[Thumpin455_GTO]

Did some engine work, need to bolt down the intake and valve covers, but otherwise the 400 is done. So I bolted the new on the block, attached a Th400 core, and stuffed it in the car. Its the first time in years there has been an engine in there. Now its a matter of connecting everything, getting the brakes plumbed, then getting the sheet metal back on. I want to paint the frame black again, but I can do that with the engine in the car. It got some over spray on it when I did the body. If I had the glass and headliner ready I could put this thing together, finish the interior and make it look like its getting somewhere.

Here is the 400 nestled in there, just waiting for everything to get connected.

[indymanjoe]

Nice to see ya still workin on the car!Great work as always!

[BigB]

Originally Posted by Thumpin455_GTO

Once the power steering box is in this one, then the column can be mounted in the right position. Need to figure out some carpet and sound deadener, want to do dynamat but $$$. With luck, if I get up before noon, I will probably do the engine work tomorrow. Swap the 2802 cam in the 400 and the heads from the 455, button it all up and wait until I can stuff it in. Really thinking about using the front drive from the 326, and the valve covers, so it looks like a 65 engine, since I will have the front off to swap cams now would be the perfect time for it.

Going slow, but the weather is making me stiff and sore. Just barely motivated enough to mess with the cars.

I just insulated my whole floor and rear firewall/tubs last week. I used Frost Kings self adhesive foil and foam insulation. I got it at lowes. Took me almost 4 rolls, but I did rear firewall, tubs, and rear package tray area. You probably won't need as much. It is around $15 a roll. Part number is FV516.

[Thumpin455_GTO]

Thats the stuff I got, seems to work pretty well. Havent finished that yet, been working on other stuff, mainly because I need a roller to press it down better.

[BigB]

Originally Posted by Thumpin455_GTO

Thats the stuff I got, seems to work pretty well. Havent finished that yet, been working on other stuff, mainly because I need a roller to press it down better.

worked great for me, and I only used my hand to press it down. Just made sure I had all surfaces clean first. If you try and pull it up after I put it down, it tears...so it sticks pretty well.

[weevilkenevil]

hows your project going? ,been watching with interest in australia , watching you bring this one back from the brink actually prompted me into action on my own 65 .ive only owned it since 1989! .its now a bare chassis ,waiting to get blasted2

[Thumpin455_GTO]

Been fighting health issues the last two months, but have gotten a few small things done. If I can feel better this week, I have lots planned. Want to get it running by Saturday the 23rd. I could do it by then if the old bones will cooperate for just a week. Might just do it despite feeling like crap, Dave has a family reunion next weekend and I want to have it there for him.

I have the brake booster and MC mounted, some of the lines run, and the glass is here. Still need to paint the grill surround, fillers behind the bumper, and redo one of the taillight housings where it got scratched. Wouldnt hurt to go through a Th400 or put one of the Th350s behind the 400. Been thinking a Th350 because the driveshaft from the LeMans with an ST300 will fit perfectly. Nice and simple.

[dlarkins]

Who's Post Coupe is this ? I thought you started with a hardtop ?

[BLACKGP]

Good luck, and I hope you can git r done this week. A short video of Daves Goat running would be AWESOME!

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by BLACKGP

Good luck, and I hope you can git r done this week. A short video of Daves Goat running would be AWESOME!

Ill tell ya, after following this thread from the start and all that car has been through, a video of this thing moving under its own power would really make my day.

[Thumpin455_GTO]

The post LeMans is mine, just a 326 auto I got from RAJohn down near Flint. It was a parts car with a nice interior and some other stuff I needed, so I got the whole car. I have plans to build something with it for me after I am done with the GTO. Think lightweight, 455/Th400, grandma looking car with a Tempest grille. Might stay MM yellow, might not, but it will definitely get a 455 since I have one on a cart waiting to go in. My favorite year A body is 65, so now I will have one and so will Dave. Wish I could have started with the post instead.

I think we have figured out what has been causing my issues for the last 6 weeks. One of my meds was giving me some rough side effects, so I stopped that one and I am much better today.

I want the GTO running more than you guys do, and trust me it will have a video put up of it when its moving on its own. Looks like tomorrow I will be able to get some stuff done, the fuel and brake lines are all there, just have to put them on. I think I will pull the exhaust manifolds off the 326 and use them on the GTO, they leak lots less than headers and Dave doesnt care about power. That really simplifies things.

