Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Calendar
Go Back   NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds > Camaros, Firebirds and the People that own them > Member's Projects

Notices


Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 02-20-2010, 09:56 AM   #1
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
1978 Trans Am Freshen Up

Well last summer I was lucky enough to pick up a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. I drove it throughout the summer and the fall as the car drives, but it needs a lot of work. The body is good as far as rust issues (the only rust is on the drivers fender) but the car has some dents, a lot of scratches, and the body panels need to be lined up again.

As for the engine, I got it with 53,xxx original miles on it and it now has just over 54,000. The engine is pretty much stock with a performer intake and an edelbrock carb. The engine left a lot to be desired for so starting over the winter break (I am a senior in college) I started to tear the car down.

The first part of this restoration is going to be the engine and drivetrain so that is pretty much all that is being worked on now. I am working on the interior a little bit and the last step will be the paint and body which I am hoping will be sometime this summer.

This whole thing started as what I wanted to be a simple header install... No luck. I broke bolts in both heads, so they came off and got freshened up. Here are some pictures of my escapades so far. These are all in the period of a week)

engine before



the beginning of the tear down



why I needed to have the heads cleaned, milled, painted, valve job, new guides installed



The new and improved heads back from the shop



intake manifold before


intake manifold after being glass beaded, painted, new chrome water neck



What this whole thing started for


putting it back together





and last, my workspace


I also freshedned up the air cleaner housing and a bunch of brackets with high temp black paint to continue the clean up. I will take more pictures in the coming weeks as the engine gets completed.


The car is not up and running yet as I am back in school but I have spring break coming up in 2 weeks. I plan on having the exhaust completely done and the engine back together during that break so it will be up and running.
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior

Last edited by andy78TA; 02-20-2010 at 10:00 AM.
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2010, 10:12 AM   #2
BonzoHansen
Admin.
 
BonzoHansen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
iTrader: (27)
Nice! Get some more engine paint and dab over the head bolts.
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!

The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.

Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.

Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
BonzoHansen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2010, 10:16 AM   #3
LTb1ow
Mongo the Meet Coordinator
 
LTb1ow's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,892
iTrader: (8)
Why are there only three primaries for a V8 header?
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil View Post
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
LTb1ow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2010, 10:23 AM   #4
Knipps
 
Knipps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston/North
Posts: 9,214
iTrader: (8)
Because there are only 3 on the heads.
__________________

Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen View Post
dumbass.
Knipps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2010, 10:32 AM   #5
LTb1ow
Mongo the Meet Coordinator
 
LTb1ow's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,892
iTrader: (8)
Ah yes... my bad..


Looks nice though!
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil View Post
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
LTb1ow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2010, 01:49 PM   #6
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
Yeah its the type of headers they are. Only 3 tubes ha
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2010, 04:04 PM   #7
T69SS
 
T69SS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Shamong, NJ
Posts: 1,358
iTrader: (0)
What a difference, looking good man.
__________________


1969 Camaro SS - 350 w/ some work done.
2010 F-150
T69SS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2010, 10:31 PM   #8
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
Thanks, and last week I just picked up a 1967 pontiac 400 engine complete from pan to carb for $100. The engine turns but I plan on using this just to learn on, and than maybe later rebuild it into something special ha
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2010, 08:47 AM   #9
WildBillyT
Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
 
WildBillyT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
iTrader: (10)
FYI- Jim Taylor Engine Service in Phillipsburg is who you may want to talk to regarding building up a Pontiac Engine.
WildBillyT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2010, 10:28 PM   #10
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
Thanks for the tip Bill


Today I ordered a pypes header back exhaust system, new plugs, wires, and some other odds and ends to try to finish up this project. Hopefully I will be up and running in a couple weeks. I'll post some more pictures when I get the goods in ha
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2010, 11:36 PM   #11
89 Iroc-Z28
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Hopatcong NJ
Posts: 75
iTrader: (0)
nice resto i had to take the whole top of my engine apart after a bolt snapped so said hey why not
__________________
89 iroc-z camaro tpi 305 stock 700r4 trans t-tops beechwood interior
89 Iroc-Z28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2010, 05:45 PM   #12
FASTKNIGHT
 
FASTKNIGHT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Jersey City, N.J
Posts: 66
iTrader: (0)
good luck with the resto.... thats 1 of my favorite cars.
__________________

1989 Pontiac Formula 350 5.7
Kooks headers.. 3 Inch Flowmaster Exhaust

President & Founder of www.NJPONTIACGROUP.com
FASTKNIGHT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2010, 01:07 PM   #13
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
new exhaust system, plugs, wires, and alternator just came in I am all ready to put everything back together next week
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2010, 01:41 PM   #14
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
pictures!!

