Marriage: 1980 Grand Am and 2005 GTO Build Thread.

[smed7880]

One thing i have decided is the black rocker trim thats about 1.5" tall and runs the length of the rocker is not going back on. The fastener at the rear tire was a screw with a bunch of rust. Ill take off the studs for the rest and be done with that.

Im trying to decide if i want to pull the doors now or later. Both need work and since im now doing paint i need access to the jams. Also thinking with the body off about to happen i can rig up braces in the door area and take some weight out of it.

Im going to drill pin holes just big enough for the tip of a lub can to douse the top of the body mount bolts and let them sit a bit. I dont want to break those bolts or worse.

Next weekend is a parts gathering weekend if everything plays out right so the pb blaster will have 2ish weeks to set in.

All deadlines are blown. My Torino is supposed to be ready 8/17 for me to come get it. Based on the shops history im thinking more like Halloween or Thanksgiving, maybe even Christmas, but even then im not going to be done with thus "easy" ls swap. The plan is to now get the body off and focus on the frame...box, paint, install suspension, rear end, and ls2. Ill build a body cart wide and high enough to allow mw to store the frame under it, give me headroom for underbody work, and save a garage space. My Torino has to be inside.

Kind of bummed but this is what happens when you open up a car. Not my first rodeo but none of these rides ends up like you thought.

 

[smed7880]

Successfully pb blased the rear 2 body mounts. Drivers side just behind the tire is toast. Body is rusted there and so is the frame. I knew id have to replace this rail but didnt think all the way to the second body mount. For sure have to do body mount repairs now.

Discovery and exploratory surgery days suck....

Edit: pb blasted all 10. Pretty sure i nailed the top of the body bolts on the 2 in the rockers that i had to drill the holes for to spray in lube oil. All others were accessibke enough to douse. 1 rot out for sure, probably 2. Ugh. But discovery is now wound down until i pull the body. Body crossmember on the left side at the rot area at the rocker is questionable. Had i just dropped in the LS with the weak drivers rear rail behind the tire, rotted rail and body mount area in front of drivers rear tire, body rot at the drivers rocker/floor/quarter, and a questionable body mount/body crossmember at the drivers seat im pretty sure it would have ended catastrophicly. Now i know. Sucks, but its fixable.

 

[smed7880]

The next 48 hours are big.

We were going to drive 13 hours to pick up a 9 inch but that changed.

Started hunting for a frame thinking it may be cheaper to find one done. Got lucky. 7.5 hours away is a notched and Hellwiged completely preped and painted frame with no rust. Attached to it is a 9 inch with 35 spline axles no diff, umi stage 2 with 2 inch lowering springs, s10 spindles, vette calipers, and 18 inch riddler 650s with gray centers and newish nittos. The frame comes with an 84 regal that has the floors done, is in primer, and is completely blown apart. The body is bolted onto the frame but thats it. Ive always like those regals so ill get to build one of those too???...gnx clone???...large pushrod old school build???....dont know yet.

Uhaul trailer is reserved for a 6pm tonight pickup. Work all day today, off/shower, drive straight through, grab a few hours of sleep there, start loading at 8am. Leave by 10am, goal is be back home by 530pm friday to roll off frame and return trailer. Sleep then finish unloading truck saturday morning. Pull bodies and put Grand Am on replacement frame by sunday night for test fitting and measure out regal frame for square. I took friday off to make this happen.

Front frame horns are the question...along with getting the deal done. Everything looks legit but the price is really really good so theres that voice going off. Seller appears to be straight up so im taking the plunge.

Sherry is going with me to keep me straight and be my open eyes.

If this happens, and so far i have every indication it will safely, its going to save me months and get the project back on track. Plus for the $s it is way better than me buying all the parts.

If this happens safely and the square measures out then the biggest question is what does the Misses think of her Grand Am sitting on that setup. Im sure hoping she lets go of wanting the 15inch Rally IIs once she sees that look...but if not ill have to devette the buick frame and possibly swap springs.

Ill update once im on the road friday morning coming back.

The things we car guys do...

 

[Happy camper]

I hope everything works out.
Sounds like a solid foundation.

 

[smed7880]

If it all goes well and the misses approves, im hoping her Grand Am turns out close to these 2.

Hers will also be black but with the lower GA 2 tone.

 

[smed7880]

Final confirmation with frame seller. We are a go. 6am load. Too dang hot to do otherwise. The next update should be tomorrow with that frame in my garage.

 

[smed7880]

Left houston for bixby ok at 630 last night. 24 hours later the car/frame are off loaded and in the garage. Headed to bed.

 

[Happy camper]

Left houston for bixby ok at 630 last night. 24 hours later the car/frame are off loaded and in the garage. Headed to bed.

Looks good.

 

[smed7880]

Here is the list. Its all there. $4800 for it plus $275 in fuel and $75 trailer rental. Attached parts alone made it a must buy.

The regal body is rust free except for a half dollar sized area with pinholes that the seller used encapsulator on. Perfect dash, some nib parts, some great loose parts. Driver door damage but came with door skin.

The frame horns are indeed longer than the Grand Am.

 

[Happy camper]

Here is the list. Its all there. $4800 for it plus $275 in fuel and $75 trailer rental. Attached parts alone made it a must buy.

The regal body is rust free except for a half dollar sized area with pinholes that the seller used encapsulator on. Perfect dash, some nib parts, some great loose parts. Driver door damage but came with door skin.

The frame horns are indeed longer than the Grand Am.

I think you did good.