BUILD THREAD 1987 Olds 442 Project Build
- Thread starter oldsofb
- Start date
Yep! Filled with Monopoly Money. Funny thing is, the stores won't take them. 😜I know you own a few of these cash cannons....
Your note is very accurate about using the stock front hoses if you still have the mounting brackets.
Also funny that you identified the same issue I found with the Exploder rear discs leaking at the hoses. Also, I have had a heck of a time bleeding them from dry. I’ve done it 4 times now, and every time conventional bleeding doesn’t work.
Good luck and looks great!
Also funny that you identified the same issue I found with the Exploder rear discs leaking at the hoses. Also, I have had a heck of a time bleeding them from dry. I’ve done it 4 times now, and every time conventional bleeding doesn’t work.
Good luck and looks great!
Yeah, those calipers did not want to seal. Better stated, those copper washers wouldn't cooperate. Multiple loosening and tightening and cranking back and forth while snug never got it all the way. I was worried about over torqueing the banjo, so I tried to sneak up on it and finally got a seal at 26 lb ft.
As far as the bleeding is concerned, I have a good gravity bleed flow out, so I hope conventional bleeding will work ok. I'll report back when I get to it.
Hutch
I bolt the front clip together to begin some side projects while I wait for my engine to get out of Machine Shop Jail.
I'm going to ditch the Coat Hangers GM used for Core Support Braces.
I favor of a set from a 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix
They're a little longer than the stock 442 braces, so I just drill some holes in the Inner Fenders Panels. I'll weld some M8x1.25 nuts on the backs to use the stock bolts.
Much better.
Next: Weld up the unused holes on the Core Support and smooth it out.
Hutch
I'm going to ditch the Coat Hangers GM used for Core Support Braces.
I favor of a set from a 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix
They're a little longer than the stock 442 braces, so I just drill some holes in the Inner Fenders Panels. I'll weld some M8x1.25 nuts on the backs to use the stock bolts.
Much better.
Next: Weld up the unused holes on the Core Support and smooth it out.
Hutch
I got the welder out and went to town on the Core Support. I make a few patch pieces and address the gap in the hood spring area.
The gap between the Rad Cover and under layer of sheet metal looks shoddy
I make a small patch piece to put on top and join the two together.
Some rosette welds and spot welds later and it's getting there.
Hutch
The gap between the Rad Cover and under layer of sheet metal looks shoddy
I make a small patch piece to put on top and join the two together.
Some rosette welds and spot welds later and it's getting there.
Hutch
Core Support some more:
Lastly, I smooth out the rough uneven edges to all the sandwiched together sheets of metal (pay no attention to my bird poop welding, I'm still a noob there)
Before:
After:
Just that little bit of metal removal made it look sooo much better.
Using a metal gauge I got with the welder, the sheet on the Core Support was too thick for the 24ga slot, but a little loose in the 22ga. I had a hard time with this. I was blowing through the metal like I was shooting 9mm at the range. The patch pieces were from a scrap sheet of 22ga and did fine, but the orig metal right next to it would blow through every 4th or 5th spot weld. I was very frustrated by the end, but I did get through it.
I did all the tricks with spacing my tacks and cooling the piece with an air nozzle, but nothing would keep the blow throughs from happening.
Thin metal and my lack of practice was a BAD combo 🙄
Hutch
Lastly, I smooth out the rough uneven edges to all the sandwiched together sheets of metal (pay no attention to my bird poop welding, I'm still a noob there)
Before:
After:
Just that little bit of metal removal made it look sooo much better.
Using a metal gauge I got with the welder, the sheet on the Core Support was too thick for the 24ga slot, but a little loose in the 22ga. I had a hard time with this. I was blowing through the metal like I was shooting 9mm at the range. The patch pieces were from a scrap sheet of 22ga and did fine, but the orig metal right next to it would blow through every 4th or 5th spot weld. I was very frustrated by the end, but I did get through it.
I did all the tricks with spacing my tacks and cooling the piece with an air nozzle, but nothing would keep the blow throughs from happening.
Thin metal and my lack of practice was a BAD combo 🙄
Hutch
Scored this great pair of 81-83 Cutlass Tail Lights!!
The only thing I don't like is the DOT writing the factory puts on them in the mold. This got me thinking.....
The only thing I don't like is the DOT writing the factory puts on them in the mold. This got me thinking.....
Wet sand those off and polish them back up to perfection. You’ll be happy you did. I’ve been doing that to all mine for years now.
You read my mind. I actually JUST did that very thing. It's late, so I'll post the pics tomorrow.
Hutch
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