Finishing someone else's Z
Hi, Bought this car a few months back. She seemed nice, there are a few issues but I'm working through them. Previous owner bolted a lot of good parts together, like a blueprint engines 450HP 383, fresh Muncie 4 speed, overhauled rear end with trac-lok and 3:73's, GTA wheels (16x8 and 17x9) but didn't know much about cars. Little things like installing new quarters and full body/paint without replacing subframe bushings. Running Autometer gauges and cowl induction solenoids off the key switched power with no circuit protection. I wanted an all around fun car to drive to work occasionally, take on Power Tour, and possibly drag week. I have already installed Hotchkis sway bars, subframe connectors, front springs, rear leafs, and new KYB shocks. The next big item just showed up today, the direct fit classic Auto Air kit...Cant wait!
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October 2009 ROTM
October 2009 ROTM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,560
From: Eastern PA,
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I loved the 74 I had one back in high school. In 1982 250 hp 4 speed was not fast but was one of the fastest in the parking lot in 10th grade.
I just subscribed to your channel I just watched the one on 74. Adjusting the front sub on a finished car car be a pain. Hopefully there was enough play in the body to not lose all those gaps on the fenders and hood. Another issue these cars can have is frame sag. During your alignment the tech will not be able to bring the camber in to spec. It was more of an issue for guys that shoved a big block in there but if the car saw a lot of back road driving back in the day. Those red clay roads were pretty fun.
Back when I was a tech I was always amazed at the high school level wiring I would see in hot rodders cars. Spend all that money on good hardware then just twist the wires together and electrical tape it. No thought to circuit protection or wire size. Then complain the car was a piece of crap when it breaks down. Hopefully he did not do too much other wiring in the car cause you will find it, in the rain on the power tour
I just subscribed to your channel I just watched the one on 74. Adjusting the front sub on a finished car car be a pain. Hopefully there was enough play in the body to not lose all those gaps on the fenders and hood. Another issue these cars can have is frame sag. During your alignment the tech will not be able to bring the camber in to spec. It was more of an issue for guys that shoved a big block in there but if the car saw a lot of back road driving back in the day. Those red clay roads were pretty fun.
Back when I was a tech I was always amazed at the high school level wiring I would see in hot rodders cars. Spend all that money on good hardware then just twist the wires together and electrical tape it. No thought to circuit protection or wire size. Then complain the car was a piece of crap when it breaks down. Hopefully he did not do too much other wiring in the car cause you will find it, in the rain on the power tour
Fourth Generation Moderator
October 2009 ROTM
October 2009 ROTM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,560
From: Eastern PA,
ROTM Winner's Club
Body mans restoration. "If it looks right it is right". That car obviously never handled right. Some much work and such a fail as assembly.
Cal trak's for the win. Are those steel leaf springs or rubber? That is one way to lower a car, Just keep removing leafs until its low enough
Cal trak's for the win. Are those steel leaf springs or rubber? That is one way to lower a car, Just keep removing leafs until its low enough
Last edited by Gorn; Feb 8, 2022 at 10:37 AM.
Fourth Generation Moderator
October 2009 ROTM
October 2009 ROTM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,560
From: Eastern PA,
ROTM Winner's Club
Once you have enough post the site will let you store some pics on it. Most of us use a site like Photobucket to home the pictures then just post the HTML link. I do not recommend photobucket as it has become a pain over the years. There are many other sites. In some cases even your ISP can offer you some space.
Try a search on this site I know we have talked about it before.
BTW still waiting on what was the final fix on the 74 with the spaghetti like leaf spring.
Try a search on this site I know we have talked about it before.
BTW still waiting on what was the final fix on the 74 with the spaghetti like leaf spring.
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