fixing the t/a

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I got a used fender on. I also needed an ac box and blower motor and upper control arm. I did some adjustment on the door closing. I tried a number of things to pull out the rear quarter. I started with hot glue pulling and the sheet metal is just too thick. I used a harbor freight stud gun I got on sale for $109. The studs wont hold and I managed to put a couple of holes in the quarter when they pulled off and took sheet metal with them. I resorted in the end to use an axe to bang it out. I had to cut out a portion of the inner wheel house to get to the back side.

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after the axe
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I got a hammer and dolly set from summit for $22. I'm going to work this as smooth as I can get it before using body filler. Hopefully I can get it smooth enough with the proper contour so I only need to use spot glaze on it. If not a relatively thin layer of filler should do it.

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Why not hire a pro to do the final part of the job? Some of this stuff is art as much as mechanical work.

Nice effort regardless, keep us posted.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Why not hire a pro to do the final part of the job? Some of this stuff is art as much as mechanical work.

Nice effort regardless, keep us posted.


That is an option at any point. Nothing I'm doing is irreversible. There is a certain sense of personal victory for me in doing this. Plus I just like to play.

A shop would replace the entire quarter for around $3000. This is costing me nothing but time I'd be spending tinkering on the car anyway. Let's see how nice it looks in the end and then make a decision. The front fender is primer. It'll look better with a final coat of lacquer base/clear. I think lacquer is the only way for shade tree painters. It sands and buffs so much easier and its much easier to correct mistakes like runs.
 
Looks good from here! I've never had much luck with weather or anything else when it comes to body repair so I'm impressed with what you've done.
 
'79, '80, or '81? 301, 400, or 403? Stick or auto? 2.29, 2.41, 2.73, 3.08, or 3.23?

Inquiring minds want to know!
 
Originally Posted By: 2015_PSD
'79, '80, or '81? 301, 400, or 403? Stick or auto? 2.29, 2.41, 2.73, 3.08, or 3.23?

Inquiring minds want to know!


That engine looks like a Pontiac and should be a 400. Pontiac 389's/400's have a distinct exhaust note which I love.
 
Great work! Like you, I enjoy to try on my own on most things and if I dont succeed, I have a pro deal with it. The end result will make you feel very happy, I say keep on it
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: 2015_PSD
'79, '80, or '81? 301, 400, or 403? Stick or auto? 2.29, 2.41, 2.73, 3.08, or 3.23?

Inquiring minds want to know!


79, 301, stick, y84(special edition bandit) 3.23 I think. It runs around 2900 rpm at 60
 
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
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Originally Posted By: 2015_PSD
'79, '80, or '81? 301, 400, or 403? Stick or auto? 2.29, 2.41, 2.73, 3.08, or 3.23? Inquiring minds want to know!
79, 301, stick, y84(special edition bandit) 3.23 I think. It runs around 2900 rpm at 60
Yes; I think that would be at least a 3.23--it may even be a 3.42. Mine had 2.41 gears in it from the factory and it ran at about 1600 at 60. I swapped in a 3.23 and if memory serves it ran about 2600 at 60 (it was a long time ago). I did not realize that Pontiac started using the 301 in '79; I thought they still had the Pontiac 400 or Oldsmobile 403 (both labeled 6.6). Best of luck with it!
 
I wonder if it has been regeared...fooling around with a gear ratio/RPM calculator, you would seem to need 3.73's to get those RPM/MPH numbers.
 
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I wonder if it has been regeared...fooling around with a gear ratio/RPM calculator, you would seem to need 3.73's to get those RPM/MPH numbers.


I doubt it. The old title shows a woman owned it for a long time. Its had nothing at all done for performance or any other upgrades that I can detect. The shocks may even be original. I'm going to put some spring assist shocks on the back today as these things squat in the rear due to the leaf springs going flat.

I'm also going to work on the quarter with my hammers and Dolly's kit. Hopefully I'll post some better looking photos of the worked quarter soon.
 
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Here's the install of the load helper shock. It looks pretty cool. Like a coilover and gives a couple inches ride height boost.
 
Don't use spot & glaze for anything other than filling in sanding scratches. It is just think paint (primer). I would have a pro do the quarter. There is an art to mud work.
 
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
Don't use spot & glaze for anything other than filling in sanding scratches. It is just think paint (primer). I would have a pro do the quarter. There is an art to mud work.


Ive been playing with the bondo professional spot puddy. It's a two part system and sands really easy. I agree the air-dry stuff is garbage.

The problem is the shops are having the 18 year olds do the work. To maximize profits ya know?
 
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