The ever expanding project 2nd try

6863 Views 39 Replies 8 Participants Last post by USMC, Jul 29, 2013

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · Apr 8, 2013

4

Decided to start a new thread with my ever expanding project. It started with a freeze plug leak, so I decided to change them all, which involves pulling engine and trans.

With engine compartment empty, next I decided to prep the compartment for paint. I have about 2 quarts of base coat left over from when I re painted a couple of years ago.

Next came changing all the crispy rubber parts like vacuum line, radiator & heater hoses, and other assorted parts. Won't actually do it until engine goes back in, but have all the material I need.

As long as I was changing rubber parts, I decided to change the motor mounts also. Because on the 3rd gen, GM put the nuts to the mounts in a place where you can't get to them without taking the control arm free from the k member, that job was a bear.

Finally, at least for now, today I decided a new battery box would be good as it's the only rust on the whole car.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 40 Posts

ShowNoMercy

· #2 · Apr 8, 2013

Well aware of those damn motor mount bolts... much cursing was had doing them on a friends car.

Whats with the Xmas lights?

(PS moved your thread, hope this is where you wanted it)

donzilla69

· #3 · Apr 8, 2013

Lol I was just going to ask same thing ! Lol. I hear ya on the .... Well I change this ... I and while I'm at it this could get painted ... Holly cow how that get like that ok l change it to .. Goes lol.
Don

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 9, 2013

I got tired of having to untangle strings of lights every year so a couple of years ago I decided to just leave um up. Change em as they go bad.:roflmao:

Yes spot you moved it to is just fine.

lababy78ta

· #5 · Apr 9, 2013

I vote to putting the all mighty iron duke in ur Camaro coco lol

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 9, 2013 (Edited)

I thank you for the suggestion, but I was thinking more on the lines of installing a rocket engine. 1/4 mile in 2 seconds flat:devil:

But seriously, 3rd gens did get the iron duke from 82 to I think 85. Bad mistake. My little 3.1 weighs less than the duke and has the same 140 horsepower as my buddies 305 82 trans am. That's it under the cover in my carport. I get an honest 20 mpg around town and 27 on the highway.

lababy78ta

· #7 · Apr 9, 2013

Rocket better lol and the reason in the iron duke was hmm selling technique? As im oh look its a 4 cyl Camaro i get to have one and have fuel efficiency! That's my honest opinion other than that maybe ppl in charge were brain dead

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 9, 2013

You have to think about the time when the 82 3rd gen was designed. Performance was out, pollution control was new and cars had many performance problems and got pretty bad gas mileage. So GM thought they would put the old iron duke in the 3rd gen as the base economy choice. A whole whopping 90 horsepower to send the 3rd gen down the road.

Gas had also hit a dollar a gallon for the first time when the 3rd gen was being designed. Oh for the days of dollar gas again.

lababy78ta

· #9 · Apr 9, 2013

Dollar a gallon would be a blessing right now lol takes about $40 to fill up my lil trooper grand am he takes the city commute

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 13, 2013

Today I did the lay out and cut out of some scrap sheet metal to make a new battery box for my car.
Tomorrow, I am going to bend it to the proper shape and paint it with barbecue black to help resist the heat from spot welding it into place.

Will also cut out the old box and clean up any rust I find in the sheet metal below it.

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 15, 2013 (Edited)

Well the project just expanded again. When I cut out the old battery box today, I noticed the rust had spread into the headlight panel also. Not real bad, but if I let it go it would eventually get real bad. A stitch in time saves 9. Straight from Ben Franklin's poor richard's almanac.

Will take pic tomorrow of car without bumper cover, headlights, and bumper bar.

lababy78ta

· #12 · Apr 15, 2013

What u driving now since the camaro its your DD coco?

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 15, 2013

Been using various friends rides to get around. Now have a friends s10 to use for at least the next month, as she's out of town visiting friends.

lababy78ta

· #14 · Apr 16, 2013

Oh i see well hope you get done with your Camaro soon it might be just me but i hate asking for rides lol

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 16, 2013

2

Here's the latest pics. first of front bumper parts and headlight assemblies gone. The red circle is where the rust is that spread from the battery box.

Next pic is of the actual battery box I made for it.

See less See more

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 23, 2013

3

Just got finished painting the engine compartment. Here are the latest pics.

See less See more

donzilla69

· #17 · Apr 23, 2013

Nice !!!! Looks like old school pontiac blue engine CPR .

damn am I that old to remember that !!! Lol

Keep up the great work and post up pics as ya go !
Don

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 23, 2013 (Edited)

This version is called Maui blue. GM offered it, I believe from 89-91. Yes, and I remember the blue engines also. and when chevy engines were orange.

donzilla69

· #19 · Apr 24, 2013

Lol yep . That's a great shade of blue for it . Drfinatly going to make it stand out . I remember when getting a dual point distributor was a major upgrade ! :O

cocobolo95

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 27, 2013 (Edited)

2

Another detour, after painting the engine compartment, looked at the cowl area, area circled in red, and decided it looked like crap. So painted it, then decided to paint engine with some turquoise I had.

Like Picasso, the painter, I have entered by blue period. So don't come round as I'll paint ya blue.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 40 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.