Thank you
Yes, life happened a lot, I made mistakes, the car kicked my butt many times, and I lost motivation more than once.
Long story nobody wants to hear but the history is probably well-documented on this forum. As I said, I would have tossed it 15 years ago if not for the support I get here.
Breakthrough was stepping up to the carb and distributor this year. Jeff (Shaker455) and Bob Davis (Sun Tuned) rescued me on both, with lots of help from others.
I had started on body work 15 years ago so had the front clip apart and moved the car twice in pieces. I retired and moved here 4 years ago. The car sat here while we turned 5 acres of weeds and a big house into a nice place. We are now downsizing and moving again so I set a goal to move the car in one piece. No more inner fenders, bumpers, and headers in the shed! I'm close..
Turning it into a driver while continuing the body work is finally within reach.
As it rolls (some of the projects I
DID get done in 19 years with help from the forum):
Mechanical- Rebuilt rear axle, added Eaton posi, new 3.55 gears, new u-joints
- Rebuilt/restored suspension, boxed rear arms, added sway bar, new springs, new rag joint
- Original 350/heads and TH350, Summit 2800, Q-Jet, replaced timing cover, new water pump, new harmonic balancer
- New brakes, conversion to power front discs
- Rebuilt/installed Jeep steering gear, rebuilt steering pump, new tie rod ends
- New gas tank, fuel pump
- New radiator, new heater core
- Convert to single-wire alternator
Body- Restored firewall, AC box, fan shroud, and fan, new fan clutch
- DS fender patch panel, welded holes (was a Sport fender)
- Replaced/restored radiator support
- Repaired header panel
Interior- Swapped bench for buckets, new covers
- Capped dash pad
- Rebuilt instrument panel, restored bezel
- Repaired and installed dash tach, AM/FM Stereo radio
- Restored AC/heater controls
- Restored and installed floor-shift column, changed to Formula steering wheel
- Added courtesy lights
- Restored and installed console
- Installed floor shifter
I've still got a list to get it driving, another list to finish interior, and a daunting cosmetic challenge but I'm really happy to have it moving under its own power.
Thanks again to all!
Mike