BUILD THREAD 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon 02/15/2024 More Parts!

[Longroof79]

Jim,
It must feel good putting more stuff on the car and digging them out of their hiding places...
I know it's easy to lose parts over time. You think you'd remember where you put everything, but not always the case. We're all anxious to see the final results. As you see, you have a fan club...😀😛😎

 

[liquidh8]

Thanks Jack, and everyone following along. I have bought doubled of stuff, just because I couldn't find it. Even though I marked it and put it away where I couldn't lose it.

I did get out there last night and install the passenger side window motor and regulator, along with the lock rods and solenoids. I have to buy another lock solenoid since one is bad. I'll snap some pictures tonight I think.

 

[liquidh8]

Here is a few pictures, two are of the inner doors, just showing the window tracks and door handles and the like.





Then a few of each side.





A random front picture.



And an overview of the engine compartment. With all the electronics and plumbing, it's pretty packed in there. The aluminum box is a prototype air filter box for the ram air. It's dirty and not everything is not bolted up so don't mind it.



I just sprayed some slick sand on the hood after some filler work from yesterday. I am at the dance studio with my girls now, I'll start blocking out the slick sand when I get home.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Awesome!!!!!! Looking great Jim, them body lines are spot on for sure! Getting closer and closer. I like that air box idea, nice custom touch.
Also, I noticed the hood hinge mod...that's how I did mine too by modifying the regal hinge and using struts rated for the glass hood!
Killer work man, really can't wait to see it done!!!

 

[liquidh8]

Thank you, I am happy with the gaps and body lines. They won't get any better than they are.
The air box was a rough idea and a rough prototype, and I had some scrap aluminum and was getting my TIG practice, haha. I'll be building a new one since I know what will fit now, and I'll using the box and pan brake in work so there is less weld.

The hood hinges were the malibu/monte hinges with the clock spring. Not sure if the regals are the same, but I can tell you that is the best mod either way. I hated prop rods.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Thank you, I am happy with the gaps and body lines. They won't get any better than they are.
The air box was a rough idea and a rough prototype, and I had some scrap aluminum and was getting my TIG practice, haha. I'll be building a new one since I know what will fit now, and I'll using the box and pan brake in work so there is less weld.

The hood hinges were the malibu/monte hinges with the clock spring. Not sure if the regals are the same, but I can tell you that is the best mod either way. I hated prop rods.

The difference with the regals/gn is the upper hood strut bracket is separate from the hinge where as the monte/cutlass, etc with the spring it's all one piece. I welded that bracket to the hinge and mounted the ball stud from there....used the right struts and they work great. Not gonna photo bomb your thread...but I have pics on pg 4 of my build thread.

 

[liquidh8]

Looks like I'm going back to your thread! I was going to do the same thing you did with the factory buick century hinges, but this worked better for me.

As a side note, my done lights came in. The front one with the map lights, and the rear with the switch. The front has the whole harness and a like new spare lenses, and the rear has a good chunk or harness and even the diode still. They both look like new. A big thank you to ODshowtime, Kevin, for the parts. Now to buy some LED bulbs for them.

 

[Rktpwrd]

Looking great Jim!
Nice to finally see some pics too...
😉
I have to agree with Scott, the gaps and bodylines look great. Clean and crisp with uniform gaps, just like they should be.

I spied some sort of fender vent or something in the one pic, what's the story on those? I don't recall seeing them before...

I'm digging the custom aluminum air box too, very trick. I assume it mates up with the scoops on the W25 hood to make it cold air functional?

You're getting SO close to paint finally, that has GOT to be a great feeling! Thanks for the updates, keep the hammer down man. Already looking forward to the next ones!

Donovan

 

[liquidh8]

Looking great Jim!
Nice to finally see some pics too...
😉
I have to agree with Scott, the gaps and bodylines look great. Clean and crisp with uniform gaps, just like they should be.

I spied some sort of fender vent or something in the one pic, what's the story on those? I don't recall seeing them before...

I'm digging the custom aluminum air box too, very trick. I assume it mates up with the scoops on the W25 hood to make it cold air functional?

You're getting SO close to paint finally, that has GOT to be a great feeling! Thanks for the updates, keep the hammer down man. Already looking forward to the next ones!

Donovan

Thanks guys. Now, I have a layer of slick sand on those panels still. When I get the car to the booth, I'll do another pass of guide coat, and the lines will get a little crisper. I have to try and be consistent with the bodylines, since we all know these g-bodies had some soft body lines. The gaps were a ton of work, adding filler rod, splitting fender skins, the quarters, etc. So, I am content with them.

Yes, I'll get a nice clean shot of those after the car is in paint. I have been avoiding taking a super clean shot of them to surprise some people. If you scan through the last few pages you can see them. I was originally going to use the GNX vents, but didn't like the flow. These are open to the engine compartment and functional for pulling heat out. With the hood, bumper, vents, and the air damn I have yet to build, it will look aggressive for sure.

The air box in there now, like I said, it is crappy. But, it got my idea across and I know it will work and fit. So, I'll be building another with some improved angles, and nice welds. The upper flange will have the airbox foam to seal it to the hood. I picked that up from Moroso. You are correct in that this will be functional and tied into the air pan on the underside of the hood. I could see having a W25 hood and it not being functional. Does the box clutter up the engine compartment a bit, sure, but this isn't a carbed engine so it is already cluttered.

It absolutely is a great feeling, this has been many changed directions, changed ideas, money, and years in the making.

 

[O. D. Showtime]

Wagon's looking great Jim!