1972 GS Convertible 455 lead

Started reassembling the engine. I’m notorious for exhaust leaks. No gaskets this time just RTV. The fuel pump has a minimal amount of plating left showing through. I’m going to assume it’s the original pump. Also decided to reuse the original pump to carb line instead of the reproduction unit. Bypass hose, pcv valve, grommet, and hose are all from Todd with 2 more full boxes left waiting to get installed..

The plan this week is to get back in the dirt and grime and refinish the front suspension. We finally received all of the bushings, ball joints, shocks, etc. if I can get it all back installed this weekend, we will be trending well toward BG.

 

The upper control arm bushings are done.2 delays: the lower control arm bushings they sent us were incorrect, and we are digging through our stock for a replacement lower control arm. My dad said this was the worst bushing/control arm wear he has seen.

 

Lmk if you need an arm. Should have a few extras around.

 

Thanks Dano, there should be at least one set in our leaning tower of garbage, but I’ll let you know if that’s not the case

 

Yw (free if you need it).

 

Always somethin....

 

Thats no lie......

 

Bulk upload from the last few days. The below is where I feel I’ve cut my first corner. Instead of properly cleaning/painting/replacing the tie rods, steering box, spindles, etc., I am reinstalling everything bare/as cast. Doing this for 2 reasons: it costs money to properly replace/replate, and I plan on upgrading the steering box to a quick ratio in the future so it’s going to have to come apart again. Including a few pics of the original paint swipes/dabs on the spindles and the repainted dust covers using Eastwood’s silver zinc. We also dropped the trans off at our local shop today to get refreshed. The correct control arm bushings should be here later this week.

 

Good news/bad news time

Good news: the correct bushings should be here Friday. All brake/suspension parts are now accounted for and either painted or ready for paint, except the sway bar. I have a few other orders coming in that should account for almost, if not all of the parts needed to complete this build.

Bad news: The bushing fiasco has put me back about 2 weeks in schedule. I also have something scheduled every weekend from now through the week of BG including a couple of out of town weekend trips, so time has become limited to get serious work done. I think I will still be able to get it back together in time, but it will be an untested car driving 800+ miles and I’m not on Roadkill’s level to just wing it and see what happens.

Resolution:
I rented a 2022 18’ trailer for the week of BG to guarantee this car will be there. My unnamed passengers are certainly happy with my decision, and it has taken a lot of stress off my plate for the time being.

Back to work..

 

Glad your still going to be there with it!

 

-Bushings and ball joints are done, 3/4 control arms are in primer (thanks again for the hookup on the replacement, Dano.)
- went too heavy on the gold cad paint from Eastwood. It bothers me but good enough for now
- rad support and repaired LH inner fender painted. I painted the RH side but too many sanding scratches revealed themselves and it’s now wet sanded and back in primer. Going too fast.
-other small parts like sway bar, power steering brackets, hood latch support, caliper brackets, etc painted in correct-adjacent finishes.
-trans will hopefully be done this week. Waiting on the converter to be rebuilt.
- 31 days until it has to drive onto a trailer

 

If it works, is it really a dumb idea? Spring compressors terrify me, so I went with the next best option to get these installed without much weight on the front end.

 

As long as it works (safely)!

 

Dam...From the fire wall to the bumper, it going to look brand new. Love it.

 

He’s going butterface on us

 

Wouldn’t it be the opposite in this case? Lol

 

Wow, that´s gonna be awesome.

 

Front brakes are back on with new wheel bearings. Got our trans back with a rebuilt converter but need a new mount. (Ordered). Also repainted the one inner fender I screwed up. I decided to reuse the inner fender splash shields instead of installing new ones. Waiting on sway bar bushings and then we should be wrapping up the front suspension. Some surprises to come..

 

2 steps forward one step back.. I’ll leave it at that for now