Well, finally got off my @#$ and have started on the Lemans

[Larry]

Well, at least there isn't much more to take apart. Looks like just the front end of the frame.

Now comes what I always enjoyed... clean, strip, etc. one piece at a time. Prime, paint, wrap up and set aside... Move on to next one. Should keep you busy most of the winter, I'd guess.

[russosborne]

Amost all apart. I didn't have the money to do anything that I had wanted to do with it this weekend, so I tried to finish getting the front suspension off. Got everything but the lower control arms. There is one bolt on each that I can't get out. They turn, and the nuts are off, just no room to get to them with a punch and nothing to pry them out with. There has to always be some problem, doesn't there?

And there are still a few brackets left, brake and gas mainly.

This frame weighs a lot more than I was thinking it would stripped. I have it on it's side on the car dollies from HF(don't buy them) and I could roll it fairly easily this way but there is a bit of a lip at my garage between the driveway and the garage floor, and I couldn't get it over that, so it is leaning against our fence getting rained on right now.

I hope I can keep doing at least a little bit each week, I don't want to wake up in April and realise I haven't touched it for 5 months. Really hoping to get at least the trunk floor and the gas for the mig with a bonus I have coming in December.

Russ

[russosborne]

Gee, more rust. Just when I thought there couldn't be anymore. This was bondo'ed over so well I didn't realise it. Oh, and found that the entire trunk floor and wheel wells are fiberglassed.

Cut out most of the trunk floor. Then decided to just look around the body in the back. It seems like anywhere there is a seam or a joint there is rust. Most of these pictures are of the seam that is below the trunk lid where the rear bumper top edge fits along. And some of the area on the bottom side of the panel between the rear window and trunk opening.

And a few miscellaneous. Have 16, so will take two posts.

Gee, I can't wait to start stripping the paint off the quarters where I already know there are patch panels.

Russ

[russosborne]

Larry, is there a way that I can have the first picture I upload be the first picture that is listed? Or do I just have to think backwards?

Anyway, back to the rust.

Russ

[Larry]

I don't know why it is so, but yes, you have to post the photos in last to first order to get them in sequence while viewing. Doesn't that seem like something the brainiacks who do these web forum programs would have figured out a long time ago?!? Just shows the difference between technical smart and common sense smart.

Looks like rust is in no short suppy. Just start in one spot and work to the next. No simple solution or short cuts, unless of course you can locate a doner car. The challenge can be worth doing, but if you look around, perhaps a new body shell might be a cheaper route too.

[russosborne]

Wish I could find something, but odds are that anything in this part of the world would be at least as bad.
Wish I could do a road trip home to Phoenix to get some panels off of an Arizona car, but that just isn't going to happen.

Yeah, a little at a time. Might as well lose what little is left of my mind nice and slow instead of all at once.

Just really depressed right now. This car was supposed to help keep me from feeling depressed, not add to the problem. Plus I am feeling really stupid right now. I should just know better than to buy any car around here. Shoot, someone is selling a real 70 GTO in Kentucky that is a project that they have given up on with replacement panels and spare parts that go with it for less than i paid just for the car. Can't get him to do a payment plan either.

I posted on another forum if I can't get this car done I am giving up on cars and starting model railroading. At least it would be warm and not greasy in my basement.
Not sure if that is a joke or not.

Thanks,
Russ

[Larry]

I'd stick with the car. I have a complete American Flyer set still in the original packaging under the bed in the spare bedroom. Had it since Christmas 1956. Hardly used, never really enjoyed (even as a kid), and sure see no reason to ever "play" with again.

If you put aside any "schedule" and just do a bit at a time, eventually you wil be there. My '69 wagon project has been going for over 20 years, sitting the last time for over a dozen years before touching again (now). But even now it is slow going. Then if I ever finish it, I still have a redo on the 1940 Pontiac to get it back on the road. I better live to be 100, plus they better never stop making beer and Advil!

Keep on keepin' on!

