The 1981-to-1979 malibu rebuild

[Longroof79]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

Looks like a good project. Definitely time to brush up on your welding skills. The body itself doesn't look that bad. How's the frame rails?

 

[t01blaze]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

i hope the frame is okay. i have seen the rear frame rails rust away. i have also found a link somewhere, where someone rebuilds them. im hoping i dont have to take it that far. maybe tonight i will get under the car and take some pictures of the rear of the frame.

 

[t01blaze]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

i still have to remove the dash and steering column, drill the rivets on the door handles and window regulator, and then take off the fenders and rad support panel. then the engine and trans are coming out. then i work on body mount bolts. then its time to start ordering parts and get that body finished!

 

[t01blaze]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

im having a difficult time figuring out how to remove the bumper mounts from the frame. i removed the 3 bolts that hold the mounts to the frame, but there must be something else holding the mounts in. they feel kinda loose and wiggle in the frame rails but i think i overlooked a bolt somewhere from the back side, or maybe under the frame?

 

[chevy2480]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

im having a difficult time figuring out how to remove the bumper mounts from the frame. i removed the 3 bolts that hold the mounts to the frame, but there must be something else holding the mounts in. they feel kinda loose and wiggle in the frame rails but i think i overlooked a bolt somewhere from the back side, or maybe under the frame?

On the front there is a bolt that goes strait down from inside engine compartment on top of frame rail. For the rears ther is a bolts that is on bottom side of frame rail. There is a total of 3 nuts/ bolt and one bolt per bumper shock.

 

[ElkyHolik87]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

Nice project, love the effort your putting into it to get it back on the road. Keep it up!

 

[mebe007]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

good luck on your project. always good to see another gbody and zr2 owner.

 

[t01blaze]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

little by little. doesnt seem like much got done here 🙁 every time i get started on the car i have to take care of something else....

driver floor rusted to the rocker seam. the frame looks solid from here though

fenders are coming off next, then engine and trans

i also have to pull the duct work behind the dash, should be easy

parts bagged and boxed.

more parts overflowing into the basement

 

[t01blaze]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

 

[81_2dr_bu]

Re: 1981 malibu rebuild

reminds me of the bu's i had,,,,,,, on #4 now but its solid as a rock however the other 3 were new england cars ,,,, all anilated ,,,, keep plugging away ,,,gl