Got the passenger rear upper control arm ear brace welded into place this after noon as well. Still learning the welding techniques and stuff, but my welds are getting stronger and look a whole hell of a lot better lol
Been almost a month since ive updated so here is the run down of whats happened with the build during that time. Finished: boxing the frame complete front and rear. Finished the plate behind the crossmember with the spring bucket braces. Finished welding the rear crossmember up solid going across rear end. Finished welding up rear control arm mounting ears solid. Finished welding up front lower control arm mounts solid. Currently working on: Cleaning frame for some good frame paint/ rust inhibitor inside and out. Getting majority of suspension parts (still waiting on control arms, front/rear springs, and rear shocks) to make the car a roller again before cage work. Next phase: Planning the 482 cui BBB build Getting the very nicely hidden 8pt cage put in the car ( goal 10 sec street cruiser/ GSR class runner)
Been a little while since ive updated this thread again... with availability of parts being a little bit of an issue and a few family things i had lost some motivation on working on the buick for a little bit. The motivation issue changed when i got some calls from vendors saying parts were in and will be shipped that day. So the next 2 weeks will be pretty car filled. Finally Finishing up my frame, mocking up the suspension until the stainless bolt kit gets here for it, assembly of the front disc brakes, and then for the sweet and sensual mating of the body back on to the frame. Thats what i am hoping for in two weeks. In addition to all this me and gary paine have started a 482cui monster for this car. Went up to visit him yesterday and help him put together the short block. It was a blast to learn the technical parts of building an engine
Well, finally got the lead out of my ass today and finished painting the underside of my frame. Now to let it cure really good, and then next saturday and sunday (when i have the chance) I think it might be time for a little suspension action!
Good morning/ Happy Easter Buick fans! Started the suspension rebuild last weekend and this weekend. Rear upper and lower trailing arms are in, as well as the Viking shocks. The rear end springs that are in there now, are just in place to make the car a roller for the time being. The unpainted lower trailing mounts to the frame will also be replaced when the cage work is done. Car is coming back together, nice to see parts going back on for a change lol
After a couple hours of sweating, wrenching and copius amounts of swearing, i have managed to get the front coil springs in place and control arms mounted together. I had never installed coil springs before today... was extra difficult because it was just the bare frame, no extra weight. Managed to get the springs seated in the buckets with no injury to myself or harm to the paint of the frame also got centerlink and tie-rod ends mounted as well. During the course of the next week, i will be in full thrash mode to get the disc brakes assembled to make that car a roller for the first time in while! Then the body goes back to its final resting place on the frame
Its been a good day here in the garage. Got my disc brake setup finished up and put together after a combined 8 trips to various stores looking for a bolt that my buddy who races sprint cars ended up having. But front end is together and the frame can roll so that means this thursday evening the body will be going back to its home. More updates to come!!
Nice! What type of body mounts are you using? I assume given all the stiffening that you're doing that you're going to bolt it where the factory jist had cushions. There are pins for aligning the body/frame (side to side & front to back - I guess people do it without but... Not hard to make or you're welcome to borrow mine if you want - probably $15-20 in round trip shipping. Mine are steel but I suppose even wooden ones would suffice. I can also get you the dimensions.
Im going to use the Normal cushions, im not using solid body mounts or anything like that. If you could get me those dimensions dano that would be awesome!
Got the body back onto the frame. I have just opened the flood gates, now there are a ton of things that we can get done to move this project along. Glad to have this part done. Now onto one small project at a time
I believe the quarter panels were from AMD (auto metal direct). IIRC the shop that i had replacing the body panels amd floor told me that they had to shorten the one quarter panel about 1/4 inch. The other one they had to massage but im unsure of how much. What i do know is that they werent an exact fit, but still a million times better than the quarters they were replacing
Man I need a shop now... and some cash... and a car... Keep the updates coming please, I enjoy the progress
