kymmee

My newest acquisition is an 89 Formy 350 with 65k. The car is all original and unmolested, with the exception of the exhaust and tips.

Heres how it looked shortly after I brought it home.


I had some minimal paint work done, the front bumper had some chips and there was some rust under the t tops. My painter got the original seals off and re used them.


After that the t top bar was blasted and painted and re installed.


I cleaned the interior and re installed the seats.
.

More pictures to come.

Javier87z28

iTrader: (1)

Nice bird man, shes real clean!

Javier87z28

iTrader: (1)

Did you dispose of the camaro seats?

kymmee

Power sprayed and scrubbed the insides of the rims. Almost like new!


Cleaned inside the fender wells and painted the fender liners.


Engine bay cleaning took about 6 hours. Got a new coolant overflow tank to freshen it up.


The taillight center was dull, so polished it with some swirl remover and a buffer.


Still have more to do, but its getting there!

kymmee

No, I have a set of those Lear Siglers. Actually they are my sons seats. At one time he had them in a 4th gen Camaro, but sold the car and kept the seats.

kymmee

Removed the front air dam assembly and power washed it. Reassembled it using some new clips and screws. Has a few scratches but nothing major. Decided against painting it, just used some detailer on it and it looks presentable.




Took off the wiper arms and painted them, they were pretty faded.


Also removed the starter and took it to a reputable rebuild place I have used in the past. I noticed it had a "dead spot" in it, in just the few times I drove the car or moved it.

Placed an order with RockAuto. Got some plugs, plug wires and an oil filter coming. Going to change those since the car is up on jacks because of the starter.

TallTim

iTrader: (2)

Curious which of your radiator fans come on and when. My driver side comes on first, then the pax side when I turn on the a/c. I've heard this is backwards from stock but I have not found any mods on the car that would switch them. Thx.

kymmee

I'll have to get back with you on that-car wont be driven again till spring, and driving was very limited before it was stored for the winter.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

That's how my 89 Formula 350 fans run.

86TA355SR

iTrader: (1)

Car looks good! Great time of year to do stuff like this.

kymmee

Thank you! Yes, better to do it now, than when driving season arrives, otherwise it probably wouldnt get done!

kymmee

Goodies arrived from Rock Auto. Got the plugs and wires changed this weekend.


Also the starter rebuild was finished-picked it up Friday! Looks pretty! lol
Will work on re installation this week.

ev305tpi

iTrader: (3)

beautiful car!!!

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

The taillight center was dull, so polished it with some swirl remover and a buffer.


I use the same stuff on mine!

kymmee

Thanks!

kymmee

I use the same stuff on mine!
[/QUOTE]

Your car looks really GOOD!

kymmee

Well my "cleaning and detailing" has turned to "fixing and repairing". When getting ready to re install the starter, hubby was looking around under the engine and noticed the freeze plug on the passenger side was damp. The driver side was already replaced as the plug was still shiny. He decided to unbolt the exhaust from the manifold, so he could have better clearance and SNAP! One of the flange bolts broke off in the manifold. Now we have a real crappy situation.
We decided to unbolt the whole front of the exhaust and get it out of the way.
Have been soaking the bolt for a day or two now.

The last few days we have made progress. Got the freeze plug in, and tonight got the bolt out without any further damage. Since the exhaust is off, I'm going to clean the whole underside and use E coat by SEM to spray the floor pans to really get it looking good under there.


Notice the new plug and wire also.

Heres a picture of the bast--- bolt. Relieved when it came out clean!


The dual cats.

Lmancha96

Very nice car Kymmee....

kymmee

Thanks!

kymmee

Got a few more things done this weekend.

Cleaned the heat shield, its a little pitted, but acceptable.


Got most of the underneath cleaned, some places it looks really good.


Other places it needs sanded down and painted.


Going to start the sanding this week.

89 350

iTrader: (1)

wow very nice how did you remove wipers

kymmee

The wiper arm just detaches from the main mount. Have to disconnect the washer fluid hoses. When painting the arms, I just took off the washer hose, held by plastic clips (be carfeful-25 y.o. plastic) and also removed the rubber blade. Painted with flat black and re-assembled.

williemcfly

Beautiful car kymmee I hope my camaro can look that good again one day

kymmee

Thank you so much!

Got the underbody areas that needed attention sanded down. Then sprayed them with "Rust Reformer". Followed that with some grey paint. Unfortunately, could not find an "exact match" to the underbody finish from the factory. The SEM Ez coat in grey was too dark. Spent some of the week driving around to different places with a small paint chip about the size of a dime. A couple specialty auto paint places could not make me a match, they said my sample was too small. It was getting discouraging, so just bought some pre mixed stuff that was real close. Also got the exhaust re-hung and partially bolted up.


Hoping to have her back on the ground by the weekend!

kymmee

Finished the exhaust. It bolted up nicely. Got the rims back on and she is back on the ground. Before I got the car, the A/C was changed to R134a, but the wiring was taped with black tape. Not my style, so I covered all the exposed wires with plastic wire wrap. Makes for a nice clean looking engine bay.

Next on the list is cleaning the lug nut covers and ordering some nice floor mats.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Kim you are going to make that car so nice that you aren't going to want to use it every day. Looks great BTW.

kymmee

Thanks Vincent. Yes, it is turning out not to be a summer driver. But will still get driven when its nice out and plans are to drive it more than the others.

Zane M

iTrader: (1)

Beautiful car. The work you are doing is definitely paying off.

kymmee

Thanks!

Went yesterday and registered for historical plates. They are sent by the state, so should be arriving in the mail in about 10 days!

Car is covered for now and staying warm in the garage.

91 zeee

I'm impressed. Very clean car. Nice work!

kymmee

Thanks. A lot of hours and labor in cleaning, doesnt cost a lot, just time.


