My 78 Regal Build Thread. June. 21, 2011 UPDATE

[beermonkey9417]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-And Finally Alive!!!

i got a lil sugestion, when you take a pic thats close up, press the button on yer camera that looks like a flower. that will make the camera focus better on close-up objects meaning no more blurry pics like this:

YaY!

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-And Finally Alive!!!

I mentioned that the last few pictures where taken with my camera phone. As you can tell its not the best.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-And Finally Alive!!!

Well she was alive and now she is back dead once again. One step forward and three steps back. I had the wrong heads on which allowed coolant to freely get into the oil. I had to take the heads off 🙁 Thank GOD I have an extra set that are the correct ones. I just really wondering how am I going to get the passenger head off when I barely have any room to put a spark plug in.

Drivers side head off. Note the coolant passages

The two passages at the top are the difference. They allowed coolant to flow freely into the valley area. These heads can still be used but the passages have to be blocked off. I was going to go this route but the other set I have are earlier heads and will work

These are the ones that I have to swap out. When using these you have to use the non steel shim gaskets.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-And Finally Alive!!!

I've gotten the seats in the car, redid interior pieces, new head gasket set. The weather is iffy here in Georgia and when it is nice I have something to do. I did get a chance to work on it the day before yesterday. I started taking the a/c box out. I just have to take the bottom part off and fab a box so I can still use my heater core and a/c in the future.

I'm still taking pics with my camera phone but I will get better pics with a real camera.

I redid my intake since I had it off. Pressure washed it, repainted, and about 4-5 coats of clear. And no I am not too worried about it getting hot and cracking the clear.

Close up shot. I did the edelbrock performer buick 455 in red. At first it was like a metallic orange because it wasnt dry when I sprayed the clear. I went back over it a few times and its too my liking now. I may go back over it one more time.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-And Finally Alive!!!

The interior is not perfect but I can't complain for the price I paid for getting the whole interior done. If you look by the chrome trim you can see what I am talking about. The guy told me when I get the car running and interior in to bring it back to him to fix up any little small things so I am not worried about it.

Here you can see it real good. Just needs to be tucked in better. I haven't put the top portion of the backseat in yet. I'm gonna put some paper or plastic like the factory had it before I put it back in.

Interior should match real nice when I get done with it completely. My base color is black so I am not trying to overdo it with too much tan. I want to put just enough to go with it like I have on the seats. O the colors are black tweed with carrot orange custom made piping.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-And Finally Alive!!!

And yes my seats do still have the pillow top 😀

Door panels just got done....well one of them. I wanted it to be clean so all the cushion was taken off, new cardboard put over the old one for a clean base, and some fresh foam over that for a clean template. I still have to repaint the woodgrain part, redo the pull straps in the carrot orange. I also have to decide if I want to keep the limited emblem or put some custom emblems on it. I was thinking something like 78 Regal or just the words "Regal" right above the pull strap or below where the limited emblem went. What do you think would flow better with the interior?

Nice and clean look....just how I wanted it

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-And Finally Alive!!!

With the heads I have to block off two coolants ports where it allows the coolant to flow into the valley area. Only problem is I cant find any freeze plugs that will fit. I thought I had gotten some that were small enough but they are too big. Any suggestions?

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-March 18 Update

I got the coolant passages blocked off, heads back on, and exhaust manifolds back on. I still have to torque heads down but the motor is finally coming back together again. I can't wait to get Betsy back on the road and get the dang yard cleaned up. I took some better photos with my camera instead of with my camera phone. They still suck...o well. Guess its time for a new camera.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-March 18 Update

 

[kingcolbert83]

Re: My 78 Regal Build Thread. Loads Of Pics-March 18 Update

Got the girl back running and drove it today. It felt so good...thank GOD. I'm going to get the exhaust redone tomorrow. I am still debating do I want to go with the some flowmaster knockoffs or stick with the glasspacks. Will try to get some videos and some more pics tomorrow.