1978 Malibu Barn Find

[gearheaddrew]

I started watching your build and realized I live right down the road from you in Midland. I'm also a lurker here, this is my first post. I have almost the exact same car, only in blue. Got the car a year ago, a barn find too, and I'm almost done.
I did:
2004 5.3
4L60E
Quick Performance 9" with 3.70
UMI suspension all the way around
Lowering springs (front coils, worst job in the world)
All new fuel system
Disc brakes
All Holley swap stuff
PST drive shaft
16 inch Torq Thrust wheels
I still have to do the exhaust, the cooling fans, and the intake. Oh, and i need to flip the front sway bar that my son and I put on upside down. Got it running two weeks ago, but I stalled (my project, that is) when I ran out of ready cash. So close!
I also have some surface rust, clean interior, and a couple of rust holes in the floor pans. I think our cars were separated at birth! I'm excited to watch your progress!
Rob

It certainly does sound like a couple local cars that meet the same fate but are on their way to restored glory.

I have a decent size break from work coming up during the holidays so the plan is to try and get it mobile during that time. Its a compressed timeline but hopefully.

I hope to pick up an 8.5 locally if I can convince the guys at one of the yards around here to let one go for a decent price. Picked up a set of 15" Iroc wheels when I got the monte wheels that are in really decent shape. Plan to run those for a while or until a nice set of 18 or 20" Irocs pop up for a decent price. I also grabbed some UMI front upper and lowers, Hotchkis springs, and working a deal on an HR parts and Stuff rear suspension setup with their sway bar and a Spohn front bar.

You should post up a build thread if you have pictures with your progress. I am sure we will run into each other this coming summer or at least pass on US10!

 

[gearheaddrew]

Made some progress over the last few weeks. Harness is off the LS and out for rework, ordered new tank setup from Tanks Inc., ordered a set of Dakota Digital gauges and their LS cruise control module.

Engine and trans are out, now to begin cleaning the front frame so it can be painted. Plan to order new front brake lines and proportioning valve to put in while the engine is out.

Need to order front seat foam looks like PUI is re-popping the high back bucket foam, got an appointment for February to drop off the seats for foam installation and rear seat foam shaping. He will re-assemble all the seats as well. Some pictures for your browsing plesasure.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Make sure you call PUI. I got the wrong front seat cover, no head rests and wrong rear package tray trying to follow their catalog for my 70 Cutlass S. I restuffed the passenger seat as well, due to a mouse nest, multiple mouse skeletons in it. I cleaned a lot and used mint oil, supposed to help repel them from returning. The smell is 99% gone. My Daughter's Boyfriend used one of those Ozone bombs, to remove the mouse smell in his truck, says it worked great.

 

[gearheaddrew]

Make sure you call PUI. I got the wrong front seat cover, no head rests and wrong rear package tray trying to follow their catalog for my 70 Cutlass S. I restuffed the passenger seat as well, due to a mouse nest, multiple mouse skeletons in it. I cleaned a lot and used mint oil, supposed to help repel them from returning. The smell is 99% gone. My Daughter's Boyfriend used one of those Ozone bombs, to remove the mouse smell in his truck, says it worked great.

Will do on calling PUI for the correct foam.

I tore down the seats and put the seat covers in cedar pet bedding in a tote for over a month. I think it pulled most of the smell out, now all I can smell is cedar but that will fade. Once its back together I plan to run an Ozone machine inside for a few days as well just to be sure.

 

[L92 OLDS]

If the truck pan wont fit I have read that the CTSV pan is a good choice. I called and asked Holley if their pan is compatible with VVT and they said no.

Cool project! You’ll be glad you kept the VVT especially on a 4.8. The CTSV pan will hang low and I would not call that a good choice. You got some bad info from Holley. The oil pan has nothing to do with VVT and the 302 pan will work fine with your engine. I’m using it on my 6.2 with VVT.

 

[gearheaddrew]

Holiday break progress.

Chassis saver a quick scuff and spray on the block and put the A-arms, lowering springs, and quick ratio steering box in.

 

[gearheaddrew]

A little weekend floor pan action.

Goodmark pan was a decent fit. After rough cutting we had enough left to make an inner rocker support. The inner rocker was a little crusty on the lower lip.

I need to get a new set of seat mounts and the floor brace as the originals were a bit beyond useable. Hoping to get those expedited in this week and get this done.

 

[gearheaddrew]

Made some progress over the weekend again.

Seam sealed the floor pan, got the engine and trans in and test fit. Pulled the engine and trans out to re-drill a couple holes for the Sphon mounts.

CTSV pan looks good in there with good clearance, the newest version has a couple mounting bosses on the driver side that I had to reduce in size to make it fit more to my liking.

With the Sphon mounts the truck AC clears as does the factory truck PS.

Only 1 small issue when installing had the chain on the back passenger side of the engine and it found its way into the HVAC box. So a little fiberglass filler and I should be good.

 

[gearheaddrew]

While replacing the floor pan I hinted at my buddy that I would run the car through the shop for the body and paint after I had test fitted the motor. He went ahead and asked the boss and they made me a deal I couldn't refuse. The plastic surgery has begun.

 

[gearheaddrew]

More paint progress