'73 Camaro Street/Strip project in NH

[69TAPoser]

Not too much of a car update other than I brought the shell home today from the shop and I have decided to finish the underside of the car with Eastwood Extreme Ceramic Chassis Coat Satin Black, which means I will be scuffing the epoxy primer soon.

I do have a few "tools" updates. I picked up a 1.4mm tip HPLV gun from Summit that was on sale. Painting the underside of the car will be my 1st attempt at shooting paint.

I also picked up the deal of the year on Craigslist. I got a 6.5 hp Husky 60 gallon compressor that looks like new (it is about 9 yrs old) for $150 and a free standing blast cabinet for $75! The guy was clearing out his garage:



More updates soon..

Phil

[crome dome]

Nice Red White and Blue garage!!!

[motown 454]

Hi Phil; The car looks great! It looks as good as mine does after I got it back. Was that blast cabinet from northern Mass. I saw it or one like it on CL last week and thought about going for it but it was too far for me. You keep getting deals like these and you'll be all set. I'm glad the shell is as good as it is after what we've been through with these projects.
I'm subscribed so I'll keep checking in on how your making out.
Good luck its a great start.

[69TAPoser]

Hey Wayne! I just read through the last 10 pages of your Lat G build thread to get caught up...holy crap...Car looks awesome!

Sorry to hear that dealing with your builder didn't improve much over the years. But at least you have it home and you can control things from here.

I wish my shell was like yours! You know,the mini tubs, fabbed rear, T56 tunnel etc. Very nice!

That blast cabinet AND the compressor are from the same guy I craigs. And yes, from Tewksbury, MA. Only about 20 mins from me.

This build will be quite a bit more simple than Wickedbird...after 5 years I am anxious to actually DRIVE my project! I hope I can finish this one within 1.5 years...Spring of 2013!

Phil

[motown 454]

Thanks. With that body you are way ahead already. Is the same guy that painted Wickedbird painting this one or are going to do the paint too. I see you said you wanted to give it a try.

[69TAPoser]

Well, I don't think I have the nads to try and paint the whole car myself. I view the body prep...getting the lines right...as an art form that I have no experience with. I will try my hand at the easier stuff (underside, firewall, inner fenders, etc) and go from there.

Not sure which shop I will use yet. I actually have a relationship with 2 different shops now...I trust both but one has a lot more overhead than the other, so I will probably be getting quotes from both. The smaller one doesn't have the room to let a car sit around, so that will play into my decision too.

At the moment I am getting the compressor and blast cabinet installed (figuring out how I want to run the air lines for both along with the filters, etc.), then I will start on scuffing the underside of the car.

Good to see your car home...in it's "new" home! Your garage came out great.

One of these days when we get these cars done, we will have to hit a cruise night together...oh the stories we have to share!

Phil

[FRANKP74Z]

Hi Phil, great car, great project! I am curious about the 2 different primers used, what's the difference between the red and the gray?

[69TAPoser]

Hey Frank thank you - great question (I am surprised no one else asked). There are actually 3 colors: grey (bottom), red oxide, and black. The grey is DP40LF, the red oxide is DP74LF and the black is Dupont 2590S.

Long story short, the grey vs. red oxide was just due to the fact that they used more grey than planned and finished with the red oxide which was on the shelf. Same product, just diff. colors.

The reason I was given for the 2590S (the black) is that he believed it would be easier to do the body work over this. But who knows...maybe that was on the shelf too!

Phil

[69TAPoser]

Just a small update. Still working on getting the garage squared away (bought and hung a Dayton heater and I am working on getting air lines run for the compressor). But I did start working on the subframe.

I removed the front coil springs. I know there has been lots of talk about this as it is dangerous and a bit scary. But following this process it was a breeze: I took a few precautions so I wouldn't be eating spring. First, only loosen the nut on the lower control arm..DO NOT REMOVE IT. This nut will act as a "stop" for the released spring. As an extra precaution, I wrapped a chain around the spring and placed a floor jack a few inches below the control arm. I then wrapped a tie down around the front axle of the jack and the frame. Using a pickle fork and a 5 lb hammer, I separated the lower balll joint. Once it "popped" onto the loosened lower nut, I released the chain and then lowered the jack. The spring came out with a little help from a prybar. It worked great and at no point was there any uncontrolled leverage created by the spring. The last pic shows the tools I used.








...After I clean and paint the subframe, the plan is to go with the Hotchkis TVS system.

Phil

[69TAPoser]

My Hotchkis TVS kit showed up late yesterday. My compressor wiring gets hooked up next Thursday so I can start sanblasting and painting. I hope to make some good progress over the next 2 months. My goal is to have it rolling by Christmas...we will see! More pix soon!

Phil

[68400BIRD]

Looks great. Keep us updated, if you lived a little closer I could have helped you out with the wiring. OK a lot closer. LOL

[motown 454]

From what I've read that TVS kit is supposed to be nice. I think you'll love it.

[tferg51]

Looking good!

[69TAPoser]

Thanks guys!

Been without power for a week due to 14" of snow last Saturday, but we got power back this AM!

...More progress on the garage, but not the car! My electrician came over yesterday and made some good progress on getting my compressor, heater, and extra outlets installed. But of course there is always bad news with good news. Turns out my fuse panel was full, so he had to install a 2nd panel and run that to the garage. He now has everything up to the garage, but the garage needs to be wired. Soooo, he is wicked busy right now (thanks again to the storm) so he won't be back until the 19th. I can't complain though, he is a buddy of mine and his labor is free, I just pay for materials.

I am going to start running the compressor air lines today.

Phil

[Skaal-tel 79]

Sounds like your buddy is doing you a solid Panel should always have at least 2 slots free.

If you're running heavy loads like a full size compressor etc etc a sub panel is a good idea anyway!

Looks like good work so far, cheers.