Awesome thank you! I’ve actually been going to some local junk yards over the last 2 months looking for interior pieces that I need. As I stated, I have 2 97’s and my daily driver has 300k miles and a frame with a patched rust hole in it. I’m slowing putting the “new” one back together and when my daily driver finally kicks the bucket I’ll use it as a parts truck. I’ve always mostly been a GM fan but I bought my first 97 off of a couple in their 70’s that I baled straw for with 160k miles and it was in immaculate shape. I happily paid them the $5k they wanted for it. They always had it parked inside of a barn. That was about 10-12 years ago. Then I got it and drove it through all of the Ohio winters and being younger I didn’t give a crap about upkeep. Now it’s like every other dodge out there, a big rust bucket BUT…..the drivetrain has been dead nuts reliable after 25 years and 300k miles. I love the thing. I use my Duramax for any of the random towing I do which isn’t much. I’m sure if I used the dodge it would’ve needed a transmission or 4 by now.
79 Malibu wagon fuel line
- Thread starter Mighty
- Start date
Oh I agree, my daily driver still has the original trans in it (knock on wood). The previous owners towed a double horse trailer to Texas and back a handful of times with it. They had a number Chevrolet half tons for farm work though.
I pushed the frame outside, power washed it, sprayed degreaser on it, scrubbed it, then power washed it again. Then I put a wire wheel on my drill and just started going over it. I’ve got zero idea what I’m doing or how I’m going to get up in all the tight spaces but I’ll tell you one thing, that factory fuel line came right out of there once I took the last clamp bolt out of it that I couldn’t see that was in between the body and frame!
Anyone ever seen one of the bushing locations rot like this? I’m assuming it rusted away at least? How big of an issue is this going to be? Also, is my car the only one with super sloppy welds on the frame from the factory or has anyone else ever seen that?
Normal on the rust I’ve seen a large washer welded in to fix them or use a hole saw/drill bit and make your own “washer “. The welds are not uncommon as well. May have been built on a Monday or Friday? I’ve been told of back in the day a guy wanted his car built Tuesday,Wednesday, or Thursday because Monday they were recovering from the weekend and Friday they were caring only for the weekend!
Well this is where I’m at now…. Took the rear end out tonight so I could get the wire brush up inside the spring towers really good. Removed the evap like that was cut, the emergency brake cable that was also cut, and just cut out a couple feet of brake line so add that to the list of things to replace. Also, this is the paint I was recommended to use. Don’t know anything about it but it was $75. I also don’t know anything about metal work/prep but no matter what I just feel like I can’t get it clean enough. I’ve probably got 5 or so hours of running a drill with a wire brush up and down that thing. I hope to start painting tomorrow
Used an air chisel and wire brush for the frame I’m doing with that rust converter. Seems to be doing as advertised. Before
After
Did at minimum two coats. Have to wait 48 hrs before using an “quality oil base paint “. Hope yours comes out good!! Looks like it’s good stuff!
After
Did at minimum two coats. Have to wait 48 hrs before using an “quality oil base paint “. Hope yours comes out good!! Looks like it’s good stuff!
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