Well, I finally got around to putting that 400 in I've been working on (off and on) and it's been fighting me the whole way! I know it sound simple, "change the motor and be done with it". Not as easy as it sounds. I swapped V-8's into S-10's and Monza's that didn't cause me this much frustration! I swear this car must've been built on the "Oldsmobile Only" line at GM. I had to re-route the fuel line from passenger side to driver side, change the motor mounts (they look very similar but oh are they different!) and now the exhaust isn't working out for me. I had headers on the Olds motor that I took out and new ones for the Pontiac going in, but the Pontiac ones are too short to hook up the same, so now I have to hack into the exhaust and add a few inches to each side. I'm not sure where the factory location for the guage senders are and I'm not ready (and don't really have the time) to mess around with figuring that out, so I'm just going to install aftermarket guages for now. I don't know why, but it seems like whenever I go to the parts store, the kids working there think that all GM's were the same "way back when" and try to sell me Chevy stuff for my Pontiac! Oh, and that's not all, when I finally find one that doesn't have his head wedged in his rear-end and actually looks up parts for my Pontiac, they don'y syock them and ordering them takes 7 to 10 business days and costs twice as much as Chevy or Ford stuff! My boss almost had me talked into putting a 390 Ford in, but I said that would be too much work. Maybe not with all that I've been through so far. But anywho, it's in (for the 3rd time and it has to come back out again so I can bolt down the motor mounts) and looking pretty good in there! Maybe I'll have some luck on my side from this point on and have things just fall into place like they're supposed to! I'm hoping to have it running this week, but it's going to require burning some more "mid-night oil" like I'm getting used to, to get it done! Wish me luck!

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My immidiate plans for this car have changed Even though I've already got the new upholstery and decal kit, they're going to have to wait to get installed. I was going to rebuild my Pontiac 400 before I installed it, but that's not going to happen either. I've got another transmission that's behind the 400 right now, but it's going to wait too. I wanted to change the back window too, but it's going to happen later also. I'm going to put the old interior back in it and change the motor just to get it back on the road. I'll pack up all the new stuff and save the project for when I get settled into my new home later this year. I'm getting all my vehicles prepared for the journey, none are being towed or trucked there. I'm going to be moving to Minnesota to be with Michelle. Things here in Ohio just aren't going my way no matter what I try to do. Being alone for the past 3 1/2 years hasn't been easy on me either. So to give my life the shot in the arm it needs, I'm relocating and getting on with my life and leaving all the mess behind me.

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My life has taken a pleasantly unexpected turn. I've fallen in love with somebody that is the one I want to stay with. The thing is, she lives in Minnesota and wants to stay there. I went there and I don't blame her. I've made up my mind to move to Minnesota to be with Michelle. So I'm changing my plans for my cars. I am still putting the 400 in my Trans Am but I'm packing the new stuff up and saving that project for later. The Nova is just a shell right now with gobs of parts that all need completely refurbished. I want the car to be A-1 when it's done, but I've got more important things to do right now. I'm going to assemble the body the way the parts are now (all rusty and crusty) and get the drive-train put together along with the chassis. I'm going to get this thing road-worthy and DRIVE it to Minnesota! I'll get all the lights working and make sure the wipers work too. I'm not going to worry about a heater or interior. It just has to be drivable. That in itself is going to be exciting! It's going to look like something from "Mad Max" on the hi-way. I don't care! I'm driving it there and trucking the parts in a U-Haul later. I'll probably have to get the biggest truck they have that you don't need a CDL to drive to take all my parts and tools up there in. She's got a garage there, but the Nova and it's parts alone would fill it up, so I'll build a shed for my stuff. It's just going to be my Nova and Trans Am parked in there along with her Bonneville. The cool thing about this woman is that she wants to help me with my plans! She wants me there bad and she's got me hooked! So I'm going to slam this car together and hit the road this summer!

