by "My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
Published 08/08/2017 at 22:51
by "My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
Published 08/08/2017 at 22:51
Tags: Trans Am
; Wrenching
STARS: 2
So while you dorks are at work, I am “enjoying” myself.
I have totally changed my approach to fixing this turd. slow and steady wins the race. I am not finnegan, nor do I have useful friends like reidus and cletus. I will count myself lucky if it even runs this year, but the plans themselves haven’t changed. I still need to:
Disassemble the engine, swap gaskets, seals, accessories, timing, reassemble. Paint? sigh.
Transmission: Shift kit, filter, new rear seal, vacuum modulator (thanks oppo for the suggestions. all look like easy, cheap improvements)
Wire mad max style booby traps to compensate for how hilariously easy these are to steal.
Fiberglass remaining floor hole
Replace front fuel lines under engine
Re-insert drivetrain
Exhaust (easy)
fix bumper
Wire electric choke
Tires
Engine is clean! Ish! Probably as clean as it is going to get outside of a parts washer.
ew.
Parts
I got some extra days off between semesters, so hopefully I can make some serious headway. Bad news though, My remaining exhaust manifold bolts all snapped. Should the candlewax fix fail, the machine shop will have to do.
Also today, I fixed the mini. The power door has really chickenshit plastic clips between the regulator and the rails it runs on. Those clips broke, which allowed my window to de-track when I slammed the door. For once the dealership was useful and stocked them for reasonable money. No pictures because I am not giving that car any more thought than necessary.
Think happy thoughts my friends.
"CB" (jrcb)
08/08/2017 at 22:57, STARS: 1
I mean, depending how far you are from Toronto, you could always try summoning Reidus and Cletus with free beer.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
08/08/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 0
ehh, I am not outside of day trip distance, but I’d at least have to supply a keg to make it worth it.
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
08/08/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 0
Maybe proper pizza too. Canadian pizza is weaksauce
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
08/08/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
Best wheels ever to appear on an American car, in my humble opinion and ... I’ll say ‘76?
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
08/08/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 0
for those exhaust bolts that broke, if you own a welder, depending on how much shank is still there...... you can get a nut, and put it over the shank, and weld it. while it is still hot, start unthreading it. lots of time they will just back right on out. if the nut snaps off, weld another on there. i have a bin of odd sized nuts JUST for broken bolts........
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
08/08/2017 at 23:23, STARS: 1
‘79, and if you saw how laughably bad they were painted from the factory, you might change your mind:
Look close at the spokes.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
08/08/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 0
Half of them have a bit of stud sticking out, but mapp gas wasn’t hot enough to sway them. I wish I had access to acetylene equipment. I am just going with vice grips to prevent them from snapping any worse, easy outs for the rest.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
08/08/2017 at 23:38, STARS: 0
no welder then? the nut weld-on is a ridiculous easy way to get them out, and what most machine shops try first......
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
08/08/2017 at 23:39, STARS: 1
No welder. I don’t think the bolts have enough structural integrity for this to work anyhow, the bolt holes go clear through the block and I think the whole fastener is rusted solid.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
08/09/2017 at 00:01, STARS: 0
the heat does a LOT to help free them. i have been surprised at how well it works...... there is always the centerpunch/drill/easyout method too....... soak it in some pb blaster.....
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
08/09/2017 at 02:00, STARS: 0
Oy ...
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
08/09/2017 at 11:06, STARS: 1
I mean I’ve been using mapp gas, and pb and kroil for months trying to get these out. They are just too badly rusted. I’ve heard candle wax can work wonders so I’m going to try that now that the threads are exposed.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
08/09/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 0
Well deserving of the GM “mark of excellence”
I am probably going to repaint these and hold on to em, but I like the two other factory wheels much better:
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
08/09/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 0
i like to use those super small toy-ish pipe wrenches when there is still a stump sticking out......
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
08/09/2017 at 16:24, STARS: 0
My dad has some vice grips for rounded nuts, if I could just find them lol
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
08/09/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 1
use the flat jaw ones, not the round jaw vice grips.... ..
