81 Malibu project restarting

[08Malibu]

So the car is sitting at the shop for my buddy to pdr as many dings as he feels like doing. I’ve been busy doing work around the house anyway, although I do miss driving it.
Today I picked up a set of fiero mirrors for free and they sure look like the monte ss mirrors I want to put on the car. I noticed the car had some mint seats in it and I should be able to scoop them up too.

 

[08Malibu]

Picked up a set of fiero buckets today. They’re in better shape than my cutlass ones and pretty comfortable. I figure I can put these in and they won’t look too bad in the navy interior with the rear bench still navy.
I also grabbed another 7.5 rear so hopefully I can get the rear from the olds all the way together so it’ll be a quicker swap.

 

[08Malibu]

I forgot, I also picked up a trailer hitch this week from a local member, and some other interior pieces. Got the intake manifold for the 350 too.
I’ve been home for a few weeks now but unfortunately I’ve been busy with the house, and I left the car at the other shop, so no time to work on the car. I’m just accumulating parts and making more work for myself.

 

[08Malibu]

Car is still not here and I’m just accumulating parts so my to do list is getting quite long.
I got the rear spring perches welded on. I have to box the lower control arms and press in the new bushings. Then I can assemble the brakes, when all the parts come in, and button up the rear end and install it in the car.
I also got an Astro shaft to install with the quick ratio box. I still have body mounts to do. And I have my 350 to go through.
I think by the time I get the car back I won’t do anything but drive it until the winter at this point, but we’ll see.

 

[scoti]

Nice start despite the flaws. The 81 front header & tail-lights are my favorite.

 

[08Malibu]

I was trying to finish up the 442 rear to install but I was missing a bolt for the drum backing plates. I decided to clean up for the day. I was running the bolt in on the c clamp tool for pressing the bushings in, and about a half inch long metal shard went right into my finger. My dumbass screwed up the threads a bit earlier and I forgot. I was running it in with the impact. Trip to the er and they don’t want to remove it here. Doesn’t pay to be in a hurry.

 

[08Malibu]

Dr agreed to pull the metal splinter in the er and gave me a fresh tetanus shot, back in business.
I got the axles in and had to put the drums on and lay out some of my parts because a thread sucks without pics.
Back to cleaning up my garage so hopefully I can get my 442 box and Astro shaft in this week. Then box the lowers and install the rear.

 

[08Malibu]

Installed the Astro shaft onto the stock box, and it already feels a little tighter. I can’t wait to get the 442 box in. Not much progress but anything crossed off the list is a good thing.

 

[08Malibu]

So I got the 442 box installed and it feels like it has a little more slop than it felt like when it was in the olds. I may try and tighten up the lash or I’ll have to get a new one down the road. The car definitely feels a bit sportier though.
I also rebuilt the q jet and man, what a difference. Throttle response is way better and it’s not bogging off the line anymore. I did find the baseplate has some wear in it so I’ll have to address that when I swap the engine.
Hopefully I’ll get the rear installed soon. Just been so hot lately, that I don’t even want to go in the garage.

 

[Longroof79]

So I got the 442 box installed and it feels like it has a little more slop than it felt like when it was in the olds. I may try and tighten up the lash or I’ll have to get a new one down the road. The car definitely feels a bit sportier though.
I also rebuilt the q jet and man, what a difference. Throttle response is way better and it’s not bogging off the line anymore. I did find the baseplate has some wear in it so I’ll have to address that when I swap the engine.
Hopefully I’ll get the rear installed soon. Just been so hot lately, that I don’t even want to go in the garage.

What's the condition of the rest of your front end components? Tie rod ends, idler arms, center link, etc. If all those things seem like they're tight with little to no slop. then I'd try adjusting the steering box a tad.
The Astro shaft also makes a noticeable difference.

I agree about the Q-jet difference. After I rebuilt mine and put it on the car, it was like night and day.

Glad to see that you recovered from that metal splinter. Man, those things can be nasty....and painful.

Btw, cool set of seats. Also, make sure the mirror bases are at the correct angle and see if there's a difference in the base gaskets.