I got news for you guys, the beater is gonna cost you more than the Aquamist car, so get it now before more upgrades are made. Your probably better off buying the black 71. Yes I am getting a percentage of any sales.
Id like to but I think the black car would need to go first. Despite popular opinion, Im not made of money!
So the first upgrades of the winter on the Aquamist car have started.... Pulled the rusty exhaust manifolds off the other day and dropped them off at the powdercoaters. Theyre coating them in ceramic paint in a color called "titanium" which most closely resembles bare cast iron. $255 with the heat shield. Bought one of Todd Miller's exhaust manifold bolt kits and a set of copper SCE exhaust manifold gaskets from Summit. Should have them back in 2 weeks. The fuel pump is the one I bought the car with 15 years ago. Bought a new AC Delco Stage 1 pump as a "while Im there" replacement Finally installed my reproduction 2 piece battery cable block. Took off all the brackets and pulleys. Theyre going to get refinished in underhood black Installed my NOS Stage 1 fan clutch
Jason if it's not too late you may want to have the heat shield done in black that's how they came from the factory when New.
Ok.....figured I'd update this thread- Most of the underhood stuff is done. So far- -Exhaust manifolds ceramic coated and installed with correct bolts -New Stage 1 fuel pump -New cad plated booster, rebuilt the original bleeder screw master and replaced the lines to the distribution block -Replaced the rear flex hose and both axle lines. -NOS Delco voltage regulator cover installed to replace the dented one -Replaced the rusty chrome valve covers with a set I had saved that had really nice chrome on them. -new PS high pressure hose and correct return hose stamped "swan ps return 2/70" - all pullies blasted and painted in low gloss black -power steering pump refinished -aluminum brackets blasted -NOS Stage 1 fan clutch installed - New repro muffler and tailpipe hangers to replace the worn out hangers that were on there. -NOS drivers remote and NOS right side mirrors installed. The sport mirrors are finally off! -Installed my own repro 2 piece battery cable block that goes in the metal wiring gutter by the right side mount. Fit like a charm. Looks awesome. The trans crossmember is out getting powdercoated this week. I must of removed 5lbs of muck and crud off it. What a mess! New, correct crossmember bolts on order. New Tcs switch is on order to replace the leaking one on my trans. Ordered a set of bumper bolts. I've been going around and spotting incorrect bolts! I looked under the car the other day and noticed hardware store bolts attaching my rear bumper! Gross.... Even ordered a new set of windshield stainless screws.
And while the exhaust was down ans the crossmember is out, I took a microfiber soaked in mineral spirits and wiped down the whole underside of the car. The floors and frame on this car are sooo clean. The paint on the floors are still intact!
So about that....I repro'ed it too exact. The hole for the battery cable is exactly .425 just like on the original block. So whats the problem? Problem is the lectric limited cable is made a little thicker than an original. So I had to put the block in a vice and drill out the hole to 7/16". There is plenty of material so drilling it larger isnt an issue. The drill bit isnt long enough so you have to drill one side bigger then flip it around and drill it out from the other side. Once I did that, it fit perfectly.
Yesterday I got tired of the late 70's era red diff cover. Off it came and got painted satin black. Wire wheeled all the bolts and painted those as well. Came out soooo nice!! Picking up a new diff cover gasket and some 85w-90 tomorrow. Im going to dust on some satin black on the axle tubes too and fill her back up. Got a package of bumper bolts today from Todd and replaced the hardware store crap that was holding the rear bumper on. Im actually going over the whole car trying to come up with anything else that needs addressing.
Today I picked up the gear oil, posi additive and diff gasket. Put the freshly painted cover on, and replaced the missing posi tag. I wiped down the axle tubes and dusted on some satin black. Im going to let the permatex cure over night and fill her up in the morning. I got the new TCS switch installed and got my transmission crossmember bolts in the mail. Those should replace the last of the hardware store crap on the car. Picking up the crossmember tomorrow at noon. I cant wait to see it!
