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'78 Buick Regal Sport Coupe

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  • #31
    Originally posted by STINEY View Post

    That's the idea. Get something that is very cool in comparison to the rest of the school parking lot, functional, needs some basic work that he can learn by doing himself without being so involved he loses interest.

    We found a place selling G-Body parts that had the clip to hold the shifter on. Expensive little bugger at $15 + shipping.

    Got the shifter cleaned up and back on. This actually HAS the thumb trigger? I know the squeeze latch you are referring to, and yeah, the thumb trigger is lots more cool.

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    The later model Bonneville has a thicker grip....check a u pull for that... while you are there, grab a 88 or 89 Cavalier steering wheel....can probably find a Buick emblem for the horn button....As time goes on, a z code steering box is a great upgrade...found on GN's and MC SS's
    Last edited by silver_bullet; September 6, 2018, 10:18 AM.
    Patrick & Tammy
    - Long Haulin' 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014...Addicting isn't it...??

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    • #32
      Next up was tackling the radiator. Old one had green all over it and was weeping in several spots. Wouldn't build pressure either.

      Brass/copper replacement is $300-$400 range. There is an aluminum core/plastic tank listed as direct replacement for $120, and reports are that it drops temps 10-20 degrees as well. Probably has more to do with replacing a compromised radiator, but whatever, ours is compromised too so results should be similar.

      Direct replacement it was, although the drain is NOT in the same location. Instead of bottom right the drain is now on the left, and faces rearwards an inch or so up from the bottom. Not easy access with the steering box in that area. But for a savings of at least a couple of hundred dollars this will do. Kids do not have money falling from their pockets after all.

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      Last edited by STINEY; October 5, 2018, 12:34 PM.
      Of all the paths you take in life - make sure a few of them are dirt.

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      • #33
        14x6 wheels, right? 245/60 R 14's look really good and fill out the wheelwells nicely
        Patrick & Tammy
        - Long Haulin' 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014...Addicting isn't it...??

        Comment


        • #34
          pretty sweet - I have always thought those would be an awesome autocross car. The suspension bits to make it turn well are in place (no rear leaf springs), it's light, and wheel/tire combos are available at reasonable cost.... add the benefit of a V6 lightness instead of an 8 and Miatas will still have nothing to fear but your kid will have a blast.
          Doing it all wrong since 1966

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          • #35
            In the interest of todays common tire size availability.............there may or may not be a full set of 16x8 mesh GN style wheels somewhere in the barn, just waiting patiently.


            There is also a G-body Pontiac Grand Prix SE with a sbc swapped in where the diesel was born lurking around the property. Car is complete but a little rough, absolutely loaded with G-body goodies, all the extra body and suspension braces, factory 3.73 limited slip 7.5 rear (yeah, yeah, 7.5 but its there and cheap) First major part it will donate is the hood hinges, the ones with the built in mechanical springs. Doing away with the hydraulic strut setup and homegrown hood prop.

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            Last edited by STINEY; September 6, 2018, 11:23 AM.
            Of all the paths you take in life - make sure a few of them are dirt.

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            • #36
              I had saved some mesh wheels and transported them all over the place - when I finally got to the point to use them.... two were bent....
              Doing it all wrong since 1966

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              • #37
                Originally posted by SuperBuickGuy View Post

                you, sir, can go away now. Buick in a Buick, none of this LS stuff, that's for Mustangs.
                Shame many are so ignorant of the mighty V-6 turbos by GM, the Buick which is the pioneer and the Syclone/Typhoon. ..

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                • #38
                  Anywhere from 175-275 hp with turbo'd 231's.

                  Read of the 252 V-6 Grand Nationals tweaked to around 600 streetable hp.. Way before na engines could ever be streetable with 500 hp..

                  I'm sure the stock block can handle 350-400 hp easily if he does not over-rev it

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                  • #39
                    Originally posted by STINEY View Post
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                    Is this picture from GM Heritage museum?

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                    • #40
                      This chassis car group is great . We've had a 78 Malibu an a lemans wagon and a 86 elcomino. Great riding and handling cars .
                      Previously HoosierL98GTA

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                      • #41
                        Originally posted by ratpatrol66 View Post

                        Is this picture from GM Heritage museum?
                        Could be? I just snagged it online to show the rim style.

                        Of all the paths you take in life - make sure a few of them are dirt.

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                        • #42
                          Originally posted by silver_bullet View Post
                          14x6 wheels, right? 245/60 R 14's look really good and fill out the wheelwells nicely
                          Thanks! He might end up with a set of mesh summer wheels and steely winter wheels with hubcaps. The steelies on it now have some concerning cracks in the tires, we will try that size out.


                          Of all the paths you take in life - make sure a few of them are dirt.

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                          • #43
                            The Grand Prix donated its hood hinges and a wiper arm Saturday.
                            A washer and thread clip fell into the driver side fender well under the washer motor......still in there, can't reach with our magnets. Rats.

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                            Turns out there is just enough of a difference to make a direct swap not preferable. The hinge pivot is inboard about 2.5" barely hitting the wiper blade, and while the hood mounting holes are in the same place, the rear hood adjustment bolt cutout is in the wrong place. We really don't like the hydraulic supports and are missing some of the mounting parts anyways. Just the struts are $40 and we have the technology to make what we have work, so why not save some bucks and gain mechanical springs at the same time?

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                            Ended up deciding to cut the pivot part of the Grand Prix hinges off and to weld it to the Regal hinge.

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                            Set Will up with the sandblast cabinet and let him go. I do think he enjoyed himself cleaning up that rusty metal. Gave him the option of just throwing them on - or - cleaning them up and painting them. He was leaning towards just installing them until I mentioned that now was a great time as the likelyhood of ever removing them in the future to clean them up was pretty darn slim.

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                            I suggested red to match the factory air cleaner, but his better judgement went with silver.

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                            Thought briefly of grinding the welds..... nah.....that's a little over the top.....

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                            To be continued.

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                            Last edited by STINEY; October 1, 2018, 09:05 AM.
                            Of all the paths you take in life - make sure a few of them are dirt.

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                            • #44
                              Necessity.....she's a mutha!
                              Patrick & Tammy
                              - Long Haulin' 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014...Addicting isn't it...??

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                On grinding welds, structural towers (microwave, phone and electrial) forbid touching welds with a grinder.. Weakens the hold..

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