Today I...

[Casey]

Today (really yesterday)
while touring a friends engine shop I saw a Ford Aftermarket performance engine block, that he said was stroked out to 590 C.I.D! I put my hand into a fist and put it in a cylinder and the cylinder wall wasnt even close to touching my hand! Just massive bores on that thing.

Pffffftttt.......

[DeCaff2007]

Today (really yesterday)
while touring a friends engine shop I saw a Ford Aftermarket performance engine block, that he said was stroked out to 590 C.I.D! I put my hand into a fist and put it in a cylinder and the cylinder wall wasnt even close to touching my hand! Just massive bores on that thing.

Pffffftttt.......

LOL @ pffftttt!!!!!!

[77 TA man]

So back to my mess of a Pontiac 400, timing gears and distributor are in the right positions so timings out.
Somebody suggested doing a compression check but it ran solid before and we didnt take the heads off, just took rocker arms off. Can an engine just loose compression sitting on a stand? Oil comes out of the lifters, valves open and close properly. New HEI distributor, plugs and wires, fresh gas. Just cranks and cranks and cranks.

[Casey]

I just had someone offer me a 2001 Accord Coupe 5-speed, that's the first offer somewhat close to what I'm looking for.  Supposed to have someone look at it Saturday and someone was supposed to today but they ended up having to take their mom to the hospital and plans to set up another day to see it.

If timing is right and you're getting spark then that'd leave lack of air or fuel.

[77 TA man]

I just had someone offer me a 2001 Accord Coupe 5-speed, that's the first offer somewhat close to what I'm looking for.  Supposed to have someone look at it Saturday and someone was supposed to today but they ended up having to take their mom to the hospital and plans to set up another day to see it.

If timing is right and you're getting spark then that'd leave lack of air or fuel.

Then my suspicion would be the orignal carburetor as the problem.

[pancho400cid]

So back to my mess of a Pontiac 400, timing gears and distributor are in the right positions so timings out.
Somebody suggested doing a compression check but it ran solid before and we didnt take the heads off, just took rocker arms off. Can an engine just loose compression sitting on a stand? Oil comes out of the lifters, valves open and close properly. New HEI distributor, plugs and wires, fresh gas. Just cranks and cranks and cranks.

Why not post this question in the "Mechanical section".

The engine won't lose compression "per se".  Did you put a compression gage on it?  If it "for sure" has low cylinder pressure, most likely something is off with the valve adjustment (pushrods/rockers holding one or both valves open).

I see it is a Pontiac 400.   Does it have a stock valve-train (non-adjustable) or aftermarket (adjustable) valve-train?

[77 TA man]

So back to my mess of a Pontiac 400, timing gears and distributor are in the right positions so timings out.
Somebody suggested doing a compression check but it ran solid before and we didnt take the heads off, just took rocker arms off. Can an engine just loose compression sitting on a stand? Oil comes out of the lifters, valves open and close properly. New HEI distributor, plugs and wires, fresh gas. Just cranks and cranks and cranks.

Why not post this question in the "Mechanical section".

The engine won't lose compression "per se".  Did you put a compression gage on it?  If it "for sure" has low cylinder pressure, most likely something is off with the valve adjustment (pushrods/rockers holding one or both valves open).

I see it is a Pontiac 400.   Does it have a stock valve-train (non-adjustable) or aftermarket (adjustable) valve-train?

I did awhile ago, its not quite stock with a aftermarket cam and lifters and noisy gear drive but still uses the stock 4X heads.

[mrbandit]

....Rebuilt the frontend site for TAC.

[pancho400cid]

....Rebuilt the frontend site for TAC.

Looks Great!  Thanks!

[72projectbird]

Went to Providence, right in the heart of the ghetto, and picked up another set of Recaro seats. I'll recover these ones in black leather and take my 81 Recaros and put them back in the Daytona.

[pancho400cid]

Nice...  Those should look VERY nice covered in black leather... (like a girl I used to know!!!     )

[72projectbird]

Nice...  Those should look VERY nice covered in black leather... (like a girl I used to know!!!     )

Both things look great in black leather! 

I plan on all black leather, but in the center inlay I want to do a diamond stitch pattern. I'll use all black thread, I don't want them to look too crazy. The best part is the netting in the headrests is perfect! And both seats were only $100.

[pancho400cid]

Sweet deal.  Good on you for seeing the diamond in the rough.

[Casey]

When I think O.E. Recaro's I think these:

If it doesn't hug you in place without belts there's not enough bolstering.

[72projectbird]

If it doesn't hug you in place without belts there's not enough bolstering.

Surprisingly these seats really hold you in good despite the fact they're from the 70's/80's.  They're very comfortable too. 

