82 Grand National, IT'S ON FINALLY!!!

[charlief1]

As some of you know I just got my 82 GN from 82grandbeast in Fort Worth. She's home now and after a couple of days I finally got out in the heat to get a better look at her and it doesn't look to bad. I'm sorry guys but it won't be a true restoration it's going to be a resto-mod car. She started life with a 4.1 in her and it may go back in but for now it will be a 3.8 carb/turbo set up I have been working on.
I already have my plan in mind so don't try to talk me out of it, it won't work. I have a complete 83 T Type that was going to take a lot of work to make it drivable so it's now my parts car. After I get what I need of the 83 parts will be sold off to help with expenses as well as get some more parts out there for the rest of you so you can put what you need for your toys.
The plan as it stands is the frame of the 83 will go under the 82 so I have the 2004r as well as the 3.42 posi rear. Granted it's a 7.5" rear but for now it's enough. I do have an A body rear that might go under her later but the main point is to get as much together as quickly as possilbe. Since the 82 has t tops I will be boxing the frame for more stregnth so the chasis flex is less. It will only qualify for bracket racing instead of a "stock" class but as it stands there is no calss the car can run in right now.
The rebuilt engine will be torn down this week so I can see if the rebuilder did it right or not. From what I've seen so far it looks good but I haven't taken it apart yet so we'll see. The cam I've chosen is a 204/214 grind and I have brand new KB 1.6 rockers as well. I've got 1 good turbo, 1 that needs rebuilding, and 1 that I'm modding for better boost. I'll start with the stock one for now so I have a better idea of what mods I'll have to do when I put the bigger one on.
Here's some of the pics I have so far. She is better than I thought since it has the dreaded t tops. I haven't taken the frame out to check underneith but I put my fingers up in some of the holes to see how it feels and there's very little damage, but I'll know for sure when the brace comes out.There is some rust holes in the passenger floorboard but none of them are any bigger than the eraser on a pencle. compaired to the 83 I have a LOT less work to do, thank God.

[charlief1]

More of the car. Opinions are welcome.

[notacarlo]

Well check that out. Sweet Charlie, good luck with your resto-mod.

[WE287GN]

X2 best of luck.. These pre 84 cars need more spotlight...

[usetaboost]

don't worry about that 7.5 rear, it should hold up fine with a girdle. Look at it this way, the ls1 fbodies have them-no reason it should gernade right away

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by usetaboost

don't worry about that 7.5 rear, it should hold up fine with a girdle. Look at it this way, the ls1 fbodies have them-no reason it should gernade right away

It will hold up for a while I know but I have the back up just in case. I had a friend look at the floor a little closer tonight and I may be replacing some of it instead of just welding up some tiny holes. Thank God I have the 83 for sure. I'll see if I can wire brush it tomorow and get a better idea of what it's gonna take to fix it. Keep you guys updated in the next few days.

[turboclam3]

Is it a column shift car? It has the gear indicator in the instrument panel. My 83 was not like that. Fill me in...

[usetaboost]

Originally Posted by turboclam3

Is it a column shift car? It has the gear indicator in the instrument panel. My 83 was not like that. Fill me in...

Interesting, I did not notice that. I would think being a GN it would be a floor shift.

[dwall]

Something different to look at. I like the resto mod deal.

Not sure but maybe - I think the 83 frame may be stronger for the tranny?

Selfish side note for me - If you are looking for a 82 Sport Coupe(T) rustfree frame I have one. Also brandy new but dusty floor pans available - I am not planning to use.

Keep the pics coming.
Bob

[TType84]

mine was in worse shape, you should be able to get this one goin no problem

good luck

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by turboclam3

Is it a column shift car? It has the gear indicator in the instrument panel. My 83 was not like that. Fill me in...

The car has a floor shifter and I didn't notice the shift indicator until you said something. I wonder if I can find one for the 4 speed to replace the 3 speed one?

Originally Posted by dwall

Something different to look at. I like the resto mod deal.

Not sure but maybe - I think the 83 frame may be stronger for the tranny?

Selfish side note for me - If you are looking for a 82 Sport Coupe(T) rustfree frame I have one. Also brandy new but dusty floor pans available - I am not planning to use.

Keep the pics coming.
Bob

Thanks Bob. The only diffs I have notices between the two right now is the tranny mount for the 4 speed so I don't think it is much stronger if at all. I have the 83 and her floors are good so I should be ok unless I find something else.

Originally Posted by TType84

mine was in worse shape, you should be able to get this one goin no problem

good luck

I'll post some of the 83 so you can see why I'm so happy about having this one. Just to get the rear quarters fixed I'd have to take the frame off. It's back is that bad.
Since it's the weekend of the 4th I'm preparing to cook most of the night on Friday so things will be a little slow for the next week. My buddy and I have planned out a nice little feast for the grown ups. Pork short ribs and a very nice pork loin mainated in a very special way. Dan has an idea of what that is. I'll also be clearing out my freezer and cooking T-bones as well as chicken and turkey so I won't have to cook all week. I might be able to get some work done on her but as it stands it's taken me 2 hours each night after work just to prepair for this weekend. Gonna be good.

