I originally purchased this vehicle in July 1985 w/43k and drove it daily till spring of 1987,after getting the 4x4 mud boggin' bug I packed the 442 away in a neighbors barn for approx. 10 yrs... Reluctantly in 1997 it was brought out due to "property division" The "new owner" took possession,after another year of sitting it was put back on road for 98/99. Again it sat till 2005 in a driveway...I regained possession in July 2005,(If I didnt pick it up it was going for scrap), 11 days short of 20 yrs from original purchase..it still only shows 122k

a good power wash starts the project

before and after

lots of time,remove engine and trans to do a proper tidy up
after plenty of solvents ,wire wheels and paint.. underhood finally clean,engine set back in after replacing timing chain,oil/fuel/water pump,quadrajet..added an Edelbrock intake and "Oldsmobile" stamped valve covers...

A/C and A.I.R. has been deleted

Engine bay coming along I'm thinking "headers" now/ transmission fresh as can be...shift kit/touch of stall

Every brake/steering/suspension component has been replaced,Hurst Dual Gate from 79'H/O installed (seems to be only mechanical difference between 79/80)found a near mint toplate

After removing interior,some(no surprise)floor work will be necessary...another no fun part.

patched up and sealed...interior will be redone after body/paint completed

Fuel tank area cleaned up..tank ready to reinstall
Why did I bother??? can't see it

Its up and its in..now thats an apparatus...next time I'll find a "helper"

Finally!!! Its been started and driven...seems to work well other than a minor fuel,water leak and a annoying belt squeal at start up...now sorted and I'm pleased...now itching for body time!!!

This will have to do for time being :)

My goal is to finish up with a nice clean and simple driver

This is where I'm hoping to end up...as it was back in 1987

TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW MANY OF 886 ARE LEFT??!!!

If you own or know of one that still exists plz contact group below..with info on where its located,color,t-topped thanks!

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/80W30442only

misc....on page 2