[Casey]

I imagine they're worlds better than the standard seats, but the bolstering looks lacking for a Recaro.  I'm sure someone there at the time was like, Americans... oi vey...

[roadking77]

72 project, those are exactly like the ones that were in my car when I got it, except mine were tore pretty bad. I gave them away to a guy. I wish I would have held on to them sometimes.

[Lucky Phil]

Today I did nothing to any of my cars....hmmmmm
But my wife made me do tiling......
Tomorrow will be all mine....mine I tell you.....

[77 Pontiac]

Made a mounting bracket for my electronic fuel pump.. going to mount it in front of the fuel tank, so it won't be the first thing hit in an accident like it is at the moment (a previous owner mounted it to the rear bumper brackets many yeas ago)

[TA6.6Liter]

Replaced the driver's side fog lamp bulb in my 98 WS6. I pretty sure the bulb is the original, so I may as well change the passenger side at the same time, since it will burn out next week   Nothing is simple on this car with the tight locations and myriad of covers over even the little things, like lights.  The Chilton guide has two photos that begin with unbolting entire lamp housing. The bolt heads are shown, but it is taken from a angle not even visible on my car and zero information on how to actually get to it.  Best I can tell, to remove the fog lamp, would have to remove the front bumper or some other unseen shielding Fortunately, I was able to squeeze a hand through with the headlights up to get the fog lamp bulb.     

[Casey]

Had someone last night offer an '88 S-10 4x4 and another offer a '71 F-150.  Just now had someone drop by and offer a Suzuki 1500 or an early '00's Mazda truck.  Supposed to have someone dropping by in an hour or two to look at it that I presume is looking to buy with money, but at this point it wouldn't surprise me if he's planning to trade.  I'd understand if I put up a generic, "Would trade" and left it at that but there's no mention of trading in the listing.

[Jack]

Went to Providence, right in the heart of the ghetto, and picked up another set of Recaro seats. I'll recover these ones in black leather and take my 81 Recaros and put them back in the Daytona.

You're right those are ghetto looking, I'll take'em off your hands... how does $120 sound? 

[77 TA man]

Today I turned a couple of bolts before I realized I didnt know what I was doing I mean I started taking the nosepiece off my '77 today. Woo-hoo for the winter tear down!

[72projectbird]

You're right those are ghetto looking, I'll take'em off your hands... how does $120 sound?

  They're not ghetto!

I'm strongly considering those Honeycombs you're selling without tires. 

[roadking77]

...cleaned the garage out so now I can actually put 3 cars in a 3 car garage.

[77 TA man]

Actually I forgot the part about killing a brown recluse in the garage! Makes me want to spend less time in the darker parts of the garage now 

[79merlin]

received a copy of "swap LS engines into camaros and firebirds". bought off amazon. Read 3 chapters so far. mostly listing out the differences between the series of LS engines. interesting reading. In skimming forward it looks like it doesn't cover wiring much, but the info it does have seems useful enough.

[Scooby doo]

Put cab lights on my F250









It seemed like a better idea than raking (blowing) leaves, I can do that tomorrow.

[DeCaff2007]

Yesterday I... fixed a random misfire on my Camry.  The coil pack on cylinder 6 bit the dust.  Runs great so I decided to tackle the Ebrake problem.  Not a wise idea.  3 hours later I now actually have rear brake hardware and cables...  but I pulled the parking brake lever in the cab and felt something snap AGAIN  This car isn't meant to have an Ebrake.

[77 TA man]

Had someone last night offer an '88 S-10 4x4 and another offer a '71 F-150.  Just now had someone drop by and offer a Suzuki 1500 or an early '00's Mazda truck.  Supposed to have someone dropping by in an hour or two to look at it that I presume is looking to buy with money, but at this point it wouldn't surprise me if he's planning to trade.  I'd understand if I put up a generic, "Would trade" and left it at that but there's no mention of trading in the listing.

I dont know your area Box, but around here that F-150 would be an easier flip than any Firebird especially if the truck is decent body wise.

[77 TA man]

Damage Report on the great Trans Am Teardown of '15:

-Minor damage on very bottom on radiator core support,
-Bottom rear of driverside fender is rusted through in places
-Found traces of "tailight blue" and red paints on/near marker lights.
-the last core support to bumper bolt i need to take out just keeps spinning w/o loosening. How do I stop this from spinning?

I got all fender to bumper bolts out, almost all of the core suport to bumper bolts, grills and hoodlatch are removed, and bolt locations identified in white grease pen and the removed bolts bagged and tagged.
I Really wanted to get that bumper off but I feel like I got a lot done.

