ConvertiblesDiscussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.
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And with the car being apart like it was/is the front end will be sitting in the trees.
I pushed it outside today since the sun was out and hot as hell.Thought it would help bake the paint in better.Old girl hasn't seen sunlight since May.I think it will settle in nicely once the engine is back in.It sits almost level with the rear.I sat a fender back on to gauge tire gap.With the puny 15's on it and no ground effects it's kinda hard to tell.
I wouldn't even attempted this without a garage to blow it all apart in,out of the elements.
I need to start looking for a drivers side floorpan now.I would like to get that in before cold weather sets in.I might tear the engine down in winter and see what all has been done to it.
IIIIMMMMMMM back!!! Never gonna get rid of it. I keep sabotaging the sales. LMAO. My wife finally said keep it and I will drive the Sonata. Going to get new carb and rip that pesky CAT off this week!!!! Car is looking good by the way.
IIIIMMMMMMM back!!! Never gonna get rid of it. I keep sabotaging the sales. LMAO. My wife finally said keep it and I will drive the Sonata. Going to get new carb and rip that pesky CAT off this week!!!! Car is looking good by the way.
Hey DC,good to see ya again,been awhile.Good to hear you decided to keep the Maro.I don't have to sabotage anything I sell.I couldn't sell a cup of coffee to a freezing eskimo.What kinda carb ya gonna get? I am trying to start thinking about what engine mods I want to do and piece it all together a little at a time.I think I am going with a Holley 650DP maybe bigger depending what I do in mods.
Very nice work!! I have a garage, but still not enough space and lacking just a few tools to do a project like that.
Thanks Dale,I thought I would always have enough garage room but even a 46x60 gets small at times.I have to constantly find somewhere to cram stuff just to get around.
Other than the forklift for convenience all this stuff has been done with common hand tools.I have been getting bigger items for the past several years before I got the car because I knew one day this is stuff I wanted to do.Oh yea and Sears loves me,I keep a nice balance always getting more stuff.
I'm sure you use the forklift for an engine hoist.. which I dont have. I also need a welder(and learn how to use it) to replace a fender, rear body panel, and part of a floor. A spot welder cutter, a torch would be handy too. Then a sandblast machine... well.. the list could keep going
Yea, sears rocks except for the ratchets. I cant keep a craftsman ratchet working to save my life.
Its already bad enough when I go to the parts stores the counter guys either run and hide, or laugh and ask what I'm working on today. I've learned to have a part-number in hand before I enter the door.
I'm sure you use the forklift for an engine hoist.. which I dont have. I also need a welder(and learn how to use it) to replace a fender, rear body panel, and part of a floor. A spot welder cutter, a torch would be handy too. Then a sandblast machine... well.. the list could keep going
Yea, sears rocks except for the ratchets. I cant keep a craftsman ratchet working to save my life.
Its already bad enough when I go to the parts stores the counter guys either run and hide, or laugh and ask what I'm working on today. I've learned to have a part-number in hand before I enter the door.
Yea the forklift is very handy for an engine hoist.I took an old fork,welded an I beam to it and made a trolley setup with a chain hoist connected to it.
I also need a different welder mine is an older buzz box stick welder.It's great for thick metal but blows right threw sheet metal.Welded up some spider gears for a guy to use in a race car,melted them like butter.So I have a mig welder on my list as well as a plasma cutter.Recently got a pressure pot sandblaster.It's handy but a real pain in the *** to use and messy.
I know exactly what your saying about the parts counter people.It took me two weeks to get the right E-brake cable.I started taking the part numbers in with me also,especially since I have stuff on my car that didn't come on it from the factory,that really messes with the counter people.
Hey DC,good to see ya again,been awhile.Good to hear you decided to keep the Maro.I don't have to sabotage anything I sell.I couldn't sell a cup of coffee to a freezing eskimo.What kinda carb ya gonna get? I am trying to start thinking about what engine mods I want to do and piece it all together a little at a time.I think I am going with a Holley 650DP maybe bigger depending what I do in mods.
I found an Edelbrock 650 on craigslist for 100.00 brand new. So that is what I am gonna go with. I ripped off the Exhaust manifolds off last nigh cleaned them up and gonna get rid of that stupid cat tonight. I also am gonna start to ripp all the wires I dont need out one by one. I figure I will cut them back as far as I can untill I pull the motor. Which ones do I need now? Please let me know. All that crap for the emissions in gone like the wind. For all the people who don't like that. All I have to say is TOO BAD!!! LMAO Thank you.
