81 Malibu project restarting

[64nailhead]

I know. The car will be sitting in a garage with occasional use to the local cruise night. It should be fine for the time being.
As rust free as the car is, there are some problem areas that I need to tackle. There’s a hole in the a pillar, probably from a crappy windshield install. There’s also a hole under the wiper motor. Those 2 things require pulling the front clip and dash, and my garage isn’t in good enough order for that right now. Worst thing I did was let this car sit outside for a year after we moved to this house. It was garage kept its whole life before I bought it, and the whole time I owned, until that point. I won’t do that again.

They might require pulling the front clip, but they also might require a piece of black duct tape 😉


Kidding aside - keep up the good work. And remember that most car enjoyment comes from driving it IMHO. I'm sure your kid feels the same.

 

[08Malibu]

My friend picked the car up this morning for me unfortunately I ran late on my work and didn’t get the car finished today. I’ll be back at the shop at 8:00 to get it masked up and primed. Hopefully I get done early enough to get a tow home. Otherwise it’s going to be a mighty cold ride with no heat and no back window tomorrow. It’s a 15 minute ride on the highway and it’s going to be a high of 32 degrees. I’m bringing some layers of clothes and gloves just in case.

 

[fleming442]

Won't replacing body mounts affect panel alignment?

 

[08Malibu]

Won't replacing body mounts affect panel alignment?

I think it might affect the fitment of the fenders to the doors more than the rest of the body. I’m more concerned with the panels themselves distorting from being supported differently than before. That’s why the car isn’t finish body-worked yet. I just did 3 of the seams, the old mirror holes, and roughed out a few door dings.
I noticed a rust hole under the passenger side of the windshield tonight. Such a rust free car, but a bad windshield install gave me rust in some bad spots.

 

[melloelky]

Won't replacing body mounts affect panel alignment?

it would be a concern if he was doing changing something substantial like a 1/4,sectioning the roof or some other kinda permanent type of repair.the doors/nose are floaters.yes i said floaters.

 

[08Malibu]

Got it epoxy primed today. Drove it home in the freezing cold with no back window with no heat. Was a nice drive.

 

[08Malibu]

it would be a concern if he was doing changing something substantial like a 1/4,sectioning the roof or some other kinda permanent type of repair.the doors/nose are floaters.yes i said floaters.

My only concern is that the car sits low on the drivers side. One of the body mount bolts was broken on that side. I took it out and added a new mount and bolt. I’m afraid that if I do anything now and it’s not solid, it might change when it’s bolted down right.

 

[08Malibu]

Haven’t done any work to the car, although I did pull it out and take it for a short ride yesterday. The roads were dry but it was cold with no back glass still. Should be getting it reinstalled in a few weeks. Really liking the no mirror look, wish there was a way to leave them off.

 

[melloelky]

I've seen a lot of older rides without a mirror on the rt side,I think back then it was an option.

 

[08Malibu]

I've seen a lot of older rides without a mirror on the rt side,I think back then it was an option.

I’m switching to the newer style so I welded up the holes. I haven’t drilled for the new ones yet. Car looks clean without, but it’s tough to drive.