[Casey]

Had someone last night offer an '88 S-10 4x4 and another offer a '71 F-150.  Just now had someone drop by and offer a Suzuki 1500 or an early '00's Mazda truck.  Supposed to have someone dropping by in an hour or two to look at it that I presume is looking to buy with money, but at this point it wouldn't surprise me if he's planning to trade.  I'd understand if I put up a generic, "Would trade" and left it at that but there's no mention of trading in the listing.

I dont know your area Box, but around here that F-150 would be an easier flip than any Firebird especially if the truck is decent body wise.

I despise trucks and SUVs with every fiber of my being though.

[76455sd]

Had someone last night offer an '88 S-10 4x4 and another offer a '71 F-150.  Just now had someone drop by and offer a Suzuki 1500 or an early '00's Mazda truck.  Supposed to have someone dropping by in an hour or two to look at it that I presume is looking to buy with money, but at this point it wouldn't surprise me if he's planning to trade.  I'd understand if I put up a generic, "Would trade" and left it at that but there's no mention of trading in the listing.

I dont know your area Box, but around here that F-150 would be an easier flip than any Firebird especially if the truck is decent body wise.

I despise trucks and SUVs with every fiber of my being though.

Except of course if you ever need to haul or move something, then they're awesome.   

[DeCaff2007]

Had someone last night offer an '88 S-10 4x4 and another offer a '71 F-150.  Just now had someone drop by and offer a Suzuki 1500 or an early '00's Mazda truck.  Supposed to have someone dropping by in an hour or two to look at it that I presume is looking to buy with money, but at this point it wouldn't surprise me if he's planning to trade.  I'd understand if I put up a generic, "Would trade" and left it at that but there's no mention of trading in the listing.

I dont know your area Box, but around here that F-150 would be an easier flip than any Firebird especially if the truck is decent body wise.

I despise trucks and SUVs with every fiber of my being though.

Ok I have to ask why?

[Casey]

I also despise vans and sedans, but that wasn't relevant at the moment.  I don't like being high off of the ground or how much they roll and dive.  Some of the 60's and earlier trucks look cool, but outside of that I lump them with the other undesirables.

If I ever had to tow something often that's where the custom Cadillac flower car comes in.

[DeCaff2007]

I also despise vans and sedans, but that wasn't relevant at the moment.  I don't like being high off of the ground or how much they roll and dive.  Some of the 60's and earlier trucks look cool, but outside of that I lump them with the other undesirables.

If I ever had to tow something often that's where the custom Cadillac flower car comes in.

Uhmmm...  coupes roll and dive, too.  I agree on the hatred of vans but sedans... well... I drive one and it was free.  Can't complain.

[Casey]

Nowhere as much though if they're proper sports cars, and once I'm done with them it's nearly nonexistent.  The Celica I had would break traction before you could feel it really start to roll and slamming on the brakes you really didn't dive any either.  I miss that car.

Of course if you adjust your driving to any given vehicle it doesn't pose as much of an issue, but I don't like doing that initially apparently.  I remember the first time driving the Durango I ended up drifting it through an intersection because I was like, "Oh I take this one at 30-35 all the time" and then proceeded to slide the rear of it out as I made the turn.

[77 TA man]

Trucks have their purpose, as daily drivers? No.
I switch vehicles a lot, one day I'm driving the '07 1500 and the next I'm out in the '99 1500 and then Im in the S10 or the VW. Thats what gets me the most, when I'm used to driving one I have to switch.
 
Back to the '77....
So I got 2 of the 4 headlight bezels off and all screws but 1 stuck screw on each on the other bezels. I got the inside pass. Side bezel off and the headlight pops out! Not even connected just put in! I think new bezel screws and headlight bucket screws are in order because I found a lot of already stripped out screws.

[Casey]

Well, the Accord Coupe guy is supposed to be here tomorrow around five so I can look at the Accord while he looks at the Firebird.  So far I know it has about 160K miles, 158K something on the clock but the speedo sensor went out a few weeks ago.  Says A/C works well and has new tires, just needs the speedo sensor replaced which is like $60 off RockAuto.  If anything being willing to drive it 80+ miles here and back twice shows at least it should be a fairly solid car.

[ThKidd]

Previously I had painted most of the interior pieces from my car, and then used the SEM Low-Lustre Clear Coat over it, but I didn't like the results at all.  It seemed "dusty", and the surface was rougher, and the scratches in the plastics seemed to be accentuated more by the clear coat.  I decided just to go with the color coat and be done with it.

This past weekend I repainted those pieces with the color coat.  I originally used the SEM preps and paints, but ran out before I was finished, and switched over to some OER paints for the second coat.  I didn't have very good results with the OER; it seemed to spray in a more narrow pattern, and as a result it left visible stripes.  I went to a local O'Reilly's, as they carry SEM paints, and bought another can to cover the OER paint, and the results were much better.