I found an Edelbrock 650 on craigslist for 100.00 brand new. So that is what I am gonna go with. I ripped off the Exhaust manifolds off last nigh cleaned them up and gonna get rid of that stupid cat tonight. I also am gonna start to ripp all the wires I dont need out one by one. I figure I will cut them back as far as I can untill I pull the motor. Which ones do I need now? Please let me know. All that crap for the emissions in gone like the wind. For all the people who don't like that. All I have to say is TOO BAD!!! LMAO Thank you.
Well as far as the underhood wiring goes.I assume since you are getting a carb you are no longer in need of the computer.Remember my car had already been hacked on before I got it so it may have already been missing stuff I will need later,but thats a problem for another day for me.If removing the computer you will need an HEI distributor also.I traced every wire coming from the harness that comes out of the passenger side fender.All of them went to some kind of relay or fuel injection part.I cut all those wires and removed each component it went as I cut that wire.There is a wiring harness that comes through the firewall under the A/C box or heater box whichever you have.I left all of those.Mine were not hooked to nothing but looked like they used to go to the blower motor and may go to the engine cooling fan somehow,little foggy there.The main harness block over by the brake booster on mine had been hacked already.I know all my lighting wires are there,an alternator wire,starter wires and maybe a cooling fan lead.I have to figure out something for the wiper motor.Motor is gone and so is the harness for it.For the HEI I tapped into a wire in the column harness,it needs to be hot in the start and run position of the switch and off when key is off.
Thats all I can think of right now,let me know if I didn't make any sense.
Well as far as the underhood wiring goes.I assume since you are getting a carb you are no longer in need of the computer.Remember my car had already been hacked on before I got it so it may have already been missing stuff I will need later,but thats a problem for another day for me.If removing the computer you will need an HEI distributor also.I traced every wire coming from the harness that comes out of the passenger side fender.All of them went to some kind of relay or fuel injection part.I cut all those wires and removed each component it went as I cut that wire.There is a wiring harness that comes through the firewall under the A/C box or heater box whichever you have.I left all of those.Mine were not hooked to nothing but looked like they used to go to the blower motor and may go to the engine cooling fan somehow,little foggy there.The main harness block over by the brake booster on mine had been hacked already.I know all my lighting wires are there,an alternator wire,starter wires and maybe a cooling fan lead.I have to figure out something for the wiper motor.Motor is gone and so is the harness for it.For the HEI I tapped into a wire in the column harness,it needs to be hot in the start and run position of the switch and off when key is off.
Thats all I can think of right now,let me know if I didn't make any sense.
I have no idea what the heck you are talking about. Just kidding.. My car already has a HEI distributor. I ripped out the A/C so that's no problem, the blower is for the heater correct? So basically the only ones I need are the ones that goto the lights, fan, blower motor and distributor. I am gonna tackle this today while the exhaust manifold are off, more room. I was gonna put on headers but decided that the stock manifolds are in the long run less susceptible to warp and leak.
On a different note did that broad ever try to get her car back again??
Yes blower=heater motor.I tried something different on my heater motor.I was cleaning off old paint with a wire wheel.The motor actually started to shine so I grabbed the buffing wheels and polished it.Looks chrome now.Don't forget the starter wires(they are all pretty big gauge wire)and the alternator connections.
I stopped at the junkyard today and picked up a piece of wiring harness.My car doesn't have that hot wire junction piece beside the battery tray for the starter wires.I grabbed that and a large chunk of the heavy gauge wires that feed it.
Looked at the T/A I been getting a lot of my parts off of for a good floor pan.It's trashed worse than mine.I don't mind buying a new one but after shipping it will be close to $400 that I have a problem with.
Never heard another word from the chick looking for her missing car.
I figure I will just trace the wires from all the things I need and ditch the rest. I need to do it fast because the more $$$$ I put into the Camaro the better chance I have in my wife saying I am not gonna sell that after putting in all that money!!! Like I said today is exhaust and rip all emissions crap out!! Kinda sucks cuz its like 90 degrees outside and I am doing it in my drive way in front of my condo. Wonder how long it will take for the Homeowner Association to complain. It only took 2 days about my 5 foot by 3 foot Dallas Cowboys flag. I won that battle though and she still flies. You took out your steering column?? Mine is loose and its not the three bolts inside the column??? Any ideas?
