78 Grand Prix project

[G-Body_Vet]

Woohoo! 10K+ views on my build. This is what I used. I can't recall but I don't think the 700R4 has the same final gear.
http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Today I finally lifted the body from the frame....project "limp biscuits" since everyone likes to name their build! FYI, since the car was already on jack stands in the rear I used my engine hoist hooked at the trunk latch to raise the rear of the car. No adverse affects were noted on the trunk latch. The trunk lid closed fine when I was done.

True way to "lay frame". I only had access to a few 2 ton jackstands so I had to make due. The rear rails are only about 3-4 inches off the ground and I used a mover's dolly so I can roll it out from under the body.

I had to leave the body on an angle because the back was heavier than the front. It kept teetering towards the rear so I had to set the rear jack stands at an angle. Most of the weight is still on the rear 4x4. The front 4x4 is providing more of a balancing act than providing support

Better look at the rear rails. Disregard that dent!

I set the front on a 4x4 sitting on another el cheapo Harbor Freight mover's dolly. I can roll the frame out easily now.

 

[mebe007]

Broken bolt+Kroil+Heat+vice grips=out!

Gotta love map gas.

coming along nice man.

 

[deanlemans81]

Looking good Steve. how did you get that dent? You know we`re gonna ask!

I agree with your assessment with the rear gears/trans combo. I currently have a th350 for my 400 and can`t afford a built 200r4 with steep gears for now. I almost had one from a wrecked GN but the guy i was buying the trans/rear from weaseled out on our deal and sold them to someone who offered more cash after accepting my offer. For now i will keep the th350 but I did get a 7.5 posi with 2.71 gears for only $100. Not quite the tire scorcher but cruising rpm should be Ok.

BTW where did you get your body bushing kit from?

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Looking good Steve. how did you get that dent? You know we`re gonna ask!

I agree with your assessment with the rear gears/trans combo. I currently have a th350 for my 400 and can`t afford a built 200r4 with steep gears for now. I almost had one from a wrecked GN but the guy i was buying the trans/rear from weaseled out on our deal and sold them to someone who offered more cash after accepting my offer. For now i will keep the th350 but I did get a 7.5 posi with 2.71 gears for only $100. Not quite the tire scorcher but cruising rpm should be Ok.

BTW where did you get your body bushing kit from?

I bought my kit from Summit. I got the Prothane kit because it was a little cheaper. That dent was there when I bought the car, along with the fragged rear bumper fillers.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

I finally rolled the frame out and gave it some pressure washer action. I cleaned the rear end housing too. It's amazing how much lighter it is after it's stripped.

 

[pontiacgp]

if you want to see why the c channel in the frames really ought to be boxed pick up one rear horn and lift it up to see how much the frame will twist before the other side moves...that frame is like new, even around the holes for the bushings it's in great shape...

oh and your neighbors must really like you..

 

[G-Body_Vet]

if you want to see why the c channel in the frames really ought to be boxed pick up one rear horn and lift it up to see how much the frame will twist before the other side moves...that frame is like new, even around the holes for the bushings it's in great shape...

oh and your neighbors must really like you..

I was shocked to see how much it actually flexed just moving it around. I'll definitely be tying the rear horns together if nothing else. I don't even think any of my body bushings were dry rotted. A lot of the inserts on them were still silver too.

Luckily I live right next to an alley and on a corner lot so the neighbors don't really b*tch. I did get quite a few puzzled looks from the motorists driving by :lol:

 

[motorholmes]

You're making me want to do things to my car that I really shouldn't be doing :?

 

[G-Body_Vet]

You're making me want to do things to my car that I really shouldn't be doing :?

All you need is a vision to make it happen :wink:

When I got this car it started as finding a low-rust g-body with potential.

Then I got bit by the Pontiac bug and a 455 swap was in order. Now I have the block at the machine shop.

I yanked the 305 and planned to clean up the engine bay. That turned into what you see now.

Once you get your car torn down this far, it doesn't really seem like there's much to them anymore. BTW, I've had the car for a year now. Had I been in too much of a hurry to drive or didn't have another car in the mean time I wouldn't be at this point.