My 96 RMW project...

Defensive much? LOL

I was talking about the request for Astro Van lines. Those rust the same as GM trucks do - at the mount points. I wouldn't mess with used ones for that.

No doubt your junkyard finds are clean and rust free.

bigoldv8 wrote:

Defensive much? LOL

Well...its from all those "its only 8 bolts" jokes.

What can I say. I didn't have $100 to give you anyhow. Double up..only to double down my friend.

hahahah... yeah, it was only 8 bolts Chris. Lazy.

DOUBLE UP !!

BEHOLD! A LT1 RMS light harness does indeed plug into a LT1 RMW harness. Lol I knew it had to be that simple.

https://2img.net/h/i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp261/chrisandcarapowell/Project%20WWW/IMG_9548.jpg

BUT....what about the flat plug that sits on the passenger side fenderwell? (the one that feeds into the underhood fuse box)

https://2img.net/h/i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp261/chrisandcarapowell/Project%20WWW/IMG_9545.jpg


On the RMS, it appears that the two fatter wires are just grounds.(and are both black) On the RMW harness, it appears that the black wire AND orange wire feed to the air ride compressor plug. Since I am deleting this option, I am assuming I can continue to use the complete RMS wiring. I will have to dig out the FSM and see what the deal is (unless you guys know) I know the smaller wire is for the coolant jug sensor.

https://2img.net/h/i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp261/chrisandcarapowell/Project%20WWW/IMG_9546.jpg

The wiring is coming along though! Trying to make sure all the loom is good and clean before everything is plugged in. I have to clean the new RMS harness now. Can't wait to hook the battery up to see if it all works!!

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What happened to the "Floating Head" Chris? The inside of my wagon isn't as clean as that engine! Hope you get it up to WF10.

Tom C.

silverfox103 wrote:

What happened to the "Floating Head" Chris? The inside of my wagon isn't as clean as that engine! Hope you get it up to WF10.

Tom C.

LOL! My wife said it was too freaky to show the world. Haha. So I put on a pic of the Reedy River Falls (Downtown Greenville) Lol

Well, I hope I can get it going soon. We will see. Mike is gonna stop by Mem weekend to help with the front clip install

Wow Chris... Just... Wow.

Gettibg better every pix, wagonfest for sure , RIGHT!

Ok...so the headers, plugs and wires are on now. $#^&$ AC lines are killing me. I am so close to getting it right, but I think I will screw these up. They are the original ones anyhow, so a new set will likely be on the way once I figure out how to bend these things. Dunno.

The Summit headers fit very nicely. (except for the AC lines..lol) I used the Earls gaskets and I know these things are sealed Not bad for $200 headers.

All the plugs and plug wires fit fine (still fiddling with placement) but a couple of plugs on each side will be a PITA to change once the fenders are on. heh

I know my intake is nasty looking. I need to clean it again once everything is done. I should have painted it!

Also, does anyone have a front set of heat shields they want to sell? I found that mine are not worth re-using.

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wouldn't it be easier to set up the new exhaust with the body off the frame?

it's actually easier to drive a car to a shop than it is to haul a body-less frame... so.. nope.

Did you cut off both braces on each side or just one?

I did both sides waaay in advance, just so it would look even. I'll have to hold them up tomorrow to see if I even had to do that. There really is a lot of room. To bad they don't just unbolt like the TBI ones do.

LOL! Ballbuster eh? Nice.

Waterpump, coil, trans cooler lines, dipstick tube and other small stuff done the past couple nights. Heading to VA this weekend so no more progress till next week Getting closer!

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Looking good

you put your work on hold for frozen custard!

Looking good Chris. Can't wait to see it in person!

buickestate wrote:

you put your work on hold for frozen custard!

Priorities Pat, everyone knows that!

Hey, what did you do to get the dipstick tube back into the block? On my SS, I took it out to re-route it through the headers, and I can't get the damn thing back in. It has been sitting there loose for two years! I have tried from the top, and the bottom, but it just won't go. I really had to hammer on a wrench to get it out.

I do have a Z28 tube to try (the part that goes into the block isn't as long). I am thinking of taking a bit of material off, and shoving it in with some sealer.

Jay, what part won't line up? The slotted hole on that little dipstick bracket and the hole in the block? I had trouble with it too...took awhile to bend and adjust before I could get it. Actually squeezed that bracket closer to the tube.

The only way I could tighten that bolt was from the bottom too. I used a looong extension and a swivel to get at it. I wish I had an extra set of hands to hold/adjust the tube from the top. That part took forever alone.

