by 74_Vega_GT » Sun Mar 08, 2020 10:22 am
Exhaust (temporary) is completed and ready for a couple of temp. mufflers for start up soon. Speedo cable and reverse wire needs to be heat insulated before we are done underneath.
~ We had a heck of a time with the stock cast manifold flange (raised boss)and the metric flanged nuts ('98) because of lack of clearance of the drivers side even after we had "massaged" it (before engine bay paint). A bit of custom grinding took care of the flange and boss. Of the three manifold studs, each with a "nipple", we removed the nipple part of the lowest stud closest to the "frame", to allow clearance to install the 3-hole donut flange and ground away the collar on the nut. It's a close fit. The starter side is good to go.
~ Finalizing ground and aux.power leads for dash components, tidying up underdash. Should connect the cluster harness and commence circuit testing this week and if all goes well, engine startup should happen soon.
~ Glad we haven't painted it yet, Bodywork needs to be gone over again for dings that we put in since we fixed it...Then we have to mount doors an hatch and send her out for paint...planning on painting the GT stripe in Crystal Pearl Black with the stencils, on top of the color, then clear coating both colors....
Then the fun begins with the carpet, seat installation, center console wiring, dash pad reinstalled, headliner, seat belts, window regulators, door trim, swing out glass, all other glass, clips and trimwork, bumper installation....on and on...then the suspension final setup.
~ I truly had no idea when I began this project that EVERY part and piece of the car had to be visited and dealt with at some time or another. This restoration is more akin to a complete rebuild. We took no shortcuts and a lot of advise from the forum.
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1974 Chevy Vega GT Hatchback
1982 Chevy S-10 longbed 2.8v6 A/C
2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 Coupe,Black
2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 Coupe,Silver Sapphire Blue
2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster N.A., Silver Sapphire Blue
2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster N.A., Aero-Blue
2008 Dodge Ram Longbed, Brilliant Crystal Pearl Black