Author Topic: Today I... (Read 745457 times)

77 Pontiac · « **Reply #600 on:** October 24, 2015, 08:50:54 AM »

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 · « **Reply #601 on:** October 24, 2015, 09:08:42 AM »

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 · « **Reply #602 on:** October 24, 2015, 12:57:58 PM »

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 · « **Reply #603 on:** October 24, 2015, 02:45:44 PM »

Quote from: 72projectbird on October 22, 2015, 09:11:11 AM

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 · « **Reply #604 on:** October 24, 2015, 03:15:15 PM »

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!

« **Reply #604 on:** October 24, 2015, 03:15:15 PM »

72projectbird · « **Reply #605 on:** October 24, 2015, 03:32:25 PM »

Quote from: Jack on October 24, 2015, 02:45:44 PM

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 · « **Reply #606 on:** October 24, 2015, 04:02:27 PM »

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

77 TA man · « **Reply #607 on:** October 24, 2015, 04:34:09 PM »

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 · « **Reply #608 on:** October 24, 2015, 06:52:22 PM »

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 · « **Reply #609 on:** October 24, 2015, 08:22:26 PM »

Put cab lights on my F250

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

DeCaff2007 · « **Reply #610 on:** October 24, 2015, 08:47:00 PM »

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 · « **Reply #611 on:** October 25, 2015, 06:15:55 AM »

Quote from: Box on October 24, 2015, 12:57:58 PM

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 · « **Reply #612 on:** October 25, 2015, 03:32:17 PM »

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 · « **Reply #613 on:** October 25, 2015, 06:46:14 PM »

Quote from: 77 TA man on October 25, 2015, 06:15:55 AM

Quote from: Box on October 24, 2015, 12:57:58 PM
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 · « **Reply #614 on:** October 26, 2015, 07:32:03 AM »

Quote from: Box on October 25, 2015, 06:46:14 PM

Quote from: 77 TA man on October 25, 2015, 06:15:55 AM
Quote from: Box on October 24, 2015, 12:57:58 PM
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.

« **Reply #614 on:** October 26, 2015, 07:32:03 AM »

DeCaff2007 · « **Reply #615 on:** October 26, 2015, 07:35:28 AM »

Quote from: Box on October 25, 2015, 06:46:14 PM

Quote from: 77 TA man on October 25, 2015, 06:15:55 AM
Quote from: Box on October 24, 2015, 12:57:58 PM
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 · « **Reply #616 on:** October 26, 2015, 09:00:21 AM »

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 · « **Reply #617 on:** October 26, 2015, 10:04:57 AM »

Quote from: Box on October 26, 2015, 09:00:21 AM

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 · « **Reply #618 on:** October 26, 2015, 05:16:51 PM »

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 · « **Reply #619 on:** October 26, 2015, 05:25:08 PM »

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 · « **Reply #620 on:** October 26, 2015, 08:49:30 PM »

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 · « **Reply #621 on:** October 27, 2015, 07:53:27 AM »

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.

droptopron · « **Reply #622 on:** October 27, 2015, 08:24:15 AM »

Quote from: Box on October 26, 2015, 08:49:30 PM

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.

For a 160K car, try to get him to throw some $$ in to sweeten the pot. Can't hurt to ask.

Casey · « **Reply #623 on:** October 27, 2015, 10:42:08 AM »

He's already doing an 160 minute round trip twice, and all in all his car is probably worth $2,500-3,000+ so it'd be kind of a jerk thing to do. It's blue pearl with black leather, alloys, spoiler, and side airbags; so it's the top end model for that year and that'd put it ahead of every other Accord from that generation with similar mileage. I went ahead and looked and it takes maybe all of 20 minutes to change the speedo sensor and the car never has to leave the ground, Honda was smart and put the sensor on the top of the transmission under the air intake piping.

That and truthfully if everything checks out I actually want it. It's the best trade offer(as far as me liking it anyway) I've gotten, and everyone that's contacted wanting to do cash has been a no show. Plus he has a transmission to put into it and will continue to improve upon the car where I left off, so I know it's going to a good home and won't just sit and rot somewhere just because someone wanted one to say they had it.

77 TA man · « **Reply #624 on:** October 27, 2015, 03:29:13 PM »

Today I...
I got both hood hinges, the pass. side G-Brace(?), driver side marker light removed and I got almost all of the driver side fender bolts out. I ran into a couple that keep spinning so that held me up.
I only have about an hour each day to work on it so tear down is slow if I hit any problems. I like how the engine bay looks more streamlined w/o the hinges. I'm going to try to get the pass. side fender off tomorrow if I have time.

Pats TA · « **Reply #625 on:** October 27, 2015, 08:22:19 PM »

Box, good luck on the trade and don't forget to tell him about TAC. He may have some ?'s on restoring the bird.