Better enjoy that 90 degrees and sweating it won't be around much longer ya know.Glad I don't have to deal with no homeowners assoc. heck I could start a small junkyard around here,glad I moved back out in the country.I have had my steering column out numerous times.Couple of bolts under the dash and some on the firewall and the one in the shaft under the hood.The connector plugs can be a b**** though,they are on top of the column.
My column is loose also and not the mounting bolts either.But thats a problem for later.Good condition columns aren't terribly expensive.Not sure myself what let's go inside to make em wobble.
Besides remember I got an old Jeep so loose steering like a farm tractor are normal for me
My column is loose also and not the mounting bolts either.But thats a problem for later.Good condition columns aren't terribly expensive.Not sure myself what let's go inside to make em wobble.
Besides remember I got an old Jeep so loose steering like a farm tractor are normal for me
There are four inverted torx bolts inside that loosen up over time, extremely common problem, all you need to do is tighten em back up, if ya do a search it's been covered a few thousand times. If you let it go too long they will come out all the way, had that happen to me a few years back, car made an abrupt left hand turn into on coming traffic.. some how I got lucky and didnt hit anything. Fix em before it happens to you.
Edit: I searched for you, apparently there is a tech article on it: http://www.thirdgen.org/steeringcolumn
Not a problem, actually they make it sound way more complicated than it really is.. the first time I did one I think it took a total of 2 hours, which included digging around for tools..
Not a problem, actually they make it sound way more complicated than it really is.. the first time I did one I think it took a total of 2 hours, which included digging around for tools..
Yea they make it sound kinda complicated.I haven't been that deep into a column before so they pretty much lost me after the horn stuff.
Did you need the special tool they mentioned to pull the one part out,if not what did you use?
I don't recall how I did that part but I know I didn't have the specific tool for it.. its been a few years.. once you start doing it you will figure it out pretty easily though.
You will need one of those depressors to get that ring out and definantly to get it back in, but you can get one loaned to you at most auto parts stores. It's easy coming out but going back in sucks @$$.
__________________ Don't ever forget who invented the term Dynasty!!!
You will need one of those depressors to get that ring out and definantly to get it back in, but you can get one loaned to you at most auto parts stores. It's easy coming out but going back in sucks @$$.
yes the depressor is nessicary as far as im concerened, though I've done that part without one.. its very interesting trying to get it back togather without one.. with a depressor there isn't much to it. We were refering to the tilt pin remover.
Thanks for the input on needing the depressor tool.I may not need it though.I just rolled in an 83 Z28 tonight for a parts car.It ain't much but it does have several items that I will be needing.I only paid $300 for it and drove it up on the trailer to tow it home.The ole 305 in it is toast.Smokes so bad it will hide the car with a few revs.Seems to have a good 700r in it, at least thats what I think it is,already have that sold.Gonna keep the rear end I figure my nine bolt won't hold up long to the engine I'm gonna build.Tilt column is tight also,much better than mine.Looks to have solid floor pans,thats what I needed most,and a good windshield.Has a lot of the wiring harness pieces that I'm missing too.Might even be able to ebay some stuff I can't use.Has blue seatbelts,haven't seen those in a junkyard yet.Heck the converter is worth a $100 at the scrapyard.I think it was a good find.
Thanks for the input on needing the depressor tool.I may not need it though.I just rolled in an 83 Z28 tonight for a parts car.It ain't much but it does have several items that I will be needing.I only paid $300 for it and drove it up on the trailer to tow it home.The ole 305 in it is toast.Smokes so bad it will hide the car with a few revs.Seems to have a good 700r in it, at least thats what I think it is,already have that sold.Gonna keep the rear end I figure my nine bolt won't hold up long to the engine I'm gonna build.Tilt column is tight also,much better than mine.Looks to have solid floor pans,thats what I needed most,and a good windshield.Has a lot of the wiring harness pieces that I'm missing too.Might even be able to ebay some stuff I can't use.Has blue seatbelts,haven't seen those in a junkyard yet.Heck the converter is worth a $100 at the scrapyard.I think it was a good find.
