72 Vert Lite RestoMod Project
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
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From: Alexandria VA
It has been a little while since my last update. Since then I've added a winch to the lift and pulled the motor/trans from the car. The plan now is to clean and paint the remainder of the frame and firewall, swap the front suspension with the other half of the Van Steel set up, new wiring harness, electric head lamps and finally rebuilt motor. Lots of pics as I progress through this part of the project.
On a side note, I didn't have the facility to pull the motor myself (slanting car port) so I reached out to Black Wolf Auto in Woodbridge VA and they've been outstanding so far. Chris drove to my house, picked the car up, pulled the motor and brought the car back for what was a reasonable price in my mind. You folks in VA who've asked about good shops in the past should perhaps give these guys a try. They will be working with a machine shop to tear the motor down and determine what that awful knocking sound is. We suspect a wrist pin but not sure. Then we build a beast
.
On a side note, I didn't have the facility to pull the motor myself (slanting car port) so I reached out to Black Wolf Auto in Woodbridge VA and they've been outstanding so far. Chris drove to my house, picked the car up, pulled the motor and brought the car back for what was a reasonable price in my mind. You folks in VA who've asked about good shops in the past should perhaps give these guys a try. They will be working with a machine shop to tear the motor down and determine what that awful knocking sound is. We suspect a wrist pin but not sure. Then we build a beast
.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
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From: Alexandria VA
This weekend I was finally able to start working on the rest of the frame under the car. There was tons of grease and crap on the rails and the under body. It looked like someone shot me with a grease cannon after I came out from under the car. Also started removing pieces (coolant tank, wiper fluid tank etc.) from the fire wall to include pulling the wiring harness away and diss-assembling the wiper mechanics. I also removed the heat shields from the firewall and of course I spun the studs off so I'll be doing quite a bit more riveting of parts, which isn't that big a deal.
The one thing I'm not quite certain of is if/when I remove the vacuum system will I need to do something with the PCV valve assembly since it's part of this system. I will be installing electric motors in place of the vacuum systems for the lights and wiper door etc. so does the PCV valve route somewhere else now that the vacuum tank will be unneeded? I'll figure that out at some point but if anyone has any input please share.
The one thing I'm not quite certain of is if/when I remove the vacuum system will I need to do something with the PCV valve assembly since it's part of this system. I will be installing electric motors in place of the vacuum systems for the lights and wiper door etc. so does the PCV valve route somewhere else now that the vacuum tank will be unneeded? I'll figure that out at some point but if anyone has any input please share.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
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From: Alexandria VA
Spent this weekend removing parts from the engine compartment. Only a couple of more items to take out (control arms and brake booster). I removed the steering column, steering box and suspension links as well.
The brake booster is proving to be somewhat of a challenge given the location of that upper left bolt positioned behind the peddle assembly. Not sure how I'm going to get to that yet. I was able to start the cleanup process of the firewall, frame and fender wells.
I paid a visit to Black Wolf auto on Friday to check out the shop and speak with Chris about the motor build. Some nice goodies going on it so I'm motivated to finish up the front end soon.
The brake booster is proving to be somewhat of a challenge given the location of that upper left bolt positioned behind the peddle assembly. Not sure how I'm going to get to that yet. I was able to start the cleanup process of the firewall, frame and fender wells.
I paid a visit to Black Wolf auto on Friday to check out the shop and speak with Chris about the motor build. Some nice goodies going on it so I'm motivated to finish up the front end soon.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 10
From: Alexandria VA
I had to complete one last task before leaving for Costa Rica or it would have bothered me the whole week. I removed the brake booster and vacuum canister from the car this morning. For those who have not done this before it's a MFer but doable without taking the dash out. In addition, you must remove the booster to remove the vacuum canister.
The most helpful tool, based on input from another thread, is duct tape on the swivel joint for the socket. This worked great in getting to that upper left nut, which is barely visible. Next task will be to remove the A arms and then it's resto time for the engine compartment.
