garym52

here is my latest progress. got the body (minus front clip) back on the frame so it feels like big time progress.....at least it does to my wife. anyway, here are some pics.

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and then finally, i have a problem. the rear wheels/trailing arms are sitting to low. any thoughts on what I did wrong?

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thanks for looking.

1974ta

Just some tips.

Do not torgue the lower shock bolt or all four of the spring plate bolts until all the weight is on the ground including full tank of gas if possible.

If you torque the mounting plate bolts before full weight is on the ground there is a risk of breaking the rear diff cover.

Did you disassemble the rear spring and paint each leaf?

the spring should be painted with a high zinc content paint like Cold Galvanizing paint. The zinc help to lubricate as leaves slide and protects from rust.

Lookin good!



Bill

Grumpy 427

Awesome Work, great progress

garym52

Thanks Guys. Bill, I will go back and loosen all those bolts. I torqued all of them to specs when I put them on. BTW, I did not disassemble the leaf spring.

garym52

I'm getting ready to try and install the front clip on my car. Any advice or pointers that any of you guys can send my way? I really don't want to screw this up.

Thanks,
Gary

spdrcr29

Make sure to beat the wife home from work so you can get your new parts delivery off the front porch before she sees it! Also make sure you hide the box in the garage! Not that i've ever done this...

garym52

here are some update photos....doing a trial fit up of the front clip and the doors. I plan on bonding that on in the next few days, and then it's time to fire up the new engine and make sure everything mechanical is working before going to paint.



Not crazy about some of those lines, but I hope some of that improves once I level the car. BTW, anyone have any tips on leveling the car? Front to rear doesn't seem like a problem, but side to side on the front has me a bit baffled.

Anyway, thanks for looking.

Gary

C3 4ME

Great progress so far! Sorry I'm not the one to ask on the leveling problem. I take it you haven't fired the engine yet?

garym52

No haven't started the engine yet....I'm anxiously/excitedly waiting for that day. Gonna be a good day, unless of course it isn't for some reason.

tracdogg2

Just a quick observation. Your rear lower shock cup washers are on backwards.
Mike

garym52

Thanks Mike, I'll fix that.....hope that is all that I have on backwards

Gary

garym52

just started getting parts back from paint.....midnight blue that looks great. I will post some pics soon. Still waiting on the carb rebuild so that I can finish mechanical before painting the car.

Gary

HYPER65

Looks good. Always takes longer and cost more than you thank(at least mine did). But the pride of knowing you did it is worth it.

garym52

Here are some update photos....put the starter on and it gave me fits. Tried to shim it and messed around with for a couple of hours before frustration sent me to upgrade Went from this:


to this


and my problems were cured. So i installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge so I would be sure and started cranking with my handy rigged up starter button




the quadrajet is awesome once I got the timing set....1/2 turn and starts right up. really helps to have a true expert work on your carb. He wasn't cheap, but well worth the money (so far)




Finally, here are a few pictures of the t-tops after paint. Pictures really don't do them justice as they turned out very nice. I'll post some more pics as parts get back.




Well that's all for now....it has been such a long process, but it feels great to finally get the engine started and make some symbolic progress.

garym52

Here are pics of the car at my paint shop in various stages. I'm almost home with the exterior....it has been a long road, but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Prime coat: 3 coats with wet sand between


seal coat: 1 coat


base coat: 4 coats with wet sand between



clear coats:

I just thought the above pic was cool, so wanted to include it.






Now it's on to buff, then putting on bumpers and other exterior parts......fun for all, but getting closer and that is nice.

rogman16

Gary--

Car looks outstanding... You have got to be "stoked" that you are getting so close... Please have fun with her and drive the crap out of her once you get her road-worthy... Years of labor coming to fruition, Awesome!!!

Rogman

garym52

Thanks Rogman....it has been a long road, but the end is in sight. Once I get it completed, I'm going to drive it like a rental !

TimberwolfFXDL

Just wanted to say it's looking real nice (and posting gives me the opportunity to subscribe for updates)

tyancey00

nice job, and i love the color!

garym52

thanks guys...I got the bumpers/covers and rear spoiler back on and installed the headights. Heads up to anyone else doing this, I highly recommend that you put the headlight assembly in before the bumper/honeycomb. I thought the headights would slip right back in but was wrong and it took a ton of time to get them re-installed. i will post some more pictures soon. I was planning on getting a bunch more done over the holiday, but I've had the flu which sucks because i finally had time slotted to work on this car.......6 month project (ambitious I know), 2.5 years later

gary