Ok hey everyone. I know how everyone likes suspense, Well here's the update on the 31 and life. My wife started working full time and is very proud of her new big girl job. It's her first full time M-F job since we started our family. So now we can start putting money into savings....maybe I should name the car that "savings account" instead of "Pete" cause everything was for Pete's sake. Lol. So I have two complete leaf springs one front and one back. I brought those into our local spring shop and it's gonna be $400 a piece x4..... ouch. This month is also 3 paycheck month for me so that helps. Next later today I'm dropping off the gas tank to have that rebuilt. Then I'll be ordering the radiator. I know someone that is excited for that right Rebel. 

Springs will be done next week after the 4th of July then I can get the car level. Oh and I also need to get my front hub adapters ordered so I can get it all sitting on rubber. Then we will start on the steering and then I can order the driveshaft. And make it move.  So lots going on.

Yup need a different solution for the gas tank that guy water $3000 to build the gas tank. For 3grand I'll go to the votec and take advanced welding classes and build it myself.

Cowboydanny, 

   One option you might try is Rock Valley Antique Auto Parts. I have no experience with them, but they claim to have many patterns for vintage fuel tanks and can custom make them if needed.  No idea on price, but I have a hard time thinking it would be $3000.

   Good Luck,   31pontiac 

Thank you I sent them a message. 

I'm still looking for a radiator and ignition coil (without key). Do you still have yours?

John

Well been a slow few years of work on the 31 with the price of gas for our daily drivers we haven't had anything left over to put into the 31. Recently the 02 GMC Envoy we intended to give to our 16 year old to drive with, engine went, knock! knock! At 250k miles. To replace that we stumbled across an 04 Envoy XUV! If you know you know these are cool. But same drive trane. So we are now pulling the transmission I had rebuilt to save for the XUV incase it ever needs it along with the new coils and front wheel hubs. While pulling it apart I thought hmmm I wonder if these nice leather seats will fit in the pontiac of which im missing the original back bench. They fit pretty boog just need to shave a little foam off the base seats. Then i looked at the roof and wondered if the roof of this thing can be used to fill in the roof of the 31. Well sure appears to be close. Plus it has a sunroof. So I'm pulling every stitch of wiring and controls out to go with that. Then I thought well I need steering yet too I wonder if this steering rack will fit the 31. So I may be pulling that out as well. If not for anything else just to have something to test fit that's free for now.  So that's the update for now. 

Oh and radiator is at the shop still waiting for an estimate on that to build a new one.

Rebel once I got it out it doesn't look promising. Looks like the original one has been patched for old leak and it is very full of mud dobber dirt. But they are going to inspect it for you while they build my new one. 

Sounds like a plan, glad ya gave us an update on your progress.

   Glad to hear from you again! Even a little progress is still progress!  

Look what showed up today! My wifes birthday present! (This car is for her if i ever finish it)

$750 for new radiator, fan shroud, and electric  fan with wiring and temp sensor. Makes the shroud look like crap. But that will have to wait. Fits great  but I'll have to do a little fit n finish.

Well I think this will fit nicely as a roof for the 31'. We'll likely cut the outer rails off and it should fit just right with a little massaging.

So any tip or tricks for fitting that roof skin? 

My summer goals are to clean up one of my front grilles for rough in with the new radiator, finish installing the new leaf springs, shave down the interior seat cushions to get a better fit there adjust the front seat mounting brackets, and move the stock transmission cross member. 

Still need to figure out a plan for a steering box, get a set of front wheel adapters made, mounting brackets for the new disc brakes,  gas tank and drive shaft. 

Keep us up with pictures.

6 hours ago, cowboydanny said:

So any tip or tricks for fitting that roof skin? 

Dan, i recon any thing is worth a try ! ... that roof will fit justA as long as you have the tools to make it fit !

tig or mig, but i would suggest tig so you can manipulate the tac welds as you go. i also think you need access to a english wheel to move that new roof section around to fit the curves of your 31 !

 i would certainly make a template first before you do any cutting so you have a pattern to work with, then justA reshape that roof section to the curves of the 31 ...

i use scribed profiles as well, so you have the shape of the roof to work with ,. basically cut cardboard out to fit from front to rear of the existing roof profile, and the same from left to right. 

good luck mate👍

and has anyone mentioned we love pics around here 

Well I know I that I need to get the outer edge off so it will sit flat. Left to right it will be perfect. The front corners are the only real concern i see right now, and some of that will be cut off.  An english wheel I do not have access to. But from what I've seen running a sheet thru this size would be tough. I would assume that typically one would cut a portion of the roof off reshape it then reweld it back together?

Dusted off the 31 this weekend and replaced the front broken leaf spring. Note I've decided to go with a new front end so the leaf springs will not be needed but for now i can at least move it around again. So I'll be replacing the drivers side front and back next. Then I'm cleaning out all the junk. And going to lay the wood flooring inside justas a dry fit and to keep it with the car instead of all over my garage. I will also be working on fitting the new radiator so i can put the hood back on. Then i want to fix the seats I took from the Envoy and make sure they fit like I have planned. 

I'll get you guys some pictures as I start cleaning it out. 

~Dan

Glad to hear that you are back on your ‘31. Looking forward to pics of your progress!