Author Topic: 1978 Y88 Restoration (Read 16660 times)

wheels78ta · « **Reply #40 on:** November 17, 2021, 12:54:08 PM »

Got the opportunity to repaint the rims. Classic Ind. sent me two new cans.

Want to guess what the outcome is?

That's right......two different shades of "Snowflake Gold".

The rim on the left is the first can.

The rim on the right is the second can.

The color on the left is the same color that came in the first order. The second can on that order had a lighter color.

So this is what we have so far....................

First order of 2 cans = Dark Gold has 08/10/21 date code
Butterscotchy Gold has 08/09/20 date code

Second order of 2 cans = Dark Gold has 08/10/21 date code
Copper Gold has 03/03/21 date code

So here is what is in the works with Classic Industries. First, they credited me for the first order and sent me 2 more cans. On this latest order they are crediting me again and will send me 2 more cans.

They are going to check the warehouse and look at date codes on their stock and see if they can match the date codes for the Dark Gold color.

Classic Ind. says to give them a couple of days to check this out.

My BIG question is.....................Which one of the 3 different shades of "Snowflake Gold" is correct?

Y88 TA · « **Reply #41 on:** November 17, 2021, 01:35:52 PM »

From my laptop screen I would say the rim on the right is pretty close. The left one looks too dark to me.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #42 on:** November 17, 2021, 02:44:56 PM »

I talked with a tech at OER about the different shades of gold. They didn't seem concerned at all. He told me they have never had an issue like this and that I need to take it up with Classic Ind.
I asked the tech "Which color is correct?". He had no clue. They have no swatches to send so I can't compare the colors. They have a picture on the OER site that shows a painted rim with the can sitting next to it. None of the cans of paint that I received come close to their example.

Time to find another source for snowflake wheel paint.

roadking77 · « **Reply #43 on:** November 17, 2021, 07:15:00 PM »

I wish you the best of luck. Best bet would be to find an original car or at least an original set of wheels and try to match. All of the old paint formulas are obsolete. I know when I tried to get s.e. gold matched I kept hitting walls. The guys I went to could not translate the old formulas to new. They all told me to get a colour chip and match.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #44 on:** November 18, 2021, 05:33:19 PM »

Got an email from Classic Ind. saying that the only paint on their shelves have a date code of 03/25/21. I told them to issue a refund and I'll find the paint elsewhere. I told Classic Ind. that they did an awesome job trying to help but that I was done with OER.

I mean, give me a break. OER has no care in the world that their paint is not as advertised and they don't want to at least look into it and give me an idea on what color is correct?

I am more confused as to what is the correct color for the Y88 snowflake wheels?

More research but I will prevail!!!!

« **Reply #44 on:** November 18, 2021, 05:33:19 PM »

wheels78ta · « **Reply #45 on:** May 31, 2022, 01:35:58 PM »

I got all the rear quarter panel rusted pieces cut out. Now I can media blast the whole car outside.

And since it's been rainy here I started working on fender repair.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #46 on:** May 31, 2022, 02:24:17 PM »

roadking77 · « **Reply #47 on:** June 01, 2022, 06:49:09 AM »

Looks good. Having done a few fender patches I will say you did a great job!!

FormTA · « **Reply #48 on:** June 02, 2022, 06:52:42 AM »

Great work on the fender, been there too. Nice square body you got there too!

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #49 on:** June 02, 2022, 07:02:35 AM »

I'm envious of your skills!

wheels78ta · « **Reply #50 on:** June 22, 2022, 08:14:44 PM »

Fenders are now rust free. The body work on them won't happen until they are installed.

Wifey took some pics while I was out media-blasting the underneath.

FormTA · « **Reply #51 on:** June 23, 2022, 04:26:56 AM »

Nice to see you are making headway!

roadking77 · « **Reply #52 on:** June 23, 2022, 07:16:13 AM »

Laying on your back, covered completely and having a hood and respirator whilst media blasting during the summer is one of my favorite things to do

NOT! Hope for your sake that task will be over soon. I was never so happy to be finished working on the bottom side of my car.

5th T/A · « **Reply #53 on:** June 23, 2022, 02:49:46 PM »

First I want to say it’s always great when someone spends the time and money to rescue these cars. Like others, I have been there and done that, laying on my back media blasting. As I grow older concrete floors get harder. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work, it gives others the incentive to work on their cars!

wheels78ta · « **Reply #54 on:** June 24, 2022, 09:26:23 PM »

60 years old, retired. Yes, concrete isn't as soft as it used to be. I could spend the money and have it done by a body shop. Nah.

