Thread: Project "OVERHAUL" rebuilding a 1990 Grand Prix LE BEWARE LOTS OF PICTURES!

Keep up the good work, my first car was a '69 Buick Skylark that had been sitting a year or two, it was totally rusted out (Minnesota) but I learned a lot working on it. I spent my time and did my dues lying on my back in the dirt. At least you have jack stands, I had cement blocks and wood planks!

Originally Posted by copgtp

I'm sorry man, but this seems like an absolute waste of time to me.

With the money you're spending on supplies and replacement parts, you could get the same body style GP in running order.

I could understand if the car had some sentimental value, or was a rare turbo GP or something along those lines.........but it's just a 90 GP LE. I'd almost guarantee that all the rubber brake lines are dry rotted and will need replacement, along with vac lines and any other rubber line in the engine bay. And not only that you don't even know if the car runs !! From what I've read, you've only turned it over.

Ahh, good luck man, unfortunately you will more than likely look back at this project in a few years and say "what the fuk was I thinking"

Believe me i thought about it but like i said i have already done a Ford Ranger in similar shape (new brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake shoes, battery, alternator and all the fluids changed) the body on it was good but thats because it was in TN Including parts and the cost of the truck i spent a total of $1700 and sold it before i moved up here for $3300. My boss said it ran great when parked and he would be the first one to tell me if it was in bad shape mechanically. Its going to take roughly $500 to get it safe and driveable, lets say i spent $1500 total. Around here $1500 is getting you a rust bucket and maybe in decent mechanical shape. I may spend $150-$200 for paint and other supplys to give it a good solid paint job and the other $800 is basically for goodies. Not to mention how much i will learn from doing all this. All the hoses looked like they were in solid shape in the engine bay and when i pulled off the calipers i checked all the brake lines and they seemed good. However the drivers side spring on the rear for the emergency brake broke. Its defiantly no overnight project even if i had the money... the money wont be a issue here in about 3-4 weeks because my mom has started her job so i no longer will have to pay all the bills once we get caught up. Like i said slowly but surely!

I had some extra time today so i got both rear pads and rotors sanded, and painted the front centers of the rotors and just have to do the back sides tommorow (its to prevent the where the rim touches the rotor from rusting because rust takes up space and if it comes off well i am driving the rim can come loose and well its not good ) and of course it defiantly looks alot better. I also cleaned up the front pads incase i need to the run them for a week or two they probably have about 30 percent or more life left. Just need to get that torx set or bit and i can do the front rotors.

Originally Posted by gtpeddie

whos race car is in the first couple pics?

It's my boss's back up car, it's now race ready with a 440 hp 331/332 cubc inch motor and that's through very strict cast iron only rules. That is where I work

Originally Posted by copgtp

I do NOT suggest painting the area of the rotor that touches the wheel. You will not be able to torque the wheel correctly and will cause problems.

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I actually was debating about that this morning lol I decided not to sense the paint can and will come off and may cause the same issue of the wheel coming loose.

I did get some today to work on the prix, the front caliper mounts are missing one bolt each and sense I don't have the torx bit I figured what the hell I already have to buy 2 so my boss lended a hand with a pipe wrench and with some PB got them out. Those suckers were rusted in there darn good but I know have the front rotors off, all the calipers, and caliper mounting brackets for the front. I now have to sand em down, clean then and put some rustoleum on em I also cleaned the hub assembly's where the wheel contacts it. The rear hub assembly bearings seem good, thy spun darn good for sitting for 4 years. I did pop the hood today and found alittle gardener snake staring right at me lol I am hoping to get one and maybe both front rotors sanded tomorrow if I can find some time. Pardon my terminology even tho I am from Michigan and only lived in TN for 5 years they call things diffrently down there.

When you put everything together just slap some brake lube beteween the rotoe and hub, it'll help when you ever take them off again.

Originally Posted by Spartan GL

I like this project. So did the Radio/AC/Heat and all those goodies work when it was parked 4 years ago?

Good job so far how difficult was it droping the tank?

Thanks Spartan! If the bolts weren't rusted it would be a easy 30-45 min job. You may be able to get away with just jacking up the rear but I had 3 ton jacks almost maxed out holding up the rear and gave me enough room but not a ton. First thing is you have to take off the muffler and the elbow exhaust shield in order to get at one of the front bolts for the straps. The driver side front bolt for the strap was easy but the rear bolts on the straps are a PITA to get to. Just make sure you disconnect the 3 rubber hoses at the top then the fuel line going into the fuel filter and it will drop right down. The tank it self isn't heavy at all and it only had like 2 gallons in it but i used a jack to brace it when I unbolted to lower it down. Also disconnect the weather Pack on the drivers side, it's right next to the fuel tank. It's not hard at all but when the bolts were as rusted as the ones on my car your best friend is PB blaster and patience lol

I didn't get time yesterday to post and still need to get pictures and post them up but I got the front left rotor sanded, front left caliper and caliper mount cleaned and painted. I just need to sand the front right rotor, clean and paint the front right caliper and caliper mount then the front brakes will be ready I just need to get the bolts. Just gotta clean and paint the rear calipers and the rear brakes will be good to go. The headlights, fog lights and turn signals are cleaned up I just gotta bolt them back on and adjust them and those will be done, I'll eventually polish the lens but there really not that bad.

Here is one of the front rotors cleaned up along with one of the painted calipers. I just used a wire brush on the caliper, i wasn't expecting them to come out perfect but they look alot better then they did and wont have to worry about them rusting anytime soon.



ill get more pictures up when i can do the other rotors. I did however get the right rear caliper off but had to use a pipe wrench. It was the only one that gave me trouble but ill have to get another bolt. I am hoping to have the brakes done this weekend if i get time.