Oh yeah...I love Spelunkers!

http://www.spelunkerscustard.com/flavor-of-the-day/month.calendar/2010/05/13/-.html

Quote :

Jay, what part won't line up?

The tube won't go back into the block hole. It was very tight to get out, so it isn't a surprise that it won't go back in. I can't pound it back in from up top since the tube has an S bend in it, so it acts like a spring. I'll get on it this weekend and get angry...

jayoldschool wrote:

Quote :

Jay, what part won't line up?

The tube won't go back into the block hole. It was very tight to get out, so it isn't a surprise that it won't go back in. I can't pound it back in from up top since the tube has an S bend in it, so it acts like a spring. I'll get on it this weekend and get angry...

Oh. That is weird. Perhaps you can sand the bottom of the tube a touch and spray some WD40 in the hole (I don't think that would hurt if a drop got in the oil) Don't get too mad! LOL! That could be bad for the car.

That's why I stopped trying. I was getting mad. I had the car up and down the lift about ten times. I scratched the coating on my header, too...

just a suggestion but ever think of using a aftermarket braided flexable line from LOCAR PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS they seal to block by way of double o-rings and are flexible and can be mounted using the header bolts . i have used them on two previous hot rods and the coast is pretty reasonable i think like $39.oo they also make a braided trany dipstick they add a certain amount of bling to the engine compartment

^ I might have to look into those lines crazyboutwagons..it would be nice to spiffy up a bit more. I am also looking at some braided sleeves (like BigBlackBeaSSt used) to cover the hoses. We will see.

So, brake lines are all done (rear one is still not to my liking, but I gotta move on for now) driveshaft in, rear harness in...should get my powdercoated gas tank straps in tomorrow night...

My heat shields need to be cleaned and painted tonight (all but the one under the driver's left foot as I need to find a replacement)

Mike is coming down and the front clip will be put on Sat! WHOO! I will be dropping the car down off the stands ofter work tomorrow so we can line the fenders up right. I remeber Pat having an issue and he was told it was cause by the front frame area sagging (since it was off the ground)

I also need to order some O2 sensor extension harness since the front 2 will not reach the bungs now. Oh, and I gotta do the OBD1 conversion. Always something. Was hoping to start it this weekend, but it might have to wait a bit longer.

ayep. you gotta do panel alignment with the weight on the suspension. if at all possible you might consider dropping it on to the wheels tonight so it has some time to settle back in. It's been on those jack stands a long time.

I dropped mine and moved it around a bit to settle everything before installing my fenders. It was still a major PITA, lol. I didn't have anyone to help me though so you should have better luck than I did.

Yeah, I might do that tonight then....good call. I would have helped ya Billy! Good practice for me. Lol

I just hope I have enough bolts....

I took the time to bag each different set of bolts I removed. Sadly my memory sucks and I didn't mark the bags. Was a pain remembering exactly where each bolt when cause they all seem to be different types/sizes, lol.

brokecello wrote:

I just hope I have enough bolts....

what did you do with the nuts and bolts I gave you with the front clip?

buickestate wrote:

brokecello wrote:

I just hope I have enough bolts....

what did you do with the nuts and bolts I gave you with the front clip?

I still have those! I just hope I have enough of the 6mm body bolts...I could not get all mine off the '96 around the fender to inner wheelwell area. I think I saw a good many in that little box Pat I still hit up a couple parts stores and bought some just in case. Lol Getting excited!!

So, I took it off the jackstands tonight. Yeah, she is still sitting high in the front. I bounced on the front frame areas a bit (neighbors were looking at me funny...or it could be the crack they were smoking)



I still have to recondition the heat shields and install them. You can see that its not perfect under there, but it is clean

Wish my frame looked that good

So Mike is nearing Charlotte...and I just finished assembling the fenders

Here are the bolts and inner fender fasteners I stocked up on. These are all over the front end...so it does not hurt to have extra!
https://2img.net/h/i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp261/chrisandcarapowell/Project%20WWW/IMG_9626.jpg

I like the finish! The truck bed lining works so well..and will go nicely with the wheel wells! This stuff IS tough too, resistant to dings. Don't ask me how I know. Lol

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Stuck the fenders in with the hood for tonight, can't wait to get all this on tomorrow!! WHOO! It will look like a wagon again

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simply awesome Chris especially when I think of the time you spent all alone in various conditions.

This has been my "must check daily" thread, second only to the obits,you understand.

Now you are geting to my favourite part,keep up the great work, Lorne.

