Author Topic: My Tenth Anniv. (Read 82042 times)

roadking77 · « **on:** February 08, 2021, 07:22:37 AM »

Hoping the old threads come back

, but just in case I will restart my old thread. Not much mechanical info, motor is still at the shop, I will be checking in today, hopefully the block is back from the machinist.
I have been doing bits and pieces in my small heated shop. I have found that when some larger tasks seem too daunting, thats a good time to work on the little stuff. That way when the time comes you have your stash of plug n play parts ready to go. Most of the int. trim was finished last winter. Last couple of weekends was the steering column. The tilt is nice and tight so it just need a tear down, clean and paint. I did break the hazard knob so I ordered new from firebird central. I cleaned all of the switches with electric contact cleaner so I hope they will be good to go. Ordered a new key switch from Ames, waiting for it to come in so I can get things buttoned up.

2021-02-05_07-52-15 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-02-05_07-51-17 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-02-05_04-19-53 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-02-05_04-19-42 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

roadking77 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2021, 07:27:33 AM »

Re did the collar. Stripped off the old with my trusty little battery die grinder and a medium then fine roloc. Took all of 10 minuts. Then I put the collar on my shop furnace for a few minutes to warm it up. Sprayed with VHT wrinkle paint. I have to say it even impressed me. Came out darn near perfect. THEN, I put some colour to it with SEM

The SEM melted off the wrinkle coat. Strip it back down, wrinkle coat again, this time some rustoleum primer and then the SEM. Worked the second time around with primer, but the extra layer of paint concealed the wrinkles a bit. SO, I am thinking third times a charm.

2021-01-30_01-21-26 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-01-30_01-21-38 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-01-30_01-21-47 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-01-30_05-11-23 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

ryeguy2006a · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2021, 07:29:26 AM »

Nice work Kerry! That steering column looks brand new and the collar looks great.

roadking77 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2021, 07:30:19 AM »

Cleaned up and painted the bottom of the shaker. I recently got this from a local source, very nice, uncut and still had the factory nipple for the drain tub. I painted the metal plate satin black, and cleaned the bare fibreglass.

2021-01-30_05-12-46 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-01-30_05-11-13 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

roadking77 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2021, 07:31:59 AM »

2021-02-05_04-20-21 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

Another little project, I had a rear sway bar made, so I cleaned it up a bit and sprayed with 'shark hide'. This part is ready to install as well.

« **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2021, 07:31:59 AM »

roadking77 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2021, 07:35:19 AM »

Thanks Ryan, compared to your mechanical skills this is pretty basic stuff, but I figure what the heck it all needs done.

Jack · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2021, 08:05:39 AM »

That shaker cleaned up nicely, great work as usual Kerry.

FormTA · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2021, 10:10:27 AM »

Ya, that shaker really surprised me too! The steering column looks amazing as well. It's surprising how many small items there are to restore. It's good you get them done now, so they don't slow you later.

5th T/A · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2021, 03:55:02 PM »

Kerry,

I am always amazed at how well everything you touch turns out.

roadking77 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2021, 04:13:59 PM »

Thanks Larry. Im not very mechanically minded so motor work is my shortcoming right now, But I can clean and paint stuff

Guess I will start on the 'show' side of the shaker now. I have way too many small projects started and nothing finished, including the steering column. I am waiting on a shipment from Ames for the new key switch. I ordered that and a couple of small things last monday, I also ordered the hazard knob from Firebird Central on the same day. Got the knob on Friday, still waiting on Ames. Their service is usually better, but a bit of a let down this time around.

5th T/A · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2021, 05:15:35 PM »

Kerry,

You give me and others incentive to keep moving forward. When you take a worn out part and make it look like new or sometimes better, that's restoration, really kind of an art form. I am more mechanically inclined. I used to paint but haven't for years. When the weather gets better I will dust off the cobwebs in my brain and relearn what I have forgotten.

I have been ordering parts from various vendors and the delivery times are all over the place from the same vendor. I am sure the weather has been a factor as well as the pandemic. In the grand scheme of things I am not going to complain. Not like my health or livelihood is depending on prompt delivery.

Wallington · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2021, 06:35:05 PM »

Shaker came up nicely with date stamps intact, easy to remove with the slightest cleaners or scrubbing.

What's the blue paint blob or sticker on the column, inspection stamp?

roadking77 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2021, 07:44:13 AM »

Yes the date stamps are still on the shaker, I worked carefully not to remove although they are not correct for my car!