DeCaff2007 · « **Reply #626 on:** October 27, 2015, 09:02:16 PM »

Today I... FINALLY got the correct control arm from rock auto. I gotta say, at least it shipped from Maryland this time as opposed to California. I'm in PA so that wasn't so bad. Now that I have all 4 brand new rear control arms, it was time to put them on. Yeah.... not so much! The rear rears are easy as pie. 4 bolts and the whole mess drops right off. The front rears, GRRRRRRRRR gotta drop the fuel tank to remove them!!@@###$ I am NOT dropping that F!@#ING fuel tank again! Oh well at least I did get the rear rears done, and I do notice an improvement in handling, but I need to actually get the entire job done and get an alignment. Then there's the trailing arms and the sway bar bushings and links. Sigh.........

Quote from: 77 TA man on October 26, 2015, 05:25:08 PM

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.

Not to seem JEALOUS or anything, but it must be nice to own TWO Chevy K's and an S10... oh and have to decide between them... I can barely afford my one daily driver (but then again, Toyota parts are UNGODLY expensive and the car was free).

P.S. Yes I'm a little pissed off right now and it's 75% car related.....

Casey · « **Reply #627 on:** October 27, 2015, 09:21:55 PM »

He ended up not being able to make it today, that's ok it decided to rain all day and I didn't particularly feel like standing out in it for over half an hour.

Toyota parts aren't any more than any other car that isn't a SBC or SBF. If you want ungodly part prices go look at some for a Porsche, it'll make you feel better.

77 TA man · « **Reply #628 on:** October 28, 2015, 05:12:49 AM »

Quote from: DeCaff2007 on October 27, 2015, 09:02:16 PM

Today I... FINALLY got the correct control arm from rock auto. I gotta say, at least it shipped from Maryland this time as opposed to California. I'm in PA so that wasn't so bad. Now that I have all 4 brand new rear control arms, it was time to put them on. Yeah.... not so much! The rear rears are easy as pie. 4 bolts and the whole mess drops right off. The front rears, GRRRRRRRRR gotta drop the fuel tank to remove them!!@@###$ I am NOT dropping that F!@#ING fuel tank again! Oh well at least I did get the rear rears done, and I do notice an improvement in handling, but I need to actually get the entire job done and get an alignment. Then there's the trailing arms and the sway bar bushings and links. Sigh.........

Quote from: 77 TA man on October 26, 2015, 05:25:08 PM
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.

Not to seem JEALOUS or anything, but it must be nice to own TWO Chevy K's and an S10... oh and have to decide between them... I can barely afford my one daily driver (but then again, Toyota parts are UNGODLY expensive and the car was free).

P.S. Yes I'm a little pissed off right now and it's 75% car related.....

Oh no I dont own them, the 1500s are dads and my brother uses one. They both have 300K miles on them so they arent as good as they seem. And the '99 S10 is now a parts truck for my S10. And the '00 S10("mine") was a gift from my brother after he blew the engine up we still need to pull the bad block and get the redone head onto the good 2.2 so I can drive that until its done.
I dont get to choose i just get the vehicle that isnt being used and they all suck.
And BTW...if you guys ever have to pull and swap engines on an S10 dont do it unless your doing a V8 swap where you can just cut everything off and not worry about saving it. My brother has an ungodly amount of vehicles: a '70 Nova, '94 S10, '03 2500 Duramax, '90 1500 all in some sort of disarray keeping them from being driven.

DeCaff2007 · « **Reply #629 on:** October 28, 2015, 06:39:01 AM »

Quote from: Box on October 27, 2015, 09:21:55 PM

If you want ungodly part prices go look at some for a Porsche, it'll make you feel better.

Or an Audi. I was at my pseudo f-i-l's buddies garage yesterday to get a tire fixed, at which point I saw a relatively new Audi A8 up on the lift. Quite the impressive machine when viewed from underneath. AWD, true dual exhaust, etc...

I got curious and googled the MSRP. My jaw hit the floor. $91K+ Most people houses (around here) aren't worth that much!

Roadking77: If that 99 K1500 is that bad of a vehicle, I'll happily take if off your hands

77 Pontiac · « **Reply #630 on:** October 28, 2015, 09:14:14 AM »

Quote from: DeCaff2007 on October 28, 2015, 06:39:01 AM

Quote from: Box on October 27, 2015, 09:21:55 PM
If you want ungodly part prices go look at some for a Porsche, it'll make you feel better.

Or an Audi. I was at my pseudo f-i-l's buddies garage yesterday to get a tire fixed, at which point I saw a relatively new Audi A8 up on the lift. Quite the impressive machine when viewed from underneath. AWD, true dual exhaust, etc...

I got curious and googled the MSRP. My jaw hit the floor. $91K+ Most people houses (around here) aren't worth that much!

