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#101
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Its ready to go in the chassis,
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#102
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More,
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#103
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Beautiful!
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#104
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Update on engine and tranny...
Well, there you have it folks! I took the tranny mount over tonight. It's a wrap, the engine and tranny are ready to go back into the car! Easier said than done, maybe? Plans are being made to haul it back to my house and get it in the car. Believe the most positive part of the process will be the fact that the radiator/core support is not mounted and the unit will slide in more than it will need to be raised and then lowered into place.
Keep you posted. |
#105
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Christmas in August
Well, here you go! A million miles ahead of where it has been slumbering for many years. While I still have a chunk ahead of me before it actually fires up and the car is running again, I am stoked to be right here!
A huge thanks to Joe Hand for his expertise in getting this engine and transmission rebuilt, running and ready to go back into the car. His brother Tom came out this afternoon to lend a hand. I believe it is safe to say that is has been at least 35 years since this motor has been in the car! |
#106
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Very nice!
__________________
Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4-sold 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs 1964 Corvette Coupe 327 4 speed |
#107
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I'll pay for the gas for you to give me a hand getting to that point!
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#108
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you're making some great progress!! Some observations you may want to look into. the heat shield doesn't look correct on the exhaust manifold. i believe the one on yours is for ealier setups. Also, the front pulleys look like they would be for an A/C car. non A/C got a larger water pump pulley and smaller crank pulley.
my original plan for my 79 TA was to make a w72 copy. that lasted for a year before i went a whole different direction with the 428... lol
__________________
1979 Firebird Trans Am 301/4spd (Now 428) 1977 Firebird Formula 400/Auto 2007 Grand Prix GXP 5.3L |
#109
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Pretty sure you are right about the heat shield. The pulleys are for a A/C car, went that way for the extra cooling byway of higher rpm on the water pump. Due to the extra cubic inches, any help with cooling is a plus.
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#110
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Looks great!
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#111
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November update
Anniversary of purchasing the car was last month, 4 years ago and counting.
First, thanks for your input on my restoration. Given the fact the car wasn't complete, as it was 100% advertised as, I wouldn't be struggling getting it put back together correctly. So far I now have an incorrect exhaust heat shield, air cleaner breather tube and starter support bracket for sale! 1. Correct heat shield sourced and installed. 2. Gas tank straps refinished, I had painted them black, they were originally a galvanized, natural finish. 3. Attempting to paint the core support for the third time. I had it blasted and the media they used was too harsh. 4. Purchased a catalytic converter mounting bracket (thanks Jason), refinished it and ready to install. 5. Purchased an original, low mile correct catalytic converter (thanks Jeff). 6. Purchased an NOS header pipe. Picking it up on the trip to MCACN later this month. 7. Purchased a correctly dated, Norwood, space saver spare tire. Currently looking for a reverse lockout set up, another item missing! Punch list made for getting the car back on the ground for the first time in several years, including getting brake fluid in the new system. Albie McHenry, the original owner, said he ran across the original salesman that helped him order the car at Coopers. Unfortunately, the conversation didn't go far in reference to the Trans Am. But, at least I have a name for the history book. Thinking about getting a business card made up to put in the owners manual packet! |
The Following User Says Thank You to 78Macho For This Useful Post: | ||
#112
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one more item
I forgot to post this. I found a guy on ebay that had a bunch of blank, original Pontiac "New Vehicle Inspection Procedure" forms! The form is two part, white outer copy is for the new car owner and the yellow is for the dealer file.
Think I am getting close to having a complete owners manual packet for the car! |
#113
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Slow moving
Guessing the reverse lock-out linkage search was in top three items that were not to be found. Came down to asking a couple of parts sources to go their sources! One afternoon, I had two to choose from! One was heavily coated with rustproof undercoating and I bought it. Price was fair for how rare an item it is.
I have the exhaust a third of the way done now. Haven't decided how I will finish up, aftermarket or I know of an NOS system ($$$). Just got the rubber mounts for the radiator. Stay warm and safe, spring is around the corner! |
#114
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Beautiful.
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#115
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Blue car out of the garage...
Coming up on the 5th anniversary purchasing the blue car in October, 2019. This is the first time it has been out of the garage since then.
I have quite a few items started, but not finished. Joe Hand is a saint! He plans to get the car started and lot driving! |
The Following User Says Thank You to 78Macho For This Useful Post: | ||
#116
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It's alive!
Well, good news and bad news...
Joe had the car running! That is a huge win, hands down, I am stoked!!! Unfortunately, the punch list grew much larger. 1. Heater core is shot and leaking like a sieve. 2. Neutral safety switch wires have been cut. 3. Steering column key cylinder is not working properly. 4. Rear brakes are absent. 5. E-brake on vacation with the rear brakes. 6. Oil pressure sending unit is for a warning light and not a gauge. Nothing on the list that can't be fixed within reason. Some other good news is that Joe's brother Tom is working on a project to complete my exhaust from the cat back. Details to come. |
The Following User Says Thank You to 78Macho For This Useful Post: | ||
#117
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Latest update...
Here is the latest update on the blue car. Joe has the car running and driving. Brakes and e-brake were a challenge but spot on now! There were a million little items to do, but most all are taken care of. Horn works, wipers work, lights work, all gauges work and I purchased a little black buzzer for the ignition and headlight warning! I still haven't started or driven it yet...
Currently the car is in for the rest of the exhaust system from the cat back. Plans are for correct 12" mufflers. Hand made splitters back from the chrome shop. It is taking some time, but will be spot on OEM correct. |
#118
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Looks great!
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#119
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Everything is looking fantastic!
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#120
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Exhaust is done
The exhaust has been a labor of love! My plans when I took the car over to Joe's house were to get the car running and bring it home. Tom Hand actually helped Joe and I install the engine and tranny last year. To say Tom knows exhaust would be an understatement at best. Well as the project is winding down with Joe, Tom calls me and says he wants to help run the exhaust from the cat back. He has a good friend with a shop and they want to help me out. His friend came and picked the car up at Joe's house and took it to his shop.
I think the pictures tell the rest of the story. It is about as close to OEM as you can get. I am hoping to get the car picked up on Sunday and bring it home. Which means I will get to start and drive the car for the first time ever! A HUGE thank you to Joe, Tom and Jack! |
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