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Joe VarVera's 1981 Pontiac Trans Am Home Page |
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The restoration of a 1981 Trans Am. |
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My Favorite Links: |
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TA restoration photo pages |
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Northern auto parts |
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Wrenchhead |
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Two Guys Garage |
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Restoration page # 2 |
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Horse Power TV |
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Engine Page # 3 |
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My Classic Car |
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Prep to paint page # 4 |
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GM Parts Direct |
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Body work page # 5 |
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Original look on October 10,2000. |
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After paint page # 6 |
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After paint page # 7 |
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under construction # 8 |
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The restoration project began with the engine. The car had a 350 Chevy motor installed upon purchase which the seller wanted back in 2 weeks. I removed the motor the first weekend and returned it to the seller. I then began a search for a motor that would fit. I have had several V8 Chevys in the past and was looking for a engine that was either new or all new inside. After about a year I found a Chevy 400 small block that was rebuilt with all new parts and ready for installation. I bought an engine stand and painted the motor Chevy orange and installed new water pump and other new accesories that would not be damaged during installation. During the installation, I discovered that I needed a weighted flywheel for the 400 so I purchased a 168 tooth weighted flywheel from Wise speed shop in St.Louis and installed the engine. I had a really hard time getting the starter to line up, after repeated shimming and having the started in and out at least 10 times, I damaged the bendex gear and got a heavy duty starter. I also had problems with the Holley carb I had so I ended up putting the quadrajet back on the Elderbrock intake. The engine needed a strong battery to crank the tight new motor so I bought a new 1000CCA battery. Next the distributor, wires and rotor had to replaced and the engine would then at least start. After some timing tuning, the car then idled and had a good sound coming from under the hood.
The interior: I installed new carpet and repaired the drivers side floor pan from metal taken from a 1979 TA parts car. I basically stripped the 79 parts car of everything I thought I would ever need then scrapped it. I found out after it was gone that the rear brake caliper on my car was bad and the rear sway bar was missing...o well- live and learn. I had originally planned on painting the car myself and spent 3 months sanding the body and removing molding and pinstripes. I then was convinced to take the car to a body shop for the paint job. I found a shop in Bartelso Illinois that did an excellent job and I was 100% glad that I had the body painted with 2002 Camero bright white paint. The decal kit was the next step that made the car look like a project near completion. I am preparing to redo the rear disc brakes, get new tires and start working on the interior. I have to guess that I have about 75% of the car finished with what I plan on doing. I do not get a lot of time to work on the car but I am in no real hurry and want the car to be relaible before it hits the street. The starter is also a current issue because it gets tempermental when it gets really hot from the headers. A new smaller gear reduction starter is being considered and priced at this time.... |
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7/05/01---I bought a parts car, a 1980 Trans Am with a shaker hood, and will be using many parts off this car to make mine complete.
8/15/02---Dean welded in new metal (see body work page#5) Updated 8/15/2
9/26/02---Body is painted and decals are on, more pics posted soon...................
10/7/02-Pictures of car after paint and decal installation, see page 6 & 7....
1/21/07- car project on hold car covered in garage awaiting help and cash |
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Under hood goodies |
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black factory carpet |
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4 core HD radiator |
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Starter |
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Water pump |
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fuel pump |
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hoses,belts,wires |
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Elderbrock Performer intake |
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Accel wires,cap rotor |
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1000 CCA battery |
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Tell me about any ideas you have for this project or let me know about your TA. Enter any ideas or comments in guestbook below!!! |
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