72 TA : New Project

[njsteve]

I ended up just ordering a remanufactored AC/Delco unit ps pump. They are relatively cheap and we'll see what it looks like when it arrives. Today's project was removing the original shifter handle from the factory Hurst Competition Plus shifter so I could send the shifter out for a rebuild. More bonehead engineering: It seems a previous owner devised his own version of a shim to take up some of the slack from the worn out insulator that retains the stick. He jammed a 1984 penny alongside the shifter. It took about an hour of tapping, picking and chiseling to get the one cent piece out of there, just so I'd have enough room to slide the two feelergauges in to release the retainer tabs. I am beginning to believe that the Lord of Pontiacs up there seems to be getting a kick of throwing these little hurdles my way. Gotta love these weekly backyard challenges.

[Salvatore]

My dad used to tell me all the time...If it's easy it ain't worth it! That used to make me mad especially when it was a pain in the neck job I was trying to do. But I wish he was still around to tell me that some more. Looks great Steve! Its all worth it.

[SamLBInj]

[ QUOTE ]
It seems a previous owner devised his own version of a shim to take up some of the slack from the worn out insulator that retains the stick. He jammed a 1984 penny alongside the shifter. It took about an hour of tapping, picking and chiseling to get the one cent piece out of there,.

[/ QUOTE ] I know where your coming from, Years ago the throw out bearing was jammed in tight on my 69 Z, it took a few hours for me and my Dad to cut it out of there, what a project that was

[njsteve]

So after the penny removal funfest it finally occurred to me that my labor costs are 1 cent/per hour. I knew I was getting away too cheaply on this car.

[mockingbird812]

[ QUOTE ]
So after the penny removal funfest it finally occurred to me that my labor costs are 1 cent/per hour. I knew I was getting away too cheaply on this car.

[/ QUOTE ]

Question is, did you salvage the penny and set it aside for the photo/documentation album? It's all apart of your journey.

Your ride looks stunning. Keep the pix a comin'!

[njsteve]

I finished the prep on the firewall last week and painted it over the weekend. I used the mask and spray bomb technique with Rustoleum Satin Black, which as you can see is pretty darn close to the original black on the outer cowl areas. I masked off the original paint on the outer cowl areas and just painted the center panel, keeping it within the original lower overspray line.

[njsteve]

Today I stripped the upper cowl area. It had several layers of fisheyed glossy black paint on it, so it had to go. I masked off the original caulking and used chemical stripper very sparingly. I then washed it all down with water followed by mineral spirits. The metal is surpisingly nice underneath. Once I get the cowl done I will finally be getting close to reattaching the subframe and drivetrain to the body.

[njsteve]

Here's the cowl tag area. Original rivets are intact. There was a small plug of caulking in both rivet holes. I removed it so it wouldn't retain any of the chemical stripper. I used an old toothbrush once the stripper did its work: no wire bristle brushes here, didn't want to damage the soft metal tag.