jrhaus76

Decided to take the IROC on the Power Tour this year so I am doing a mini resto on it. Here is what I am doing:

INTERIOR:

-replacing my console b/c the shifter bezel is cracked, the trans indicator is worn and warped, someone drilled a hole in the area by the window swithes, the arm rest is broken, the radio bezel is cracked and the white is worn off the pw and ph switches

-Install my new OEM refurbished steering wheel with new leather I got from the place that also supplies Hawks. I have not got it yet but I was told they are like new. I an not a fan of the autozone $5 wheel cover...

-removing the seats to clean the carpets and sew up a couple cig burns in the seats then clean the seats. Also will spray the seat tracks and freshen them up.

Current interior pic:



MECHANICAL:

-doing a full tune up including changing plugs and wires

-brake flush and pad replacement. Won't mess with the rotors or wheel bearings if I don't have to.

EXTERIOR:

-minor touch up paint

-New Goodyear GT-HR rubber

-decided last night to refinish the wheels myself... about 3 hours in so far and I have the clear and rash off 1! Going to break down the wheels to finish so I can get the lip really good. I did the whole wheel 120 grit already to remove the clear and then "finished" one spoke with 320-800-1200 wet and 2000 wet. Then polished with some neverdull... OMG it looks amazing. Lots of work but they will come out better than new. My estimate is 5 hours per wheel. so about 20 hours total and $50 in sand paper. Saving $550 from having it done. I am working for about $27 an hour... not bad I guess.

-install new center caps and correct lugs with black caps.

Current wheel and rubber:



I will post pics as I go if you want to see the progress.

11 weeks 'till PT09!

CYARS92

Cool! I'll look for ya there.

jrhaus76

Update...

As expected, the wheel is amazing...



I test fit it before I yanked the seats and console. Makes me realize how bad my other one is. I can't wait to get back on the road. It will probably be a week or two while I redo the wheels but they are off now and will be broke down tomorrow. Tires come in Monday so the faster I can get them done the sooner I can be back in business.

Interior after a seeping. Will shampoo the rugs soon and then install the new stuff.



No new wheel pics. Haven't done anything. More work on Sunday.

Bowtiebruiser

I got a question for ya. I bought my 82 Z with a gay Grant GT wheel on it, what do I need to put a stock one back on aside from the wheel and horn button obviously?

jrhaus76

Kinda like this...



This was on my car when I got it. You can get one from ebay but you will end up with a crappy one like I had. Make sure you get a whole wheel with the guts all in it. Its easy to change. Get a steering wheel puller and yank off the Grant wheel and take off the adapter. (I put the Grant wheel in my Jeep) Once you have a new Z28 wheel it will slip onto the hub in the column and bolt it on. It is really easy. Just make sure the wheel has the guts in the hub under the horn button. The new one I got did nto but I used my old one.

Now if you want a perfect wheel I had to buy the crappy one on ebay, I think I paid $40, then you order a nice new refurbished wheel. I found mine for $225 with a $75 core so I need to send back my old wheel and the total cost will be $225 plus the $40 for the first wheel minus the $75 core. $190... not bad. If you want the number where I got the wheel I can give it to you. It is the same lady that supplies Hawks. Beautiful product!

Its easy!

TTA850

That steering wheel looks great, I need to get mine done too but with so much left to do dont know if I'll get to it before the power tour

Bowtiebruiser

absolutly i would love that info

jrhaus76

Chuck Pelton - 248-681-4336

The wheel came very quickly, was packed wonderfully and looks amazing!


As far as an update on the car...

Got the oil changed, the serpentine belt changed, the brake job done and an added task of a new ignition module. It has been acting up so I changed it out. Hopefully my problem is solved. So far so good.

I got the tires removed yesterday so I can continue on refinishing the wheels. I have to hustle on them b/c the car is immobile in the middle of the garage and need I to get it back together... The new tires are supposed to be in tomorrow so the sooner I can get the wheels done, the sooner I can have it driving again!

Original wheel:



One wheel amost done. I am not happy with the amount of sanding so I am going to sand some more... maybe?!?!



I still need to shampoo the carpet and seats and put the interior back in.

I put my new console together:

jrhaus76

All done...






I will get better pics once i get a nice day...

87_Injected

Looks great! Where did you get the new console from?

scottmoyer

I noticed in the earlier picture that the new steering wheel is substantially thicker than the original. I wonder what was done different. The leather appears to be longer and heavier at the spokes also.

BTW, the original wheel looks the same thickness as mine, so I won't believe any statements about the old wheel just being worn down. Can you measure the grip on each? Does anyone know if GM had a new wheel that has a thicker grip in the 88-90 cars? Here's a pic of my wheel.



Just looked at the picture again...does the old wheel even have the leather on it anymore? I don't see the stitching on the side spokes.

gatorcola

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL JOB!

I got a wheel from Chuck last week and I am very satisfied (also got a NOS shifter **** on ebay). Have to say I'm jealous on the wheels - mine need refinishing bad but I'm too lazy to do it myself.

BTW - what's the switch under the cig lighter? I don't have that.

Rumblin70SS

Car looks great!

My car is a daily so it won't look nowhere near as nice as your car, but my girlfirend and I are also going on the Power Tour in the IROC. maybe we can have a TGO caravan!

jrhaus76

Thanks everyone!


eBay

Yes, they add some padding to make it thicker. It feels amazing in your hands.

Don't think so. Like I said, when they redid the wheel, they added padding.

No, I removed it as it was all peeling off. It was way too thin afterwards!

Glad you like it. Under the cig lighter is rear defrost. The wheels took about 10 hours total.

I have several TGO members on my email that I know are going. We can hook up. check your PM