Chris you do absolutely beautiful work. I wish I had your skills buddy.

Ok, we are all up..breakfast was made...and now Mike and I are heading over to work on the wagon I am so excited to have help from a wagon brotha! WHOO!

Well, it is on Was not as easy as I thought it would be...but I am EXTREMELY thankful that Mike came to help me. He has the shimming and pounding skills I lack.

Lorne, thank you for the support. It is hard not having a garage...but it is what it is. I think this wagon will undergo many changes as time goes on. I am learning a lot as I go, and know how I can improve on the next round!


Pics!

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I also have my powdercoated gas tank straps too! These look so sweet (and will hold up better than the paint I was gonna use)
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___

We also tried to be cool like Bewbz...tired to add some wood flames. I call it, "hard and heavy". BAM!

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Lookin' good fellas, nice work. Sorry I couldn't make it for the festivities.

Great job, guys!

And Chris, that looks totally awesome. You should be very proud of yourself! You've got more balls than I do, digging in that deep by yourself! Holy schnikes!

And... uh... your tires are on the wrong side.

Wow Chris, that looks great!!!!

It was nice to get a chance to put one back together for a change! So nice to work on a clean car for once too, no greasy parts to deal with.

"work on a clean car for once too, no greasy parts to deal with."

AMEN TO THAT!

I changed the oil and a battery cable on the 66 Catalina this weekend. Talk about GREEEASSSYY. Nasty. I had grease sleeves. I'm gonna hit that thing with the pressure washer sooner rather than later after that experience.

Fantastic work! This is the first thread I found on this site months ago and like LorneJay1, I check everyday for new updates. Great work and great pictures showing the progress.

When you first described what you wanted to do, I thought you were nuts not to do a "body off". Still think your nuts but you have done an incredible job, considering you did it flat on your back. The results are what matters and you have done it in spades. I certainly wouldn't have had the patience.

Really interested in the truck liner paint you used. Have thought of using that myself but this is the first time I have seen it done this way. Also, if you haven't finished the de-wooding, remember the sun is your friend. Even up here, leaving the car in the hot sun for a couple of hours will make this job very easy. When I did diesel, I must have spent five hours on one panel with the heat gun and gave up. The next day, the side that was exposed to the sun came off as if I was peeling wallpaper. Did one whole side in less then 1/2 hour. Turned the car around and did the same thing on the other side. Much better way to do this job. Stuff came off in complete sheets.

Great write-up and even better pictures. Good work.

Bill

Thanks guys!! I am getting closer I can't wait to hear it run....

Bill, I am crazy....but with all the time and money I have in this wagon now....I will keep it for a loong time. I am sure the frame will come off eventually. Very good point about the sun!

*cough* I didn't notice that those snow tires are directional. LOL! I will switch them before I drive it. Heh. Not used to seeing those (or needing them)

Wish I had the time/money/garage to do a frame off on my caprice. I'm just lucky to get some time on a buddy's lift to get a good amount of scraping and painting on the frame done. Its crusty, but thankfully still solid.

Btw, when you pulled the wood trim what did you use to plug all the little holes? I want to pull mine but have no idea what to do with all the little holes from where the molding was.

The holes will be welded shut. You only have holes at the ends of the trim pieces...so not many really. The holes just open up to the door jam area, so its not hurting anything right now.

Some people put filler in those holes too, I want them welded. Just my 2cents.

brokecello wrote:

The holes will be welded shut. You only have holes at the ends of the trim pieces...so not many really. The holes just open up to the door jam area, so its not hurting anything right now.

Some people put filler in those holes too, I want them welded. Just my 2cents.

Oh ok. My next question (If you don't mind). What about those little rivet things under the mirror like in this picture:

The little nubs will be snipped off, sanded and area lightly filled, sanded again to make it smooth.

Some people grind them off...but that usually ends up digging into the metal when you go too far.

I'm just not at that point yet. I still have to get it running. LOL!

I would shoot a PM off to 94Woody (Billy) and he can give you some practical advise too. He just did this exact work on his wagon. Still in the body work phase.

Once I start though, LOTS of pics will be on here

Also, Jarrod (1993 Roady-man) is really the expert. If I had the $$, I would ship it up to him

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6216

I replaced my fenders and and front doors with ones from a sedan, that did away with those holes, lol. Will have the remaining large holes (6 in total) welded up eventually. As for the little pins, I snipped the heads off with a pair of cutters and ground the remaining stud flush with the panel. Gonna apply some filler, smooth it all out and they will be gone.