[TAKerry]

I would like to ship my car out to have that same thing put on. Looks fantastic.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Jim, What size are the after converter, pipes? Stock?

[78Macho]

Y pipe and tailpipes are 2 1/4" exactly like stock. Correct, 12" mufflers are 2" in and out exactly like stock, notched in front to lock in place on the tabs welded to the Y pipe.

I can have Tom respond later for further details.

[Tom Hand]

77, we used the factory stuff as models to create these parts, as best we could. However, we did not add flats and dents in the over the axle pipes like OEM ones have. Jack played some bending tricks to avoid needing the crushed zones.

We did work hard to get the Y pipe pretty accurate and the pipes have the little tabs welded on to hold the mufflers at the correct angle.

The mufflers are cut off and configured exactly like the OEM ones. Notice in the photo the tailpipes attach right at the end of the shell like 78 and 79s did. Some vendors sell systems that are supposed to be exact but the mufflers are not cut off like these and I am not sure the mufflers are notched and locked on the Y-pipes' outlets with the tabs like Jim's is.

We worked very hard to get angles and spacing of everything correct.

The tips are made as accurate as I could get them with the samples and photos I had to go from. And, I had them welded and chromed in such a way that they don't look aftermarket . I did use the heavier gauge steel than original but folks can't see that.

I am pleased at how quiet it is but then again, coming right out of the converter, it was not loud so it makes sense.

Jack Dean, the J and M Custom Exhaust shop owner here in Raymore, MO had a similar Firebird land he was very happy and proud that it looks and-sounds like he remembers his when new. This to me says we did pretty well overall.

Tom Hand

[dreamn69]

It all looks great!

[77 TRASHCAN]

Tom,
Job well done on all aspects of an original exhaust!!
I'd of been tempted to use 2-1/2" tubing. your post converter looks very well done. The two 2-1/4 tubes won't be restrictive. My 77 had the conventional transverse muffler with only one 2-1/4 feeding it, and it ran pretty spiffy!!!
Tom, say Hi to your Dad for me!!!

Jim, Are you going to paint your car, or just revitalize what ou have?

[78Macho]

Saga continues. Trailer I was going to borrow yesterday to pick the car up was tied up all weekend. New schedule is to pick the car up after work today. The suspense is starting to get to me!

I have a fairly short punch list of items I want to address before I say it is halfway done! I need to tread lightly, the boss at home has been extremely generous on the funds flowing the past few months on the blue car.

Paint and bodywork are next. Crazy to have such a ragged car with the original paint still on it! I plan to do the bodywork myself but haven't decided yet about painting it. I have painted a number of cars over the years with the last being a yellow 1980 Corvette for my son when he turned 16. Currently I don't have the funds for what a paint job costs!

[Tom Hand]

Shot of the pass side Tip.

[78Macho]

I got the car home on that Monday night, it was dark and really cold outside, I probably didn't dress warm enough. I got the car in the garage quickly and barely shut it off before the boss started commenting on the exhaust smell in the house...

Sunny and 58 in Kansas City this afternoon. I got the blue car out, put a little gas in the tank and drove it around the block for the first time! What a blast!

Ok, so if anyone is interested in an OEM "Y" pipe for their W72 car, please let me know! Tom and Jack have a jig made to reproduce the pipe they made for my car. I can send additional pictures if needed.

I serviced my air compressor while the blue car was out of the garage. I turned it on this afternoon to air up a tire that had gone down, guess what? A small rust hole in the bottom of the tank.... I had specifically drained the tank several years ago and left the plug open. A step forward and two back.

[78Macho]

Paint and bodywork are officially off and running. Weather has been really cold in KC. I bit the bullet this week and forced myself into the garage. Sandpaper loaded and the paint dust is flying.

When I purchased the used red dash, to replace the damaged original I had a thought. Wouldn't this car be cool if it had the white seats, but instead of the blue dash and carpet, a red dash and carpet? Patriotic colors! Maybe on another car, but I am not doing it on this one. The original owner Albie sent me some photos of the car when it was new under his ownership. I recently found a vendor that makes reproduction stamped carbon steel license plates. I did a quick search on ebay for used plates and it turns out the original plate for 1979 was white with a red letter/number. Score, my patriotic colors are present and accurate! I had a local sign shop make some correct stickers for them as well!

[78Macho]

The blue paint dust continues to fly! It is surprising how much work you can get done when you just spend an hour or so daily in the garage! Front fenders are off to be soda blasted. Fingers crossed this process works better than sand blasting, for the final finish and not warping the sheet metal. Anyone have thoughts on this, please share them!

Also, at the top of my parts seeking list is an OEM center console, 4 speed manual, hand crank windows. If anyone has one hidden away they would consider selling, I would greatly appreciate your consideration! Networking, parts guys leads are also very welcome!!!

Thanks!
Jim

[78Macho]

The weather has been cold but I have been diligent about time in the garage with the blue car. Planning to wait until the middle of next week to check on the front fenders at the blasting shop.

Rear clip is sanded! Doors will be next. They both have quite a few small dings and dents.

Drove it around the big block and then blew out the garage, what a mess!

