Well as my stolen car thread says in off topic. I will be getting my Firebird back on the road. And while I am driving that. I will continue to work on my Z again. I hope within a month or less. I will have the Z running again. Mainly, because the Firebird is going to kill me in fuel. Anyway feel free to read my thread on the incident. And I will keep you all posted. Thanks.

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/lounge-off-topic-219/my-car-stolen-today-30473/

 

Well once again, reality has bit me hard. Which puts my Z on the back burner once again. I just can't seem to get a break at times. I lost my job last week, and am still pissed about that. But I am trying to find something else. I have applied at many places online. Anyway, I only had one more bankruptcy payment. And it would have gotten under way. So that is on hold also.

I am trying to stay positive. And my wife is doing her best to help me through this difficult time. She is absolutely wonderful. And I don't know, what I would do without her. I might have been in a more depressed state. Anyway, pray for me everybody. I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance. I will keep you posted.

 

You will pull through man, dont worry.

 

hey, whats up man. sorry to hear.. that blows

 

Thanks guys, appreciate it. and s/cL3.0. Welcome back, where have you been?

 

Okay...update for everybody that cares. lol Anyway the fender is removed. Because, it jammed the door. Causing it to buckle. Somehow, it happened when my dad was helping me tow it home, last year.

The intake, and exhaust manifolds, were a pain to get off. Forgot how fun those were. Especially, when they were untouched from factory.

And then I have the before, and after picures. As you can see, or if you are wondering. I am going for a chrome polish finish, on my valve cover. With probably some black on there, when i figure out where.

I had to start working on my Z again. I have been going crazy, waiting to get another job. I was sitting around too much. It is nice, to be able to start wrenching on my Z again. It keeps my sanity.

Anyway, Enjoy, and more to come.

 

So to let all you know. I am doing things, that don't require money right now. Until I get working again. So doing the polishing, and wire wheeling things. Is one way to do it that route. I should have the valve cover, if not finished brushed. To at least close to that today.

I do have a question. After I get it looking good, with a shiny finish. Which would be a brushed aluminum. How do I get it a smooth chrome finish? Any info, would be greatly appreciated. And do feel free comment, or respond to this thread. I like feedback. Thanks.

 

I just use Mother's Mag/Aluminum polish and rub it in forever and buff off. I'm not sure about using a brush to get it there. It really is amazing and take crud off anything.

Before:



After:



I'm not done but I did that while waiting for my girlfriend to get off work. (When I picked her up)

 

^ Thanks for the response man. Yeah it looks like it works really well. Of course, I will have to hold out, until I get working again.

Now I have another question. What size allen wrench do I need to take the head bolts out? So I can take a look at my pistons and such? I'm thinking 10 or 12mm. I was wondering if, the FSM. When it shows the bolts. And it looked like on the head bolts. It had a 12 inside the picture of the bolts. Does that mean the size? Let me know, I would appreciate it. And hopefully I stated it clear enough. So you are not scratching your heads. lol

So maybe I will get some more work done here this coming week. I have a phone interview Tuesday morning for a job. If you could, please pray for me everybody. And thanks in advance.

 

Well luck on the project and on your interview.. Keep us posted

 

^ Thanks, and I will.

Anyway..a little update as promised. Here are a couple of pictures, with my valve cover wire wheeling in progress. Feel free to comment.

 

Thats looking real good man, i just eneded up painting mine, didnt want to go through all that work lol anyway i would think a good rotary buffer to it should probably help smooth it out a bit...

 

^ Thanks man. Yeah, I wanted to do something different. I did paint my valve cover blue, on my T-top before. So I thought I would go with a chrome with black on my slicktop.

Are you the one, I sold the tranny too? If so, how is that working for you?

 

Here are some recent pictures, of my interior cleanup. I have the before, and then the after. Feel free to comment.
Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

It's a start, and more to come in the weeks to follow.

 

If you havent gotten your answer yet, the head bolts take a 10mm allen... I just took mine off recently.

I like the look of your valve cover, may have to do mine since its off! And the timing cover!