Yes, the blue dot is a sticker. There was one on there before I started the cleanup. At first I thought it was just something on there, then I saw a couple more pics that also had them present. I was 'told' that it was a factory marking, so I figured what the heck. Im not really that guy that wants to replicate factory markings but.......since it was there

There was also a green paint marker check mark on the bottom side of the mounting plate. I put that back too, although that will be covered over with the foam seal.

roadking77 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2021, 07:47:36 AM »

Question about the shaker. The one I have is in very nice original condition, I think? The top is painted white and I havent started working on that yet so I dont know how many coats of paint are on there. The complete underside, inside the scoop and even the outside of the black metal plate were bare fibreglass. Was this how the factory painted these? Paint on the top, bare underneath?

roadking77 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2021, 07:48:12 AM »

2021-02-05_07-50-45 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

Before resto.

« **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2021, 07:48:12 AM »

5th T/A · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2021, 06:14:09 PM »

Kerry,

To answer your question on shaker paint.

This is a picture of my 1980 301, top

IMG_7668 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Here is the underneath of my 1980, 301. The fiberglass shaker is unpainted.

IMG_7669 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Here is another picture of the underneath showing the baseplate. It looks like the baseplate started out black but has white overspray from when the top was painted.

IMG_7671 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Here is the underneath of the fiberglass portion of a spare I have, not sure what year, but it looks unpainted. I cant say for sure how a TATA might have been, but its unlikely Pontiac painted anymore than what they had to. Hope this helps!

IMG_7670 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

roadking77 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2021, 08:16:15 AM »

Thanks Larry, thats perfect, great pics. Makes sense that the bottom would have overspray, after all of the work I did to make mine look purdy on the bottom I guess I will not tape anything off when I paint the top. I am not one for replicating factory marks, stickers etc. And when I started this resto all I wanted to do was a quick paint, motor rebuild, get it on the road, drive for a month then sell. The longer I work on it, and the deeper I get into the rabbit hole the more correct I have become about markings, date codes etc. Why Oh Why ??

RamblerRacer · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2021, 09:07:39 PM »

The bottom of mine was unpainted as well,

roadking77 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2021, 11:31:33 AM »

Quote from: RamblerRacer on February 10, 2021, 09:07:39 PM

The bottom of mine was unpainted as well,

737driver · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2021, 12:41:22 AM »

Kerry, it is always great to see your progress reports on your cars. It is amazing how you can preserve much of the original parts on the car. Very impressive!
Jim

roadking77 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2021, 08:51:32 AM »

We had a really cold spell, then I caught up working on the shop ceiling. Now things are put back in their place and spring is here I would like to get back on the car. Finishing the bottom stalled last fall. So I figure may as well pick up there. I dropped the fuel tank yesterday (no sticker, but being a Norwood car I was told there wouldnt be) and pulled the pass side fuel lines. Silly me had a wild thought that I may be able to blow them out and clean them up. They literally fell apart in my hand, SO on to get new lines. I am glad as I knew better and should have just got them from the start. Fuel tank is a bit banged up so I will get a new one of those as well.

Havent talked to my motor guy for awhile, but last time I did he said the blocked had to be dipped several times to get rid of all the rust but it was going to fine. I expect that it is back at his shop by now, hoping to stop by this week and check.

Nexus · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2021, 08:46:14 AM »

Caught up and re-subscribed

roadking77 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2021, 07:20:15 AM »

Weather breaking, finally back in the shop getting some small stuff finished. Checked with the mechanic, block is still at the machinist. I was really hoping I would have had it back by now but I have other stuff to keep me busy. I took the fuel tank out, after cleaning the trunk floor looked brand new. I coated and re painted but no metal work needed. Nice to have a relatively rust free car! Silly me thought I could blow out and clean up the fuel lines, they literally fell apart in my hand after removal. Tank has a couple of big dents in the bottom that I dont like, if I cant get them out it will be replaced. Bottom side of car is finished, I just need to install new fuel lines (need to be ordered) then I can take it off the cribbing. At that point I can remove the rear end for a rebuild. In the meantime I started the resto on my wiper motor, got the arms done. Transmission was painted all black at one time, I used some paint stripper and then a power washer to clean it up a bit. Shop is going to tear into and rebuild it. He also said he would clean the case but I figure I would give him a little better to start with.

2021-03-21_04-03-30 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-21_04-04-41 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-21_04-02-26 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-21_04-02-06 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-21_04-04-55 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-21_04-02-47 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-21_04-04-21 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-21_04-04-11 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-21_04-04-02 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

ryeguy2006a · « **Reply #23 on:** March 22, 2021, 08:18:11 AM »

Looking great Kerry!