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When I got this truck it sat stupid low. I figured putting it back near normal ride hiedth would solve any problems, but the damage was already done. In these extended cab S-10's they use a 2 piece drive-shaft that has 5 universal joints and 2 CV joints. I had one of the CV joints go bad shortly after I got the truck. You can't get just the CV joints, you have to get the whole unit. I cobbed it up by cutting the CV joint out and eliminating one of the U-joints. That created a problem. The rear shaft was too short and the slip joint on the carrier bearing was only about half engaged. It held up for a while, but gave up on me 2 weeks ago. I'm not sure what part failed first, but it ended up a catastrophy. It ended up blowing the front U-joint and shaft out which blasted the rear U-joint and shaft out (or vice-versa) and tore everything to Hell. The shafts came out in pieces and broke the tail-shaft housing on the transmission. My boss called around trying to find a used drive-shaft assembly. The yards that used the locator system found one in New York and one in Arizona. There was one locally but it was out of a '01 S-10 and they said they don't interchange. I don't know how different they could be. To make things worse, they all want $150+ for the units. I called about having a unit made and that would cost $250 to $350 minimum. So I guess the "Redneck" in me is coming out. I'll build my own damn unit and have it balanced. Seems nobody had a tail-shaft housing either! I got desperate and started checking my own pile of tranmissions laying out at the barn. Without using a micrometer or other pecision measuring device, it looked to me that the housing on my tore up 700R4 was interchangable. Then I looked at my turbo 350 laying there and it looked usable too. They are all the same length and the speedo drive is in the same location. I know the drive-shaft yoke is the same for all these units, so I came to my own conclusion that the 700R4 piece will work. So now I have to measure and cut a driveshaft from one of my stripped out cars and weld it all up with what was left from the S-10 drive-shaft pieces. I'll prove to everyone that said it couldn't be done, that I can do it. Hopefully I'll have it back on the road soon. I'll let y'all know how it turns out!

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This long-winded project that should've taken only 8 weeks to complete is now done! It took so long because our other body-man quit in October and I had to do all the body-work in the shop from then on. I was supposed to be "The Specialist" that only worked on the resto work. Jeff called me back for that purpose only. While we were winding down on the Camaro, I got started on the '64 Corvair project. I couldn't find the disk that has the earlier stages of the Camaro on it, but here's the pics from the final stages. When (or if) I find the other disk, I'll add those pics to the album. Like Jeff said, we turned a $4000 car into a $40,000 car. The story behind this car is kind of amazing itself. It belongs to a lady that was a school teacher in Bluffton and she bought it brand new. Last year she retired and decided she wanted her car made "like new" again. I don't know how she heard of Jeff's shop, but she brought it there. Now Jeff had some real yay-hoos working for him that started tearing it down and then they jumped ship. Jeff didn't want the other body-man doing the work on it because he didn't think he was as quality minded as he should be, so he called on me. The plan was for a "frame on" resto. New quarter panels, new doors, new fenders, new interior. We pulled the engine and trans together and cleaned them up and detailed all the under-hood stuff. I was ripping right along and was right on schedule until we had to wait on parts and the other guy quit. I almost quit too, but I stayed. There was one problem right after the next, but it's done now! I don't know what's up next after the Corvair, but we'll see!

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Okay, this picture is from last year (the T/A is stashed away in the barn this year) but it's still cold here! Somehow I'll have to brave the weather and get out to the barn and get working on the T/A so I can have it done for the Bandit Run in May. Santa didn't bring me anything for the project so I'm on my own! But I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

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I missed out on the '07 Run, but plan on making this one! That gives me about 20 weeks to get my Trans Am done (again) and "shake the bugs out"

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This is why!

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I've been so busy with regular body-work that I haven't worked on the Camaro much, but the boss wants it done so he's had me working on it every other day this week. I'll get some pictures of it and post them soon! It's looking good!

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Is this the road INTO town or the road OUT of town? It's the road in front of the shop. So I guess it depends on what time of day it is. It may also be dictated by the disposition of the boss! Of course this picture was taken in the summer-time, but it's the same road now as it was then. Just now it's all snow and ice covered and makes the drive (either way) even more unpleasant. SO... which way should I go?

