Author Topic: My Tenth Anniv. (Read 82078 times)

roadking77 · « **Reply #160 on:** February 09, 2022, 01:25:07 PM »

Mostly hardware stuff, just got a call and it was kinda short, but I think he said the intake was bad. So add another to the parts needed list

roadking77 · « **Reply #161 on:** February 10, 2022, 04:02:47 PM »

Intake cracked in 2 places. So I ordered a performer from edelbrock. I looked into them awhile ago and from what I found the stock Pontiac performed just as well with the biggest advantage of aftermarket being the weight savings. I had my mind made up I wanted to stick with the stock piece. Oh well, the best laid plans.......... Ordered from Summit, the part I need has a ship date of maybe Feb 23. So the delays begin.

FormTA · « **Reply #162 on:** February 17, 2022, 03:12:09 PM »

Kerry, you should be receiving a present for the 10th on Tuesday.

roadking77 · « **Reply #163 on:** February 18, 2022, 08:04:09 AM »

Presents are nice!

roadking77 · « **Reply #164 on:** March 14, 2022, 07:58:42 AM »

So, I had to order a few more parts, some fasteners, internal parts etc. Manifold is still being delayed. The new ship date is the end of March. I ordered new rocker covers from summit. They are supposed to be 'exact' replacements. Back ordered, big surprise there, not. No estimate on shipping then yesterday morning when I got up there was a package on the stoop, valve covers ( I think). The box is still sitting on the pile of boxes in my office unopened. Hope to drop them off to the shop today. I have been told the motor is almost finished and this last order of parts may button things up. I am not sure what to expect though. When he did the 400 for my 77 it was a complete job installed. I am planning on installing this one in the 79. Not sure what his idea of a 'finished' motor is going to be. I am assuming running and he hinted that he wanted to put it on the dyno before he let it go so I figure we are on the same page.

« **Reply #164 on:** March 14, 2022, 07:58:42 AM »

ryeguy2006a · « **Reply #165 on:** March 15, 2022, 10:42:48 AM »

Hang in there Kerry, the finish line is in sight!

5th T/A · « **Reply #166 on:** March 15, 2022, 11:29:15 AM »

Kerry,

Looking forward to pictures once you have picked up your engine. Even though you have done this many times I am sure you're getting excited. It seems like it always takes longer than anticipated.

About 30 years ago a good friend added a larger kitchen and great room to his house. We were busy with our kids and jobs, so we did not get together often. As we are walking through his house looking at the progress, he said I am having a BBQ in the summer to celebrate the completion and your invited. Several years go by an I never hear back from him, other than annual Christmas cards. I said to my wife I wonder why he didn't invite us. One day we were in his neighborhood and stopped by to say hello. His project was 90% done but still not complete. I said I thought maybe you were mad at me or just forgot to invite me for the BBQ. His answer was " I said a BBQ in the summer, I just didn't say what year"!

He finally had the BBQ about 15 years after he started to project when his oldest son graduated high school. In his defense he ran his own business and often worked seven days a week. Having said that I am amazed when people with busy lives find time to take on huge projects like a total restoration and find time to get them done.

roadking77 · « **Reply #167 on:** March 15, 2022, 03:03:52 PM »

That sounds about like my pace around the house Larry. Well not quite that bad or I would have been divorced long ago. My wife drives me hard to get things done. Spring has started to be sprung so looks like theres going to be plenty of outside work to get caught up on.

For the motor, I did get a text today from summit that my order has shipped. The only thing I know of that is currently ordered is my intake. That would be good to get.

FormTA · « **Reply #168 on:** March 16, 2022, 09:46:10 PM »

That's what you say and then some random part shows up that you forgot you even ordered.... at least that's how it's been for me.... The Amazon van has been here every day.

roadking77 · « **Reply #169 on:** March 17, 2022, 09:57:53 AM »

Luke, I have not forgot about you

,lol. The big box sits in front of my desk and I stare at it every day. I have purposely not moved it yet until remittance is made. Im afraid if it goes to the shop it will be forgotten.

As far as packages, I am usually pretty good about what I order, my problem is that I tend to order stuff that I know I need and that is within my budget at the time. So this means I may order an interior piece years before I need it. I End up with stuff scattered every where and me not knowing what I do and dont have. I have ordered multiples more than a couple of times. Every 6 months or so I vow to get better organized with my resto but something always comes up. My business is well organized and I can tell someone down to what kind of screws are in what box in my shop, but car parts...... thats another story.

MNBob · « **Reply #170 on:** March 19, 2022, 12:40:45 PM »

Even though the Performer gets bashed regularly over on PY, I ordered one for pairing with my Sniper and I have been quite happy with it. The RPM version would not match my basically stock engine and my driving habits. See what you think.