Roadking77: If that 99 K1500 is that bad of a vehicle, I'll happily take if off your hands

True, but the A8 is their luxury saloon often used to transport prime ministers and presidents..

A normal A4 or A6 is not half as expensive in parts..

DeCaff2007 · « **Reply #631 on:** October 28, 2015, 10:17:14 AM »

Quote from: 77 Pontiac on October 28, 2015, 09:14:14 AM

Quote from: DeCaff2007 on October 28, 2015, 06:39:01 AM
Quote from: Box on October 27, 2015, 09:21:55 PM
If you want ungodly part prices go look at some for a Porsche, it'll make you feel better.

Or an Audi. I was at my pseudo f-i-l's buddies garage yesterday to get a tire fixed, at which point I saw a relatively new Audi A8 up on the lift. Quite the impressive machine when viewed from underneath. AWD, true dual exhaust, etc...

I got curious and googled the MSRP. My jaw hit the floor. $91K+ Most people houses (around here) aren't worth that much!

Roadking77: If that 99 K1500 is that bad of a vehicle, I'll happily take if off your hands

True, but the A8 is their luxury saloon often used to transport prime ministers and presidents..

A normal A4 or A6 is not half as expensive in parts..

Strange. I have to wonder what an A8 was doing in my neck of the woods. I live in the armpit scumbag sh*tstain of New England. Can't imagine many places being much worse.... so again, unless a drug dealer or pimp owns that car, what's it doing in NEPA?

Casey · « **Reply #632 on:** October 28, 2015, 10:43:01 AM »

Odds are he was traveling through the area between his vacation homes and happened to break down. That or there just happens to be someone with money in the area. Around my area most people are driving 90's and 00's cars and if it is a newer car it's usually $25,000 or less, but I've seen a Nissan GT-R and a C7 Vette in the area before along with one of the bigger Mercedes Benzes. The average house is probably in the $70,000-120,000 range, but all in all everything is nice aside from some of the roads that aren't connected into the state highway system.

droptopron · « **Reply #633 on:** October 28, 2015, 12:12:36 PM »

Any idea how old the Audi was? Not being at a dealer makes me think it was an older model.

BTW - My American made CTS has AWD & true duals for half that price

Casey · « **Reply #634 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:33:58 PM »

Half the snob factor too.

DeCaff2007 · « **Reply #635 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:08:08 AM »

Quote from: droptopron on October 28, 2015, 12:12:36 PM

Any idea how old the Audi was? Not being at a dealer makes me think it was an older model.

BTW - My American made CTS has AWD & true duals for half that price

At least 8 - 10 years old. The amount of rust on the undercarriage told that story.

Quote from: Box on October 28, 2015, 08:33:58 PM

Half the snob factor too.

Hahah indeed!

77 Pontiac · « **Reply #636 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:42:57 AM »

Quote from: DeCaff2007 on October 29, 2015, 09:08:08 AM

Quote from: droptopron on October 28, 2015, 12:12:36 PM
Any idea how old the Audi was? Not being at a dealer makes me think it was an older model.

BTW - My American made CTS has AWD & true duals for half that price

At least 8 - 10 years old. The amount of rust on the undercarriage told that story.

Quote from: Box on October 28, 2015, 08:33:58 PM
Half the snob factor too.

Hahah indeed!

the body is made from aluminium, so it shouldn't rust.. but I guess the suspension components and exhaust are normal steel..

DeCaff2007 · « **Reply #637 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:17:02 AM »

Back on topic. Today I... will be jacking up the rear end of my Camry again. I put on two new control arms in the rear and now it fishtails if I go over the SLIGHTEST bump or pothole. Driving in the rain yesterday was quite fun...

I must see what went wrong.

roadking77 · « **Reply #638 on:** October 29, 2015, 11:45:45 AM »

Decaff, first I think you mistook me for someone else, I have no such animal. Second, are you aware of Jack Rich's car collection in Frackville. I think you are near the area. I saw a segment on a tv show about it. He has tens of millions of dollars worth of cars. His family owns or owned at one time all of the coal mining operations, fuel oil, commercial real estate, etc. in your neck of the woods. When I saw the program and they said it was in Frackville I shook my head in disbelief.

Casey · « **Reply #639 on:** October 29, 2015, 01:33:50 PM »

Quote from: DeCaff2007 on October 29, 2015, 10:17:02 AM

Back on topic. Today I... will be jacking up the rear end of my Camry again. I put on two new control arms in the rear and now it fishtails if I go over the SLIGHTEST bump or pothole. Driving in the rain yesterday was quite fun...

I must see what went wrong.

It's trying to imitate the Firebird now.

« **Reply #639 on:** October 29, 2015, 01:33:50 PM »

News:

Author Topic: Today I... (Read 745457 times)