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I'm not sure what's going on in the auto shop biz elsewhere, but our mechanic work has slowed down and the body-shop has been booming! I've been so busy working on customer cars and used cars that I haven't been able to touch the Camaro (and we finally got all the stuff that was ordered!) or even start on the Corvair! My buddy finally got a hold of his buddy that had the Firebird quarter panel for sale and I got them for my car. I was told they were full factory type quarters, but they were just skins. I wasn't going to argue about $100 for the pair though. I know I could just weld up the spots where mine are blistering (again) but I want this to be the last time I cut into this car! I've got new door panels, rear panels, package tray, seat upholstery, and visors for the interior. The carpet and dash were replaced in the first go round between '99 and '01. I've also got a decal kit to go on for a "factory appearance" and not the "I took 8 hours to lay out the bird and 6 hours to do the stripes" paint-job. I've also got the engine kit and new oil pump and water pump and headers for the 400 that I'm putting in. I did get a early '77 scoop that I'm putting the "6.6 Litre" decals on and I'll put the "T/A 6.6" decals on the scoop I've got now. This time I don't have a wife nagging on me about how much I'm spending (both $$$ and time) on it now, so I plan to have it done before the Bandit Run in May. This summer there won't be any "rest for the wicked" because I'm going to kick butt on my Nova and do something with it! I doubt I'll have it even close to drive-able before fall, but you never know!

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My Dead-Line date has come and the Camaro isn't done. We're stll waiting on the interior stuff and the bumpers. Jeff called Year-One and they're still waiting on the interior and bumpers, too! The interior is a special order item because of the color and the bumpers are on national back-order. I did get all the emblems put on and got the doors and windows all together. I'm waiting to install the windshield and back glass until we have the head liner installed. I've been so busy with the other body-work too since the other bodyman quit. Maybe it will be done before the end of the month!

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Okay, this truck wasn't the greatest when I got it, but it was definately worth getting. The springs needed changed and it needed all the brakes worked on. The wipers were a "hit and miss" opperation but they now work. I got the exhaust patched up until I can get a chance to replace everything from the "Y" pipe back. Give me a chance to put a few more miles on it and I may trust it to go accross the USA! This truck also helped me decide on what color I'm going to paint my Nova when I get around to it. I'm going to have 3 black vehicles when all is said and done. And the good thing about having this truck over the Ranger; it shares the same bolt pattern on the wheels as the T/A and Nova so I can play "switch hitters" with the wheels!

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This week wasn't productive at all on the Camaro. Jeff decided that we are going to do the upholstery job ourselves and ordered a kit (2 to 4 weeks wait) and we're still waiting on the rest of the parts to be delivered from Year One. The car is all buffed out and we put a cover on it to protect it while I'm doing work on other cars (8 of them this week). The next project is a '64 Corvair. It's supposed to be coming into the shop in the next week or so. We may have to put the Camaro over in the other building next to Jeff's Crown Vic to finish it up. Hopefully next week isn't so busy with the other cars and I can get back on the Camaro.

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Part of the deal with me getting the S-10 was to help Jeff on his '55 Crown Victoria. I've already done some work on this car, but like every body-man's own projects, this one got shuffled to the back burner and forgotten. Well, not really forgotten, just no time in the schedule for it. Jeff brought the doors, fenders, trunk lid and hood to the shop. I guess I'm going to be putting in a couple hours each night after the regular work-day and fitting everything up and getting it closer to paint. I think I want this car done just as bad as Jeff does! I mean really, how many "Pro-Street" '55 Fords do you see? Especially with the motor he has for it! I won't swear to it, but I think it's a 428 Cobra-Jet. It may be a 429 SC. I know it's going to Bad-Ass when it's done! He's talking about taking the interior out of a newer Thunderbird and putting in it. That would be so sweet!

