Only my second post since buying a floundering shark two months ago. I've always wanted one of these cars. So I bought one that didn't run and needed a new interior for $900. The first "get it up and running" push was too much for me so I took it to a local mechanic who is also the PCA technical advisor, Tom Charlesworth. He's a great guy and did yeoman's work getting the shark swimming again. He did great work and went above and beyond with advice and some freeebies. This is my first restoration and I probably could have picked an easier car to start with but I'm very happy, if a little, no, a lot, overwhelmed! As a newbie I have a TON of questions. What I have going for me is time. In the past I have had to do any work on my car in one day because it was the only car I had to drive. This time I don't have those constraints so some of the pressure is off, whew.

The interior is completely out. I have been putting in eDead (Dynamat clone) wherever I can inside and now have all the interior pieces dyed. As soon as I get the Sliverknit carpet set (from Fryer's Upholstery, good guys) I'll be ready to start the interior install.

While I have the interior out is there anything I should do? Right now I have easy acess to all the wiring. One thing I plan on doing is replacing the stock speaker wiring with monster cable and running wiring for a subwoofer in the rear, maybe in the spare tire well.

I want to get it up to stock and then decide what, if any mods to do (test pipes, x-pipes, interior trim....).

I already know I'll need a new guage cluster. The speedo is kaput and some of the other guages are a little jumpy so I thought I'd replace the whole darned thing. Two questions, what model year clusters will fit in a '79? And, anyone know where I can get one of these without a second mortgage?

I also need some little things like front A pillars, preferably black and a center console, also in black.

This seems like a really good group of folks here and I look forward to all the info to be had and the occaisional shoulder to cry on. BTW, I have read some of the posts re: people using the forum but not joining and I couldn't agree more. That said, I have had a rather frustrating time trying to join, but I'll keep trying!

Hopefully there are some pix below.

Thanks-
Steve

 

No pics, I'll try again later

Steve

 

must be member to post pics.. you can email to me at rixter@rennlist.net and I can post for you..
joining problem? pm Randy to get some assistance

 

You and I have very similar projects going, Steve.

 

I've often thought of lining the car with dynamat moreso to offset road noise and dampen the inevitable rattles that happen over time.

How heavy would a carload of that stuff be?

 

I'd guess when all is said and done the deadener I'm using will add 15-20 pounds to the car. I'm using the sheets where I can and have a gallon of semi-liquid to use in tough spots.

 

Before replacing the cluster of guages clean all connections and resolder the board, and along with time the money flows right behind it. But it would with any other restoration project. Welcome and enjoy.

Andy