kawi825

Been trying to stay away from RL so i didn't drive myself too crazy. Dropped my car off 4/11/13 for paint, and a few other things. Still don't have it back, but i thought i should try to document what i've done/doing to refer to later, i'm not a "blogger" so i thought this would be a decent way to document. Tips/advice always appreciated. Still learning about this car. low mile(about 24k) car, so i'm trying to pick away at things one at a time, knowing i'll never recoup the costs, but want it dependable so i can enjoy it after the kids are out of the house.

Last yr-
intake refresh
de-carbonizing
injector seals ,etc
timing belt
oil pan gasket
rear cam seals
replace slave cylinder, blue hose, flex line, flushed all brake fluid (WHAT A BITCH......)

This yr-
Paint-from brown to blue (similar to cobalt-Blue streak pearl)
replacing front seats with set of tan leather from newer 944
dying rears
replacing carpet
Installing a nice new hood pad from Nicole
Deleting disgusting side markers America slapped on, rear wiper assembly, headlight washers
Replace the grommets under the brake reservoir i didn't do last year while doing all the clutch work (moron..)
Replacing alum ball joint carriers with new steel units
Need to fix dying ODO gear ASAP so i can keep my mileage accurate


Car is taking forever for paint, but the man doing it is doing a great job, and has had lots of personal setbacks. This is something i'd NEVER even attempt, the patience required is ridiculous, and I ain't got it.. He let me come while he was spraying it, very cool, and awesome to see it transform from a 78 BROWN to something that looks like a mid nineties sports car.. Just hope to drive it once or twice before snow hits here.

Bilal928S4

Looks great. Keep us posted on the progress.

jeff spahn

Love that color. If only I could learn to paint. . . . . .

kawi825

I know, i would love to be able to do it, so much satisfaction. But seeing the detail he puts into every inch of this thing, i know i don't have the patience.. i'm definitely a builder, not a finish person.

kawi825

Update on the old BROWN 78 Euro. Still don't have it back, and probably won't for another couple weeks, looks great, but it looks like i won't be driving it before the snow comes. We're dyeing the interior now, and carpet swap will happen this week. Nothing worth more pics yet unfortunately but i have to tell myself to be patient.

KLVA

Wow...that really inspires me to get my latest

# 1096 back into shape

Love that Cobalt blue......

kawi825

Still going on the car, paint is done, interior is close.
Steel ball joint carriers done, now looking into drips/leaks on the front of the engine.

Also looking into deleting the air pump and possibly the motor driven fan. I see a few options out there for this. FFdynamics kits look nice and seen them talked about on here recently. I think Dr Hans was also currently workign on something. Just wondered if anyone had updates or any new outlets for this. I really want to do this, but money is really starting to get tight..
Have a note into Mr Tyson about the air pump delete parts, plugs, etc.

Thanks all.

Jadz928

Dr. Hans and Mr. Tyson.... I love it.

Re the fan, leave the OE one, and save some money for fixing oil leaks.
Delete air pump, cap rear of heads, get the short lawn mower belt, done.

kawi825

Thanks Jim, if we find too many leak points that's exactly what'll happen, a few hundred bucks fixes lots of 35 yr old brittle orings and seals.

VanD

Nice job Matt - when do I get to check this thing out?

kawi825

Still not home, since the guy who's helping me with it has it, I may as we'll not hurry now with the roads looking like the surface of the moon for another month.. Our rock salt filled potholes are looking ridiculous..

kawi825

Finally back home after a year right down to the week, not done, but getting there.
Interior came out nice, front dome light crumbled while trying to re-install so i left them both out and figure on getting the VW units everyone talks about (certain year passats to look for to fit our cars?).
Had a bad leak on the front cam seals, so did a new timing belt again, , and deleted the air pump and capped off rear openings. Didn't go electric for the fan, but would like to, got the 21" belt and it's working, but now i seem to hear more of a belt whine and hate it.. Rebuilt oil pump, and pressure pegs for at least 15 minutes now for some reason, but settles down to about 3 bars at idle once warmed up completely. Washed off all the dust/residue and need to nit pick it now for when it goes back to the painter for final buff, touch ups, etc. Seemed to buy parts from Roger weekly over the last month.. can't beat the ship time from Texas to NY i've been receiving. Waiting now for some service covers to protect my pretty blue paint.. Lots to do to make her road worthy even looks it looks ready to go.. Have to find a terrible vac leak now that makes the lock system inop as soon as the car is off, sounds like it's right under the cluster somewhere. Happy Easter everyone.

Jadz928

Wow... your '78 looks great! Would look even better with 18" phone dial wheels...

kawi825

Thanks Jim, just wish it was ready to drive, gotta rip doors apart and refresh motors etc, so until the. The panels are off and trims so things are RATTLY and not enjoyable at all. Also need to find the vac leak and rip apart my cluster to get my flaking odo out again. Your phone dials look SWEET.

The Fixer

Looks Great Matt!

I like the color.

You're almost there.
Matt