This past weekend, I unfortunately totaled my 96 RS.

On a happier note, ill be picking up a 1979 Berlinetta from a friend.

Now before everyone starting moaning and groaning about it having a 305- wait.

My buddy bought the car in horrible condition. He replaced all the rotted pannels, including some parts of the frame.

Additionally, he threw out the old 305 and put a nice 400 in it.

The car currently sits in etching primer. The motor hasnt been ran in a year, and the neutral safety switch doesnt work. He is going to try to fix the tranny and start the motor before i take the car.

Can anyone give me any helpful tips on what i can/should do to the car? Performance wise or even cosmetically. The interior is red, but Im thinking of ripping it out and replacing it with the standard black interior from year one.

Thanks!

 

just look at my photo and get some ideas

is the motor a poncho?

 

talos- that is a very nice looking ride you have there. the car im getting has t tops, and is in primer like i said. im considering for colors blue, red, silver, or red. those torque thrusts look awesome on your car!

im not sure. how can i tell if it is (casing numbers)? whats the difference?

 

ok bud, ur going to wanna make sure those ttops don't leak there very well known to..

check out this site here its the best site around for info on 2nd gens, the mother of sites if you well.

check it out. get tons of info on there about anything and everything.

 

400 as in 400 sbc.
Im sure its not a pontiac 400


You said it has had panels replaced and part of the frame. Im not trying to detour you from the car but make sure there is not some more ROT. If the car had that much rust you want to make sure the rust removal was done correctly and not just covered up.

 

Its a SBC 400- i just dont know what the difference is between the regualr motor, and the motor that Talos Mentioned.

Thanks for the heads up BIGBAD! I saw the car when he first got it, and helped with some of the restoration of the car. All pannels were cut out and replaced with new pannels. All the welds and what not are smooth and done correctly.

My buddy bought the car to restore and have for a nice weather cruiser, but his 02 Supercharged Mustang GT has gained more importance in his life. Otherwise, he would have finished the car completely. So far, the car has been fixed correctly.

When I take the car from him, I gotto DA the etching primer, and re-spray the car with another sandable primer that I'm using on my friends 73 Camaro. After that, the sucker is getting painted Jet Black or a glossy Silver. Planning on throwing a set of weld stars on it or something for temp. wheels, then getting some TT IIs

The motor is going to go to my motor guy and is going to be ripped down to the block, inspected, re-gasketed and re-assembled with a new oil pan, and cam package.

Im still debating what to do with the red interior. Some people say the red looks good with a black car. Im thining about just changing the whole interior over to gray or black.

 

check www.nastyz28.com like talos said, I am on there lots... GREAT site.

T-Tops? Auto?

My personal priority list
- Driveline
- Electrical
- Body
- Interior

Check the rear frame rails (especially in front of the axle) to make sure they are solid. If they are... consider sub-frame connectors. Don't know how much extra torque a 400 has over a 305... but you will get extra stress.

Then look at the electrical, determine if you want to change gauges, stereo, lights, etc...

Don't run around in primer for long. Primer is porous, allowing the paint to bond to it... but also allowing water in as well... seal it up with paint.

Then look at the interior.

Congrat's on your "new" second gen... bummer about your '96

 

What he means by "poncho" is the Pontiac guys refer to the Pontiac line of engines as Poncho.

As far as the Tq difference between the 305 and a 400. Its a whole other world.

PS welcome to the world of 2nd Gens... I have a 78 myself.

Good Luck and have fun

 

yeeeeeeeeesssss welcome to the dark side

 

It does have T - Tops, so its defintely going to get a set of sub frames this winter.

My big priority is getting new wiring harnesses for the lights, windows, and locks. Apparently the previous owner hacked them up a bit.

After that is all taken care of, she gets painted. I work for a used car dealership so i have a place to keep the car until shes done.

Something that i would like to try to do is swap the dash from a early 70s camaro into the car. I like the way everything is pointed twoard the driver. Either way, its getting all new autometer gauges

Im going to try to take some pics of teh car this weekend, if not i can get them next week.