1972 Pontiac Lemans T-41 Restoration

Hi all,

I though I might start a thread on the resto of my T-41 optioned '72 Lemans.

So here goes......

First Start up after she arrived 4 weeks ago...


The camera ran out of power just as I got it running. Then this....

 

Someone went to a lot of trouble to toughen up this car. All the trailing arms are boxed, with extra bracing.(I'll take a pic later) I'm not sure its an open centre, it may be an LSD. (missing the bolt where the tag is held, so might have to do a burnout on the concrete to make sure. There's no intermediate E-brake cable. I've found more receipts in the Ashtray so not a smokers car.

It's got the obligatory pump up rear shocks.

Definately a YH 455, with 4X heads. The TH400 is a '70 PD so might be from the same car as the motor. Has a trans oil cooler as well.

Exhaust manifolds look like to ones Dave sells as RAIII - (RH 4 manifold-to-head bolts and 3-bolt exhaust flange). Cant tell much about the LH because of the heat shield.

15 x 8 WS6 snow flakes have unmarked lips and will scrub up well with a polish and a repaint.

I started cutting and welding the rust in the hood, which I posted elsewhere on this site.

More stuff done, installed left hand drive head lights, and today......Tail gate welded up. Now playing with my stud welder and dent puller.






I haven't shown the other stuff, like wire wheeling the rust, applying Fertan and painting both surfaces, but you get the idea.

 

Today I changed out the Harmonic Balancer, which was wobbling like crazy, and that also fixed the squealing belts.
Then I started cutting out the tyre well, which is the rustiest part of the wagon.


Mmmmmm aluminum siding......

The holes are getting bigger.

then I contracted ADD, and played with the neverendingstory "the Dash in the Z28.


Oh dear.....

 

did a little more on the Lemans to get it road worthy. I can keep the red lenses but I can not have the Brake Light and the Indicator running of the same globe. So I've separated the indicator light and relocated it to another position.

Sorry you may have to look at these from the side, I tried to rotate, but it wouldn't upload.

I had to drill a couple of holes for the globe bucket to sit correctly, but only on left hand side, there's some major bracing there for the tail gate.

I double covered the indicator wire to protect it from chaffing.

Here we are the left hand side...

and the Right hand side.
and short vid of the lights working.

 

Cool thread. Thanks for posting.

 

Great work!
I am so happy to see that this car went to a Pontiac fan.
I thought it was a VERY cool ride.

 

Love that car. Appreciate this thread, falc4!

 

Noticed you have Utah license plates? Your profile says Australia? Little help...like this.

 

He had the car shipped, Dewey.

 

That's a long way to ship, just wondered...oh yeah and a big brown box. Yuk yuk yuk!

PS: That's what Utah does to cars...

 

Nice!
Looking forward to seeing the project as it progresses.

 

That's a cool wagon there! Keep the updates coming!

 

Great job! Your photos are very helpful to those of us who may contemplating similar projects. Thanks!

 

Love to see this one moving along so fast!

What are your plans for the color?

 

I think I will keep it Anaconda Gold. If it wasn't for the rust I'd drive it around patina style.