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Don't know where to start

Old 08-22-2016, 11:53 PM
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Don't know where to start

I have an 89 trans and I'm just stuck on where to start with the appearance, any tips will help, engine is out. Thanks for looking







Old 08-25-2016, 07:34 AM
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Re: Don't know where to start

Fix anything that's not working first (turn signal bulbs, windshield wipers, headlights). Replace/repair anything that is broken. It's not always what you can add but sometimes it's what you can't take away. For instance, one thing that could be removed could be the pontiac sticker in the back window.
Old 08-25-2016, 09:00 AM
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Re: Don't know where to start

Id start sanding her down getting it ready to paint. Go ahead and paint under the hood and the wheels also while you are at it. Probably going to have to replace that rear spoiler. Great car to build I look forward to your progress. What engine you going back in with?
Old 08-25-2016, 09:15 AM
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Re: Don't know where to start

We need more info as to what your intended outcome would be. Interior, exterior, engine etc.

Restore? Restomod? Just bringing it back enough to be a daily driver?

You said the engine is out, did you take it out/do you still have it? Is it a 305? 350? V6?


But as for the appearence, like Firebat said, take off that sticker and replace what needs to be replaced.


It's hard to tell how good/bad the car is from those pictures.

Last edited by johnbhm; 08-25-2016 at 09:18 AM.
Old 08-27-2016, 12:35 PM
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Re: Don't know where to start

Since the engine is out...replace the core heater......trust me
Old 08-28-2016, 09:31 AM
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Re: Don't know where to start

Originally Posted by The Project
Since the engine is out...replace the core heater......trust me
Even with the engine out it is still easier to move to a warmer climate where heater cores aren't needed.
Old 08-28-2016, 02:02 PM
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Re: Don't know where to start

Originally Posted by dmccain
Id start sanding her down getting it ready to paint. Go ahead and paint under the hood and the wheels also while you are at it. Probably going to have to replace that rear spoiler. Great car to build I look forward to your progress. What engine you going back in with?
I took quarter panels of and sandblasted them becaouse of surface rust, used filler primer out of a spray can(hopefully that's good) but I have tiny little crater like holes in panels. Do I use that bondo body filler next or what? That's where I am at. I took out 305 tbi and putting in 383 stroker carburated
Old 08-28-2016, 02:05 PM
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Re: Don't know where to start

Originally Posted by johnbhm
We need more info as to what your intended outcome would be. Interior, exterior, engine etc.

Restore? Restomod? Just bringing it back enough to be a daily driver?

You said the engine is out, did you take it out/do you still have it? Is it a 305? 350? V6?


But as for the appearence, like Firebat said, take off that sticker and replace what needs to be replaced.


It's hard to tell how good/bad the car is from those pictures.
my outcome is restomod, I am working on exterior now to fix body panels from surface rust and get it ready to be painted, I sand blasted front panels and body primer and filleted them, bondo next to get crater like hole looking smooth?
Old 08-28-2016, 02:10 PM
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Re: Don't know where to start










Originally Posted by johnbhm
We need more info as to what your intended outcome would be. Interior, exterior, engine etc.

Restore? Restomod? Just bringing it back enough to be a daily driver?

You said the engine is out, did you take it out/do you still have it? Is it a 305? 350? V6?


But as for the appearence, like Firebat said, take off that sticker and replace what needs to be replaced.


It's hard to tell how good/bad the car is from those pictures.
This is the final outcome after sandblasting and using filler primer, what's a good tip for the next step?
Old 08-28-2016, 02:52 PM
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Re: Don't know where to start

Text book method would be to replace the metal that has rusted through. If you don't replace it you'll have to use filler on the front side and slather the backside in seam sealer.
Old 08-29-2016, 11:30 AM
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Re: Don't know where to start

I agree with what Tibo said. Replace that metal or find another panel not rusted it will be worth it. And I wouldn't use that spray on primer, I used it on my truck hood and the paint bubbled up where we had sprayed it.
Old 08-29-2016, 11:37 AM
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Re: Don't know where to start

Originally Posted by dmccain
I agree with what Tibo said. Replace that metal or find another panel not rusted it will be worth it. And I wouldn't use that spray on primer, I used it on my truck hood and the paint bubbled up where we had sprayed it.
+1 on the panel and primer.

We used spray can primer on a small spot when we were repainting the hood on our 1975 Mercedes, it also bubbled. And that was "automotive self etching primer" in a spray can.
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