My 71 GS FRAME OFF...

[Freakazoid]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to post some pictures of my progress. I have been picking away at it for about 4 weaks now and the Frame is ready to get sent off to be powder coated. First I will give it a good pressure wash to remove all the grease and dirt then give it a good look over for cracke and remove some of the welding splatter.
I have taken alot of pictures for record of the before and after.
Also OhioGS400 Tread on his body lift off was alot of help and inspiration.
http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=180408

I have some upgrades planned for the suspension and other parts already here for the project.
If you Have any advice please let me know, it will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Rich

[1967 Big Buick]

Let the games begin, have fun with the project.

[OhioGS400]

Richard- those supports look familiar:) :) Nice job!
Looks like good progress- keep the updates coming.
I'm getting ready to install my engine and tranny this weekend.
Randy

[Freakazoid]

Back with a few pics of my project, After a while working under the trunk floor I started finding lots of rust pin holes in the trunk pan. I ordered a Trunk pan repair kit from The Parts Place. I have been Picking away over the last 10 days a few houres here and there when I can make time. I finally have all the pan removed and the gas tank braces. Now I am removing any surface rust and grinding off what is left of any original factory Tack welds. I am trying my best to go this correct so it will be hard to tell the pan was ever replaced.
Any tips at this point would be appreciated.

[Freakazoid]

I ordered adjustable Controll Arms today along with the bolts for the sway bar. I looked at alot of differet brands. They are said to be good for the street and for the Track. I went with powder coated black like in the pic. I plan on painting the rear end like on Georges BPG web site. Also have a new Aluminum Finned Differential cover. The rear end should be easy prep and repaint and already has the rear disc brake conversion kit by TSM. I will be ordering inline Tubes Stainless Brake line kit. They want me to send some mock up tubing for the rear end so they can cut and reflare the stainless tubing for the rear end. I hope to have this done over the next 3 or 4 weeks.

[ubushaus]

Nice work so far Rich! :TU:
I can't believe how clean and uncluttered your garage looks!

[OhioGS400]

Rich- that's a different rear end setup- I've never seen the shocks attach to the diff cover like that. :laugh:
Looks like you're doing a great job- do you plan to race it??
Randy

[Freakazoid]

Rich- that's a different rear end setup- I've never seen the shocks attach to the diff cover like that. :laugh:
Looks like you're doing a great job- do you plan to race it??
Randy

Thanks, Randy. I would like to race the car at the track may be a few times a year. I think I will need some slicks though.

Its beem a while updating this post but I have made some progress. I decided to go with POR 15 on the frame. I pressure washed it then had it sand blasted for $125.00. I think the price was very good. They did a great job. The TA Engine is ready and the 400 Transmission with JW's SP 400 Converter and Pump. I have taken a break from the Trunk pan replacment and underbody to work on the frame. We have been working on removing the factory welding splatter and the blast residue. Hope next week to be spraying it with POR 15.

[rex362]

Looks nice ....:TU:


btw.....I was in Biloxi back in May that Beau Rivage was nice

[MGCslugger33]

Looks great. Ive always wanted a pretty frame.

[Freakazoid]

Hey all, Im real busy with work and some remodeling around the house. But I have beed using the little spare time i have trying to finish up the frame. The POR 15 worked out real well. But I had some trouble with the 2 nd. coat of top coat chassis black. { rough finish } everyone said it looked great but I knew it was not right. It should never rust I hope but me and a few friends are wet sanding the top coat with 400 grt. and it slicks the surface right up. Next I will respray a final coat of top coat and it should be ready. This was a learning experience for me. Its the first time working with POR I5. But now I know the do's and donts. Check out the pick. I just want it right and want the satisfaction of doing the work myself.
For the rest of you I have been trying to check out the daily post on my lunch hour and I like the work you guys are posting. Hope after I get cought up I can be more involved with the V-8 forum.

[TroyGS]

That engine looks amazing, where do you get the red wiring!?!?

Very nice work, it looks amazing!! :TU:

[Freakazoid]

Their Accel plug wires, Local parts house had them. But you can order them from Jegs or Summit I would think.