Finished detailing my rims. They are not perfect, have a few scratches in the clear, but I guess for 25 yrs old, they look pretty decent. Also got my historical plate mounted in the rear. Not sure about the front yet-will probably get another "show n go" type mounting bracket.




Need to get some nice floor mats. I am leaning toward Carmotorsports. I like the "Formula" emblem they have. It is very close to the 3rd gen style. A few other places have a formula emblem you can get, but it looks like the 2nd gen style.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Nice, clean car! My favorite year, too!
I went with Lloyd's and the straight "Firebird" text. I like the hooks that keep the mats in place.

kymmee

Thanks for posting the picture. Those mats look pretty good, although I would probably get the "firebird" in black. I think the car came with Lloyd's mats, there are grommet holes in them, but they have the 4th gen bird as an emblem. Plus they are really worn and stained. Dont really fit in with the condition of the rest of the car.

kymmee

Finally got a decent dry, warmer day to break out the car. Took it for a short cruise, got a few small mechanical issues to address.

I still need to get the sail panel emblem and the "Formula" emblem applied since the paint work was done. My body guy is going to take care of this soon. I have the emblems, just need to get him over here. The mini fridge has some beverages waiting.

Still have not ordered the floor mats. Still kinda looking at options.

A few pictures in the driveway.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Looking Good! You'll have the T-tops off in no time.
How's the suspension feel?

kymmee

Thanks! T tops off sounds great! The suspension feels tight. Rides and drives nice.

kymmee

Yesterday, got the decals applied. A few more small things on the list and this project is DONE!

kymmee

Got some seat covers today. These are from California Car Cover and are terrycloth. I have them for my TTA (in tan color) and really like them. Easy to remove for shows and washable. They run about $31 each. Still undecided about the floor mats. They are the last improvement I have on my list.

89blackformula

Wow that's a beautiful formula!
Wish mine looked that good.
What did you use on the wheels? They look really nice....I want to do some work on my wheels...mine look like crap.

kymmee

Thanks. I used Presta Hand Glaze for the wheels. Applied with a rag and then used a small finishing pad (like 4" I think) on a variable speed drill to buff them out.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I like those covers!

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

I like those seat covers too. Very nice formula!

89blackformula

I do believe some Presta hand glaze will be in order for me.
I can't get over how nice your wheels look
And of course the whole car!

MJS422

Kymee, I just saw this thread. The car is looking great!
Too bad about the rust on the t-top bar. I remember the ad for this car saying that it included two sets of tops that DON'T LEAK. Everytime I see that statement in an add I roll my eyes. The majority of these cars have leaky tops, even if you can not see any leaks in the car in rain or when washing. Water always gets into hidden places as these cars age. I had to redo my t-top bar also, and the passenger rear foot well due to leaky tops. If a car has tops the first place to check for rot is that foot well, seems to be very common.

Congrats on your car and all your hard work. Looks great!

kymmee

Thanks guys for the compliments on the car.


MJS422-I think a lot of sellers say t tops dont leak-either because it is very slight or the interior doesn't get soaked. This car's t top area had very minimal rust, but I wanted to address it, so it didn't get worse. I won't be driving the car much if at all in rain, so I wasn't too worried about it. Overall, the seller was very honest about everything else. I paid what I wanted to for the car, I was willing to walk if he was not interested in my offer.

The car is fun to drive. Love the 350! It goes from beauty to beast depending on what you ask of it. lol

kymmee

Had the car out for a drive over the holiday with the tops out. Only issue I am having is with the starter. It was rebuilt but I believe I'm having heat soak issues. Car wont restart after its hot for a few hours. I am going to switch to a mini starter ASAP. Sucks getting stranded. Won't be driving it again until that is addressed.

My mats are on their way-went with the Lloyds grey with black bird emblem embroidery.

A few pictures (before being stranded). Did make it home ok and back into the garage.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Sorry to hear about the starter, but it sure looks pretty.

kymmee

I've read numerous threads on here about the mini starters. Been messing around with trying to install one all week. None of the ones I've tried bolt up tight to the mounting area on the block. The place where the oil pan fits on the block has a little ridge and its not a tight fit. Good thing Summit Racing is close to me, as I have been up there buying and returning several times. Also the 96 vette starter had the same problem. Are you guys filing off any area on the starter or oil pan to get it to fit? I was under the impression from reading it was a direct fit with no mods. Seems like all the ones at Summit have the similar castings with the mounting. Heres a picture of what I'm referring to.



When using the other mounting holes, it fits but is too far away from the flywheel.

MJS422

Kymee,

Looks like you may have to modify the billet mounting plate.
I would trim the corner with a cut off wheel, and see if that gets you close. With it being aluminum that should not give you too much trouble.
Otherwise you may have to get a standard stock replacement.

I had the same heat issue with the starter on my 1989 Camaro in the past.
When the car would heat up it would not start. The solenoid was going bad. Every time it would get hot the car would not start. To get it going I would have to put the car in neutral turn the key on, and then start it by jumping the terminals on the soleniod with a screw driver. After I replaced the defective soleniod I never the problem again. Hope this helps.

I would get alot of strange looks at the gas station when this would happen. lol...

kymmee

Thanks for the advice. Ended up at Summit Racing again, the guy that waited on me was really helpful-basically told me the same thing about notching out the corner. Instead of going that route, I went for a stock replacement with a heat shield. My orig starter was rebuilt, but I dont think they did a good job. I got a new stock replacement (not rebuilt), made in the USA with a 1 yr warranty. Just a temporary fix for now, I just want to drive the car!! lol This new starter sounds stronger and the car turns over immediately. I'll drive it some and get it hot and see what happens.