 

^ Thanks man, appreciate that. That is what I was kind of figuring. Anyway, I will probably get a socket allen set. So I can use it on my ratchet. And then on a torque wrench, when I am ready to re install the head, after machining.

Good luck on the polishing of the parts. And your rebuild also. I will probably polish more, as I go. It's going to be a chrome, silver, and black color scheme in the end.

 

So the agenda now is to, start fixing up the interior. Mostly to do with the electrical things. To make sure everything is working correctly. What I remember last time. Was that pretty much everything worked. Except the check light, the blower fan, and the temperature gauge. So I can do this kind of stuff. Until I get working, and make some money. To prepare to take the head to the shop. And have it shaved .20.

Then after that, get it running. Then work on the front end. And I may think about, getting the manual rack for it. Not sure on that one quite yet. Anyway, get new shocks, struts, and springs. Put the body kit on it, and work the bugs out, in the process. Will keep this thread updated the most. As I plug away at my Z. More to come.

 

Okay...I know they are out there. But it takes a lot of searching. I am trying to find the 158,194 purple, or black light bulb covers. And yes I tried the bulbs themselves. And it looked pinkish. yuck! Anyway, if anybody has information. On where I can get those covers in that color. It would be much appreciated. I found them last year on a website. And I swore I saved it in my bookmarks. But alas, it is not there. I'm sure I could find it, or another site that has them with a lot of searching. But I was just hoping, maybe somebody would have information on them.

If anybody is wondering. I am going for a black lighting, inside my Z. I have had the idea for a long while now. And really want to make it happen for the final result. I know one thing though. It is a major pain to find a stereo that plays an Ipod, in a purple display. I have yet to find one. And I have searched vigorously. lol

 

Okay, I found the purple bulb covers. More on that later. Anyway here are a few pictures, of my gauge needles painted silver. And another twist....I changed the clock display to purple. I can't wait to see it lit, in my Z. As soon as I get that hooked in. Pictures will follow. All aside, here are the pics, and feel free to comment.
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0611000022c.jpg?t=1276241498
0611000022.jpg?t=1276241498
0611000020.jpg?t=1276241498
0611000019.jpg?t=1276241498

 

Okay, another update for anyone who cares. I recently started working again. I started last week. It is lower pay, but is something I like doing. I am assembling electronic components. Mainly to do with networking computers. So on that note, I have been working on my Z. I almost have the cylinder head off. I just need to put the #1 piston at TDC. Move the power steering pump out of the way. And I am ready to pull it off. Then I will call the machine shop, within the next week or two. And get some quotes, and when I get around to it. Take the head in, to get looked at, and machined.

I can't wait. Soon I should be driving my Z again. The anticipation is killing me.

 

Sweet congrats! Gauges look good too, I want to someday so my Z in black on the inside with dark blue accents light the lights or something lol

Remember to replace ALL the coolant lines too when you put it back together! lol

 

Thanks, yeah it was a little work. Problem is, the covers I ordered, are for 194 bulbs. Which they are a little bigger than the dash bulbs. Either, I can try and make them work. Or search the internet again, for the correct ones.

Oh, and yes I do plan on replacing, and or inspecting the coolant lines. Smart a$$. lol

 

lol I just had to say it sense mine blew up XD. Anyways Uh try heating the covers up on the bulbs? They might shrink to the bulb. Use a lighter or something with a soft flame but dont heat them up to the point the bulb itself blows up lol Or just glue them on? *shrug*

 

^ Yes I know you did. lol Anyway I may try that trick on the covers. Or just try to kind of retrofit them on there. And see how the lighting looks.

Well job is going well, I have been there a week. And picking up on things. The big problem is my wife's Stratus is a pile. Had to get another distributor for it. Should have it fixed this weekend. Already ordered the part yesterday.

So I am going to put the piston at TDC soon. And get my cylinder head off. And get ready to take it to the machine shop. I would say within the next 3 weeks or so. All aside, I should have some more pictures, and or progress here soon. Stay tuned.

 

Ugh... I'm so glad my Z runs like a champ!