[bigboytea]

Your progress is inspirational. I am a current buick restorer dreamer at the current time. I'm browsing forums for ideas, lessons learned and photos like your and everybody elses. I would like to ask what size engineyou have and the horsepower your making. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
Thanks, Randy. I would like to race the car at the track may be a few times a year. I think I will need some slicks though.

Its beem a while updating this post but I have made some progress. I decided to go with POR 15 on the frame. I pressure washed it then had it sand blasted for $125.00. I think the price was very good. They did a great job. The TA Engine is ready and the 400 Transmission with JW's SP 400 Converter and Pump. I have taken a break from the Trunk pan replacment and underbody to work on the frame. We have been working on removing the factory welding splatter and the blast residue. Hope next week to be spraying it with POR 15.

[Freakazoid]

Thanks for looking, TA built the engine, Its a 455 bored .030 over. TA 413 Cam, TA Aluminum heads, forged pistons and sportsman rods. If I remember correct compression is 10.4-1. The speck sheet is at my work. They test ran the engine with no problems. The engine was not ran on a dyno. estimated HP for the combo was 500 + HP. I am off work for the hollidays 11 days, so with the weather things are moving slow. I am doing what I can in the shop but I do have some wet sanding and painting to do. But thats out for the moment being too cold.

[OhioGS400]

Richard- looks great- like I said, I love the body supports:cool: Keep up the good work.

Hey everyone, I just wanted to post some pictures of my progress. I have been picking away at it for about 4 weaks now and the Frame is ready to get sent off to be powder coated. First I will give it a good pressure wash to remove all the grease and dirt then give it a good look over for cracke and remove some of the welding splatter.
I have taken alot of pictures for record of the before and after.
Also OhioGS400 Tread on his body lift off was alot of help and inspiration.
http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=180408

I have some upgrades planned for the suspension and other parts already here for the project.
If you Have any advice please let me know, it will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Rich

[Freakazoid]

Update, Heres a few pice of the progress so far. Stainless Tubing installed, Brake, Fuel Return, Vapor Line and 8-AN {1/2"} Stainless braded fuel Line.
Engine/Trans/ Headers installed with Robmc fuel Pump and Filter. I still have a few problems to work out. But I will get it. Sorry, wrong Photo dates, Thanks for looking...

[12lives]

Sweet! Nice work!

- Bill

[OhioGS400]

Great progress-frame and engine look great! Keep the pics coming.
Randy

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Nice workmanship.

Tom

[dragracer]

looks very nice freakazoid, hope mine turns out as well...Dave

[Freakazoid]

More progress. Front of the engine is togrther, Brackets, pulleys, ect. Resistor hidden under the A/C Compressor top bracket for the Crane XR-I Ignition Module.
Disassembled the rear end and sandblasted the housing. Then rewelded over the Plug welds in the housing. Sprayed with 2 coats of POR-15 then 2 coats POR chassis black. Reassembled, with new Pinyon seal and crush sleeve, Also possie additive and gear oil.
I found the recomended teflon lube for the PMT rear trailing arms at a swimming pool supply store. Go figure..
Welded the O2 Bungs in the header collectors for the Inovac LM2.
Tomorrow I hope to have the rear disc brakes installed. The calipers are painted and the rotore are ready to spray. I will be using black header paint unless someone can recommend something better for the rotors.
I hope to get the front end done in the next 2 weeks. I need to get done with the chassis as soon as possible so I can get back to installing the new trunk pan. And the nightmare of removing the old undercoating.

[PaulGS]

Thanks for sharing...great job!

[Freakazoid]

Thanks for sharing...great job!

Thanks, Paul.
I made a little more progress Satueday. Added differential posi additive and gear oil. Rear disc brakes and parking brake cables. Rear tire and rims almost ready to install. After cleaning the rims I found some surface rust on the back side. Not sure what im going to do about the rust spots. Maybe clean with fine steel wool and then clear coat ?

[72buicklt1]

looking good..:TU: can't wait to get back on mine in the next couple of weeks.. keep the photo's coming..

dan c.

[Freakazoid]

Thanks Dan.
I finally removed the old paint from the upper and lower controll arms, spindles and coil springs. All bushings and balljoints are new. Sprayed parts with POR-15 then POR Chassis black. Could not have put it back together without the inside coil spring compressor. Now I will be working on the steering sector, tie rods, ect. Here are a few pics.

