HAFRODs 78 Aeroback Salon build

[GP403]

Nice. we went back in early May before the "high season" started. Still a few roads at elevation closed due to snow but managed to avoid the huge crowds and parking snafus. Yosemite was a different matter, if Yellowstone tried your patience, steer clear of that place.

I had a long paragraph written here about the "foreigner" comments, but I deleted it in favor of not stirring the pot in someone's build thread. Let's not stir that pot here. <Insert overly stereotypical loud obnoxious arrogant American tourists in foreign lands stories here but not really because off topic that's why.>

Glad the AC is working, can't wait to see this thing up close. Bummer about the steering, hope it gets resolved.

 

[HAFROD]

So after some digging in my hot *ss shed, I found the original power steering pump from this Salon. I removed the fitting in the back of it and the valve components. I disassembled the main valve with the screen. I cleaned everything real good and reassembled the valve. I need to go get an O ring unless the green ones for air conditioning will work. I have a large assortment box of green O rings here. I'm going to try to swap the valves under the car without removing the power steering unit. If this works, I'd be amazed. After disassembling the valve, I just can't comprehend something failing in there. If the valve swap does not work, I'm swapping out the box and pump from my 87 SS but I really don't want to do this.

 

[HAFROD]

After removing my reman power steering fitting, valve, and spring, there is a difference in spring length. I swapped all 3 pieces out from under the car. It was a little messy but easy. It seems to be working ok at the moment. It does make a very light noise when I turn the wheels. Sounds like they do when they are low on fluid. It is faint and that may be the way they are. I don't know. With it sitting at idle, I can turn the wheel and the rpm drops a little until I stop turning the wheel. Guess I need to see if my El Camino makes the noise and drops rpm as well. Now that I'm really looking and listening for something this just could be normal and I've never noticed. I will take it for a drive later. I have installed countless reman power steering units through the years and this is my first problem with one. I got wrangled into cooking hamburgers on the grille.

 

[HAFROD]

I have had enough. Took it for a 5 mile drive everything seemed great. Pulled into my driveway and noticed the steering a little firm. I turned the wheel lock to lock about 3 times and the power steering went completely out again. I just got off the phone with my local parts store. I ordered a later (1986) Monte Carlo SS fast ratio box, reman power steering pump, and new O ring hose. I'm just going to swap it all at once. I'm sick of this piddly bullshit. The steering box is sloppy anyway. This power steering issue has something to do with heat I think. When it's cold it works fine. When it gets hot under the hood, it goes to hell.

 

[HAFROD]

Just when you think you know quite a bit about G bodys. My upper door panel metal top plate had been stepped on or something. I tried one from a Monte and a Malibu. Neither one snapped into the top of the door. So I believe that maybe it's a 1978 only or 2 door aero car only thing. I drove to another secret stash of G bodys and got the upper door panels from another 1978 2 door Salon just like mine. He told me he was getting ready to build a dirt track car out of it and better get what I wanted off it. I've pretty much already stripped it but the dash woodgrain panels were laying inside it so I grabbed them. I snagged a few parts from surrounding G bodys also. I needed the Monte radio bezel because my El Caminos is broken. The dome/map light I need for my 87 SS because one map light switch is missing. I was having trouble figuring out why my under hood light wire was not long enough for my Salon. After seeing this extension wire with odd L bracket that screws to the light, now I know. Still no tail light. His were both broken. I was going to get both to have a spare. This has proved to be a very rare part for me to find. Whomever shot my taillight lens with a bb gun better hope I never find out.

 

[GP403]

Whomever shot my taillight lens with a bb gun better hope I never find out.

wat 😡😡😡 that would put me over the edge and probably on the 10pm news. these are different from regular 2-dr taillights right? If they're the same I might have a pair but I'd have to check the condition.

 

[HAFROD]

Went to the last salvage I knew had a 4 door Salon. Both lens' are cracked and they are 78 model. I have 79 model in mine cause they look better and more like a Cutlass. I grabbed these because the chrome bezels are really nice. Mine are hazy. So I'll be swapping the bezels when I find a replacement 79 RH lens. Also grabbed a charcoal can and one V8 radiator cushion I need for my Monte. The salvage wanted $20 each but after getting them to the counter and her seeing they're both cracked, she gave all the stuff to me for $20

 

[HAFROD]

Today has been one of those usual crappy days for me. I got the reman steering box, pump, and hoses. I noticed while trying to pull my Jeep shaft loose from the box that one side of it's little U joint was seized. I completely removed it and worked it with penetrating oil back and forth till it got a little free. This a my warning to any of you guys buying one used. Mine is sloppy with a lot of play in between besides the one seized side. The penetrating oil had rusty muck coming out. I am not putting it back on. I purchased this from a member who was selling a few. It is now in the trash can. Also, if you upgrade to a fast ratio box, you will need a pitman arm because the shaft is bigger than my original 605

 

[HAFROD]

So I found an issue with my new center link. I had one zerk fitting at the pitman arm that would not take grease. I had forgot about this when I rebuilt the front end. So I tried to grease it without the pitman attached. It still would not take grease. I removed the zerk and put another one in. Still won't take grease. I clamped on some vise grips to the stem and it was all I could do to turn it. I shot some penetrating oil on it and worked it back and forth. It was taking a lot of pressure to turn.This thing is seized up basically. It is a brand new one from O'Reilley and it's their house brand Parts Master. This was probably why my steering was weird and sticky feeling. I called O'Reilley and told the kid that I want Moog. He told me they had two and there was about $25 difference. I told him I'd take the cheaper one. I asked him why Moog would sell two different ones and he said he didn't know. I go down there this morning to get my new Moog center link and the guy brings out a Parts Master. I kinda lost it a little and left. I removed one from my Monte that someone has replaced because it was still pretty clean and black. I sanded it, painted it, and used the two new dust seals from the Parts Master on it. Hopefully the steering works good after all this mess. Still got to remove the pulley and bracket from my old pump and transfer to my reman one. I did notice the Monte pulley is larger diameter than my Salons. Do you guys think there would be an issue using my smaller pulley? I don't want to have to buy longer belts for power steering and air conditioner

 

[84dragcutlass]

The smaller pulley shouldn't be an issue, ive had different sized pulleys on different cars and it only changes the effort it takes the engine to spin the pump but ive never noticed a difference in power steering feel or longevity