[super]

Don't give up on the old Pontiac. You are making great progress.

You will be saving another great classic car. If you keep plugging away at it, you will see good results soon.

[super]

Finished project in 6 months. Set a goal to have on the street by this last spring and accomplished that goal.

Worth every hour of hard work. Got a little stressful working on it almost every evening after long hours of work, but the end results speak for themselves.

I am glad that I kept moving forward. I did not want to drag out and lose interest.

You will have a very nice Pontiac soon!!!!!

[russosborne]

Thanks for the encouragement, it really does help.
Both you and Larry.

6 mounths, wow. I am hoping for next summer, I know I can do it time wise, just not sure about money. And that wouldn't be with everything the way I want it, but having it back together and driveable. Which is something I want as well. If I wait until I have all the money I need/want, it will never get on the road again.
Russ

[russosborne]

Just noticed the dolly you have on the front end in one of the pictures. did you do something similar in the rear?
Thanks,
Russ

[super]

Left the rearend under the car until later in the project. I just built a dolly from some channel I had laying around with some heavy casters. Worked great for moving car around.

I am sure you could build a similar dolly for the rear. Should be plently of holes to mount to outside or inside of frame.

This car was built on an extreme budget. Saved everything possible. Had a lot of time polishing and cleaning on old parts, but it was worth it. Amazing what a little elbow grease, cleaning, glass beading, polishing and fresh paint can do.

[russosborne]

Thanks.
I'd of liked to reuse most of the old parts, but there is just no way. It helps that I am essentially building it the way I want it, means I don't have to worry about finding (and paying for)nos or good used parts. Building my own harness with the battery in the trunk(fuse box NOT under the dash!-most likely trunk as well, but could be in the rear seat area(no rear seat)), fiberglass one piece front end, etc. Bucket seats from a 97 Ford Explorer similar to my one semi daily driver-I really like how they fit me, and the drivers is like a 6way power. Will be using some or most of the wiring harness from the same Explorer, lots of relay boxes and a couple of fuxe boxes. There is even supposed to be a factory fuel pump shut off switch on it, I am going with an electric pump. Got an aluminum Summit radiator brand new but cheap-someone on another forum bought it for a project then went a different route.
so yeah, I have a lot into this car already.

Other than the body repair panels I have most of what I am going to use already. Have to remind myself of that once in a while. Looking for a different transmission and I don't know what engine I will end up with, but probably this 350 for now. It runs ok. I still need to get a fiberglass pin on hood to go with the one piece front end. But I don't think that I have to rush on that.

Want to find a manual trans from the 1980-1986/7 chevy truck series. It is a Mopar trans that they made for GM with standard GM splines and takes a TH350 yoke. Even fits without major mods. It is the NP440 trans, has 3 forward gears plus an overdrive 4th. Was going to go with a 700R4, but I like shifting gears. Lots more fun. This is going to be a drive it as much as possible car, so overdrive of some sort is mandatory.

Also would like to go with a Ford 9 inch rear, but that may have to wait as well. I suppose I should take the cover off of the 8.2 that came with the car and check for broken bits.

I've just got to get going on the welding. Seeing any holes patched up would be a big morale booster.

Russ

[russosborne]

Got a new repro firewall lined up for only $50, that will take a lot of the front problems out of the way. Plus I came across replacement cowls fairly cheap. So that will take care of most of the front rust issues. Still need some floor panels, but those are all over the place.

Of course there is a compromise here. I won't be able to get the gas for the welder as quickly now. Maybe for Christmas.
But having the firewall will really feel good. Next Saturday if all goes well.


Russ

[Larry]

Don't forget to check Classic-2-Current Fabrication for body panels. They have tons of them and at very good prices. Plus, we can (as members of PontiacRegistry.com) buy as a dealer at a discount.

Check under our "AFFILIATES" "Member Discounts" then "Pontiac Parts." Their web site is: http://www.c2cFabrication.com

If you need help making the discount arrangement work, just yell and I will take care of it.

Moving right along.....