Figured I'd start a build thread with progress updates on the 1992 notch my dad and I picked up a few weeks ago. It's a one owner (now 2) original 5 speed 5.0 car, bone stock except for a mcleod clutch that was installed a few years ago.
Yesterday we did an oil/filter change and replaced the exterior door handles. I guess it's not uncommon to have the factory handles break because they were made out of plastic. We replaced them with steel units from LMR
We haven't been able to drive the car since we got it home because we noticed a gas leak at the filler pipe gasket. Don't want fuel sloshing out and hitting the mufflers right there. We'll have to wait for the next round of parts when we'll be replacing the fuel sending unit in hopes that that fixes the gas gauge. And the filler pipe to trunk floor gasket has also rotted out and will be replaced.
Today, we were going to bleed the brakes and get some fresh fluid in the lines, but the wheels have locking lugs and I don't have the key. So I'll have to take it to a tire shop and try to get them to remove the locks. Instead, we stripped out the interior. We're going to have a shop weld in the subframe connectors so we figured we could get make the job a bit easier for 'em by removing the carpet and one of the seats. Also, because racecar:
Always interesting to learn about the history of the car as you start taking things apart. For instance, the previous owner didn't know where to jack up the car and punched a hole in the passenger-side floor panel. He also flattened the pinch weld on the driver side. Let this be a lesson to everyone: always follow the recommended procedure for jacking up a car:
Plans for the car:
First thing is getting the gas tank fixed and the subframe connectors welded in and the torque box reinforcement plates installed. Then we'll redo the interior with some new seats, carpet, headliner, and either clean up the plastics we can salvage or replace the pieces that are too far gone. Then we'll move on to the suspension: 5-lug swap, discs all around, panhard bar and some beefier control arms should sort things out. Maybe put some springs/coilovers in there to adjust the stance (and new shocks/struts).
We're still debating which way to go with the engine, since we live in California we're going to keep it smog legal so we don't have to sweat the bi-annual smog tests. Maybe a stroker kit (no replacement for displacement), maybe some boost? Definitely some better flowing heads, a legal cam and intake, and some shorties flowing to a smog legal x pipe (Magnaflow makes the only one with an EO number, I guess) and some Flows for that classic fox burble.
Last will be the body, take some of the dings out and re-paint it the factory twilight blue.
Yesterday we did an oil/filter change and replaced the exterior door handles. I guess it's not uncommon to have the factory handles break because they were made out of plastic. We replaced them with steel units from LMR
We haven't been able to drive the car since we got it home because we noticed a gas leak at the filler pipe gasket. Don't want fuel sloshing out and hitting the mufflers right there. We'll have to wait for the next round of parts when we'll be replacing the fuel sending unit in hopes that that fixes the gas gauge. And the filler pipe to trunk floor gasket has also rotted out and will be replaced.
Today, we were going to bleed the brakes and get some fresh fluid in the lines, but the wheels have locking lugs and I don't have the key. So I'll have to take it to a tire shop and try to get them to remove the locks. Instead, we stripped out the interior. We're going to have a shop weld in the subframe connectors so we figured we could get make the job a bit easier for 'em by removing the carpet and one of the seats. Also, because racecar:
Always interesting to learn about the history of the car as you start taking things apart. For instance, the previous owner didn't know where to jack up the car and punched a hole in the passenger-side floor panel. He also flattened the pinch weld on the driver side. Let this be a lesson to everyone: always follow the recommended procedure for jacking up a car:
Plans for the car:
First thing is getting the gas tank fixed and the subframe connectors welded in and the torque box reinforcement plates installed. Then we'll redo the interior with some new seats, carpet, headliner, and either clean up the plastics we can salvage or replace the pieces that are too far gone. Then we'll move on to the suspension: 5-lug swap, discs all around, panhard bar and some beefier control arms should sort things out. Maybe put some springs/coilovers in there to adjust the stance (and new shocks/struts).
We're still debating which way to go with the engine, since we live in California we're going to keep it smog legal so we don't have to sweat the bi-annual smog tests. Maybe a stroker kit (no replacement for displacement), maybe some boost? Definitely some better flowing heads, a legal cam and intake, and some shorties flowing to a smog legal x pipe (Magnaflow makes the only one with an EO number, I guess) and some Flows for that classic fox burble.
Last will be the body, take some of the dings out and re-paint it the factory twilight blue.