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Even with the other body-man leaving this week, I still got everything tidied up on the Camaro and got it ready for Jeff to paint. He put it in sealer Friday late in the day and came in Saturday and scuffed off the nibs and started mixing Red. I was at the shop fixing the screwed up lowering blocks in my truck. The u-bolts were stripped out and the locating tabs were broken off the blocks. Hmmmm, do you think that would let the rear-end float and swim around when you drive it? New blocks and u-bolts and it's as good as new! Anywho, Jeff got the Camaro painted and it only took 3 quarts of paint (at $110 a quart) and a gallon of clear. With this car, a guy won't need Viagra! It looks good and I haven't even laid a buffer to it yet! The new chrome parts started coming in this week and the seats went to the upholstery shop Saturday. Give it another couple weeks and it should be done, right on our 8 week schedule!

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I got so busy this past week-end working on my S-10 I didn't have a chance to update about the Camaro! Even though the other body-man is still working for Jeff, I'm doing a lot of regular body-work. That's stealing time from the Camaro! I still managed to get the front end put together and lined up. The "Goodmark" fenders are made in China and fit worse than Tiawan junk! The "Goodmark" doors weren't much better (and one that "fell off the truck") and took a lot of tweaking to get to fit. Like I said, I've made a lot of progress even with the set-backs. I started final sanding it today. I'm sure there's going to be a few "glitches" that are going to need to be worked out, but it's going to be ready for paint this week! I'll get some pictures before it's painted and post them.

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I got it done! I changed the springs back to stock and added these American Racing wheels to it this week-end! I left the lowering blocks and spindles in it so it's still got a 2" drop. I installed new shocks and sway-bar links on the front. I didn't get to do the rear brakes this week-end, but when I do them, I'm putting new shocks on the rear too. I fixed the exhaust (sort-of) so it doesn't sound like a derby car now. This is going to be a fine ride as I do more with it. I always was an S-10 man (over Rangers) and now I've got another "Black Truck" to play with!

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It's amazing what's happened in 3 days! Day "One" I brought it home and washed it and removed the crappy seat covers to find leather seats. Inside the door jamb there's a label for some after market company that did the "dress-up" on it. Day "Two" I had a belt break in one of the goofy tiny tires. I went to the barn and grabbed 2 of the old S-10 wheels and tires I had and threw them in the bed. Day "Three" I took off the bad tire and checked the front brakes. E-Gads! Metal on metal and rotors ruined! The rear was worn out but not down to rivets yet. Saturday is going to be a BUSY day on this truck! Changing the springs, fixing the exhaust, and doing a brake-job! I think the buff and wax will have to wait for Sunday! LOL! So far I've put over 175 miles on it and still have more than half a tank of gas! May not sound surprising to you, but I'm amazed because my P.O.S. Ranger went through a lot more gas than that. But that truck was JUNK! Granted I've always been a Chevy (or at least GM) guy, but the Ford part had nothing to do with it being junk. This truck was nothing like the other Ranger I used to drive. The "Red Ranger" couldn't be killed! I beat that little bugger to death but couldn't kill it! I'm just glad the P.O.S. is gone and I'm "Back In Black"!

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Made the deal Friday, sealed the deal Saturday, Brought the "Low-Rider" home today. The goofy wheels and tiny tires are so wobbly I'm glad I'm changing them this week-end after I change the springs. While it's up on the hoist, I'm going to fix the exhaust where it got torn up from sitting too low. This is going to be a fine little truck when I get done with it! I've already got plans rolling thru my mind! I'll keep y'all updated as I get things rolling!

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My boss sold his Hyundai and took a '94 S-10 in on trade. He knows I'm sick of this "train-wreck on wheels" and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Even swap plus some labor on his '55 Crown Vic this winter. The S-10 needs a little work but easy stuff that could be done in a week-end. Bye-bye baby!

