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DeadSkunk
DeadSkunk SuperDork
11/29/13 6:54 p.m.

If the pins are the pressed in type, like my Astro has on the rear doors, it's almost hopeless. You may have to sawzall the pins and then drill out the upper end which will be a really tight press fit. They're the biggest PITA to get out, I never did get the door off the Astro.

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
11/29/13 7:37 p.m.
DeadSkunk wrote: If the pins are the pressed in type, like my Astro has on the rear doors, it's almost hopeless. You may have to sawzall the pins and then drill out the upper end which will be a really tight press fit. They're the biggest PITA to get out, I never did get the door off the Astro.

I was hoping there might be a tool to push/press them out with. I've tried to knock them out before and they bent in the hinge.

EvanR
EvanR HalfDork
11/29/13 7:47 p.m.
wheels777 wrote:
DeadSkunk wrote: If the pins are the pressed in type, like my Astro has on the rear doors, it's almost hopeless. You may have to sawzall the pins and then drill out the upper end which will be a really tight press fit. They're the biggest PITA to get out, I never did get the door off the Astro.
I was hoping there might be a tool to push/press them out with. I've tried to knock them out before and they bent in the hinge.

Here's a kit for the 2G Firebird. How different could it be?

http://www.hingekits.com/search/Pontiac/1979/Firebird/2%20Door

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
11/29/13 7:55 p.m.

In reply to EvanR:

Linky no worky

BlindPirate
BlindPirate New Reader
11/29/13 9:37 p.m.
wheels777 wrote: What's the trick to removing door hinge pins? The hinges are welded.

Used heat and a air hammer on my Chevy van but the hinges were on the outside so probably easier to get to.It was still a tough job

Kenny_McCormic
Kenny_McCormic UltraDork
11/30/13 1:36 p.m.

I'd advise removing the door to change pins.

DeadSkunk
DeadSkunk SuperDork
11/30/13 2:27 p.m.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: I'd advise removing the door to change pins.

I think his problem is that the hinges are welded to the car and the door, that's the way my Astro is. It's a real PITA.

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
11/30/13 3:07 p.m.
DeadSkunk wrote:
Kenny_McCormic wrote: I'd advise removing the door to change pins.
I think his problem is that the hinges are welded to the car and the door, that's the way my Astro is. It's a real PITA.

Correct. Both sides are welded. And the pin can not be driven straight out. Is there a removal tool/puller.?

Kenny_McCormic
Kenny_McCormic UltraDork
11/30/13 3:10 p.m.

Huh, never heard of that, even my POS J body had hinges bolted on.

Maybe fabricate a support block from steel to fit around the pin in the middle of the hinge, like a really thick walled chunk of C channel, to help prevent bending anything and make the hammer blows more effective.

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
11/30/13 3:14 p.m.

Picked up (2) 8.8" rears and an additional short axle. (1)4.10 and (1)3.73, both 31 spline posi units - $220. Still looking for a torque arm.

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
11/30/13 3:16 p.m.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: Huh, never heard of that, even my POS J body had hinges bolted on. Maybe fabricate a support block from steel to fit around the pin in the middle of the hinge, like a really thick walled chunk of C channel, to help prevent bending anything and make the hammer blows more effective.

good idea.

TheV8Kid
TheV8Kid New Reader
12/2/13 6:30 p.m.
wheels777 wrote:
DeadSkunk wrote:
Kenny_McCormic wrote: I'd advise removing the door to change pins.
I think his problem is that the hinges are welded to the car and the door, that's the way my Astro is. It's a real PITA.
Correct. Both sides are welded. And the pin can not be driven straight out. Is there a removal tool/puller.?

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
12/3/13 12:13 p.m.

Entertainment at its best...the Formula has this kind of steering wheel. I was taking to a guy who said they are worth $300. I couldn't argue or agree. So, I searched for one on eBay. We watched the auction to the close, It sold for more than I bought the car for. I don't want to sell the wheel, but it would zero the budget in a hurry.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-TRANS-AM-BLACK-FORMULA-STEERING-WHEEL-MINT-ORIGINAL-/321255638813?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=Xqg8gFE35a3ubxWxhpiaCm250xk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_408wt_1362

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
12/4/13 4:17 a.m.

Each door girder is 20.5#. 41# gone there. Each door weighed 96.5#. That's will change.

SilverFleet
SilverFleet SuperDork
12/4/13 7:58 a.m.
wheels777 wrote: Entertainment at its best...the Formula has this kind of steering wheel. I was taking to a guy who said they are worth $300. I couldn't argue or agree. So, I searched for one on eBay. We watched the auction to the close, It sold for more than I bought the car for. I don't want to sell the wheel, but it would zero the budget in a hurry. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-TRANS-AM-BLACK-FORMULA-STEERING-WHEEL-MINT-ORIGINAL-/321255638813?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=Xqg8gFE35a3ubxWxhpiaCm250xk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_408wt_1362

A good factory Formula wheel can get stupid money from the resto crowd, especially the colored ones. You can also buy a way nicer reproduction that's got a fatter grip and that's wrapped in real leather for around $150 from Lecarra Wheels if you can settle for a black wheel. I need to get a new one for my Trans Am someday, and I was just going to get a reproduction black wheel. My stock wheel is a hard to find color (Dark Carmine Red) and getting a nice one will probably cost me north of $1k!

