1969 Pontiac Custom S 350
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This past weekend of July 4th, a buddy of mine who has emphysema, bad back, etc..., is giving me a 400ci , '69 Grand Prix motor that has 3 deuces for some reason, new pistons bored thirty over, turbo400 trans. FOR FREE ! It may need 'he says' main bearings, and a trans. overhaul. He's a ex-veteran. Must have been my VFW shirt ? God Bless him. That was HUGE. Now I'm told that the motor could have been a ram air. I didn't know the '69 Grand Prix had that option. Oh, and I'm keeping the original engine wrapped on an engine stand !
Lots of rust on this Custom S. It was buried. I couldn't see under it if I had dug a hole.
The Custom S was only made in '69. The 2 door coupe, they made I think almost 49,000. This car was originally a light tan color caled Mayfair Maize. I've got matching #'s engine and the original hubcaps.
This is before I bought it.
IN THE WORKS FINALLY !!!
I tore out the trunk pan, gutted the interior, threw away the gas tank, fixed a couple of dents in the roof with an Eastwood hammer and dolly kit, pulled the heads off to rebuild engine. When I drained the oil, it was mostly antifreeze.
Now I need $ for brakes, floor, trunk, trunk lid, gas tank, hood, bumper, taillights, dash, seat recovering, etc... Oh yeah, paint...
Engine compartment before and after...I'm guessing all the clay preserved the metal pretty good
I pulled the engine, obviously, and had a big box of clay I scraped off with a set of pry bars before I hit it with the steel brush wheel. Looks good though. Numbers match. Let's hope that the block isn't cracked somewhere.
Ohhhh the rust that never sleeps. Serious job in the windshield area. We'll see if the channel comes out with the windshield when I pull it. After the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona next week, I'll get the POR-15 kit.
If anyone knows what I can do about the rear seat and back rest, PLEASE let me know if there is a remanufactured set or anything else I can do. The springs are ate up. Must have been the oak tree sitting over it for all those years. Thanks, Rich
Well I went to the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona Thanksgiving Day and Friday. I got myself a NOS triple dipped bumper, a new windshield, a front disc brake conversion kit, and scored a hood thanks to Harry ! Two minor imperfections and it's all good. It's even the original light light yellow paint. It will be painted red though. The radiator core support should arrive Dec. 5th, the POR-15 kit on the 8th. Still going strong every day. The dashboard, I scraped all the black vinyl off of it and and going to recover it myself with some black p-leather material since I did used to build custom vans.
Skinned the dash for recovering. Not cheap, triple dipped new frnt. bumper
Old hood, New hood, untouched
Finally, dialed in to stop. New upper and lower ball joints, stabilizer links and Gabriel Ultra's. Along with new brake lines and master cylinder, etc... 2/20/09
The welds are looking kind of rough but I'm just learning.
I've never tried to restore a car before, and I'll tell ya', it's not cheap, but I'm having fun !!!
Minor welding needed on bottom. Good floor and braces. Will look nice cleaned and sealed.
Rusted upper window channel, a little bit of creativity... 4/24/09
Tic Tac Toe !!!
