New 85 442

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QS442

Master Mechanic
Sep 20, 2011
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I was not seeking another gbody. I told myself the only car that I would be interested in is a 79 trans am/firebird with t tops. My current gbody project has been a 79 Cutlass that I have been working on. Actually was going to start engine swap over spring break.

THEN, yesterday I get a call from local old timer that I tracked some parts for a few years ago. He asked if I was interested in his 442. I was like huh?? He was original owner and I remember him driving this car many times over the years. My first 442 was the same color as his so this car was well known in my head. He told me his wife recently passed away and he will probably be moving with a relative and he wasn't taking the car. It's been sitting and he said the best way to keep it on road is to find a new home for it. I am sure he has turned down many people over 35 years who wanted to buy the car. So I felt kind of special (I needed a reason in my head) and bought it.
 

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QS442

Master Mechanic
Sep 20, 2011
294
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DE
It's a 85 442. Not a show queen but it is fairly solid. Has the typical door rust and clear coat peeling off hood and trunk. Has 155k on the 307 and it runs decent. I drove the car home. 307 and trans has been rebuilt roughly 12k miles ago. Interior is complete but average due to moisture.

Now the bad (I guess). It has a taped up factory astroroof. I never had a gbody with astroroof except a parts car with an aftermarket one that destroyed the car. He stated it works but it was leaking bad. I am nervous about taking off the tape and seeing if this roof is functional.

What are some tips to start this astroroof process? What are common issues that make these leak? Any tips to get the roof to operate smoothly.
 

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old80cs

G-Body Guru
Jun 27, 2013
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Looks like a nice car, and you know the history behind it, very cool!

Did he throw in the original rims with the sale?

Enjoy the new ride!
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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A sunroof car! That's unusual. Sort of. Congrats! Hopefully it didn't cost a whole lot.
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Donovan can tell you all about the issues of getting new seals for it that will actually work.

Has that car been repainted? It appears it may have been bc/cc on the hood there... maybe just the paint quality fading away, who knows. The 85's were all lacquer.
 
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QS442

Master Mechanic
Sep 20, 2011
294
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DE
Donovan can tell you all about the issues of getting new seals for it that will actually work.

Has that car been repainted? It appears it may have been bc/cc on the hood there... maybe just the paint quality fading away, who knows. The 85's were all lacquer.

The car appears to be repainted. Some decals are off regarding placement. The hood was actually replaced with another. He had the original hood, the paint was good but it was rusted underneath. I'm thinking about putting a H/O hood that I have on it if I can get this roof situation together.
 
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69hurstolds

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The hood was actually replaced with another. He had the original hood, the paint was good but it was rusted underneath. I'm thinking about putting a H/O hood that I have on it if I can get this roof situation together.
Cool. I wouldn't waste time changing hoods if that roof situation can't get controlled. This is one of the reasons sunroofs and T-tops sometimes simply suck.
 
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hunter_alexander

Master Mechanic
Apr 29, 2008
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For the astro roof, you will have to drop the headliner (which would be a good time to replace it if it is bad) and then disassemble the unit as its attached to the roof itself. They do make new seals for it, so you should be good in that regard. Good luck with it.
 
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