FormTA · « **Reply #171 on:** March 20, 2022, 06:25:59 AM »

Kerry, I'm not worried nor am I scraping pennies.

I too have duplicated and sometimes quadruplicated orders. My door handles were one that I must have ordered them twice like 10 years ago or more when I first was working on my car and then did it again once I had the paint finished. Good thing though as most of them turned out to be junk and I ended up with only one set I could use.

roadking77 · « **Reply #172 on:** March 21, 2022, 06:50:15 AM »

Bob, I have a performer on my 77 and that motor runs just fine. I dont mind using one, but it would have been cheaper to use the original and for this car I was trying to keep it aesthetically stock. Count down is on, its supposed to be on my stoop today.

roadking77 · « **Reply #173 on:** March 22, 2022, 02:22:23 PM »

2022-03-22_04-17-55 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2022-03-22_04-18-09 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

Got a welcome package in the mail yesterday. Manifold finally arrived. I ordered it sometime early feb and it has been on backorder. I forget the model no. offhand but this one is supposed to be compatible with the stock shaker height. Also got the new valve covers in one day last week. Both orders came from Summit. The covers were very pricy compared to some others but are supposed to be 'restoration correct'. They do look pretty nice from what I can tell. Both were dropped off to the builder this morning. I have been told he is close to finishing the motor and desperately needed these parts. Fingers crossed!

5th T/A · « **Reply #174 on:** March 22, 2022, 03:26:31 PM »

Kerry,

Great eye candy, you're getting close to having an engine! Are you going to paint the intake manifold or leave it natural aluminum?

« **Reply #174 on:** March 22, 2022, 03:26:31 PM »

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #175 on:** March 23, 2022, 04:57:28 AM »

Shiny parts

Glad the intake finally arrived. That's the same one I run on my '69.

roadking77 · « **Reply #176 on:** March 23, 2022, 07:07:34 AM »

I will most likely paint it. Its too pretty at this point to do so though

I prefer a stock look to my cars and not much about the bling. One of the reason trans ams are so nice, NO CHROME!

silver78 · « **Reply #177 on:** March 23, 2022, 04:56:13 PM »

pieces and parts AWSOME! One step closer to done.

Jack · « **Reply #178 on:** March 23, 2022, 05:15:12 PM »

Quote from: roadking77 on March 23, 2022, 07:07:34 AM

I will most likely paint it. Its too pretty at this point to do so though I prefer a stock look to my cars and not much about the bling. One of the reason trans ams are so nice, NO CHROME!

I agree but do like what little chrome the earlier 2nd gens have.

FormTA · « **Reply #179 on:** March 24, 2022, 09:30:07 AM »

They don't need chrome with all the Tupperware and bird on the hood. They already scream, "look at me".

TATurbo · « **Reply #180 on:** March 24, 2022, 09:21:44 PM »

One of the things I've missed having 'finished' my car is the relatively frequent parts unboxing.
Those'll look nice framing the shaker!

roadking77 · « **Reply #181 on:** March 25, 2022, 07:03:51 AM »

I like getting boxes and opening them, makes everyday like Christmas, I just dont like the credit card statement at the end of the month

Nexus · « **Reply #182 on:** March 28, 2022, 06:31:56 AM »

That is exciting news all around. Been quite the wait for that engine to be done!!

New parts are always fun!

roadking77 · « **Reply #183 on:** March 31, 2022, 07:48:53 AM »

I would make a great doctor, I have plenty of patience!

roadking77 · « **Reply #184 on:** May 05, 2022, 05:33:55 AM »

Update of no news

I look back on this thread for 2 reasons, one so I dont slip back a page and B so I can see the timeline. I called my engine builder the other day to see if he was making any progress. "I havent had time to turn around lately so no" was his answer. Again another disappointment. I started the internal debate in my head again about picking up the parts and finishing it myself. I figure if the rotating assembly is done that should be the hard part, right

BUT, I am so busy that IF I got it today, it will be at least August before I would have any time to even think about working on it. SO, the realist in me says, let it stay where it is for now and MAYBE he will get to it before now and August!