Keep in mind you will have to partially tear the column down to swap turn signal lever and such unless you got lucky and it has all the same options are your current car. If that's the case you need the tool anyway.. it's like a whopping $5 at a parts store, handy to have around too. Sounds like you did ok for $300 you should be able to get that back easy parting it, hell after you cut what you want out of the body you might get that back in scrap... oh yeah converters are worth $100 as scrap metal? I've got a bunch of old stock ones around..
oh yeah converters are worth $100 as scrap metal? I've got a bunch of old stock ones around..
Some are less some are more.Depends on type and size.Factory ones are usually worth more,they can't be punched out or gutted.Aftermarket ones aren't usually worth much.Around here you have to watch where you park an SUV or truck.Only takes a minute with a sawzall.Been a rash of thefts lately on them.That and punch holes in the gas tanks.
Some are less some are more.Depends on type and size.Factory ones are usually worth more,they can't be punched out or gutted.Aftermarket ones aren't usually worth much.Around here you have to watch where you park an SUV or truck.Only takes a minute with a sawzall.Been a rash of thefts lately on them.That and punch holes in the gas tanks.
to think all of the factory converters I've gutted over the years, I could have sold em and just stuck a test pipe in place.. I just gutted the factory cat on my vette about a week ago.. even threw the guts out..
Edit: I just reread that you lost me on the can't be punched out or gutted part..
Yea the money is in the guts of the converter.I think it's platinum?Not sure but that's what comes to mind.
Anyway didn't work on the vert any but I did get most of the donor stripped of what I need.Still gotta take the windshield out and cut the floor pan out.Pulled the engine and found it has 58cc heads those are keepers.May put bigger valves in them,these will bring compression up to about 10:1.Got the fuel tank out for the sending unit.It had a heat shield under there I may use also.Much to my surprise I got all the brake and fuel lines off in one piece.This car had the manual fuel lines that cross over to the passenger side like I need.
Guy I bought the parts car off of told me about another 3rd gen in the neighborhood that was wrecked.Went looking for it yesterday and found it.Guess what? It's a vert!I need to find the people that own it and check it out closer.Front end is trashed but my doner is pretty decent shape,may hang onto it for a while just in case.
Hey thanks for asking.I haven't really done anything to the vert.I have been gathering a few parts and looking for a few other things while the weather is cold and my garage is expensive to heat.I did build an engine stand that an engine can be started on and ran for break in purposes.I have torn down the engine and discoverd bad cam bearings and some bad wear on the crankshaft.I still need to get the floorboard replaced before much else goes on with the car itself.
I have been experimenting with painting.I been practicing on my guniea pig Jeep.It gladly donated it's body to science for me.Turned out pretty good.
Hey DC,long time no see.I like the truck.Around here you see more jacked up trucks than Camaros.I just finished repainting my Jeep and putting it back together.When I get the vert done I was thinking of doing a poser shot like you did,only not as close!
Here in the next couple of weeks I'm going to start ordering parts to redo the engine for the Maro.Took it apart and found some scored crank and cam bearings.
Good luck with the truck.Had it offroad yet?
Oh yea,is that a Pittbull pup under the truck?It looks a lot like my Pitt mix.
No I have not offroaded it yet. I got it Friday and found out Saturday that my Nana died, Superbowl Sunday then off to work so no time. Yes she is a 3 month old pure bred pit! My neighbors are pissed. My buddy actually parked it there.
Sorry to hear about your Nana,I lost my grandmother several months back.
My daughter got the pit from the dog pound.They said she is a mix,but that was probably so they could put her up for adoption.It's almost illegal to own one in this state.If my homeowners insurance finds out I have her they will cancel my policy.My daughter moves a lot and has a baby on the way so we pretty much took possesion of her.
WVA, Nice project car - I'm enjoying following the progress through your photos - Just bought my '90 RS 'vert a couple of months ago - came with the same type of wheels as the ones on your car. The car looks as if it's coming right along - hope you post a pic or two when it's done.
Thanks,and good luck with yours also.Parts for the engine should be in later this week.I will update that soon as it's together.Waiting for the weather to break and start on the shell again.
hey thats nice project. i recently bought a 89 iroc vert. i actually dont even have it home yet. you are doing a nice job on her. i was wondering did you ever buy the wrecked vert? also any new progress? keep up the good work!