[Justa6]

Nice score!! I've said it before, '81-'83....the BEST looking Regal made....period.

Subscribed!

[joe_schindler]

Originally Posted by charlief1

She started life with a 4.1 in her and it may go back in

Charlie:

Check the head bolt hole to cylinder wall deck surfaces for cracks. When Dustin had the car at Venus; the 4.1 block he had was cracked. I couldn’t make room for the car; so it wasn’t a big deal to me.

Good luck,

Joe

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by joe_schindler

Charlie:

Check the head bolt hole to cylinder wall deck surfaces for cracks. When Dustin had the car at Venus; the 4.1 block he had was cracked. I couldn’t make room for the car; so it wasn’t a big deal to me.

Good luck,

Joe

I was planning on the 4.1 for the 83 to begin with and it's partially preped but since I got the 3.8 I'm starting with it for now. The build for the 4.1 was gonna take a while as well as some money to get her done. Already did the crack check on it and just needed to have it sonic checked.

[82grandBeast]

Originally Posted by joe_schindler

Charlie:

Check the head bolt hole to cylinder wall deck surfaces for cracks. When Dustin had the car at Venus; the 4.1 block he had was cracked. I couldn’t make room for the car; so it wasn’t a big deal to me.

Good luck,

Joe

yea i noticed that with the orginal motor charlie thats why i threw it out.

see your making great progress with it charlie keeps us informed

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by 82grandBeast

yea i noticed that with the orginal motor charlie thats why i threw it out.

see your making great progress with it charlie keeps us informed

Edo, I wish you hadn't done that. The cranks are the same for the turbo as well as the rods. The heads are usually good 2 even if they are cracked. I'll be cooking Friday and everything is set on that for now so...I might get to power brush her floor this weekend and see what needs to be done.
When I get ready to take the frame off the 83 I'll call and see if you want to help. Gonna have a fork lift to help so it shouldn't be to bad. We'll see how this weekend goes.

[82grandBeast]

Originally Posted by charlief1

Edo, I wish you hadn't done that. The cranks are the same for the turbo as well as the rods. The heads are usually good 2 even if they are cracked. I'll be cooking Friday and everything is set on that for now so...I might get to power brush her floor this weekend and see what needs to be done.
When I get ready to take the frame off the 83 I'll call and see if you want to help. Gonna have a fork lift to help so it shouldn't be to bad. We'll see how this weekend goes.

No proplem Charlie I'm off this weekend u have my number. Yea I didn't really think of saving any off those parts after I got the 3.8 the 4.1 want to the trash it had also spun a main bearing on the 4.1 and crank was beat up it could have probly been grinded down and refinished

[charlief1]

Well I ended up with the morning off so I went and power brushed the floor to see what it would take. I'm gonna have to make some patch pannels for 2 locations. Not as good as I hoped but not as bad as it could be. Some of the metal is really thin and the holes got a lot bigger. I'll start getting the interior out of the 83 this weekend so I can cut the floor out. Nothing bigger than 2.5" square so it shouldn't be a problem but we'll see.

[turbonut85]

Need to see some detailed pics of EVERYTHING!!!! ......................SUBSCRIBED!!

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by turbonut85

Need to see some detailed pics of EVERYTHING!!!! ......................SUBSCRIBED!!

LOL Keith, I think it's time for you to watch what happens. Here's some of the 83 that I was going to do but it doesn't show how bad it really is. I didn't feel like opening the trunk in the heat today so it only shows some of the damage.

[charlief1]

Well I finally got around to taking the engine partially down today. It does have 2 dot rods and it is the correct block at least. As far as the rest I'm not sure what I can use. The block was bored .060 over and it has a standard cast crank turned .010, 0.010. I was hoping that it would have the correct crank but so much for that. I have 2 rolled filet cranks right now so at least I can have the correct one in it. The pistons are cast and sit .1025 in the hole so they need to go away. With the head gasket thickness that was on the head that would mean the total would've been .1475 in the hole and that's WAY to much for safety. Have any of you guys run a .060 block with forged pistons before?
The also used some sort of nasty sticky goo as a sealant for the head bolts and timing cover. It's all over the front of the block so I guess I'll be vating it to get the stuff off. It does seem to have an actual GM timing cover which is a good thing so I'll be doing Earls timing cover mods for better control of the oil as well as doing the block. They used the stock plastic cam bumper so I need a roller button and the rockers and pushrods are new which is a plus. That's about all I can tink of right now so if you guys have any sugestions I'm open. I may just have to do the 4.1 engine after all.

[usetaboost]

sell it to one of the n/a guys!

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by usetaboost

sell it to one of the n/a guys!

Kinda what I was thinking Jesse. I figure $100 plus shipping including bearings. Whatcha think?

[82grandBeast]

By god that's too cheap. Do 400 make ur money back aleast

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by 82grandBeast

By god that's too cheap. Do 400 make ur money back aleast

I was talking about the crank Edo, not the whole thing.

[turbonut85]

Originally Posted by charlief1

LOL Keith, I think it's time for you to watch what happens. Here's some of the 83 that I was going to do but it doesn't show how bad it really is. I didn't feel like opening the trunk in the heat today so it only shows some of the damage.

