project Thumper (Malibu wagon)

Nice all day and then the sky opened up. It was strange.

Been working on the Wagoooon lately?

Not as much as I'd like. Been working 6 days a week and working on the house in my free time. Put in a new door, closed of another door and a window. Tore oFf the back porch.

Mocked up the new exhaust and cut outs on the wagon, then sent out some of the parts to get welded, that will be done tomorrow. Pulled fan and shroud off, going to put on an electric fan. All new pulleys put on, new power steering pump on, new alternator on, and carb back on. Plus uncle gave me a set of old school spider mags! A few odds and ends and we should be good to go. Next to change out the shifter, mock up the scoop for the hood, off comes the roof track, and start on sanding it down, some body work, and paint.

What kind of hood scoop you putting on?

Was thinking of grafting on the cowl from my fiberglass hood that got ran over. Itmight be more trouble than it's worth. If so I might go a different route.

What year is your wagon?

oldman wrote:What year is your wagon?

It's 1983 Malibu!

I've got one too, I like the long roofs.Always have... mines geared high need to change rearend out for something a little lower an that will fit right in.

oldman wrote:I've got one too, I like the long roofs.Always have... mines geared high need to change rearend out for something a little lower an that will fit right in.

Same here, i love the long roofs also. I put a posi unit out of an s10 in my rear emd housing. Now it's running a 3 73  gear. The only thing is the axles are a hair longer in the s10.

I saw one for sale on CL recently, first thought it was yours LOL.
I love the 78-83 malibus, wagons too. Something about the front end and their boxy style.
My neigbors have 2-79 drag cars, his and hers   

Well finally some progress on the wagon. Cut outs and exhaust finally squared away it's not perfect but it's as close as it's gonna get. Got the battery to hold a charge long enough to get it started. She's a grumpy girl, running a little rough but nothing a little tuning on the carb and a round with a timing light won't take care of. Now to find an electric fan, get a new battery, and she'll be ready to take a short cruise to see if she needs anything else sorted out. Getting the cowl ready to graft onto my hood and thinking about putting a floor shifter in. ,

Will it be ready by August 9th?

Looked good yesterday when me and Chris was down.

That is great! Very happy she is oh so close to cruising time!  

Later,

Lee

I'm hoping it will be ready by the 9th Reb! If I can get a fan and get some miles on her. Thanks Marty after you left I started on The exhaust. It turned out pretty good, and she sounds sweet. working on putting in the floor shifter this week. You know how it is with something that should be straight forward, thats right nothing is that easy!

Chris has a double electric fan for you. he has to test it first with a battery. His uncle had 2 singles and 1 double. so he'll hook you up.

Marty042 wrote:Chris has a double electric fan for you. he has to test it first with a battery. His uncle had 2 singles and 1 double. so he'll hook you up.

Marty, tell Chris I owe him a BIG one if you would. I thought I still had my spare dual fan setup and was going to give it to Ron but alas I think I gave it to the fella that bought my '84 'vette. Been feeling like an idiot and trying to locate one for him ever since I realized I not longer had it.   

Sincerely,

Lee

Nanook wrote:

Marty042 wrote:Chris has a double electric fan for you. he has to test it first with a battery. His uncle had 2 singles and 1 double. so he'll hook you up.

Marty, tell Chris I owe him a BIG one if you would.  I thought I still had my spare dual fan setup and was going to give it to Ron but alas I think I gave it to the fella that bought my '84 'vette.  Been feeling like an idiot and trying to locate one for him ever since I realized I not longer had it.      

Sincerely,

Lee

We'll do!

Lee, Marty, Chris.you guys are all A1 in my book. Thanks. I can't wait to get back to cruising the wagon instead of the daily.

911TAZZ wrote:Lee, Marty, Chris.you guys are all A1 in my book. Thanks. I can't wait to get back to cruising the wagon instead of the daily.

No doubt there Chris and Marty are good peeps...me? I bumbled this one a bit but thanks for the kind words. It will be cool to know you are back behind the wheel of the wagon soon!  

later,

Lee

Dang it! This car is fighting me at every step. Fuel filter is cracked and spitting gas all over the engine. New fuel filter tomorrow. And then back onto  some body work. I'm really slow and not very good at it! But at least I'm trying, right?

That's all we can do is try. It will get done.

Keep at it! When it's all said and done it will be worth the struggle. Looking forward to seeing it back on the road soon!  

Later,

Lee

Picking the fan up from Chris for you this week sometime.