2009 Wagon Plans

So, what are your wagon plans for the new year?

Mine are:

1. New exhaust system.
2. New rear spring rubbers, mine are falling apart.

Between these two the going over bump noise should go away.

3. New A/C clutch before hot weather arrives in April.

 

A new set of wheels and tires. A rear disc brake swap if I can find some in a junkyard. A new interior. I have many ideas of what I am going to do but will wait to reveal them after it's done. I may actually try to to a manual trans swap.

 

I'm hoping to either pick up a new DD (in a more 'classic' vein) to replace the Focus; or possibly some project. As I am not particularly skilled mechanically, it will probably be the former. Was looking at a low mile '87 Grand Marquis, but it was sold before I got any info on it. Having a separate project car is a little more complicated also because of space limitations.

Oh - and a new job would help tremendously with all that.

 

1. Rear Bumper Re-Chrome: yanked it off yesterday, and it's heading in once I get...

2. Retro Sun Tach: Have a 7K green-line tach head only; won a 9K green-line on eBay over the weekend, from which I will scavenge the wiring and cup. The cup's going with the bumper for chromagizationing.

3. Third Row Seat: Got a killer deal on a full set-up, including all the hardware. Needs to be re-upholstered in parchment.

4. Engine Compartment Re-fresh: Want to put nicer repro hoses, battery cables and a sealed Autolite repro battery in there

The list goes on...would love to get the dashpad done through Just Dashes (many monies) and re-do the dash cluster (2X many monies). But the listed stuff can be done without having to find oil under the house.

 

1. Change from single to dual exhaust, I asked Santa.
2. Acquire and install a tilt steering column.
3. Get the Air Conditioning working.
4. Have the car painted.
5. Woodgrain.

The car has been ready for paint since last year but things came up as usual. My dog is in good shape and my daughter got to go on a school trip out west for a month hiking and camping.
I'm taking my paint cash and stashing it now.

I just installed power windows and locks and glad I waited with all the banging around and hole drilling that takes, I had no choice anyway.

 

Got quite a bit on mine...Rear struts on my corolla wagon, not fun driving that everyday when they are going out, not to mention, it's not really safe either..I am gonna park the Colony Park, it's due for a complete overhaul..It only had 60,000 on it when I got it, but it decided to launch the head gaskets. Oh well, I had some plans for it anyway. Eventually I'm gonna get something a little older. Right now I am realllly missing my '73:banghead3::banghead3:.. Anyways... to all..
Dave

 

Just get her tip-top,and possibly new paint and woodgrain?

 

Sometime in 2009 Stormin' Norman will shovel his out of the snow since he finished restoration last year!

Sorry Norm I couldn't resist.

 

I picked up a third row seat in a Junkyard. I love it. It is great to sit in at cruise nights, car shows and drive-ins. You would think they were made for Kids but I am 6'4" and I fit fine. You comment about the bumpers reminds me. I want to narrow mine and bring them in closer to the body.

 

Not sure if you know it or not but If you are doing duals on an Olds you will need one of these. My wife made this one.




Olds has this stupid set-up where the drivers side exhaust manifold dumps out goes under the oil pan and into the passenger side exhaust manifold. Then there is a separate hole for all the exhaust to exit.

 

I think they give you some kind of block-off with the system but I'll have to check on that, thanks for the tip and cool pics.
I never had a car with that crossover pipe that goes into the manifold before. It still has the original crossover and pipe to the muffler and just looks and feels too small, especially being so long, plus duals are cooler.
I want to go to a 4 barrel eventually too so it'll be good to have those in place.

That block-off looks excellent, your wife does some really nice work!

 

You may also need a double hump crossmember. My wife made this as well. I'll tell her you like her work.



Basically she cut a notch out of the crossmember and welded in a piece of channel. You will love the sound. Go to my sig and the youtube link and it will take you to some vids of my exhaust. Here are pics of my duals.

 

I need to do a frame clip or repair the current one, soften the front suspension a bit. And the blower.... gotta install the M90!

 

Get the Plymouth in primer, get the 440 installed, put a seat in it, and drive it around the block! Then, pull the engine and seat, and paint it, then repeat.