Yikes!! That one must have had the G81 vented quarter panel option. I think it was a dealer installed option....not a rare option though. Good luck!!

[charlief1]

LOL Keith, what're you doing up that early on th 4th? I got up just a little while ago myself. Spent til 1am cooking and now I have to start again.
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH GUYS AND GIRLS!!

[82grandBeast]

Originally Posted by charlief1

I was talking about the crank Edo, not the whole thing.

oh yea 100 bucks plus shipping would be a good price

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by 82grandBeast

oh yea 100 bucks plus shipping would be a good price

lol Edo, since you're in the buisiness as well do you know of anyone that does sonic block testing in the DFW area? I also found the attachment to make your presure washer into a sand/water blaster. $108 plus shipping and I have a friend that might just get it so we can use it for a bunch of projects we have around here.
Sandblaster, Sand Blaster
This is a good thing for sure. I sent some emails to a few of the guys here as well as Mr Kirban. Maybe he'll look into putting it on his site for the rest of us.

[turbonut85]

Originally Posted by charlief1

LOL Keith, what're you doing up that early on th 4th? I got up just a little while ago myself. Spent til 1am cooking and now I have to start again.
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH GUYS AND GIRLS!!

I was just waitin for the charcoal to get ready in my smoker so I could throw the brisket on. Just threw the two racks of ribs on a few minutes ago too....DAMN I'm hungry!! Have a great 4th yourself!!!!

Oh yeah...my car had the G81 option as well. I believe Jesse's had it too!!!

[82grandBeast]

Originally Posted by charlief1

lol Edo, since you're in the buisiness as well do you know of anyone that does sonic block testing in the DFW area? I also found the attachment to make your presure washer into a sand/water blaster. $108 plus shipping and I have a friend that might just get it so we can use it for a bunch of projects we have around here.
Sandblaster, Sand Blaster
This is a good thing for sure. I sent some emails to a few of the guys here as well as Mr Kirban. Maybe he'll look into putting it on his site for the rest of us.

Of the top of my head I would say dfw automotive they do some great work on our vw's I'll give then a call Monday when there open I'll let you know Charlie that sand blaster conversion sounds like a great idea too bad I don't have a pressure washer I know harbor has some sand blasters too there about the same price as that conversion kit

[JST A 6]

Love the restomod idea--when 82grandbeast first posted to the board about this car I told him I'd love to have one someday to put an '87 drivetrain in, and I'd probably also graft in an '84-'87 turbo hood bulge (or just use a hood from one of those cars if it would fit). Other than that, I would want everything else to be pure '82 GN. Paint, striping, interior, etc. Does this sound anything like what you have planned for it?

[charlief1]

Originally Posted by turbonut85

I was just waitin for the charcoal to get ready in my smoker so I could throw the brisket on. Just threw the two racks of ribs on a few minutes ago too....DAMN I'm hungry!! Have a great 4th yourself!!!!

Oh yeah...my car had the G81 option as well. I believe Jesse's had it too!!!

I haven't eaten so much in a LONG time. Everything was fantastic for sure. I ate 1 complete rack all by myself along with everything else. I have a feeling that there's a bunch of cars running around whith the dredded G81 option.

Originally Posted by 82grandBeast

Of the top of my head I would say dfw automotive they do some great work on our vw's I'll give then a call Monday when there open I'll let you know Charlie that sand blaster conversion sounds like a great idea too bad I don't have a pressure washer I know harbor has some sand blasters too there about the same price as that conversion kit

That would be great Edo, thanks again. If I can't use the 3.8 the 4.1 will have to be checked and I guess the big boy will have to be used. I wanted to wait on it but...

Originally Posted by JST A 6

Love the restomod idea--when 82grandbeast first posted to the board about this car I told him I'd love to have one someday to put an '87 drivetrain in, and I'd probably also graft in an '84-'87 turbo hood bulge (or just use a hood from one of those cars if it would fit). Other than that, I would want everything else to be pure '82 GN. Paint, striping, interior, etc. Does this sound anything like what you have planned for it?

I'm planning on using the factory carb/turbo set up with a few twists on the "normal" set up. I doubt any one's ever done one like I'm planning. As far as the paint skeem I'm planning on going with the stock colors and adding just a few accessories. I have the hood on the 83 so it will be trans planted for the bulge and I will be looking at a front spoiler and maybe a slightly different rear. That will have to be mocked up and molded by me. Done it before so it's not to hard.

[usetaboost]

I always thought having the trunk spoiler molded in would look cool

[82grandBeast]

Originally Posted by JST A 6

Love the restomod idea--when 82grandbeast first posted to the board about this car I told him I'd love to have one someday to put an '87 drivetrain in, and I'd probably also graft in an '84-'87 turbo hood bulge (or just use a hood from one of those cars if it would fit). Other than that, I would want everything else to be pure '82 GN. Paint, striping, interior, etc. Does this sound anything like what you have planned for it?

definetly not what i had in mind i wanted a 383 and paint the exterior flat black with flat black rims and black and graphite interior it would have been one of a kind. but good thing charlie got it cant wait to see how it comes out