The first thing I saw when I got home


opened it up right away





AND A FREE HAT!



Here is what the old exhaust looked like that I pulled off a month back



I don't know if you can see it but the pipe is actually flattened in some parts



old vs new





and the trans kickdown stud I needed and new wires



Thats it for now. Hopefully I will have more pictures next week of the install if all goes well
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2010, 01:48 PM   #15
BonzoHansen
Admin.
 
BonzoHansen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
iTrader: (27)
I wonder if there is a hat in the big box in my garage. Hmmmmm.
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!

The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.

Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.

Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
BonzoHansen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2010, 02:15 PM   #16
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
haha, I was really excited to see the hat. I don't think I am going to be putting any stickers on my car to advertise but its possible I will wear the hat some days
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2010, 02:39 PM   #17
Blacdout96
 
Blacdout96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
iTrader: (2)
This thread is worthless without Sound/Video!!!
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine




Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28 View Post
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
Blacdout96 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2010, 02:53 PM   #18
siguy
 
siguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Staten Island, NY
Posts: 206
iTrader: (2)
Quote:
Originally Posted by andy78TA View Post
Yeah its the type of headers they are. Only 3 tubes ha

the middle tube shares the exhaust port on those engines
__________________
383 Motor with 9:1, P1SC Procharger and much more
siguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2010, 03:38 PM   #19
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacdout96 View Post
This thread is worthless without Sound/Video!!!
I know I know I am sorry, but the car is not running yet and the exhaust is not on. I am hoping that I will have the car running late this week or early next week (spring break) and than provided I can borrow another set of jack stands from someone I will have the exhaust on shortly after. Give me 10 more days!


And yeah the center port is shared. Some of the headers you can get for the car are 4 tube that split off imediately but apparently the 3 tubes are better against gasket blow out. We'll see.
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2010, 10:08 PM   #20
T69SS
 
T69SS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Shamong, NJ
Posts: 1,358
iTrader: (0)
Gotta love new parts! Post more pictures once they are installed
__________________


1969 Camaro SS - 350 w/ some work done.
2010 F-150
T69SS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2010, 12:50 PM   #21
LTb1ow
Mongo the Meet Coordinator
 
LTb1ow's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,892
iTrader: (8)
No cats?




Looks good man!
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil View Post
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
LTb1ow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2010, 01:49 PM   #22
WildBillyT
Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
 
WildBillyT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
iTrader: (10)
Quote:
Originally Posted by LTs1ow View Post
No cats?




Looks good man!
Regardless of the smiley, since it's a car with regular insepection he will need them, at least in 8/2011.
WildBillyT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2010, 02:56 PM   #23
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
Nope, no cats, I bought the car from a mechanic and he threw in an "inspection" in the price. I plan on having it classic for 2011. Thanks for the comments
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2010, 12:50 PM   #24
andy78TA
 
andy78TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
iTrader: (0)
well after all this work my worst fear has come true, my brand new passenger head gasket is leaking and I can't get it to stop no matter what I do. I will have to find a shop tomorrow and bring it in
__________________
78 Trans Am--Pontiac 400-custom headers-pypes 2.5 X system-edelbrock intake and carb, pro comp roller rockers custom brackets-head work-custom sound system - recaro interior
andy78TA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2010, 11:32 PM   #25
79T/A
 
79T/A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Wantage, NJ
Posts: 693
iTrader: (0)
Spooky. Were those heads decked at the machine shop? Could be that the block surface needs to be decked too. Real good excuse to pull that motor and make the bottom end as tight as you made the top. Great looking project!
79T/A is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

  NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds > Camaros, Firebirds and the People that own them > Member's Projects

Tags
project

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Sponsor List














All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:11 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.