65 GTO

[Thumpin455]

Ordered more parts today and it feels like its getting more expensive as it gets closer to being done.

[yellomalibu]

Ordered more parts today and it feels like its getting more expensive as it gets closer to being done.

I understand that one. The nickel and dime stuff starts really adding up! This is why my C10 isn't "finished". After paying for a cheap paint job and a new windshield, then buying window channel, window fuzzies, door weatherstripping, diamond plate bed rails, tailgate cap, side mirrors... I had to stop! The body moulding and fender insignia that everyone tells me I still need - well, that would have been a few hundred more dollars!

[mike343sharpstick]

Ordered more parts today and it feels like its getting more expensive as it gets closer to being done.

I hate that, I've been dealing with that on finishing up just my motor! When I was finishing up my car I remember clearly spending hundreds on a few bags of screws, clips, and some rubber doo-dads.

[milner351]

Todd - you're humble - and that's a rare trait among guys with your level of talent.

You should be very proud of your accomplishments on this car - and on the others.

Well done indeed - and - you can call it "finished" as soon as it runs and drives - but we all know none of these cars we play with will ever be "done". The small stuff can really add up - and that's where a "concourse" restoration spirals out of control IMHO - if you need a bolt/screw/nut/clip - find one that fits and drive it!

[tardis454]

Im not amazing, amazing would be having it come out looking like Chip or Troy built it, and doing it in two months...

You don't have Chip/Troy's budget, you're on Todd's budget.
Don't sell yourself short dude, you did an awesome job!

[Thumpin455]

Radiators are expensive, I decided to go with a new one rather than the old one which looks sketchy. Also it has a 3/8 line coming out of the cooler and the trans fittings are 5/16, so it made more sense to order a radiator than it did to hope the old one works well enough. At least the alignment kit I am getting will work on other cars too, that is how I justified it. Now I can do my alignments here instead of paying someone to do it. Those two killed almost the entire budget for this month, and its only the 2nd.

The really annoying part is it wont be here until Monday, so I cant make the lines and get the engine running until then.

I am ready to do a different project, and it will be one that does not have to be nice, comfortable, or pretty.

[Thumpin455]

Radiator showed up yesterday, so its in there now, got a few other things done too. Need to do some stuff instead of working on the car, but here is what the engine looks like at this point.





And the obligatory what it looked like when I got it..

[DanStokes]

Thanks for the before pic! A good reminder of what a long, strange trip it's been (and I'm not a huge Dead fan).

Dan

[Thumpin455]

Finally got the pass side door panel on, cant find the clips for the handles. GGRRRR... So the interior is almost done, and its about time. Was going to do the work under it, shifter, cooler lines, converter bolts, dipstick tube, starter, but ended up fixing my trailer instead. Trailer looks good, but it now sits three inches higher than it did before. So the fenders need redone.

So with everything going good tomorrow, we might have some running video. I have a friend coming by so we can do the brakes, she helped me with the brakes on her car on Friday, so she is going to help with the GTO tomorrow. She is good at pushing the pedal to bleed them. I dont want to get the transmission working until the brakes are functioning, and I am still concerned about leaks. So tomorrow is the day to find out about the brake lines. Tighten everything again, then add fluid and see where it goes. Do I bend and flare well? We will soon find out. That reminds me, I need to swap the brackets for the front hoses from the LeMans to the GTO, since the repops fit like crap.

I have one Qjet on it now, came off Dave's boat. I know it works, but it needs rebuilt. I have a fresh one on the shelf right now, but I also might use the one from the Trans Am, because that one rocks. Still need to go get some fuel for the thing, and hopefully I have all the plumbing done so it wont leak. So a trip to town to get door handle clips and 87 octane camel whiz will be first thing in the morning.

IT WILL RUN SOON DAMN IT!

[Thumpin455]

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAA!!! /evil laughter....

It runs! IT RUNS! IT RUNS!

Here is a pic after the first fire and the smoke was still rising off it.

[Deaf Bob]

Why was there ever any doubt it would run??
Congrats on getting it fired!
Now license and insure it drive the wheels off it..

[JOES66FURY]

sounds great!

[RayCR]

Hey Bro. sounds great! But, shouldn't you take it easy on the new engine?

[cantvalve16]

Yahhhhhhh! Way to go!

Now, uh, burnout video!

[Scott Liggett]

Happy uncorked engine noises. Go have fun with it this summer. Drive it until your problems are forgotten.