78 Grand Prix project

[G-Body_Vet]

I have been following your thread ever since you started and man you've come a long way! I look your thread up almost every other day and will continue to because of your grade "A" work, you may not think so but your doing what few people have ever done on this forum. I'm planning on doing the same thing because of what happened recently with my car keep up the good work!

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.

Even though I've owned several g-bodies in the past this is something I've always wanted to do. We're talking about a 20 year period and a life full of curve balls preventing me from doing this. My 455 is actually the first engine I'm really rebuilding rather than running a junker with a few cheap bolt-ons.

Sometimes I really wonder just what the hell drives us to put ourselves through so much with these cars. I've tried getting away from it before but I keep coming back.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

I upgraded all the factory welds just for the reason you pointed out, factory welds are not very pretty....found out tho the best way to weld the frame is with a stick and lucky for me there was an excellent stick welder in the race shop

Now that's dedication!

I've yet to play around with a welder and become proficient with it. I think I'd be pretty well rounded out if I learned how to weld and paint.

 

[pontiacgp]

welding just takes practice after you learn the fundamentals and painting is the tools and the prep and then just learn the basics and get the feel...then it becomes fun. You owe it to yourself to try it..

when I said I was lucky to have an expert stick welder I wasn't talking about a machine. I tried it but it's an art and I was in a bit of a time crunch to finish it up. The guy who owns the race car is a milright and he's an artist when it comes to welding. I had to rebuild and weld in 9 of the 10 body mount anchors in the body before I started on the frame and that work was not expected...

 

[67rstbkt]

Now that's dedication!

I've yet to play around with a welder and become proficient with it. I think I'd be pretty well rounded out if I learned how to weld and paint.

DO it, the more you practice, the better you'll get. I welded up all the seams on my subframe and although I did not use stick, I'm pretty confident that it's better than the factory mess.
I started experimenting with paint a few years back when I needed a small part painted. I've now painted several cars, a few motorcycles, and a bunch of miscellaneous parts. It's not for everyone, but it beats paying thousands for a paint job and you have the satisfaction of knowing you did the work.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Maybe sometime in the future I'll play around with it. The thought of shelling out a ton of cash on bodywork doesn't sit well with me either.

 

[85GPLef41]

lOOKS GOOD to me!! I think it should last another some 30+ plus years with the work you put into it!! :lol: if the factory welds lasted this long without some care it should easily last another 30with the maintenance you've done. I plan now on removing the chassis from the body now and going through it and protecting it as well..

 

[G-Body_Vet]

lOOKS GOOD to me!! I think it should last another some 30+ plus years with the work you put into it!! :lol: if the factory welds lasted this long without some care it should easily last another 30with the maintenance you've done. I plan now on removing the chassis from the body now and going through it and protecting it as well..

Once you've had some rails or trunk floors go bad it isn't something you ever want to deal with again! My first Malibu had a bad driver's side rail and it would beat the sh*t out of the undercarriage when I went over bumps. Two of the Montes I've owned started rusting through in the driver's rear wheel well.....in the same place too. I just don't want any problems with the GP when it's done if I can help it.

 

[rngcrshws6]

Your doing a great job, Im also following along as you go, its also helping me with the wagon.
Keep up the good work!

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Your doing a great job, Im also following along as you go, its also helping me with the wagon.
Keep up the good work!

Thanks, I'm glad it's helping out.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Got out there and did a little more frame work tonight. I'm going to get back at it tomorrow and finish it up.

I also did some experimenting with the buffing wheel and a sill plate. I'll finish them when I have more time.

Got one of my backing plates off, but the other one is being a PITA! I may need to cut the other spring anchor/bolt (like the big one pictured). I've used heat, kroil, liquid wrench and put about 120psi to it with the impact & no luck. Anyone know if this bolt can be had new? Chance are that I'm going to have to cut it off.
*****EDIT******
Looks like the Dorman backing plate PN 13867 includes this bolt I'm looking for

*****EDIT******
I did end up cutting that bolt with the Sawzall too.