When I finish this project I can honestly say that I did this. I will complete most of this on my own. With the exception of getting help from the wife when I need some misc. help. Plus she keeps my cup full of iced tea. She's a real trooper.

Both of my son's will come help if needed but they have a very busy schedule, including raising our grandkids. All it takes is a call or text and they will be here in minutes. When I get to some of the reassembly I'll have them over to help. I want them to be a part of this as well.

We have an 18' x 37' inground pool and that is where I take all my breaks. We had to have the vinyl liner and cover replaced last week.

This has been one expensive year. And working on the Y88 is where the true joy comes from. Can't wait.

« **Reply #54 on:** June 24, 2022, 09:26:23 PM »

FormTA · « **Reply #55 on:** June 25, 2022, 09:16:34 AM »

We installed a 16x36 inground 11 years ago, both the liner and cover are showing their age. I haven't got a quote on the liner yet but I exspect it to be expensive....

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #56 on:** June 26, 2022, 04:51:54 AM »

Y88's are awesome and worth saving. I had one a few years back, but it was beyond my meager skills. I sold it to someone with the skill and the money to save it.

Jack · « **Reply #57 on:** June 26, 2022, 06:38:50 AM »

You're doing a great job and that car is well worth saving especially if you can say I did it myself.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #58 on:** July 18, 2022, 06:03:27 PM »

Finally got the underneath all blasted and undercoated. The trunk and inside the cab is done.

Now I'm working on getting the other 3 patch panels welded on. Passenger side rear quarter to start.

FormTA · « **Reply #59 on:** July 18, 2022, 07:25:07 PM »

That extention/trunk drop off panel looks nice. Not something you see here (Ohio). Sounds like you are making great progress. Keep at it, even finishing one small piece or panel is one step closer to diving your car. I always try to break everything down into small tasks. Have a list that you can cross off also help to motivate you. Gives you a small visual that you accomplished something.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #60 on:** July 19, 2022, 10:18:41 PM »

The first panel I replaced, in front of rear wheel on passenger side, I still need to finish the welding inside the door jamb.

The plan now is to get the driver side panels tack welded in like the one I just did. I'll have 3 panels with a few welds on them to keep them in place.......And then I can go to each one and spread the welding out. It will allow them to cool and keep warpage to a minimum.

Once the patches are completely welded in and ground down.........I'll start on the frame and front end so I can get closer to mounting it back on the body.

It was 107 degrees here today. So I took the day off and became a lounge lizard for a few hours.

Tomorrow I'll start on the driver side.

MNBob · « **Reply #61 on:** July 24, 2022, 11:55:57 AM »

Patch looks great!

We have had a heat wave here too, but not 107! It finally broke today with a high expected to be 78.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #62 on:** July 24, 2022, 03:22:14 PM »

We're staying between 95-102 degrees through the week.

Daughter and grandkids coming to visit Tuesday-Thursday.

I'll finish the last of the quarter panel patches tomorrow. Then the body will be ready for some bodywork. I'm going to get the front end and rear axle on before the bodywork.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #63 on:** August 16, 2022, 02:55:42 PM »

All patch panels are welded in.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #64 on:** August 16, 2022, 02:58:11 PM »

Removed rear window today.

Notice the speaker opening on the driver side? It is the only one in the back that has the holes drilled for a speaker. This was ordered that way.

« **Reply #64 on:** August 16, 2022, 02:58:11 PM »

wheels78ta · « **Reply #65 on:** August 16, 2022, 03:00:17 PM »

Does anyone have any tips on removing the torque rods for the trunk lid? It would help a lot to have them out of the way to make it easier to work in that area.

FormTA · « **Reply #66 on:** August 16, 2022, 05:05:15 PM »

I have used a small pipe slipped over the one end and used it to release it from the spot. I have also used a really large adjustable wrench to do the same. The wrench is a little scary as it is easy to slip off the rod.I think I even used a box end wrench with the loop slid over the rod like you do when doubling up wrenches for more torque.

Wallington · « **Reply #67 on:** August 16, 2022, 07:22:10 PM »

Quote from: Y88 TA on November 17, 2021, 01:35:52 PM

From my laptop screen I would say the rim on the right is pretty close. The left one looks too dark to me.