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Week #4 was not as productive on the Camaro as I hoped. I was taken off it several times to make up for the other body-man's slacking. I had to do some of his work because he left early each day and missed a day because he was "sick". I still got the fire-wall and frame painted black. I got the engine cleaned up and painted. I got the motor/trans put back in (without scratching or dinging everthing). I got all the parts edged in and got the trunk-lid, doors and fenders hung. I started getting some of the other smaller parts cleaned up and ready for paint. It's really starting to look like a car again! I guess the boss decided to "out-source" the interior work, so that's going to be something I won't have to deal with. If we keep the other body-man, I should be able to get this Camaro ready to paint next week! I can see us making the 8 week dead-line! Everyone involved is "pumped" about this project. The boss told me he's got a '51 or '52 Chevy lined up next! He's also taking my P.O.S. in trade for an S-10 low-rider truck. I'm going to raise it back up a little (just so I can drive it) and have another "toy" in my Garage! Things are starting to look better for me!

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Week #3 ended with Things just about ready for paint. The frame, firewall, wheelhouses and radiator support are all ready for semi-gloss black. The doors, trunk lid, hood underside, fenders, and door jams are ready for edging. The doors and trunk lid were fit-up and "tweaked" to make them fit properly. The body was all block sanded and re-primed and ready for final sanding, likewise with the other sheet metal. All the seams have been sealed, too. She should get painted next week! I think the other bodyman is jealous of me. I guess he took me as a washed up has-been or a know nothing wanna-be. The boss knows otherwise. I'm living up to the nick-name "Foose" he gave me. So far I'm on track for my 8 week completion plan. After next week I get to start on the interior and engine compartment. More updates as things progress!

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I've had this Nova since 1986 and been tinkering with it and planning for so long. I'm doing it special. It's nothing special as far as collectability, but I want it nicer than anyone can believe. I've got the project on my Trans Am rolling and when it's done, this Nova is going to get my full attention. No more "side projects" or "wife tantrums". Working on this '69 Camaro and getting things rolling on my T/A has really got me pumped about this car now! Plus, my friend turned me onto a movie that also has me inspired (in a twisted sort of way). Anybody seen "Death Proof"? Okay, Stuntman Mike was a twisted indivual, but he had a cool Nova! My name is Mike and I want a cool Nova! I hadn't set my mind on any color for it yet. I've kicked around so many ideas ove the past 20 years and Black was always on my list. I knew I wanted to put at least a roll-bar in mine, but always thought about doing a full cage. I don't ever plan on using it but it's good to feel safe! Like Stuntman Mike said it, "I wanted it to be impressive and scary tends to impress". What would give the sincere impression of performance more than having a roll cage in a car? Besides, if I go radical under the hood, I'd be set for any rules at the strip as far as safety/speed goes! I'm looking forward to building this car! With a solid body (all rust has been sand-blasted out and new metal put on) and a Firebird Formula suspension and steering. With my 350 and 4 speed in it, I think I'm in for a fun ride! God I want to build this car! I may work on it right along with the T/A so I can have them both for next summer! My son could always drive one to the shows with me! Besides, what else am I supposed to do in Ohio during the winter?

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I'm tearing into my Trans Am again. This time I don't have a wife complaining about how much time or money I put into it! Instead of fixing what needs fixed and letting a few things slide, I'm fixing everything this time. Instead of a plain-Jane firebird interior, I'm doing it like it's supposed to be. I've got NEW SE door panels, NEW Deluxe Upholstery from PUI for the original seats (not using left-over Moza buckets this time) New package tray, and GM Reproduction Decals (instead of painting the bird and stripes on). I got the rebuild kit for my Pontiac 400 so I won't be powered by a non-original Olds 350 next year! I got the hook-up with a guy that needs some of my extra parts and he has some I need. I'm sure I'll make out on this one because he needs more than I do. He's got an extra hood scoop that I plan on using. Here's my plan; I'm going to be running a Pontiac 400 (the scoop should read "T/A 6.6") but I want the "Bandit" look (the scoop should read "6.6 Litre"). I got both sets of decals with my decal kit. I'll have interchangable scoops to fit the reason! I'll also have interchangable exhaust tips. The Formula I stripped out had the splitter exhaust tips that I can use for everyday cruising, but I've got brand new restoration splitters that I can put on for shows and cruise-in's. I'll use the wrap around clamps instead of welding or standard clamps, that way loosen a couple bolts, change the tips and tighten the bolts back up! That's something that could be done during the pre-show shine job and easily changed back after I get back from the show. This is going to be such a sweet fake job! I'll never pass it off as an original '77 SE, but it will definately have the look! There's going to be plenty of pictures while I do it this time! I have a digital camera now, something I didn't have the first time. There were a lot of the "traditional" photos that didn't turn out and I didn't know it until I got the roll of film developed! Now I can see the pic right after I take it so if the lighting is wrong or something is blocking what I want to show, I can re-take it and make sure the pic comes out! I'll keep this project documented and up-dated as it progresses!

