89 Lesabre T-type resto / L67 swap

[Mopar Man]

Ick, that battery tray area is NASTY. Luckily, there are plenty of LeSabres of that generation around, so finding a donor shouldn't be too hard. Might have to assemble a few good pieces together, but it's not really that hard. If the area goes down deep into the inner fender, you may want to weld some angle pieces in to brace the area, to maintain squareness when you cut out the damage.

[Tricked-T]

Picked this up at the yard for 50 bucks a while ago to save my body man from making custom patches:

[Tricked-T]

Well I am about to pull the motor. Just have to unhook the axles, Power Steering lines, and the rear mounts. By the way the motor and tranny are for sale if any one needs a replacement.

Strut Tower Damage I didn't know about...






Getting ready to pull axles... need to get the socket for the nut though.

[spidey3479]

Awesome find at jy! WooWoo! I like both sets of wheels, but the 1st set I like better. But then, its not my fn car! I'll keep watchin!!

[gonzo4191]

your l67 sounds like my future l67 for the sunbird....good luck man!

[Tricked-T]

The wheels on it now are just for the body shop. I was going to use them for winter wheels but apparently Ford had 2 versions of those wheels and oly one has the exposed lug centers I want, so I will sell them when done. The Bullitt wheels will be on once I am done.

Putting a L67 in the sunbird? Should be a interesting sleeper for sure. Know of anyone who has done it?

[wake]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwrIDJghl9g

his motivation cept he wants his louder with more lope

[Tricked-T]

More room than I thought but still a tight fit. Would be a sleeper for sure but none the less a cool project.

[Tricked-T]

So I had my body guy come check out the car before I got any further (as if I had not put in enough work yet), and it is not good.

He basically said the whole front half of the car would have to be replaced not just replaced at certain parts. And the rust in the trunk and on the quarters really concerns him.

He said he could do it but it would be a considerable amount more than he first quoted, and it would take at least 6 months to do (he is a small shop).

Once I got in to tearing it down I had a good feeling this would happen, but for some reason held out some hope.

I do not have the kind of money he is thinking to fix it and really do not have the six months. So here are my options

1. Find a new car (prefer local) that is in much better shape rust wise and make the silver a car a parts car and then scrap it. I know of 2 maroon ones local only one is for sale but the seller has not gotten back to me in days and he wants 3800 bucks for a 112,000 mile "90% garage kept" maroon T, too expensive. There is also a silver T with a bad motor in Seattle but shipping would be outrageous and I have no way to see it.

2. Get what I need off the silver car, scrap it and use everything for my black 88 that I had originally planned to make my weekend "hot rod" with alot of mods and custom interior etc... I mean do i need 2, maybe not, but that was the plan originally.

3. Scarp it all sell all what I can and hope to get a decent amount back and buy something with a L67 in it like a GTP, Regal, or SSEi and use at least the performance parts i have.

I am still unsure. It really bums me out even though I think I saw it coming a while ago. I wish I could save it, I really do but it is not practical at all. So if anyone knows of any rust free or very low rust cars somewhat close to STL let me know. Paint doesn't matter, interior doesn't matter, motor doesn't matter, just the body.

[94SilverSSEi]

1989:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/1477974778.html

1990:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/1477918393.html

1988:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/1469111662.html

1990:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/1448595150.html

[Tricked-T]

Thanks for the finds, but I am looking for a t-type only. It would be a lot easier if I were looking for either 2 or 4 door but has to be at-type. But thanks again.

-Lee

[94SilverSSEi]

Oh ok. After I posted it I was wondering if the t-type was different and then realized it was. The only one anywhere near your area were tue ones you already found. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

[rogers9c1]

So your body man cant install the front clip you got from the yard? have you tried any other shops or called around, rust has always scared me cause of problems like this....Takes away the coolest cars out there.

[1fatcat]

Not to sound like a dink, but if you want to restore that car for a reasonable price, you will have to do all of the work yourself.

[Tricked-T]

So your body man cant install the front clip you got from the yard? have you tried any other shops or called around, rust has always scared me cause of problems like this....Takes away the coolest cars out there.

Most shops will not tackle a project like this with in my budget if at all.

Not to sound like a dink, but if you want to restore that car for a reasonable price, you will have to do all of the work yourself.

You dont sound like a dick, your right. Something this bad would have to be done by me in order to make it financial do-able, but I do not know how to do that kind of body work so that is why I am searching for a new car. I prefer silver.

[rogers9c1]

any updates? This is a really cool project I hope you find a way to keep it going!

[Tricked-T]

Looking in to a T in Seattle with a blown motor but low mile and pretty close to rust free

[Tricked-T]

Sealed the deal yesterday on a much much cleaner T from Seattle with about half of the miles. Blown motor but I have the L67 obviously... will post pics when it gets here.

[1fatcat]

That is great! The project moves on!

[wjcollier07]

A blown LN3? What the heck? That's...not an everyday find.