Oh, missed that body guy #1 part, or didn't register fully. Thx. What's the latest on the engine? Did you start it and Dyno it yet?

I was inches away from having Mark redo my spare engine, 500 hp build. Then had reality check with what I got left to do (mostly paint), and couldn't justify total $ into project. If I change my mind , again, he's the man. He's just a few hours away.

 

Here you go. I would recommend Mark for that kind of build. He was right on with what we discussed. I limited myself due to drivability with air and power brakes, but I am happy.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...=Troys+toy+455

 

Question- How do you know how many shims to put in between the rear sway bar and the lower control arms?

I have heard 3 one one side and one on the other, but I don't know how that works.

 

I used 2 and 2 that centered the bend under the rear end.

 

I didn't have to use any as it was actually too tight, but I got aftermarket boxed arms.

 

Thats the way I have it now. I was told the factory did the 3 and 1 thing, and wondered if you could tell if it were different? Does it plant one side better as a result?

 

I would think "shim to fit" so if 2 and 2 does it ok, if they were all 3 and 1 ? is that just poor manufacturing ? I dont know so im just typing out loud > anything in the CSM ?

 

Haven't seen any thing in the CSM, but maybe I missed it. I only saw a couple of sentences on the rear sway bar.

 

Body updates. Poor baby had 21 dents in her roof.

 

A few more.

 

Fenders /doors

 

nice lookslike some good progress

 

The car is coming along great. Big change since I last saw it

 

I'm jealous Troy, I wish I had the funds for a body off restoration. Nice thorough job being done, I'm sure you'll be quite happy when it's completed.

 

Thanks guys. If you promise not to judge my very messy garage; you can hear the rest of the story. All plumbed up and getting ready to be reunited with the body.

 

Looking good! I sure agree with the engine testing before putting the body back on. Find any problem you possibly can before the body is on. So much easier to fix like that.

 

Yes and I found two problems. The first was the exhaust from Inline tube on the driver side doesn't quite seat on the manifold. It needs to be message a little.

The second is more frustrating. One of the small bolts holes in the timing gear cover for the water pump, the one just above the timing tab at the 5 o'clock position, decided that it didn't want to hold on to the bolt anymore and stripped out.

Now keep in mind that it ran with the water pump on the Dyno for almost 6 hours, and ran for a little while once it was on the frame before it started to leak. My assumption is that it was almost or was stripped but had enough to hold until the system pressurized and that was it. Then it started to spray out the bolt hole. Put a small wrench on it, turn ever so slightly. No grip. Grrrr.

The plan is for it to go to the Body shop this week end, weather permitting. The body shop guy is also a machinist and will take car of it.

 

Looks like perfect weather this weekend!

 

Well, I had to concede on a couple of things I wanted to get done before taking the chassis to the body shop, but getting it down there was the important part. It was a hot but great trip. Here are a some pics.

 

These two have not seen seen each other in over a year, and they are real close to being reunited. So, looking forward to this.

 

Today, the body sat down on the frame for the first time since Oct 13, 2015. What a great milestone!!

 

Great milestone for you Troy. Before you know it you'll be posting pictures of the car painted. Best of luck with the rest of the restoration.

 

Thanks Tom, Hopefully I will make it to Nationals in Gettysburg. Lots and Lots to do to get that done. It is exciting to see it actually starting to look like a car again.

 

Hey Tom, how's you fender repair coming along?

 

Sorry I missed ya Saturday. I am now officially jealous of your build. You my friend are going to have one nice car when it's all together. Remind me not to park next to you at Gettysburg.

 

Thanks Rick, but we will worry about parking when I know it is going to get completed. It won't be Johns fault, it will be mine. He has surpassed expectations as to where the car would be, and now I have to play catch up.😮

No no biggie about Sat. I mean who wouldn't want to stain a deck as opposed to seeing a a really cool car. 😜😁😀.

Totally understand though gotta do it while the weather is cooperating.

 

You probably posted this somewhere along the line but what mufflers are you running?

 

Total exhaust is from Inline Tube, other than the Manifolds, 2 1/4 in stead of 2". Fit fairly well, but did need to work around the drivers side lower control arm mount. Other than that, it is pretty good. I checked into Gardner, but Inline was about 1/3 cheaper.

 

Wow looking great! I remember reuniting my 67 body to the frame, what a great feeling. And i suddenly had alot more room in the garage. Keep up the great work!

 

Thanks Steve, definately a lot more room in garage and basement now that alll the big parts are at the body shop. I will admit that being in the garage the other night was a little strange. It felt like a part of me was missing. Kinda like a living room without the couch 😀

 

Here are some more body updates as of today.

 

The body is in its prefit stage, and I am working on the A/C and heater boxes. The evaporator and heater cores checked good. So, I spent tonight cleaning the A/C box.

Here are a couple of before pics

 

A/C box after over an hour of cleaning. I still need to work on the gasket surfaces, but I am pretty happy with the clean up, Notice the pile of shop rags it took to get there.

 

Nice work Troy. You're getting there!

 

coming along nicely.
kinda reminds me of that harlequin VW at this stage

 

Thanks Adam

 

I guess I can't argue the VW thing. Sure looks like the same paint scheme. Although, I think the end result will be quite a bit different.😜

 

So I mentioned to my body shop guy the comments about looking like a VW paint job. He provided me with the new addition to my paint job.


At least, I will win all my races. 😁

 

LOL, HAHAHA! snort HAHAHA! I know that feeling. When I did my Rallye 350 I was 23 and living with my parents. I knew where every nut, bolt, and any part was for any part of the project and any given time. I thought I could do the same when I restored the W-30 at 40 years old with other responsibilities. Wrong, I lost the console for an entire month. I later found it in the trunk of one of the Jetfires, still not sure why I put it there. I double ordered some parts also not knowing I had already got them.

 

This does not improve as you get older.