81 Malibu project restarting

[08Malibu]

Went to look at some moldings this morning, but wound up picking up a set of hooker headers. They look to be a bit better built than the ones I have. The flanges are a little more substantial and they may be coated, but I’m not sure, it could be paint. They’re definitely used but don’t show rust. What do you guys think? I think they’re coated then someone bashed them and they chipped so they got painted silver. $125 I think was a fair price.

 

[08Malibu]

I have these now so I’m ahead of the game I think.

 

[08Malibu]

No new work to report. I picked up a cam and roller timing set from a member. A few more parts and I’ll be ready for my “rebuild”. I also got a nice set of collector extensions from another member. I have to do a laundry room renovation then I can jump on the car this winter.

 

[1320John$$$]

What are your plans for the engine build 355 383

 

[08Malibu]

What are your plans for the engine build 355 383

It’s a 96 L31 with clean bores. I’m just going to do a ball hone and re-ring. I’m going to cut the valve guides down to put better springs on the vortec heads and put in the cam I picked up.
I wanted to do a 383 but the funds aren’t there right now. I had planned on just holding off, and getting my 305 running better, but I scored a second L31 for $130. So that one will get built down the line, and this one will get a low buck clean up.

 

[Michael Bennett]

Hey, I'm looking to do a gauges cluster like the Monte SS one you installed, but I don't know what to do with the wipers since the newer clusters don't have a spot for the switch? Are you using them?

 

[08Malibu]

Hey, I'm looking to do a gauges cluster like the Monte SS one you installed, but I don't know what to do with the wipers since the newer clusters don't have a spot for the switch? Are you using them?

I reused my wiper switch. I cut a spot out for it in the cluster, I think it’s visible in one of the pics. If it isn’t I’ll get a pic of it. Then I just epoxied the switch to the backside of the cluster. The only problem with where I put it, is I can’t use my shift indicator. It’s not a big deal because I’m going to be converting to a floor shift whenever I get a chance. I already have all the parts, just Ned the time.

 

[08Malibu]

This is where I put the switch.

 

[08Malibu]

I picked up this tool from Amazon last year. It’s a knockoff of the Eastwood tool that’s similar. Just picked up some drums from Eastwood for it. I tried it out on the roof and it works great. This is about a minute of work with a 120 grit drum. The roof was warm but not too hot.

 

[08Malibu]

I got about half the roof done tonight with the 120 grit wheel. I think I need to step up to an 80 grit because the laquer doesn’t really want to come off without moving the tool slowly across the roof and that’s generating a little more heat than I would like. I’m hoping to strip the quarters and doors, then get them shot in dp before I do any bodywork to them.