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
12/4/13 8:24 a.m.
SilverFleet wrote:
wheels777 wrote: Entertainment at its best...the Formula has this kind of steering wheel. I was taking to a guy who said they are worth $300. I couldn't argue or agree. So, I searched for one on eBay. We watched the auction to the close, It sold for more than I bought the car for. I don't want to sell the wheel, but it would zero the budget in a hurry. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-TRANS-AM-BLACK-FORMULA-STEERING-WHEEL-MINT-ORIGINAL-/321255638813?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=Xqg8gFE35a3ubxWxhpiaCm250xk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_408wt_1362
A good factory Formula wheel can get stupid money from the resto crowd, especially the colored ones. You can also buy a way nicer reproduction that's got a fatter grip and that's wrapped in real leather for around $150 from Lecarra Wheels if you can settle for a black wheel. I need to get a new one for my Trans Am someday, and I was just going to get a reproduction black wheel. My stock wheel is a hard to find color (Dark Carmine Red) and getting a nice one will probably cost me north of $1k!

Oh my! Mine is black. When the headers sell, I would be happy to sell the wheel to you for the difference. I paid $300 for the car, and don't need to make a profit on the car. I just want to zero the budget.

hrdlydangerous
hrdlydangerous HalfDork
12/4/13 10:02 a.m.
wheels777 wrote: Picked up (2) 8.8" rears and an additional short axle. (1)4.10 and (1)3.73, both 31 spline posi units - $220. Still looking for a torque arm.

What did the 8.8s come out of? Shirley you don't need two. Yes, I am serious and called you Shirley.

Edit... plenty of torque arms under third and fourth gen. F-body cars for cheap.

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
12/4/13 1:40 p.m.
hrdlydangerous wrote:
wheels777 wrote: Picked up (2) 8.8" rears and an additional short axle. (1)4.10 and (1)3.73, both 31 spline posi units - $220. Still looking for a torque arm.
What did the 8.8s come out of? Shirley you don't need two. Yes, I am serious and called you Shirley. Edit... plenty of torque arms under third and fourth gen. F-body cars for cheap.

Exploders. One for turbo/NO2 engine, one for the NA. May sell and buy more. Yard had a bunch of 4.10 and 3.73s. Still looking for a 3.55:1 for drag, and 2.73 for more zoom.

Torque Arm. I have 4 stamped steel factory vesions. Looking for something tubular.

hrdlydangerous
hrdlydangerous HalfDork
12/4/13 2:01 p.m.

Your fabrication skills and you haven't just made a tubular torque arm? For shame.

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
12/4/13 4:04 p.m.
hrdlydangerous wrote: Your fabrication skills and you haven't just made a tubular torque arm? For shame.

I've made enough of them to know to ask first! Sent a text with some pics. If I could post 'em I would.

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
12/4/13 7:59 p.m.

How many bolts hold a front bumper on a 80 Sunbird? How 'bout 30.

Spinout007
Spinout007 UltraDork
12/4/13 8:19 p.m.
wheels777 wrote: How many bolts hold a front bumper on a 80 Sunbird? How 'bout 30.

wheels777
wheels777 Dork
12/4/13 8:41 p.m.
Spinout007 wrote:
wheels777 wrote: How many bolts hold a front bumper on a 80 Sunbird? How 'bout 30.

Ya, I know, I counted them.

SilverFleet
SilverFleet SuperDork
12/5/13 8:17 a.m.
wheels777 wrote:
SilverFleet wrote:
wheels777 wrote: Entertainment at its best...the Formula has this kind of steering wheel. I was taking to a guy who said they are worth $300. I couldn't argue or agree. So, I searched for one on eBay. We watched the auction to the close, It sold for more than I bought the car for. I don't want to sell the wheel, but it would zero the budget in a hurry. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-TRANS-AM-BLACK-FORMULA-STEERING-WHEEL-MINT-ORIGINAL-/321255638813?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=Xqg8gFE35a3ubxWxhpiaCm250xk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_408wt_1362
A good factory Formula wheel can get stupid money from the resto crowd, especially the colored ones. You can also buy a way nicer reproduction that's got a fatter grip and that's wrapped in real leather for around $150 from Lecarra Wheels if you can settle for a black wheel. I need to get a new one for my Trans Am someday, and I was just going to get a reproduction black wheel. My stock wheel is a hard to find color (Dark Carmine Red) and getting a nice one will probably cost me north of $1k!
Oh my! Mine is black. When the headers sell, I would be happy to sell the wheel to you for the difference. I paid $300 for the car, and don't need to make a profit on the car. I just want to zero the budget.

I'm interested, but it depends on the price and all that stuff. I kinda promised myself I wouldn't touch my Trans Am until my CSX is done. Also, money is tight right now with Christmas and stuff. Got any pics?

Jerry From LA
Jerry From LA Dork
12/5/13 9:37 a.m.
wheels777 wrote: How many bolts hold a front bumper on a 80 Sunbird? How 'bout 30.

How many of those bolts were rusted solid? How 'bout 30.

What a PITA.

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