[TAKerry]

We had a job in the shop restoring/refinishing a pile of wooden shutters. Even with down draft sanding tables, vacuums on the sanders etc the green dust still got everywhere. 3 years later I still find green dust on stuff!

Car is looking great, nice to be able to take it for a drive!

[Skip Fix]

Look for any flex cracks on the top where I circled. My 78 T top car did even after we smoothed it just pulling in and out of the body shop. Took out the factory lead and there were only 3 spot welds per side! Welded it solid and redid the lead.

[78Macho]

Skip- Thanks for the heads up on the rear quarter body seam!

Front fenders have been soda blasted inside and out, primed and waiting for some bodywork. Date codes look like the 17th and 23rd of January.

Hood hinges blasted and refinished. One hinge had a date of January 3, 1979!

Calling the glass shop to see about taking the front and rear glass out sometime soon. Windshield is toast, but I have taken a picture of the original date codes for a new unit to be made.

Hood and doors only blue paint left....

[78Macho]

I swore after restoring the '78 turbo Macho that I would never buy another project car that wasn't complete. Ask me how that worked out? Not so good. The allure of an Atlantis blue with white and blue appointment mix interior, W72 project made my eyes glaze over and my judgement fail miserably. Five years down the road I have been on many of parts chasing trails. Here are my top four trails that were the needles in the haystack...

1. Center console, manual transmission, non-power windows. I purchased a nice unit for a Camaro several months after purchasing the car. Later I realized the mounting brackets were different and I decided to find a unit for a Firebird. Of course, the Camaro unit sold very quickly. I have been looking for about 3 months and every so often someone says, yes I have one but am saving it for a future project myself. Some even laugh after my inquiry! Max from down under has been on a search to help me. I have a Rayjay turbo charger he wants that I said I would trade him for a console. He can't believe how hard they are to find either. Long story short, he came across one that I am assuming was in a show car and covered in velour material. We are both gambling that the unit under the said material will be nice. Time will tell. Any guesses as to whether it is the golden needle or a nasty turd?

2. Reverse lock out linkage. Again, I looked for several months and nothing. Obviously, everyone has the linkage sitting around for an automatic set up, but nothing for a 4 speed. The one I found turned out way nicer than I could have ever expected. Thanks Don J from IN!

3. Distributor, 1103315. So how many folks have thrown out an OEM distributor for an aftermarket unit for better performance? Evidently more than you can imagine. This took several months of searching before finding one to purchase. Thanks Paul Knippen from IL now TX! No doubt Paul took pity on me for this purchase, and I sincerely appreciate your generosity, sir!

4. Quadrajet carburetor, 17059263. The carb was a challenge for sure but at least folks weren't laughing at me. Legitimate need and who doesn't have an extra carb sitting on the shelf. I actually found several before making a purchase! Thanks Poncho Dave from NY!

The car is far enough along now that I would say the needles are almost all found. Let's see if I eat my words down the road.

I am certainly not an expert, but if someone was to ask about a project '79 W72 car, these are my warnings for parts searches for sure!

[JUDGE3]

confused on the console search. reproductions are very very nice. mine is anyway.

[78Macho]

Judge3, glad you are happy with the console. I have heard about an even mix of folks that like the reproduction units and those that don't.

One of the first comments I received on my Macho when I took it to MCACN was car looks nice but it has repop wheels on it! Well, thanks, yes they are repop wheels. The wheels are beautiful, but not 100% accurate in the size of the snowflake spokes and mine should have been painted gold completely because it was a late production 1978.

I am trying very hard to put OEM parts back on the car to keep it as accurate as possible. Splitting hairs, yes, it is hard and expensive at that. At this point the interior will have repop door panels, seat covers and carpeting. That leaves the dash, console and steering wheel as OEM...

[78Macho]

A wise man once said you cover up what is bad.

Well, the console arrived on last Wednesday afternoon. My wife and I had flown out to SC for a quick visit early that morning. The neighbor put the box in the garage and I had 4 days to wonder what the console actually looked like.

When I opened the box, it reeked of cigarette smoke. First clue pretty much gave the answer. From the pictures it looked like velour material but it was actually velvet with a purple tint rather than blue. I can't imagine what the car looked like that this console was in? The material was stuck to the console. I was hoping it was just kind of gently laying on it. Dreaming huh? It took over a half hour to peel it off. Underneath was hiding several cigarette burns and various nicks. Structurally, it is 100% sound! It took about an hour and half to scrub the spray adhesive off with a rag and lacquer thinner. The scrubbing dulled the original black finish. No reason why it wouldn't be an excellent candidate for restoration! Again, I am splitting hairs on this and am only questioning my skills when the repair is right on top and center of the console!

Just Dashes wants $1K to reskin the console. However, their new skin covers the original rivet heads that are visible from GM. Since my console will be light blue, the missing black rivet heads are very apparent. I have a plan for the rivets if I do in fact have Just Dashes recover it. Right now, I don't have $1K in the budget.

For now, I think I will leave the console sitting on the shelf. Planning to keep a low key search going for a nice unit. I am grateful I have a Firebird console to use if needed.

A huge thanks to Max for his efforts in finding this console!