[NeverL8]

Looking really good richard - only a person who's done a frame off them selves can appreciate the amount of work. keep it up

keep us posted - great pic's!

[Freakazoid]

Looking really good richard - only a person who's done a frame off them selves can appreciate the amount of work. keep it up

keep us posted - great pic's!

Your right Mike, Its been alot of fun but I dont think I will ever do another one.
Almost have a rolling chassis. Finished the steering linkage, and have the calipers and rotors mounted. Still have to clean up the front tires and rims. And hook up the front brake hoses.
Ill be Taking the rear end back apart to install the Nitro Posi which I got from Jim at JD Race {Monzaz}. It will hold up alot better than the Gov Lock. Jim also had the Bearing and shim kit with everything you need to install the Posi.

[72buicklt1]

Obviously your good mechanically, are you setting up the rear yourself? I setup mine and patience is key as to getting a good mesh pattern,, know how goes a long way too.. I kept reading of how people had different issues doing it but in the end I took my time and it's good.. Monzaz sells quality stuff!


Dan C.

[72buicklt1]

Obviously your good mechanically, are you setting up the rear yourself? I setup mine and patience is key as to getting a good mesh pattern,, know how goes a long way too.. I kept reading of how people had different issues doing it but in the end I took my time and it's good.. Monzaz sells quality stuff!


Dan C.

[cpk 71]

Love the work looks awesome one question? Wouldn't steel fuel line be safer than braided hose? Looks great but would it pass tech at the track? Would suck if it didn't . Don't know if your gonna race it or not but I would figure you would want to. After all that work.

[Freakazoid]

Obviously your good mechanically, are you setting up the rear yourself? I setup mine and patience is key as to getting a good mesh pattern,, know how goes a long way too.. I kept reading of how people had different issues doing it but in the end I took my time and it's good.. Monzaz sells quality stuff!


Dan C.
Yes Dan, I have done a few and this one before with the Gov lock. Probably is less than 1000 miles on the gears. I will take my time as you said to get it set up right. Also Im really pleased with Monzaz parts. Just cant wait to try them on the road and track.


Love the work looks awesome one question? Wouldn't steel fuel line be safer than braided hose? Looks great but would it pass tech at the track? Would suck if it didn't . Don't know if your gonna race it or not but I would figure you would want to. After all that work.

Thanks Chris, As for the fuel line. Stock is 3/8". As far as I know 1/2" is not available in prebent stainless. Also Ive heard of some bad issues with the rolls of 1/2" aluminum tubing that you bend your self. There is very little room to follow the stock rought with 1/2". And the sharp bends over the rear crossmember were impossible to me. Yes I tryed. 1/2" Stainless through the frame to me is the easiest and safe. I also used rubber gromets where the braded hose passed through my slightly inlarged holes in the frame to help protect it. From what I read on the forum it is one of several NHRA approved ways to run modified line { like Braded }. I think some where I read that plane rubber fuel hose can't be used over 1' lengths ? Im sure somone can chim in with the rules. If not, it would make a good post. Anyway if I was not running a Robbmc 550 HP fuel pump I would of went with a stock bent 3/8" stainless line. Notice in the 3 pics. First one stock. This way there is 1/2" from inside the tank to the carb. I used Jegs 8 AN line and fittings which was within my budget. I really like them in black.

[cpk 71]

So the pump on the motor is what? pressure regulator ? Motor looks kick a$$ too!!!!

[Freakazoid]

So the pump on the motor is what? pressure regulator ? Motor looks kick a$$ too!!!!

Here is the link where the fuel pump comes from.
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/
No regulator needed and the pump has a return like stock.

[Freakazoid]

Have a few updates. Chassis is rolling. Moved it outside, dusted it off and took a few pics. Next for the chassis I will be getting the radiator support restored and installed. The plan is to install the radiator, top off all the fluids and test run the engine.

[cstanley-gs]

This is awesome!
Im signing on!

[Freakazoid]

It was time to get back working on the trunk pan install. I have never done one so im taking my time. removing the rusted pan was easy. Installing the new pan is alot of work for me. I never want to do another one. Over all, I think it will look good when done.

[RudyE]

Looking good! I am just starting on my 72 GS trunk myself. Keep up the good work!! Thanks, Rudy.

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Nice work.

Tom