[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by 73_Lemans_350

Filled up the tank last night for possibly the last time before spring. Drove it to work this morning as well!

Looks great!

Dennis

[Deadhead]

Greased, changed the oil, cleaned up the front 8 lugs after a 7 year hibernation. Zero issues restarting the engine I built 10 years ago. Whew!

[73_Lemans_350]

I snagged a neat pic after I parked at work this morning.

[KS circutguy]

Nice,
For a better picture hold the phone horizontally.

[73_Lemans_350]

Originally Posted by KS circutguy

Nice,
For a better picture hold the phone horizontally.

Normally I do, but I was purposely not including the vehicle parked right next to me.

[Hunter98TA]

pretty pic 73!!

I always liked the 73 style change when they came out and still do. One of the best designs that came out of the mid to late 70's in my opinion. I remember all the room in the engine bay when I would do tune ups and oil changes on them at the Arco station

[73_Lemans_350]

Originally Posted by Hunter98TA

pretty pic 73!!

I always liked the 73 style change when they came out and still do. One of the best designs that came out of the mid to late 70's in my opinion. I remember all the room in the engine bay when I would do tune ups and oil changes on them at the Arco station

Thank you! I've had this one for a couple years now and really enjoy it. I sold a 4 door 64 Bel Air and got this, and before the Bel Air I had a 79 Regal. This car reminds me a lot of the Regal.

Yes, lots of room in the engine bay, but the oil filter is directly above an exhaust pipe! Easy job otherwise.

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by 73_Lemans_350

Filled up the tank last night for possibly the last time before spring. Drove it to work this morning as well!

That's a great looking car and photo!

[b-man]

Swapped my wheels and tires for a different look.

Black painted 15x6” steel GM wheels from a mid-70s Buick with 215/65 & 215/70 Hankook black wall radials.

Running some OEM dog dish caps that I used to run on my Tempest. Unfortunately one of them split in two places when I popped it on so I’m looking for another decent one.

My heavily optioned convertible (A/C, auto trans, power windows, steering and brakes) rolled off the lot with dog dish caps and Saddle Bronze painted wheels, the original owner didn’t pony up for full wheel covers.

[moneypit]

Busy day for me, drive belts and speedo cable lube on the GTO.
Pulled the headliner on the Firehawk, I will drop it off with the upholstery guy tomorrow..
Drove the 37 to a Ribs & Rides show in a nearby town.

[Shiny]

Removed rear valance to start on bumper and taillight replacement, which will follow body work attempt on some quarter panel carnage.

The valance is bent a LOT less than my front was, which is welcome news. Worst of it is a dent someone decided was needed to install some Big Gulp exhaust tips that are destined for the recycle bin.

I also suffered a failed attempt to remove the rear springs, but I'm OK with that.

[b-man]

Took my 1966 VW pickup to Walmart to get my new tires mounted and balanced today.

A couple months ago I swapped the 16x8-1/2” 1984 Corvette wheels I had been running on my pickup since 1988 for a set of Weld Draglites, 15x5” and 15x8” shod with 185/55 and 205/55 Yokohama tires. The ride has improved and it’s much easier to steer now.

I almost put the Draglites on the Le Mans convertible but thought the VW truck would be better suited. The width and backspacing just happened to be right, kinda like when I shoehorned the wide Corvette wheels on it back in the day.

Also recently polished up a set of Centerlines for my 1956 VW panel bus, it’s getting all new suspension and a lowering job. It will also have 2 sets of wheels to change the look, a set of white powder coated original 15x4-1/2” bus wheels for when I’m tired of the Centerlines.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Brushed a bunch of Rods and Pistons, after sitting in Gasoline a week. Need 421+030 so need 428 STD.

FB MKTplace revealed a fella nearby with a couple 455 blocks for sale. I go hmmmm. Maybe visit his garage this afternoon.

[PAUL K]

I'm putting together a 74 TA and wanting to maintain that old school hot rod look from the 80's. I just finished up mock assembling the bracketry for the supercharged Pontiac engine I'll be using. I also got to clean out my misc bracket bin. I started with a big block Ford blower hub and pulley. Used a 70 Firebird PS pump and bracket, 1967 timing cover, a vintage polished alternator. One of the cars had come with a hacked up, poorly polished alternator that made a noise exactly like a rock crusher transmission, I think I found a good home for it. It will compliment the 70's quality polish on the blower. A 69 F-body alternator bracket was used for the top mount, a 71-79 AC water pump pulley and a Toyota Forerunner V-belt.... Once cleaned up and painted it'll have "that look".

[BB70]

Had to pull Mr Glitter out due to a rocker arm losing half its needle bearings a couple weeks ago. Found all but 4 of 30. Cleaning up and recleaning. It could have been worse.

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by BB70

Had to pull Mr Glitter out due to a rocker arm losing half its needle bearings a couple weeks ago. Found all but 4 of 30. Cleaning up and recleaning. It could have been worse.

That's always a bummer! Hopefully you can make some upgrades and turn a negative into a positive

[carcrazy]

After a lengthy search in the garage, finally found my new lug nuts for the Rally wheels!

[camerjeff]

Drove the 71 Catalina Enforcer for the 1st time in 10 years, the shop scheduled to do the body and paint work is running about 6 months behind, so I had to bring it home after all the mechanical work was done. It is the farthest I have ever driven the car, about 65 miles about 1 1/2 hours on the surface streets. Had the blower motor quit about 10 minutes into the trip, so I had some cold feet (only about 45F in Detroit today) Then about 1/3 of the way home the temp light came on about 15 seconds before steam started coming out of the hood as I pulled into a Fast food restaurant parking lot. At first I thought it may have been the heater core, but after all the steam cleared I could not find a leak, and decided the thermostat must have stuck closed. So after a quick trip to a nearby auto parts store for some coolant, rags, funnel, and RTV. I removed the thermostat for the rest of the trip, Made it home after that safe and sound. The car sure does drive and handle well for a 50 year old boat!
Happy ending! No Tow needed!

[SD455DJ]

Wow! That was quite the adventure! Sorry to hear about the overheating...maybe the cold weather helped mitigate it a bit. First drives after 10 years in old cars exposes the lurking gremlins. Glad you were able to repair on the road and make it back home before the crappy weather hits Michigan tomorrow! Looking good!

Dennis

[67drake]

The prodigal Goat is back.
My ‘55 is in the upholstery shop for the winter, so told my son he could store his ‘71 in the heated garage for the winter, seeing as how I have a space open. Probably for the best, as I’m sure I would find another project to fill the empty space!