Thanks,I need to get back to the car itself soon.I did get the engine built.Ran into some snags with it.The heads I wanted to use didn't work out too good,so I had to take the top half back down and start over with different heads.Cleaned up the bellhousing and tranny and painted those.Been kinda busy doing some side jobs on other peoples cars to build up some funds.
I haven't been able to find the guy that owns the wrecked vert.Last time I was by there it was still there.Hopefully he will sell it cheap cause I need quite a few things on it.I need to get some progress pics up of the engine and tranny stuff when I get time.
Thanks,I need to get back to the car itself soon.I did get the engine built.Ran into some snags with it.The heads I wanted to use didn't work out too good,so I had to take the top half back down and start over with different heads.Cleaned up the bellhousing and tranny and painted those.Been kinda busy doing some side jobs on other peoples cars to build up some funds.
I haven't been able to find the guy that owns the wrecked vert.Last time I was by there it was still there.Hopefully he will sell it cheap cause I need quite a few things on it.I need to get some progress pics up of the engine and tranny stuff when I get time.
That Camaro of your is comming out awesome.lot of blood sweat & tears lol
breeze: I hate you!! no not really!. looks amazing, I reciently purchased a 1988 plain Vert, about 30 days ago and plan to go with the works, much the same as you are doing. I dont know what I will do as far as badging? but I picked up my paint last week it will be blue w/ heavy metal flake, and white Pearl stripes (Cadillac white). I gotta get the Diesel pick up out of the "MAN CAVE" before I can start the ol girl. my motor is ready to assemble, machine work done parts bought, just me is the holdup on it. Oh it is a 69 327, 0.030" over KB hyper pistons, 9.75:1, 305 - 601 heads Comp High Energy cam with springs, TPI, complete Flowmaster 3" exaust (catless), I have been collecting 3rd gen parts for many many years waiting for the right girl to come into my life
Man it's been a long time since I have updated. I did get the engine built,sounds like it's gonna be healthy. I finally got the drivers side floor pan cut out of the donor car. I decided to have someone weld the panel parts in cause I wasn't confident enough in my skills. They turned out good. I removed all the factory seam sealer,well what had not fell off.
In the back deck area I removed all the old barabond stuff, it was loose and had let moisture in under causing some rust issues. ASC left a huge gap in the metal surround that connects to the hump over the tank, so I fiberglassed it up. Probably doesn't make a difference, I just didn't like the looks of it.
Then I sanded off the loose scale,paint,glue and sealer. Removed the drain plugs and resealed them. Seam sealed everywhere the factory stuff was and anywhere I thought it should have been.
Just about forgot. Some of the factory welds had started coming aparts around the tops of the rear fender well area, so I tacked them back together in more places than they did.
Did the same thing on both sides.
Tonight I sprayed the whole inside with a rust sealer.It's similar to rust bullet type material. Found it local thought I would give it a try.
Next comes the trunk area, then up on jack stands for a little while. I need to weld some shock brackets on the rear end,replace the fuel sending unit I fried,install the lowering LCA brackets, SFC's,lowering springs,adjustable tork arm.
Man I thought was putting a dent in the to do list, this hasn't scratched the surface yet. Oh well I'm having fun just taking my time.
Wow I just stumbled across this thread and I gotta say man you're doing great. I love watching the progress people make with their project cars. Be sure to provide updates!!! And 350 with a T-5 huh? I wonder how that lil' t-5 was holding up.
Wow I just stumbled across this thread and I gotta say man you're doing great. I love watching the progress people make with their project cars. Be sure to provide updates!!! And 350 with a T-5 huh? I wonder how that lil' t-5 was holding up.
Hey thanks,it's been a learning experience. I don't have much faith in the T-5 holding up long under a heavy foot. I have been keeping an eye out for something better to come along.Standard trannys don't show up around here very often though. I'm gonna roll with it for now. Get some enjoyment of driving it for awhile. Then I'll drop some coin on a different tranny. $1500 or so can go for stuff important right now.
Are ya going to put a roll bar in it or just as is?
I doubt I will put a roll bar in it. On a vert I don't think it would look that good, at least not in the picture of the completed project I have in my head.
it isn't gonna settle to its actual ride height until your drive it for a while.. it should look like a monster truck in the front. 
I wouldn't even attempted this without a garage to blow it all apart in,out of the elements.