« **Reply #184 on:** May 05, 2022, 05:33:55 AM »

5th T/A · « **Reply #185 on:** May 05, 2022, 06:23:11 AM »

Kerry,

This has to be more than a little disappointing for you. I somehow got the impression the engine was almost done. It’s possible your builder senses your lack of urgency and moved it down on his list of priorities. If your engine was sitting in your shop and ready to be installed, you might be spending more time on your TATA. On the other hand since you are self employed being busy is a good thing. But all work and no play is not healthy either. I hope you can still find time to ride one of your motorcycles or take out your 77.

roadking77 · « **Reply #186 on:** May 05, 2022, 03:49:24 PM »

Yea, I am at the point in my life that I try to take things a bit easier. I stopped working 6 days a week a few years ago. Saturday and Sunday are my time, but I do admit that since last winter I have been spending extra time in the shop doing work stuff on my time off. I have had the 77 out for the last 5 weeks going to shows and am just about burnt out at this point. I did finally get my bike out a couple of weeks ago when we had a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

It would be nice to have the 79 finished so I can punish myself with the next project but its also nice to have another car to enjoy whilst waiting.

Nexus · « **Reply #187 on:** May 07, 2022, 04:14:42 PM »

Hard to stay motivated when things stall out, especially when your busy.

It'll work out one way or the other!

MNBob · « **Reply #188 on:** May 09, 2022, 09:12:03 AM »

Yes, when mine stalls a bit, I look at the larger perspective: This is a hobby! The main point is to have fun with it, whether you like doing the work or cruising around in the result.

I am back at it this year, but as usual there are a lot other things that need attention like the house. Still, I am going to keep finding time to work on the TA.

roadking77 · « **Reply #189 on:** May 10, 2022, 06:55:49 AM »

I dont usually have a problem with motivation, just time. I am completely motivated about 24 hrs a day

The good news with this car languishing in the barn for so long is that I have the 77 I can take out whenever I want and enjoy the ride. The frustrating part with the 79 is that it is SO CLOSE to being finished and the situation is out of my control temporarily. That is one of the reasons why I prefer to do all of my own work, so I have no dependance on anyone but myself. The other thing is I have another project lined up that I am excited to get started on, but need to get this one done first.

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #190 on:** May 10, 2022, 07:49:05 PM »

Quote from: roadking77 on May 10, 2022, 06:55:49 AM

The other thing is I have another project lined up that I am excited to get started on, but need to get this one done first.

Like those girls in high school ( a long time ago). You're just a "Tease!"

roadking77 · « **Reply #191 on:** May 11, 2022, 05:32:22 AM »

RamblerRacer · « **Reply #192 on:** May 22, 2022, 04:02:47 PM »

Kerry,

Sorry to hear of the continuing delays in your engine rebuild.
I get your comments about the getting sidetracked and burnout I guess you can call it.
I have to get back to my TA project and visiting here for the first time in a long while is making me think I just have to get to it.

I think I started to rebuild my thread and get was a second crash maybe?
I rebuild it again and hopefully start the process to finish it up. I got a bit down about it but hearing about how guys here are persevering got me a bit motivated to get going again.

JT

roadking77 · « **Reply #193 on:** May 23, 2022, 01:37:35 PM »

Keep moving forward JT, its all we can do.

roadking77 · « **Reply #194 on:** July 11, 2022, 06:24:26 AM »

No news on the motor

Honestly have not had the desire to call the guy. He is big into drag racing and now is his busy season.

BUT, after several years on the road, and running great! I finally glued the weather strip in the trunk channel on my 77 TA. The glue has been sitting on my desk for the last 2 months. I suppose all of the stars aligned yesterday, LOL.

MNBob · « **Reply #195 on:** July 18, 2022, 07:15:42 AM »

Sometimes just doing a small job like that can motivate you in the car area. It is also nice to have a TA to drive. I have been driving mine and it has been fun except when filling up for gas!

FormTA · « **Reply #196 on:** July 18, 2022, 07:35:10 AM »

That's funny, I haven't glued mine either....

roadking77 · « **Reply #197 on:** August 03, 2022, 05:53:42 AM »

I wanted to wait until it was a definite and not more speculation, but since this area is slow and its been awhile since I have had a post on this thread,

I got in touch with my engine builder on Monday. I have been wanting to for some time but have been way too busy. I very politely asked if he had intentions of finishing my motor and would it be done soon, if not let me know and I would pick up the parts (19 months and counting). His reply was an apology, and that 'a needed part came in last Friday, now he can get things buttoned up'. Said he should be finished in a couple of weeks.

Its in writing here, so that makes it official

Steve B · « **Reply #198 on:** August 03, 2022, 07:30:01 AM »

Sounds like The Money Pit movie..."Two weeks".

5th T/A · « **Reply #199 on:** August 03, 2022, 08:26:55 AM »

It sounds like your engine build has been low on his priority list. Time will tell if he is sincere or not. I and many others at TAC are pulling for you Kerry. 🤞

« **Reply #199 on:** August 03, 2022, 08:26:55 AM »

News:

Author Topic: My Tenth Anniv. (Read 82078 times)