I know a guy who has a tri power for sale up here, but I am thinking a self learning EFI instead. Dave isnt used to carbs anymore, so that is the plan later, probably over the winter. Until then I have a nice running Qjet I rebuilt last year for it. Sure would be cool with tri power, but Dave doesnt want it.

Anyone have some 15" rally I wheels they want to part with cheap?

[Thumpin455_GTO]

Getting the bumper off the Le Mans so I could use the taillights from it was a treat. Wiped me out, still cant breathe but got it done. Cleaned up the lenses and bolted them to the painted quarter extensions. Also put the trunk lock in and bolted the arrowhead on. Doesnt sound like much, but man am I tired now.

Heres the pics.





Noticed a spot where my body work is crap, and I thought I had the extensions on when I blocked the quarters to be sure it all lined up... gggrrrr..... Oh well, its a driver, not a show car.

[Thumpin455_GTO]

After fighting with other stuff for nearly a month, and getting so frustrated I didnt want to look at cars, I have found some motivation. I want this thing drivable by Sept 1 this year. That is the goal so Dave can drive it after he isnt doing charters and working his tail off every day all summer.

It took me a while to figure out how the weather strip trim went back on, this is the only hardtop and my pics werent about how those parts fit. Now it has weather strip around the windows and doors, doing the trunk later. Need to find the doors glass channel, and then the hardware for it and I can put the glass in.

Also took the time to put the GTO emblems on the quarters and trunk, and finally installed the bumper after walking around and over it for a month.



Bumper needs cleaned, and actually replaced. It just isnt in the budget to replace it yet, maybe next year after Dave has driven it a while.

[RA1John]

Continuing to progress nicely! Very impressive!

Dave is going to be geeked!

[Thumpin455_GTO]

I will be thrilled to get it out of the shop! Cant wait to see this thing at his house instead of taking up space here.

John, do you still need pics of the power steering? Got under the weather and zoned out on it.

[Thumpin455_GTO]

Drivers side glass is in, needs the chrome strip for the weather stripping between them, but its in there. I am missing three parts for the passenger side, so while the glass is in, it isnt aligned and capable of being rolled up and down.



The door panels dont look too bad. They say LeMans and have some dirty spots that wont come clean, but they will work for now.



My friend that has the nicest 69 Judge I have ever seen needed a flywheel for his 65 GTO. I had one with the 10.5" clutch pattern, so I gave it to him. All of my clutches are 11" so I didnt need it. He traded me the GTO dash plaque and a few other bits for the flywheel, this piece if VERY nice. He has a hood I am trying to get him to sell, gotta see how that turns out. It really makes the dash much better than the LeMans plaque I had in there before. Those things are like $80 a pop and this one is original 65 GTO. Stuck the radio in there too, it will probably get an aftermarket stereo in the glove box that plays oldies.





YAY BRAKES! The hubs need scuffed and more grease put in there before they are ready. The line for the rear brakes needs installed then get it all connected right and secured, but they are on there. Also pulling the rear end from the LeMans, dont know if its a posi or not yet, doesnt matter since Dave isnt going to be racing. The fuel line is bent up and ready to go in, just need to get under there and do it with the brake line. Once that is done, and the exhaust manifolds are pulled from the LeMans and installed on here, I can put the front sheet metal back on. Cant wait....

[64woodwheel]

Really looks good. Keep up the hard work. LMK if you are looking for looking for odds and ends. I have mostly 64 stuff, but some 65 and later. We are close if your are in NE.

Chad.

[Thumpin455_GTO]

Thanks Chad, the encouragement is very well appreciated. Needs some weird stuff, pretty sure the window regulator parts are sourced now. Im in far northern Michigan, and not sure when I will make it back home to Nebraska. At least I get to watch some of the Husker games now. Mostly I need trim parts, and the trunk latch part that bolts to the tail panel. Not the piece with the lock in the lid, the cage like thing it latches on to.

Probably a million other little things that I wont realize I need until I get there. Maybe an antenna since this one was gone.

[64woodwheel]

Ive got a 64 trunk latch part like you describe. PM your address I'll give it to you.

[Thumpin455_GTO]

Thanks Chad!