engine and drivetrain Newbie with pics

[Chris514]

Last week I took possession of my first 2002! It is a '76 with a 5-speed swap. It has the engine out of the '71 Jake wrote the obit for last week, (although it was originally in an E21). Highlights include cloth recaros with no rips or tears, and a mint dash. The to-do list includes compress / remove bumpers, possibly some basketweaves, roof rack, paint eventually, and? These are the only pics I have right now, and make it look better than it actually does, but you get the idea!

edited for html

[c.d.iesel]

WELCOME aboard

leave the wheels and freshen up the rubber

remove the front spoiler

clean/buff/polish the existing paint

do not paint

full fluid service

treat it like the last 7 owners did nothing

[flyingjolly]

welcome and congratulations

WELCOME aboard

leave the wheels and freshen up the rubber

looking at the left front rim of the wheel looks quite damaged

[Chris514]

Thanks!

I kind of like the spoiler!

And the rubber is good, only a few thousand on them. The wheel just has a rather large lead weight on it.

edit: Also the paint is peeling bad on the roof. It will need a respray, I will get some more pics at some point, but believe me, I would leave it if possible.

[eastsidebimmer]

My vote is to compress the bumpers and leave the spoiler, the two together make a nice uniform look. If you remove the bumpers altogether, you expose your delicate nose and tail panels. If you go the early bumper conversion route, you have a lot of bodywork on your hands, holes to fill and bumper mounts to fabricate. There is nothing wrong with big bumpers, they work--early chrome bumpers are basically jewelry.

[Napes]

As you can see by my picture, I very much like the Kamei front spoiler. If you leave it on it will reduce noise and greatly increase stability at speed on the freeway, especially if there's a crosswind.

If your state does not require a front license plate you can improve the looks of the front rubber bumper profile by filling the holes with "Nylon Hole Plugs - Black" available at Lowe's. I think they are in the Plumbing Dept. and the P/N is H#881290. Lowe's Bar Code # is: 0 0823671681 8. They are 1" in dia.

You can see the effect of them on both my car, and my wife's, in the photo.

(Click to enlarge).

Bob Napier

[Chris514]

Thanks for the tip Bob! I used to work at Lowe's actually, and I think I know what you are talking about. I'll pick some up!

[flyingjolly]

Thanks!

And the rubber is good, only a few thousand on them. The wheel just has a rather large lead weight on it.

ah okay, sorry - i thought of that too but it looked more like a dent in de horn to me

i'd leave on the spoiler but remove the bumper

[fxtbass]

+1 on leave the spoiler. CD is a great resource on the FAQ but if it ain't stock he don't like it. Plus it's a real Kamei hard to find.

[autobon7]

Nice car but bad "fun house" pics, lol. I do like the spoiler....my vote is to keep it.

[davidmcw]

I have a '76 too. I removed the heavy bumper shocks and fabricated replacements from steel tubing to hold the bumpers. Moved the bumpers closer to the body and must have removed at least 20 lbs. from the car. I'm considering offering a 5 piece set of aluminum tubes for the front and rear bumpers. Price would be in the $125 range. I'm wondering if there is any interest from members of 2002 FAQ?

[PatAllen]

i have a 76 too...bought it in boxes in mid 90's, was rusted out, leaking oil everywhere, no brakes,... and ended up like this:

-280hp turbo with programmable efi/intercooled

-tons of brakes

-worked out suspension

-fun

-100% street driveable, altough a bit dangerous.

anything can be done with some patience.

[Koblenz]

WELCOME!! Great starting point!

If you want basketweaves, I have a set that will be for sale.

Keep us posted.

[Chris514]

Nice car but bad "fun house" pics, lol. I do like the spoiler....my vote is to keep it.

Wasn't sure what you were talking about at first, but I just pulled up the post on my iPad and I see now! Hmmm, my HTML must be a little rusty.

I'm considering offering a 5 piece set of aluminum tubes for the front and rear bumpers.

That does sound interesting, I'll be curious to see the end product.

-280hp turbo with programmable efi/intercooled

-tons of brakes

-worked out suspension

-fun

-100% street driveable, altough a bit dangerous.

=Awesome

Going to keep the spoiler on, and see what it looks like without the front bumper (don't worry, I'll post pics), and compress the back for now I think.

Thanks All!

[THE1ST3]

Big ups to a fellow Kentuckian! Frankfort High School and Kentucky State University alumnus here. Stayed in Lex. a week ago for KSU's homecoming. Those apts. look like Greg Page...