MNBob · « **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2021, 01:56:23 PM »

I was able to get the gas tank straps on edge into a mortar mixing tub. Filled it to cover them with Evaporust and waited a few days. They came out good.

My Super T10 had a bad leaky front seal after 38K miles so you might want to check that. Tranny looks great!

« **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2021, 01:56:23 PM »

roadking77 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 23, 2021, 04:52:28 PM »

Yea, the guys gonna tear it apart for a once over, replace all wear items.

FormTA · « **Reply #26 on:** March 24, 2021, 12:58:18 PM »

That paint stripper did an amazing job on the transmission! That is really impressive!

roadking77 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 26, 2021, 07:14:53 AM »

Thanks Luke, It was covered with black paint. I used some stuff from Lowes, it did work really well. I was a bit concerned about pressure washing, but figured what the heck, its gonna get wet driving in the rain, and I am going to have it completely torn apart for a rebuild so nothing to loose. I did find the s/n under the paint that matches the s/n of my car

. I was told it was the original trans, and figured it was but the proof is so much better than speculation. SO, the only part not original to the car is the carb, but I do have a correct replacement.

FormTA · « **Reply #28 on:** March 26, 2021, 04:45:23 PM »

Talk about value adders!

roadking77 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 27, 2021, 06:50:33 AM »

Just got another piece of 'gold' in the mail yesterday. Found a really nice air cleaner housing. Stripped it down, hope to get a coat of paint on it tomorrow. Pics to follow.

Motor is still at the machinist

I asked the guy if he needed more money, but he said no. I have already paid a decent deposit but figure the guy with most in the pot goes to the head of the class.

roadking77 · « **Reply #30 on:** March 29, 2021, 01:08:48 PM »

2021-03-26_05-05-04 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Picked up a really nice air cleaner. Spent a few minutes with my friend the paint stripper (sorry, its not a girl), a scotchbright with some paint thinner, then my fine grit roloc on the angle grinder.

2021-03-26_05-05-17 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-26_05-05-39 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-29_03-04-42 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-03-26_05-04-48 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

roadking77 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 29, 2021, 01:12:52 PM »

I realized since the reboot I didnt have any pics of the car itself so I will post some up here. From it being a barn find (not actually, just stored in a barn temp until I got it home to my shop) through the present. Not nec. in order

2018-09-24_09-45-45 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

roadking77 · « **Reply #32 on:** March 29, 2021, 01:17:10 PM »

2018-09-24_09-45-24 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2018-10-15_04-45-57 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2018-11-27_08-05-14 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2019-03-24_12-53-40 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2019-05-30_03-46-56 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

roadking77 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 29, 2021, 01:22:26 PM »

2019-04-20_04-50-50 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2019-04-09_06-48-48 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2019-09-03_08-05-38 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2019-12-27_02-43-29 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2019-12-30_12-34-26 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2019-09-26_06-25-16 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2020-08-17_11-30-47 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

5th T/A · « **Reply #34 on:** March 29, 2021, 03:05:37 PM »

Congratulations on finding the correct air cleaner, I think they are really getting harder to find. Also nice to be able to compare the before and after body and paint pictures, the car has really come a log way, looks great. At this point you are probably getting a little anxious to have your engine back.

Jack · « **Reply #35 on:** March 29, 2021, 04:00:49 PM »

Happy for you, I'm glad you were able to find the correct air cleaner. If you don't mind can you please see if you can find any stamped numbers/ markings, etc.

Nexus · « **Reply #36 on:** March 29, 2021, 05:15:14 PM »

That is coming together nice. It's my favorite stock model of Trans Am.

Not surprising it looks amazing...you do great work and gives the rest of us a DIY level to aim for!!

roadking77 · « **Reply #37 on:** March 30, 2021, 07:15:06 AM »

Jack, I had the air cleaner down to bright metal entirely. Other than the A/C logo at the 'vaccum port?' on the snorkle there are no markings at all.

Larry, Yes, I cannot wait to get the motor back. I had hopes of having the car on the road by early summer, but I suppose its fall now.

RamblerRacer · « **Reply #38 on:** March 30, 2021, 07:48:18 PM »

Great stuff Kerry. You are a true Craftsman with both wood and metal.

JT

roadking77 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 05, 2021, 07:49:23 AM »

2021-03-29_05-59-28 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-04-04_04-26-03 by Kerry Grubb, on Flick

2021-04-03_06-31-17 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-04-04_04-25-06 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-04-04_04-26-25 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-04-04_04-25-31 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2021-04-04_04-25-20 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

« **Reply #39 on:** April 05, 2021, 07:49:23 AM »

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Author Topic: My Tenth Anniv. (Read 82042 times)