Project Orngasm

[ROBS6T8]

SO I got back from Hot August Nights and as always a lot of beautiful cars. Got some more motivation to jump in with both feet. What was I thinking? I think i've bit off more than I can chew and I wasn't even hungry!
My plan was to replace the quarter panel and the outer wheel house. I'm cheap and the family is coming first. So I decided to buy the skin, and go that route. I know more work and blah, blah, blah. I also wanted to do a mini-mini tub while I was in there!

What rust?


What bondo?


I didn't know there were exhaust manifolds in the quarter?


Questions to follow....

[ROBS6T8]

Quarter is removed...


The good news is the trunk pan appears to be rust free!


So now I got to thinking how I was going to get in there and remove the inner without screwing it all up to make my mini-mini tub? I have an idea where some of the spot welds are for the deck lid support but I have to deal with the rollbar.


I've seen in other threads they just cut the inner and outer at the seam. Are there numerous spot welds holding these together? I found two where I started removing the undercoating.


I'm thinking it might be easier to buy new inners and not worry too much about destroying these. I'm only looking at gaining an inch on the inside to fit these 10" wheels. They fit now but I'm sure once the rear starts articulating (sticking w/ leafs) there is gonna be some rubbing. Can I just notch out the inner where the tire would rub and fab a close out piece and weld in?
I'm open to all comments and suggestions!!

[ROBS6T8]

I've decided to do away with my mini tub project. I don't have the time or the money and all I do is look at this thing sitting in the garage. I know it would be more difficult to do it later but if I want to I can later! Anywho, I can't stay on one thing too long. As I can't finish it before moving on to something else. I'm sure it will bite me later but oh well.
I wanted to get the dash done so I could get the steering back in. Jump right to that...

[ROBS6T8]

Then it came time for some color. I like seeing some color on her. It lil' more motivation to get out there and finish up the quarters!





My last coat of clear and WTF was I thinking! I got too close with the gun and the all mighty run appeared. Oh well it's only the glove box door. Should be easy enough to repair. It's the perfect time for "run" practice.



Let me tell you, trying to paint the interior of the dash is a PITA with a full size gun.

[ROBS6T8]

I also got the Hotchkis leaf springs in. Pretty straight forward, but nothing goes as planned for me. I had my issues but got it all straigtened out. Working on routing the brake lines now. Will post some pics once I get them installed. I do know that these newer brake lines are a lot stronger(harder) than the old. Either that or unless you spend $$$ on a flaring tool they all suck!

[ROBS6T8]

By the way, these blocks work great!

[rfalker1]

That is very orangy lol.... but it looks goods. And don't worry about minitubing it now, cause mine isn't either loooool. (I dont want to be jealous)

[Ron.in.SoCal]

That color pops Robert!

[ROBS6T8]

Thanks for stoppiing by guys. It's been a while since I posted on here.

That is very orangy lol.... but it looks goods. And don't worry about minitubing it now, cause mine isn't either loooool. (I dont want to be jealous)

Thus the appropriate name! Yeah, I need to get this thing done. I'm missing all these fun events.

That color pops Robert!

Thanks Ron. I'm liking the fact that I went with the white sealer... just a lil extra pop! And the wife is liking the color even more now. She's seeing the yellow pearl in it and loving it!

Brakes are almost done. Waiting to find a pic of the emergency brake cable hook up. I'm sure I'll have some more pics up later...

[ROBS6T8]

I had to make a piece for the prop valve to mount to. I've seen these mounted to the fromnt of the MC, just below it, and on the firewall. I decided to mount it just behind the booster.

[ROBS6T8]

I used one of the booster mount studs to mount the prop valve. I made sure I wouldn't have any clearance issues with the fuse block.



I tried to use all the stainless lines I had. This line originally went to the front left. Now it supplies the tee.



This line was originally used with the stock metering block. Now going to the front left. Worked out perfect!

[Hotchkis]

I also got the Hotchkis leaf springs in. Pretty straight forward, but nothing goes as planned for me. I had my issues but got it all straigtened out. Working on routing the brake lines now. Will post some pics once I get them installed. I do know that these newer brake lines are a lot stronger(harder) than the old. Either that or unless you spend $$$ on a flaring tool they all suck!

Robert – Your Camaro project is looking good. Nice Orange!

[ROBS6T8]

Thanks Hotchkis. I'm liking your products. Waiting to see if I bought the leafs for nothing as I'm waiting for more info on your new rear suspension product!

[Greasy63]

nice build!

GL w/the rest

[Hotchkis]

Thanks Hotchkis. I'm liking your products. Waiting to see if I bought the leafs for nothing as I'm waiting for more info on your new rear suspension product!

Hey Rob! Thanks for the inquiry. Since the cat is out of the bag on our new system, we still can’t get into the full plan yet (official launch is SEMA) but here’s how it sits right now. The first 3-link will be for the 2nd Gen F-Body platform, which will be launched at SEMA. That will be followed shortly thereafter with a 1st Gen system, but that is still in the R&D phase and won’t be available until (early) next year.

[irregal83]

nice build man! love the color!!

[ndm68]

That orange is going to look awesome

[mikey]

I'm not a big fan of alot of oranges but I'm really liking yours. I also like your drip mat

[ROBS6T8]

Hey Rob! Thanks for the inquiry. Since the cat is out of the bag on our new system, we still can’t get into the full plan yet (official launch is SEMA) but here’s how it sits right now. The first 3-link will be for the 2nd Gen F-Body platform, which will be launched at SEMA. That will be followed shortly thereafter with a 1st Gen system, but that is still in the R&D phase and won’t be available until (early) next year.

Thank you. I think I can wait until then. I have too much on my plate now and just want to drive this thing!

nice build man! love the color!!

Thank you. I wanted a hugger orange but that's too boring! LOL

That orange is going to look awesome

Thanks. And more importantly the wife likes it too! What's that saying... " A happy wife , makes for a happy life"

I'm not a big fan of alot of oranges but I'm really liking yours. I also like your drip mat

Thanks Mike. I used to work for the Bud distributor so I have my access to free drip mats! LOL
Need one? Superbowl is right around the corner!

[ROBS6T8]

So I'm at a waiting period now. After I got the new clutch and tranny bolted up and the engine dropped in, I found out that the clutch fork hits the fire wall. After doing a search over on TC, the consensus was wrong clutch fork. But it worked before the swap of the clutch and T/O bearing. Then I saw the warning on the Centerforce paperwork:
CAUTION: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A CAST IRON
THROWOUT BEARING ARM, CENTERFORCE THROWOUT BEARING
N1430 WILL NEED TO BE USED.

I installed the other T/O bearing. I took a grinder to the fork and it threw sparks like a "sparkler" on 4th of July. Cast iron correct? Not the long streaming ones when cutting steel body panels. I had a few say it was the wrong bearing. I'm going bearing route first. If it doesn't solve the problem then I'll replace the fork.
I'll let you know what i find out. Any thoughts?