Redline's 79 Trans Am project

[Redline04]

So here's the new project acquired on 28 January. '79 Trans Am that has been in a barn for somewhere around 6-10 years. Previous owner thought he stored it 'around 6 years ago' He initially titles it in 2005, registration expired in 2007 and has never been renewed since. So, something like 6-10 years in a barn.

Initial pictures sent by owner before I went to see it in person.




More details later when I have more time to type....

[SuperBuickGuy]

nicely bought

[Redline04]

More of the story... The TA was not offered for sale publicly. My Son-in-Law started a business last year, Midwest Classics LLC out of the Appleton, WI area. Initially he was hunting for Mustang and Camaro stuff like parts collections, parts cars, or mostly whole cars that had good/valuable parts. As that evolved he began doing a lot more searching and advertising for parts for second and first Gen Firebirds, TA's, and Camaros.
The owner of my TA contacted him and asked if he would be interested in a whole car. They set up a time to visit the car to be sure it was as the owner was describing. At the same time he told me about the car, and what they new about it. I told him I was interested and let me know if it really was as clean as stated.
Chris sent a friend with a trailer to check the car out and make the deal. The price was right & the TA turned out to be really clean and straight - a near perfect starting point for a new project.

So here's the car on the trailer home...

more updates later on what we've found so far, and what the eventual (and always evolving I'm sure) plan will be

[moparjim71]

Congratulations John, great project!

[oletrux4evr]

Terrific! I'll be watching this one too.

[74NovaMan]

Looks like great starting material, especially considering where we live. Here is the link. Hopefully you can copy and paste it into your signature.

Redline's 79 Trans Am project

Let me know if you need help.

Looking forward to the progress.

[convss]

Looks like you're on to a nice project, John, nicely done!! We're not too far apart, might have to come see this one in process!

[Redline04]

Looks like great starting material, especially considering where we live. Here is the link. Hopefully you can copy and paste it into your signature.

Redline's 79 Trans Am project

Let me know if you need help.

Looking forward to the progress.

Thanks Chris! On my first try to copy and paste the link converted back to an http type link, so I referred back to your earlier message about pasting to a word doc and then converted the hyper-link name there. Thanks for the help!

[Redline04]

Updating... Took the TA to a friends shop where there is heat, lifts, more tools than I'll ever have. I'll end up mentioning Lenny's shop more as time progresses as he is an excellent mechanic and does terrific body prep work ~ a skill I definitely don't have. I can sand body panels, but that's the limit of my metal skills.
Lenny shop is Vintage Mustangs and Muscle Cars of Green Bay... long way from home, but well worth the trip.

Changed all engine fluids, took gas tank off car, drained and checked - no rust or junk in tank. Blew out the fuel lines and added 2 new inline filters. Way too much rubber line so most of those will be replaced later on. Primed the Holley carb that came on the car, and
It Runs!! some minor stumbling, so rechecked all the fuel lines. Swapped out the Holley for another Holley in Lenny's shop that has already been rebuilt. Runs better now

Removed intake (Edelbrock Olds 350 intake) checked the valley area and put in new intake gasket. Cleaned the intake and valve covers before reinstalling.

This motor has had a little work done. Appears to be the original 403, can't find VIN stamping. looks like it should be behind the water pump on the front of the block, but can't get an angle where we can find it. I have no specs on what was done, much of it was done before my seller bought the car in '05. here's a few photos.




What we do know just from visual inspection... Engine has been rebuilt and has roller tip rockers, Edelbrock intake, headers, Griffin radiator, relocated/remote oil filter, dual exhaust but no H pipe or crossover, Chevy 12 bolt axle, paint is crap but body is clean with a few minor dings to knock out...

[Redline04]

Cleaned off all the barn crap... Looks awesome from 50 ft .

[Redline04]

A few underside photos Lenny sent. Frame and all bracket connection points are clean and rust free. Can see some of the excess rubber fuel lines can be seen in these. Don't like the way they were routed, so I'll fix all of that when it's warm enough to work in my unheated garage. Note to self.. get garage heater before next winter!

[silver_bullet]

Updating... Took the TA to a friends shop where there is heat, lifts, more tools than I'll ever have. I'll end up mentioning Lenny's shop more as time progresses as he is an excellent mechanic and does terrific body prep work ~ a skill I definitely don't have. I can sand body panels, but that's the limit of my metal skills.
Lenny shop is Vintage Mustangs and Muscle Cars of Green Bay... long way from home, but well worth the trip.

Changed all engine fluids, took gas tank off car, drained and checked - no rust or junk in tank. Blew out the fuel lines and added 2 new inline filters. Way too much rubber line so most of those will be replaced later on. Primed the Holley carb that came on the car, and
It Runs!! some minor stumbling, so rechecked all the fuel lines. Swapped out the Holley for another Holley in Lenny's shop that has already been rebuilt. Runs better now

Removed intake (Edelbrock Olds 350 intake) checked the valley area and put in new intake gasket. Cleaned the intake and valve covers before reinstalling.

This motor has had a little work done. Appears to be the original 403, can't find VIN stamping. looks like it should be behind the water pump on the front of the block, but can't get an angle where we can find it. I have no specs on what was done, much of it was done before my seller bought the car in '05. here's a few photos.




What we do know just from visual inspection... Engine has been rebuilt and has roller tip rockers, Edelbrock intake, headers, Griffin radiator, relocated/remote oil filter, dual exhaust but no H pipe or crossover, Chevy 12 bolt axle, paint is crap but body is clean with a few minor dings to knock out...

here's a link I found to olds block casting numbers....: http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofblk.htm
hopefully it helps...

[Redline04]

here's a link I found to olds block casting numbers....: http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofblk.htm
hopefully it helps...

Thanks! Found this number (in photo) on top front edge of block near intake. First 3 numbers match last 3 of VIN, but I think that's just coincidence.

Edit: Looking at the link Silver_Bullet provided I found this bit of info: "4B '77-'79 403 557265 Windowed main webs always"

which confirms the 403 block. The link also says the VIN should be stamped above the right center freeze plug. SO I'll have to get a look at that sometime.

[Redline04]

Here's a few engine bay photos... pretty clean overall, factory non-AC car...

[Redline04]

A little thin on top
Small dents-outward from inside trunk.
Same small dent on both sides of car, something heavy slid around in there.


Both front fenders are good, doors align great and zero sag in hinges.