That's why I would say the one on the left. They were dark and gloomy without the machined spokes, and had the look of a metallic cardboard box, not gold or copper. Only one of them would 'match' the similar paint on the body. Ultimately, it will likely come down to what the extra cans of gold look like as to which gets resprayed!

wheels78ta · « **Reply #68 on:** August 24, 2022, 01:39:53 PM »

Media blasted the rear end and getting ready for paint. The differential had the letter G, orange paint, on top and bottom.

Also replaced the pinion seal and both axle seals.

tajoe · « **Reply #69 on:** August 24, 2022, 02:34:13 PM »

Looking really good. just curious, did you lift that rear on the table, "by yourself?"

wheels78ta · « **Reply #70 on:** August 24, 2022, 04:31:23 PM »

Quote from: tajoe on August 24, 2022, 02:34:13 PM

Looking really good. just curious, did you lift that rear on the table, "by yourself?"

I was going to put it up there by myself but I had a pinched nerve in my lower back that acted up yesterday morning. Anytime I would sit and bend over, while doing any kind of work, it made it hard to stand up. It would take a couple of minutes to work it out then I would be fine.

So this morning I used the engine hoist to help put it on the table. Once I had it ready to paint I did actually arm curl it to my chest and placed it on the jack stands. The pain in my back is almost gone and it's not the first time I had this happen.

I know the engine hoist is the better option but I'm stubborn headed. I like to use what strength I still have to do some of these chores. Only because I know I won't be able to in the future. And when that time comes I'll gladly ask for help.

tajoe · « **Reply #71 on:** August 25, 2022, 02:26:52 PM »

LOL. nothing wrong with a little "exercise" Just make sure you continue to curl it, about 3 reps, for 5 sets, a couple 3 times a week. Then you'll have some gain, and hopefully, not as much pain. I know my days of lifting those are fading fast.

Looking fwd to the final paint on yours.

wheels78ta · « **Reply #72 on:** August 29, 2022, 12:41:49 PM »

Drum brakes are done.

Amazing what the right tools can do to make the job easier.

Before and after.

tajoe · « **Reply #73 on:** August 29, 2022, 02:21:49 PM »

Quote from: wheels78ta on August 29, 2022, 12:41:49 PM

Drum brakes are done.

Amazing what the right tools can do to make the job easier.

Before and after.

What-da-ya-mean? Did your vice grips wear out?

Those primary springs can be a bear, can't they?

wheels78ta · « **Reply #74 on:** August 29, 2022, 04:11:11 PM »

The last time I worked on Drum brakes was about 15 years ago. Needle nosed pliers in each hand.

The pliers in the left hand decided to stab me to the bone on my right hand index finger.

Never again without the proper tools. And safety glasses.

Rear axle is complete. Minus the brake clamp that goes on the driver side of the diff. It's around here somewhere. If I don't find it there are aftermarket clamps.

5th T/A · « **Reply #75 on:** August 29, 2022, 04:34:51 PM »

That differential looks beautiful, too nice to hide under a car LOL! Is that a new rear cover or did you paint it?

In 1970 while in high school I participated in a work study program. I worked half days at a transmission and brake shop. The majority of cars were all drum brakes and I did a lot of them. I still have my 52 year old Craftsman brake pliers. We used compressed air to blow away all the brake dust (in those days we didn’t know asbestos caused cancer). Who knows how much of that stuff I breathed in.

tajoe · « **Reply #76 on:** August 29, 2022, 05:25:12 PM »

Good job getting it all back together, and beautified. By the way, does "Rust-oleum" have a clear-coat?

wheels78ta · « **Reply #77 on:** August 30, 2022, 10:15:16 AM »

The diff cover is the original. It had a lot of tiny rust spots so I media blasted it and painted it with a chrome color.

Rustoleum does make a clear coat spray.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/universal/universal-clear-topcoat

tajoe · « **Reply #78 on:** August 30, 2022, 02:37:53 PM »

Way cool. Now I can spray over all the rust on my 73s rear, and keep the "patina".

wheels78ta · « **Reply #79 on:** September 17, 2022, 07:30:50 PM »

Worked on the frame today. Only had some butt pucker moments working on the coil springs.

Got the spring compressor tool from O'Reillys. The spring didn't fit into the grooves 100% but it was safe enough to use.

I'll buy the 4 hook style for when it's time to re-install them.

« **Reply #79 on:** September 17, 2022, 07:30:50 PM »

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Author Topic: 1978 Y88 Restoration (Read 16660 times)