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Well, it's the end of Week #2. At the end of the day Friday I was talking over the progress of the Camaro with the boss, and he's pleased. Even though I ran into fit-up problems with the new quarter panels, I over-came them and got things welded up. The car sits there up on 2' tall stands with no interior, windows, and the engine/trans removed. New wheel houses and trunk drop-offs welded in place, quarter panels welded in place, driver's side floor pan welded in place, right rocker panel replaced, and the roof stripped. New doors and fenders prepped and ready for fit-up and edging. Original hood stipped and straightened and ready for under-side paint. Trunk lid stripped and straightened and ready for under side paint. I've got the major welds ground down and ready for finishing. I have to clean up the window channels and grind down the plug welds on the quarter panels and weld small patches in the inner wheel houses. Once the fire-wall and frame are wire-brushed, I can see the body shell going into primer late Monday or sometime Tuesday. Talk about kickin' some butt on a project! Like I said, the boss is definately pleased! He finally found out where I shine! I wish I could've taken pictures from the beginning of this project. I'll try to get some before it goes much farther and as things progress. Oh, I also got all the parts for my Trans Am but the quarter panels, but I've got a guy tracking them down for me. I'll be doing the Trans Am on my own time and at my shop, so it won't be moving as fast as this Camaro project. That's okay. I'm doing the Camaro at work for money and doing my Trans Am at home for enjoyment. I plan to have it done for a big start to next season's car shows and cruise-in's.

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Things are really rolling along on the Camaro project at work. Monday I removed the rest of the sheet metal and pulled the engine/trans out. Tuesday I cut the widows out and removed the rest of the interior. Wednesday I cut out the rusty driver's floor pan and welded in the new one. I fixed the dents in the deck lid and started withe the wire-wheel on the inner fenders. The doors and fenders came in. Thursday (today) I had to remove the dash pad and kick panels, then I started prepping new doors and fenders while our other bodyman started cutting off the left 1/4 panel. Tomorrow we plan to get the left 1/4 fit up and welded and get to the right side if the wheel houses and trunk drop-offs come in. Test fit the doors and fenders. The boss is moving the air compressor this week-end so we'll see what happens next week!

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Okay so it started out as joke (selling the P*O*S) but now I've had some people ask about it. What kind of price can I ask for it? I know it's worth more as a parts donor than a whole, but I want it to go as is.

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It's funny how putting something up for sale brings out the calls. I had an offer from a member and 2 phone calls on this truck. The one offer was from my friend that was interested in it for her son, I had to tell her about the problems with this thing. The other phone calls were locals. One didn't want it after he heard just part of the "grocery list" of repairs it needs. The other wants it so he can use it for parts to fix a Ranger he has that's wrecked. That one may be a sale. I have to think up a price now!

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I'm going to be doing a "mild restoration" on a '69 Camaro at work. It's not going to be show quality but it's more than just a "patch and paint" job. I guess from what the boss said, we're replacing every panel on the car, pulling the engine out and at least detail painting the under-hood area. He didn't say anything about the interior. I haven't had a chance to look the car over yet. I'm going to be taking pictures of it as I go along. Both for shop advertising and to add to my resume. This is going to be a relief from used car work and bump & ding stuff. Like always, my car is going to be an after hours job!

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