1979 Dirty T/A-

[bad436z28]

looking good,at least now u know where most of the repairs that are needed shouldnt be too bad,pretty easy repair with some patch panels,not bad still a pretty solid car,the bumper cover looks about like my front one did i sanded it down to bare plastc with 180 grit,and used poly flex filler in the places needed,make sure not to use regular filler on that.also be sure to use adhesion promoter on the bare plastic before priming it.i know them front bumper covers are alot of work,the toughest part on my whole car and it was the worst spot too.

[Jeffzilla]

If you plan on putting anything with some power in there you are going to need some subframe connectors. The donor car that my disc brake rear end came out of had t-tops and a 400 in it. Had some slapper bars, and two almost connecting cracks in the area between the t-tops. Lot of flexing going on there.....

[Dirty T/A]

Made some progress, after close to 2 weeks of doing other things.

Got some grinding done and some filling and dent removing done. Added some bondo in a few spots to even things out a little also.

Also got a ton of dirt out the trunk, down the side panels, behind the rear tires. They were full. No wonder there was so much bad metal back there......




Ans a small sample of what came out-




And a little video of some other spots I hit-


http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t=100_4974.mp4

[Dirty T/A]

I plan on sanding all the areas down and recoating the worst areas and get everything nice and smooth again tomorow- monday. Figured I would focus on behind the doors back, so it doesnt become overwhelming. Got pretty much as far today as I figured I would.

Wish I had more free time.....

[bad436z28]

nice job looking good,wow thats alot of dirt in there no wonder why it rusted so badly.

[Dirty T/A]

Between both sides, I pulled about a gallon of dirt out......

The other side isnt near as bad though. The passenger side rear is the worst spot on the car.

[meissen]

That's pretty nuts that it had that much dirt back there. Are you going to have to cut and weld new panels in behind the tires?

[Dirty T/A]

That's pretty nuts that it had that much dirt back there. Are you going to have to cut and weld new panels in behind the tires?

Possibly, but not now.

There is a few spots rusted through on the outer skin, but the inner is pretty solid. For now, on this stage of the project, I put in screen and body filler in the bad area. Also used POR-15 on the inside and out.

If I ever decide to restore this car I will replace all the bad areas of the car, but for now body filler and rust inhibitor will do the trick.

[meissen]

Good stuff - didn't know it was possible to do that with the screen and body filler

[Dirty T/A]

I set up the first layer of filler yesterday. Got it sanded pretty smooth. Put on another layer that is setting up and drying now. One more good sand and the entire area will be good to go.

At 12 seconds into the video I posted, you can see the first layer of filler in the worst rust area behind the passenger side tire.

I will post pics sunday or monday of the bad spot finished and ready to prime. I have to work the next 5 days- all double shifts.....

Idealy, with more permanace, a piece of sheet metal would have been best, but this will get me at least a couple good years while I focus on other parts of the project. Right now I am in the "make it look nice so my wife doesnt hate it" and get it running down the road.

I am really enjoying this car so far. I have a feeling this car will end up being a neverending project. Dont think I will ever run out of things that can be done, changed or replaced.

[Dirty T/A]

Did I mention I know a little about alot, and very little about many, many things?

I have some help, along the way on the way build, but alone am in way over my head- But have a feeling, in the long run, will have some fun with this car, and learn alot in the process.

Thanks Mifbody.com and its members in advance. Constructive critisism will be taken very well. Feel free to add anything as I go, the help is always welcome, as long as its not too late....

[Dirty T/A]

As of now, and can change at the drop of a hat-

I am thinking original (or close to it) on the outside, and newer age on the inside.....Like 2 completely different cars, inside and out.

We will see, on down the road.

[bad436z28]

sounds like a good plan,what all are ur plans for the interior,cant wait to see how ur build turns out,

[Dirty T/A]

As far as the interior goes, its pretty messed up already.

The carpet and some of the seats have been spray painted black. All the camel interior has been impropely painted black and is chipping off in many places. The passenger door skin in wrecked......

I am thinking to learn fiberglassing. Fiberglass the door panels, dash, center console and custimize it a bit while I am at it. Modern sterio system, led interior lighting. Get the newest T/A seats that will go into my car. Try to get some custom overlays for the dash equipment, possible made by myself- unless I can find someone creative to make some up for me. Seeing as I will have no use for the trunk, I want to fiberglass it in also with speakers and amplifier and lighting.

Pretty much customize the interior more modern while leaving the exterior pretty well stock looking. Best of both worlds.

Just what I am thinking right now, but as I said- I tend to change my mind often.....

[bad436z28]

chris ur project sounds awesome,i love that ur leaving the exterior original thats the best part of these cars,i think it would look killer with an fiberglass interior,i was thinking to do the fiberglass door panels too,but my car didnt have any when i got it,so gotta buy new ones.so i guess my interior will stay original.