Re: 77 Malibu Classic frame off resto

by ratnfested Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:15 am

Media blaster warped my fenders and trunk. Either he got too close or used sand and lied that he did not. Anyway I was pretty pissed cause the fenders and trunk were perfect. No dings no rust at all. Now they are skim coated and blocked out to be straight. Not happy about this.

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77 Malibu Classic frame off resto - Page 5 1939596_10202573085721490_542326486_n

by ratnfested Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:19 am

Hopefully I can stop working on it soon and enjoy the summer, if it comes. Then resume work in the fall starting with the color on the body then reassembly. I might assemble the frame this summer if its a lousy/wet year. I can get the motor mounted, suspension, air ride, exhaust. Some or all to get a head start anyway.

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77 Malibu Classic frame off resto - Page 5 1922286_10202573079521335_1507368528_n

by dynchel Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:27 am

ratnfested wrote:Media blaster warped my fenders and trunk. Either he got too close or used sand and lied that he did not. Anyway I was pretty pissed cause the fenders and trunk were perfect. No dings no rust at all. Now they are skim coated and blocked out to be straight. Not happy about this.

This happened to me with my right front fender, caused alot of extra work. Mad

by ratnfested Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:30 am

Yeah I can feel your pain. That Gray stuff is Slik Sand. Its literally spray on bondo. Used a lot on the car.

by 77mali Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:27 pm

Looking good.

Those cathedral port heads are nice.

by Darkcalling1 Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:53 am

Damn looking good man your way ahead of me. I been looking at a 496 that just came up for sale with the cathedral ports had never seen them before, out of the loop for a while I guess. Any way are intakes easy to get hold of for them?

by ratnfested Thu Apr 03, 2014 1:32 pm

Yeah but you might have to pay good money for one. I might run the old truck intake until I can afford a FAST intake and 102mm Throttle body. The LS6 intake is discontinued but there is an Aluminum equivalent that summit sells. However I hear the metal intake runs hotter and the plastic unit is a better choice. I might hunt down a used LS6 intake or buy the FAST intake which is about a $1000. UGH.

by 74Malibu383 Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:19 pm

Looks great! Nice work.

by ratnfested Tue Apr 08, 2014 7:37 am

Final primer coat hopefully. I do have a fix a boo boo in the drivers door jam. I got some contaminants on a small section. I have to sand and clean/respray one jam just a small spot. Stupid me for not wiping it down with mineral spirits first. I just got carried away and anxious and I forgot. I was using rags to keep the doors from banging closed and one apparently was dirty and got something on the primer. I'll fix it tonite and spray the hood and maybe trunk while I am at it.

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by thatfnthing Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:06 am

That looks fantastic. Can't wait to see it come together!

by 77mali Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:57 pm

Nice.

by chevellelaguna Tue Apr 08, 2014 4:36 pm

Jealous!! Hope to be at that stage by the end of the year!

by pila Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:17 pm

Outstanding !! Very Happy

by Tom77 Wed Apr 09, 2014 7:24 am

Very nice! Keep up the good work looking forward to more pics.

by ratnfested Wed Apr 09, 2014 10:40 am

Cool thanks. Its gonna sit all summer but if I work on the frame and suspension I will post pics of that progress. I plan for a fall paint job. Maybe early October if its stays warm.

by ratnfested Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:08 am

Start blasting engine parts and painted a few pieces. Blew up my shop vac so I had to stop blasting. IT was 25 years old, time for a new one.

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77 Malibu Classic frame off resto - Page 5 10247238_10202741981623782_2594468051632989115_n

by ratnfested Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:33 am

Sorry for the bad pic.

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by ratnfested Mon May 19, 2014 11:15 am

Getting ready to start assembling the frame. I have the control arm bushing kits from Energy suspension and yesterday I went to insert a bushing into the old sleeve still in the rear control arm and its loose. It drops right in. I was hoping to not press out the old sleeves to avoid damaging the powder coat. Last time I did this the bushings fit nice and tight in the old sleeve. I guess I bought a different brand before. Anyone run into this? I am probably going to return the rear kit and buy Prothane from Summit. I read a post somewhere that they fit without replacing the old sleeves.

by Wallyuph Mon May 19, 2014 11:27 am

Just FYI the Holley retro fit oil pan works perfectly. Mine is sitting in the engine bay with motor mounts in. Just need to fab up the tranny mount as it needs to change.

by ratnfested Mon May 19, 2014 11:38 am

Good to know. I might need to swap mine out.

by Wallyuph Mon May 19, 2014 12:22 pm

Not cheap but worked well. Its the last pan on the list here.
http://www.improvedracing.com/LS-oil-pan-dimensions.php
I had a brand new C6 vette pan installed but it would not clear cross member.

by Brainstain Tue May 20, 2014 6:59 am

What engine mounts did you use Wally?

by Wallyuph Tue May 20, 2014 8:35 am

Dirty Dingo sliders.
http://dirtydingo.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1372

Are you running A/C on it? If so are you moving the A/C compressor or going to keep it low on the passanger side?

They make mounts for keeping it down low but your engine will be about 4-5" forward in the compartment and compressor is almost touching the cross member. I have them on my 74 Laguna set up.

I went with the sliders for my 73 and they fit like a glove after getting the correct oil pan.

by ratnfested Tue May 20, 2014 8:36 am

I'm sending back the front set too. I want that fits the old sleeves.

by Wallyuph Tue May 20, 2014 8:46 am

ratnfested wrote:I'm sending back the front set too. I want that fits the old sleeves.

What front set did you buy?
Here is the sliders
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