The A/C compressor is also done and it looks a lot better. I'm not thrilled with how the decal adheres, and may try another one, but what a difference. I can't wait to get this thing back together. Lastly, all the core support and cowl fasteners are removed and mounted in cardboard, now I just have about 2 days of cleaning, wire wheeling and clear coating. Here are a few pictures.

[dreamn69]

turned out nice

[78 TA KID]

BOB COMPRESSOR TURN OUT AWESOME!!!!! CAN'T WAIT T SEE THIS BABY BACK TOGETHER.

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by Alvin

No Bob, nothing but a big tease...

...and here it is! Teased one right out for you! Another reason to love PY and the various contributors - the creme continues to rise - as Boss is the perfect example of that here (thanks Boss).

Seriously though - several years ago here on PY someone was repopping the stamps, and may have been offered FS via PY for short period of time... One poster commented that he took the design he wanted to local sign/stationary shop and ordered one from them..

Jerry made some. Then, Inline Tube.
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=534024

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by dreamn69

turned out nice

Originally Posted by 78 TA KID

BOB COMPRESSOR TURN OUT AWESOME!!!!! CAN'T WAIT T SEE THIS BABY BACK TOGETHER.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I'm with you on getting this thing back together. One long weekend at a time...

I forgot to mention that Brake Kleen was used to remove the old paint from the compressor and the new paint is OER low gloss black.

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Jerry made some. Then, Inline Tube.
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=534024

Mike - good to see you pop up. Happy New Year - I hope you're doing ok. Winter's been a little warmer this year which should make life a little more tolerable, but it sucks for us coal guys. Thanks for the tip on the stamp.

[dreamn69]

Bob, maybe I missed it, but what clutch will you be running?

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by dreamn69

Bob, maybe I missed it, but what clutch will you be running?

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=765850

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Nice Bob! Being an "Old School" '78 Guy, 1st thing I noticed is the Grey color of the repop center spoiler...and not the OEM original gold color molded ABS factory issue that has gone the way of the DoDo Bird - just one "little" more thing to keep you up @ night? Just Kidding, no harm no foul...but something that "I" always look for on ANY 2nd Gen TA...but none of mine are as nice as yours, so...

Question: Something I've thought of while reading on your other threads about your Y88 engine and clutch increased power and torque - with the add'l drivetrain output what are you going to do to keep that T-Top body from flexing? - bolton subframe connectors, or?

Was amazing how stiff our T-Top '79 Y84 became with the simple bolt on "Lakewood" slapper traction bars back in the '90s...but I'm sure you want to maintain that stock stealth look, yes?

Don't care what anyone sez - you do good work!!!! Thx for sharing with us.

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Good eye and incredible timing on the spoiler. Not only is it a replacement, but it doesn't have the stripe decals either. After your Phoenix Graphix post last night I glommed around on their website today and found they sell individually the stripes for the front spoiler/air dam. They are now on order.

In terms of stiffening, I don't plan to do anything. I don't plan to track the car and with the stock skinny tires I hope it won't be an issue. If it is, I'll deal with it then...

If you change your mind after the 1st few 100 burnouts LMK...

Walking into our modest garage I literally walk past the factory box containing a set of new never used Competition Engineering #C3114 Bolt-In Frame Connectors for
1976-81 Firebird as shown below...

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by dreamn69

Bob, maybe I missed it, but what clutch will you be running?

69 - Alvin posted the thread on that, but here's the page from Summit Racing.

Originally Posted by Alvin

If you change your mind after the 1st few 100 burnouts LMK...

Walking into our modest garage I literally walk past the factory box containing a set of new never used Competition Engineering #C3114 Bolt-In Frame Connectors for
1976-81 Firebird as shown below...

Thanks Alvin. Let me get this thing back on the road and see how it does and I may very well take you up on the need for frame connectors.

[dreamn69]

Thank you Bob and Alvin.

[Bentwheelbob]

Well. after weeks of pulling things apart and taking grease, oil and paint off the car, paint is finally going back on. We got everything masked off and got fresh paint on the firewall and cowl. It looks really. I used SEM trim paint and the gloss was a great match for the factory gloss. There is one spot on the cowl that needs to be wet sanded and reworked, but it feels so good to be moving forward again.

Here's a few pictures:

[Judge273]

Nice work and that gloss looks very on!

[The Boss]

Very nice - bare steel under the trim tag huh?

[Bentwheelbob]

Well, a long day, but a lot got done. The steering shaft got all cleaned up and refinished is now ready to go back on. It looks great. The cowl is now all put back together with the exception of the wipers, and the wiper motor/pump got refreshed and installed. I also put the trim tag back on and after much deliberation did so without repainting it. It's really cool to start putting parts back on the car. Much more fun than taking them off.

The top of the core support has also been sanded and is getting primed. I had problems with the first primer (Rustoleum High Build) as it reacted with the existing paint and got hairline cracks. I then tried SEM high build and it did the same. I had the same problem with a few spots on the cowl and the only thing that would hold was Duplicolor Filler Primer, but I used it all. I ended up going to NAPA to get a couple cans, and just like on the cowl it is holding, but I have a lot of work and sanding to do.

Here's a few pictures.

[78 TA KID]

Looking good!!!!!