81 Malibu project restarting

[08Malibu]

I lied, I did spend 45 minutes testing out a new compound on the side of the truck.
3D compound is such a step up from 3M.

 

[08Malibu]

That’s exactly what I was referring to (getting a duplicate title). In my state the person whose name is on the title has to apply for it. One other reason people do not have titles is the vehicle was purchased from a ‘Pay on the Lot’ stealership. The new owner stops making payments and therefore never obtains a clear title.

So looking like you were half right. Since my friend lost the title that had the lien released, he needs to obtain a letter from Bank of America stating that the lien was released. Of course because of Covid that department is not staffed. So I’m waiting. I have very little cash tied up in this truck, but it would be nice to get the title and move it along.
I wound up throwing some brake lines in so it was at least mobile. I just have to bleed them and I should be good to go.

 

[08Malibu]

It’s been a while since I’ve done anything to the car, except pull it in and out of the garage. Today the roads were dry, so I took it out for a spin. When I got back I decided I wanted to tie up a few loose ends, and just get everything working. The tach, temp, and oil pressure gauges aren’t hooked up. The console isn’t bolted down, and I haven’t sorted out what I’m going to do with the heater box. I also have an electric fan to install.
I figured I’d start with the fan, since I’ve been sitting on it for 10 years.
I mocked up the 2011 C class Mercedes fan, and it lines up perfectly. Donovan asked what the cfm was, and I have no idea. I grabbed a few of them at my old job because I figured they were about the same size as a Malibu radiator, and they were free. Functionality was second to price. Hopefully it will work.

 

[scoti]

It’s been a while since I’ve done anything to the car, except pull it in and out of the garage. Today the roads were dry, so I took it out for a spin. When I got back I decided I wanted to tie up a few loose ends, and just get everything working. The tach, temp, and oil pressure gauges aren’t hooked up. The console isn’t bolted down, and I haven’t sorted out what I’m going to do with the heater box. I also have an electric fan to install.
I figured I’d start with the fan, since I’ve been sitting on it for 10 years.
I mocked up the 2011 C class Mercedes fan, and it lines up perfectly. Donovan asked what the cfm was, and I have no idea. I grabbed a few of them at my old job because I figured they were about the same size as a Malibu radiator, and they were free. Functionality was second to price. Hopefully it will work.

That does look like a great fit not being stock. What diameter is the fan?

 

[08Malibu]

That does look like a great fit not being stock. What diameter is the fan?

The fan is 19.5” across.

 

[08Malibu]

I saw a little rust spot, so I poked it. I went right through. I made a little cut and looks like the whole front is rusted. I guess I’ll slap a patch in and make a decision on a new flat hood or cowl.

 

[08Malibu]

No progress as of late. I’ve decided to completely rearrange my garage so that it doesn’t become a disaster when I begin a project. I’ve always found it funny that when I do something at work, I’m extremely organized and neat. When I’m home, I get very sloppy with my tools. Trying to combat that.

 

[08Malibu]

While cleaning up the garage, I decided I’d better check out the 350 I have under the bench. I picked up the 98 L31 last summer for $100 or so. It sounded ok when I heard it running on video, so I figured what the hell.
I did a compression test and it came back 180 across the board, except 1 and 8. They were 120 and 100. I decided to pull out the cylinder leak down tester I bought like 16 years ago, and never used. Looks like both are leaking on the exhaust valves. Once I’m done organizing I think I’ll pull the heads and have a look. I was hoping I could give this engine a krylon rebuild and stab it in. The 305 is long over due to come out, and a full proper rebuild of one of the L31’s I have isn’t really in the budget right now.
I do have the green Tahoe with an excellent running 5.3 sitting in the driveway. Could part it out and swap the engine into this.

 

[08Malibu]

Finally just about finished with my garage reorganization. I was able to get the car back in tonight, after the poor thing was stuck outside for a few weeks. Got rained on and snowed unfortunately.
Once I’m done, I’ll jump back on my neighbors hood and get it out of there. The hood turned into a much bigger project than I expected, and I’ve been pushing it off. Summer is around the corner, and I know he’s going to want it.
Once that’s done I’ll get back on my car.

 

[08Malibu]

So the car is in the same state it was with the last update.I’ve been painting at night and on Saturdays at 3 different shops, in addition to my regular job, so time has been limited. I’m going to cut out the Saturday deal so I’m trying to tie up loose ends over there.
I think I’m going to throw the clutch fan and shroud back on so I can cruise it for the summer.
The only cars I worked in were pinewood derby cars for my kids. I cut them out. I had them design, sand, and paint the cars. I helped mask, add the weights, and put the wheels on.
My daughters race already took place. First heat car was so fast it flew off at the end of the track. The next heat the car was slow as hell. Turned out there was a piece of fuzz from the end of the track dragging on her car slowing it down. She took it better than I did. But in the end it was nice to spend time building the cars with my kids. I think they did a nice job air brushing them. Yeah I could’ve sprayed them, but I wanted them to do it and they’re happy with what they made.