Project Car Hell

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword) 05/06/2016 at 14:38 • Filed to: trans am, 1979 firebird project

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So I promised to update and tell you guys some details about my work thus far. It’s just a tad bit frustrating.

Good news first: Stuff I got in.

2.5 inch dual crossflow exhaust with race pro mufflers.

Problem being it is in this big ass box on my back porch and mommy dearest ain’t too happy.

So my project isn’t screwing me in the normal way (wherin my motor blows up and I cry by the side of the road) it is screwing me in a million smaller, less predictable ways.

Due to the nature of my exhaust manifolds, (two different flanges) I believed that either I would need to buy two sets of downpipes, or just say to hell with it and buy headers (that I wanted anyway). It wasnt until later that I found out that I could in fact buy a set with two different bolt patterns, and how much work painted headers would be.

Progress after 3 hours with paint stripper and a wire wheel. Haven’t even started on the other one. So, instead, I decided, Hey lets get it sandblasted!

Only place nearby isn’t sandblasting anymore. I am going to have to drive to the other side of the city, because apparently nobody freaking media blasts in pittsburgh.

Simultaneously rebuilding my carburetor for the first time. I need to get my head examined. I now have to make two custom tools out of old bolts for these two freaking gems:

Plus side, the carb looks pretty good. Probably going to skip a few steps. Downside, the freaking linkages can bite my ass. It continues!

A simple parking brake cable replacement has turned into a multi week project, what with needing an additional cable (OER fucked it up), needing a special rust resistant 9/16-18 fine pitch thread nut and lock washers because they weren’t included (seriously OER is terrible) which led me to 3 separate shopping trips to fastener supply stores in the middle of nowhere.

Still to do before I can get the thing inspected:

-replace fusible link to headlights

-remove passenger fenderwell to access and replace heater blower motor

-paint and cure headers

-unbolt motor mounts, jack up engine so I can install said headers.

-install full dual exhaust system

-fiberglass floorpan and trunk

-finish installing parking brake cable

-diagnose/lubricate wiper motor

-new tires

-finish carburetor and wire new electric choke

I don’t think its going to be done before June guys :’(

crowmolly > My bird IS the word 05/06/2016 at 14:51

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nobody freaking media blasts in pittsburgh.

That is incredibly sad knowing the history of the city.

Have you looked in to having the headers blasted and coated? I’ve never had a whole lot of success with header paint. It’s better than it was years ago but it still doesn’t look good after a while.

How much are they charging you to blast?

Takuro Spirit > My bird IS the word 05/06/2016 at 14:59

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I’ll trade you one passenger side inner fender with a hole cut (and re-patched) for blower motor access for one with NO hole...

My bird IS the word > crowmolly 05/06/2016 at 15:02

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I don’t know, havent called yet. hopefully this place is still in business by next week lol.

Pittsburgh has its own unique brand of apathy. The only hobbies people have around here are getting drunk and watching sports. As a consequence, professional shops (carberators, speed shops, paint shops, sandblasting, misc restoration and parts) are virtually nonexistant. we don’t even have vintage junkyards. Its the same story for any other hobby or activity you can think of.

I am going to go to extraodinary lengths to get these headers painted properly. The step everyone seems to miss is that you have to “cure” the paint by taking a propane torch to it or putting it in an oven. Even then it may not adhere. Idk I think this place also does powdercoating, at this point I may just ask what they want.

My bird IS the word > Takuro Spirit 05/06/2016 at 15:05

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Then one of them is going to get lost in shipping, and Ill find out the new one has different bolt sizes........ too many projects at one time lol. the many small frustrations are building.

190octane > My bird IS the word 05/06/2016 at 15:09

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This reminds me of when I have to do work on my house, a simple job like changing a garbage disposal results in having to repipe all the drainage piping down to the crawl space.

I love when hour jobs take 3 days of labor and multiple trips to Home Depot.

Takuro Spirit > My bird IS the word 05/06/2016 at 15:23

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That’s why I barely touch mine. Can’t be frustrated if I’m not working on it. :)

crowmolly > My bird IS the word 05/06/2016 at 15:50

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Yeah, I’d hit up a coating place and see what they recommend. Just VHT won’t cut it, even properly heat cycled and cured.

My bird IS the word > 190octane 05/06/2016 at 16:03

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I swear its every project. I just replaced the door jamb courtesy light switches and it took me two trips, an online order, and a sodder job.