Ferd/289

I guess the even the high dollar cars use this topcoat of bondo/evercoat or whatever with resin to smooth out all the little imperfections over old painted surface and bare metal. This saves much time but is not as exotic as true total body sheet metal work which few including me know how to do today. I am curious if anyone out there has a customized HybridZ with all metal body. Ferd

I guess the even the high dollar cars use this topcoat of bondo/evercoat or whatever with resin to smooth out all the little imperfections over old painted surface and bare metal. This saves much time but is not as exotic as true total body sheet metal work which few including me know how to do today. I am curious if anyone out there has a customized HybridZ with all metal body. Ferd

I was watching the Boyd Coddinton show where they prep the car surfaces by first sanding to bare metal, then etch primer, then it looks like they completely cover the car surfaces with what looks like a 'thinned' bondo covering, before final sanding down again. I guess they use the bondo as a last phase filler before paint. Is this correct. I have also seen this done on motorcycle tins. If the bondo is thined, how is that done? How do you get the right consistancy. Ferd

based on the previous responses I have elected not to use latex enamel. I will use acrylic enamel for these parts. Thanks for the advice. I am looking for a metalic look, so I will probably wind up with one part enamel. Ferd

You can adjust the door frame around the glass of the front doors. I used aftermarket door seals. The window framing, is a seperate piece held to the door via bolts you can easily see. When I adjusted mine for the same reason, I placed 4 or 5 aluminum washers on the bolts that holds the window part of the door frame to adjust outward about 1/4 inch. You dont have to take the window out, merely crank it down into the door. Its still a little tight but I did not want any leaks. The door closes nicely with a normal slam. Ferd

I bought a quart of Krylon 'project metallic' indoor/outdoor latex metallic paint to detail some trim parts made of plastic. Can I spray with my detailing spray gun, or as an alternative, can use my airbrush since the parts are small? If too thick to spray, can I thin this type of paint. If so with what reducer? Ferd 8)

Damn that's nice for a 'cheap' paint job. You are a humble man. Beautful car! Ferd

How do I get a straight line when applying tape for stripes. I get a slight wavy pattern when I try. Ferd

A junkie tried to sell me an old one for $150. Fortunately I checked out a local auto glass place in Dallas and paid $100 for a new tinted windshield. I was amazed at the price. It worked great but was a strugle to get in. Make sure you use the tricks of the trade which include: - string or coaxial wire around the channel of the rubber gasket. You leave in the channel and then pull out as you set in metal sill. - Use liquid soap as a lube. - Rubber around glass first, then set in metal sill, then pull on wire or thick string to set. Hope this helps Ferd

I want to repair a small rust area in my passenger floor. Damage is approx 6 squar inches. Instead of welding, (which I cant ) i am thinking of using a cold rolled steel piece and attaching with rivits. I will use a silicon sealer to seal out H2O. Anyone do this or have advice?? Ferd

more free advice. a leakdown test seems to be a good way to determine the quality and status of an engine. I have never done one but I heard that it is easy if you have a leakdown tester. Ferd

nice job! Great color choice Ferd

My passenger window has surface scratches I guess from opening and closing the window. Can I use regular paint polish. Or is there another faster way to polish out the superficial scratches. Ferd

FYI, Someone mentioned that the gas fill from a Hyundai sports model is very similar to the sparko and half the price. I havent priced one myself but I think I saw one on a Hyundai, it really looked great. Hope this helps Ferd

dont forget to list the shows you are attending. Those of us in the specific areas would love to see 'her' i'm sure. Ferd

FYI, walmart sells the real "Bondo" at a good price. They carry the gallon can ( at least in NOrth Dallas stores ) Ferd

Terry. How much HP and/or Torque output do you have with your 289? Have you ever dynoed your engine? Just curious Ferd

I had been looking for some sound deadener for my metal floor pan that will go under the carpeting of my '77-280Z. For $20 beenies you can buy the fire proof material mated to foil backing kit for water heaters at Home Depot. I think ( but may be wrong ) that this is the same material that Jegs sells for like $50-100 kit. Looks like I will use this and save. Ferd

Is there a kit or a way to modify a stock three belt 289/302 engine to a serpentine accesories belt? Would look cool and easier belt replacments. Ferd

Curious as to the type of paint system you used. Looks like a one stage acrylic emamel with hardener? Did you wet sand the finish? HOw did you finish? Ferd

did the job. I used the long lever tensioner tool to take pressure off the belt, then just restrung the new one. Man do I love serpintine belts, it took 5 minutes to change. Anyone have serpintine belts on their hybird Z? Ferd

take a look at 'factoryfive.com' which is a cobra kit company. It helped me visualize the method by looking at their kit car setups which all have side pipes. I have not done this but think its a nice look. Ferd.

Not much room to install a conventional muffler under my '77 280. Now I am thinking about a Supertrap muffler at the tail end of the tail pipe, which would solve this problem. Also, when racing, I can take out the disks. Has anyone ever used this setup? Ferd

I acquired the engine after it was 'raced preped', and the builder left the state so I cannot get details. However, I did see the engine taken apart and some the race prep steps included balanced connecting rods, cam, '88 heads, custom headers, holley 450 cfm carb, etc. I am going to assume that engine has hydralics. I have not started engine as yet ( too lazy,,, too buzy.....). thanks for the info.

the tool I have is a long levered wrench made especially for backing off tensioners by using a socket on a bolt head. The belt tensioner in question, is on a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo v6 4x4. When I apply my body weight to the tensioner it does not seem to give, so I do not want to force it with the tool until I know for sure that the tensioner itself not 'locked' in place. The tensioner base has a black inset plastic part which may be what you mentioned as a lock down. Ferd