While the body parts are in process, I thought it would be a good time to work on the rear suspension, brakes, and 8-lug to 5-lug conversion. I've been accumulating parts for these systems for well over a year--some of the stuff is left over from the Bonneville. Whenever something popped up cheap, I picked it up. The basic suspension being the easiest, I replaced the completely worn out shocks with NOS Delco Pleasurizers that I found on EBay for CHEAP over a year ago. I picked up standard coil springs from Eaton Spring about the same time.
To get started, I used a bottle jack on the 4-Post lift to take tension off each spring for removal. Complicating the process just a bit were the pieces of 2X4's that the previous owner jammed into the springs to keep them from collapsing downward. Tension off, the wood came right out. Bottom bolts had easy access and were a cinch. The nut for the upper bolt provided the bare minimum clearance under the body. Thank goodness for an extra pair of hands (and a lot of supervisors) after Easter Dinner--which my wife was not too thrilled about. Funny how all of the men ended up in the garage, while all of the women accumulated around the kitchen table. My Nephew Dave managed to get a 3/4" wrench to hold the nut on each side, while I impacted the bolts below. Once the bolts were removed, the springs were easily taken out. The new ones went in like a snap. Moving to the brakes, I removed the 5 nuts holding the 8 lug wheel on the driver's side (left-handed reverse thread, of course) and tapped off the aluminum drum. Alas, the previous owner had already replaced the wheel cylinders and pads, and put everything together in a workman-like manner. What a beautiful thing!
I test fit the 5-lug replacement drum that a great guy from Colorado named Jeff hooked me up with--and they fit like a glove requiring only minor adjustment. Later this week on to the passenger side. I picked up some 15 X 7 (5X5) Cadillac wheels on Craigslist a couple of months ago that need to be cleaned and painted Cameo Ivory. The front will have 15 X 6 (JJ coded) wheels that are already in epoxy primer. Have to get all 4 wheels to the Body Shop for paint so that I can mount the tires. (Firestone Fire Hawks picked up from Tire Rack last November before the impending price increase--225-15 Front, 235-15 Rear; These are the best tires out there for price and performance, as far as I am concerned). Kids are off of school this week, and I get to watch them on Thursday and Friday. I'm thinking it's a good time to maybe get off the front fenders and cowl to ready for acid dipping.
This car is starting to transform before my eyes. I keep getting pleasantly surprised that is in better condition than I even imagined. A couple of days ago a friend showed me a mid-60's Tempest convertible that he is working on for someone else. On the lift, it's apparent that almost every piece of sheet metal and mechanical system needs complete replacement. While my Grand Prix started out as an ugly sister, she--so far-- has been an absolute stunner under her exterior.
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