The most helpful tool, based on input from another thread, is duct tape on the swivel joint for the socket. This worked great in getting to that upper left nut, which is barely visible. Next task will be to remove the A arms and then it's resto time for the engine compartment.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
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From: Alexandria VA
Quick update on progress. Disassembled the remaining front suspension components, cleaned the frame and drive tube and got paint down on the cross member, frame and tube. I also cleaned up and painted the blower box and assembled the blower motor. Should be able to finish painting the FW and rear portion of the engine compartment this coming weekend. That means we're getting close to putting the motor back in the car.
I dropped some pieces off at Black Wolf and they had the rebuilt motor on a stand in the shop and she look mue bueno. Unfortunately I didn't drag the camera down there so as soon as I get it off my phone I'll post for everyone to see.
I dropped some pieces off at Black Wolf and they had the rebuilt motor on a stand in the shop and she look mue bueno. Unfortunately I didn't drag the camera down there so as soon as I get it off my phone I'll post for everyone to see.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
You're doing an awesome job. Something so many of us would like to do, but don't want to tackle. While you're at it, you might replace that heater core if it's at all old. I did mine this past year. From the looks of it, you have a non a/c car as I do. That core will come out fairly easily from the engine side if you are at all inclined. Well worth the little extra time and effort. Merry Christmas.
Duane
Duane
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
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From: Alexandria VA
Sunflower yellow. I'm going to put the Munci back in the car. I was thinking about the Tremec 5 speed but at the moment it's cost prohibitive with everything else I'm doing. I figured I wouldn't be driving very many highway miles so opted to wait.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 10
From: Alexandria VA
You're doing an awesome job. Something so many of us would like to do, but don't want to tackle. While you're at it, you might replace that heater core if it's at all old. I did mine this past year. From the looks of it, you have a non a/c car as I do. That core will come out fairly easily from the engine side if you are at all inclined. Well worth the little extra time and effort. Merry Christmas.
Duane
Duane
Happy holidays to you as well, hope you get all kinds of goodies for the ride.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
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From: Alexandria VA
I finally got to spray the firewall and it pops now. I also sprayed the rails up to the motor mounts.
I discovered the first real rust problem but thankfully it's in a spot I can easily replace. As I was cleaning the rad cross member I noticed a nice hole rusted right through so I'll just drop it and replace it with another one. I may be able to finish cleaning and painting everything by the new year. Kind of excited about putting new parts on the car but the brake booster is on back order, which is a bummer.
I also sprayed the rails up to the motor mounts. I discovered the first real rust problem but thankfully it's in a spot I can easily replace. As I was cleaning the rad cross member I noticed a nice hole rusted right through so I'll just drop it and replace it with another one. I may be able to finish cleaning and painting everything by the new year. Kind of excited about putting new parts on the car but the brake booster is on back order, which is a bummer.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 10
From: Alexandria VA
Over the Holidays I've been able to spend quite a bit of time finishing up the frame work and have started installing a few new parts.
Ran into an issue with the new brake booster Paragon sent...it don't fit!
When I opened it and looked at it I had my suspicions. I confirmed them today as I test fit the new MC and it won't work with the BB they sent so I've ordered one from Cardone, which is an exact match to what I removed (the MC fit the old BB like a glove). The other issue with the BB I was the brake pedal rod was a 1/2" too short. 
I'll post some pics of those in a later post.
Ran into an issue with the new brake booster Paragon sent...it don't fit!
When I opened it and looked at it I had my suspicions. I confirmed them today as I test fit the new MC and it won't work with the BB they sent so I've ordered one from Cardone, which is an exact match to what I removed (the MC fit the old BB like a glove). The other issue with the BB I was the brake pedal rod was a 1/2" too short. I'll post some pics of those in a later post.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 10
From: Alexandria VA
Got a little colder here so I've been working on a lot of small parts to include rebuilding the headlamps. My counter top blast cabinet has come in really handy for this effort. Installed the new electric motors also.
I was able to complete painting the engine compartment before the really cold weather arrived and my wiring harnesses finally arrived. Once I have the headlamps back on the car I'll lay those out, match them to the original harness and tag the key terminals for the engine installers.
I was able to complete painting the engine compartment before the really cold weather arrived and my wiring harnesses finally arrived. Once I have the headlamps back on the car I'll lay those out, match them to the original harness and tag the key terminals for the engine installers.