No turning back!

Starting to make the necessary cuts to install the LS1. Trans "ears" cut out. You can see the time frame io've been working on here. That's my "new" helper you can see a photo of from earlier posts. He's two now! No need for the fuel filler door/compartment. Fuel cell going in!

Pulled the rear end

I pulled the rear end and got the car safely suspended. Also did a bit more cutting to the hatch area in prep for the fuel cell. The teal fender in the engine bay is a practice piece for the Hobart MIG welder I just got on loan from a neigbor. He had recently had a pacemaker put in and could no longer use it. I had asked to buy it from him and he insisted that I just take it and use it like it was my own. Can't find nicer folks than down here in SW Virginia!! Also, notice those nice new shelves behind the car!! I was quickly running out of room! Nice and organized again!

Winter's over... Back to stripping... again

I went ahead and cut out the spare tire well in preparation for my fuel cell install. I drilled out the spot welds with a special bit that I got from Harbor Freight. Cost me only a couple of bucks but was well worth the money. Got the doors off and dismantled as well. Interior is nearly completely stripped.

Pressure washing and scrubbing

I spent a day pressure washing the underside of the car and scrubbing the engine bay to get everything as clean as possible.

Still stripping the 240

I grew VERY tired of stripping cars. This must be the most aggravating process of rebuilding a car! Deconstruction. It seems like no matter what you do you are still so far away from the end! I was really looking forward to rebuilding things at this point. My initial plans had never included completely strippiong the car. I was seriously bit my the "might as well do this" bug! Also, a severe lack of funds and an incredible drive to get some work done on this thing was not a good combination. No money and an urge to work on the car = deconstruction. As you can see, I had a complete lack of funds!!!

Still stripping... both the Z's!!

I stripped the 280 completely, selling what I didn't need. I made around $700 by selling parts and the stripped body to a wrecker ($200). I don't thikn i'll do this again though. Between stripping, listing, and shipping the parts it was a considerable amount of time. Good way to make a bit of extra cash if you have no other way to fund your project though.

Found myself a parts car

I came across a parts car not far from my home. Not in the best of shape but it had the hood, cowl and rear end (R200) that I wanted. Picked it up for $200. Wife was loving having this smelly thing i nthe garage. it had been sitting in a damp garage for a couple years. It had old pizza crusts inside it and the guys kids had been playing in/on it.