The Story of Pluto the 92 SE (lots of pics)

[zuper8]

This is the very abbreviated story of this car, there's so much more *shoot* involved with it lol....

In the fall of 09 I bought this car for $375. It didn't run, knew the engine could be bad but was hoping it wouldn't.... annnnd it was bad. Bought an $89 engine off ebay with 119K. Decided to try and do my first solo engine swap. I did it in a barnyard, and I rented an engine hoist (which I managed to fit in Pickles, and it wasn't the collapsable kind haha). Thank you Don and Bill for being excellent phone help throughout the process!! The car then sat for a long time because of issues with the title and me having no time whatsoever to work on it. Or money. Then, in February of this year, I got a job offer in Shirley, MA. Had two weeks to get my ass out of Ohio and somehow get this car roadworthy. And now, we've put about 3K on this sketchy engine and sketchy car. It is getting better all the time as I have time to fix and diagnose things. It has actually been quite reliable so far too, and is now Mark's daily driver.

I intended this to be my first flip project, but it was really my first project car ever. So I know a lot more now about how to do this- and decided I should probably not flip cars. I can't leave well enough alone. I have replaced so many parts, and it's probably still worth $375. Why did I do this, you ask? I'll tell you......

I don't know.

But I love it to death, I would have a hard time selling it anyway.

I wasn't too good about updating the project thread, so I just compiled all the pics I have of the "before" stuff. I wish I had taken so much more, but I am really bad about taking pictures. And then, I have photos of Pluto's first whorage session, after almost 2 years!

First got it home










haha one of the many parts replaced


Sketchy Ebay engine


OH god this was a gross job. but it had to be done. the door pockets were the nastiest thing I've ever encountered




MUCH better. just used carpet cleaner + car wash sprayer. could be better but that's good enough for now


Mid engine swap, before the smile got wiped off my face


Annnnd that's why the engine is sketchy. This is the new one, not the old one. I transferred the rockers from the old engine and threw some oil on them. hasn't failed yet....


Now, it is a decently safe functioning vehicle. The lessons learned were so, so worth it. I did a really quick detail with Meg's D151 and an orange pad, but I just went over it lightly because there's not much clearcoat left. As you can see in the pics it is completely gone in many places. Then I topped it with a coat of P21S. Still need to figure out what to do about the black exterior pillars.













No engine bay detail, but it took several cleanings to get it to even this point lol

[wake]

man pluto has come a long way since you got him

he needs a spoiler though

[yonkerse]

Glad to see it was revived! See so many road worthy bonnies out in the fields which (im guessing) only need local mechanic and some TLC to get them serving folks like us again. Hope you get the rest of the bugs worked out of it before too long!!

[1oldman]

Great job!!!!!

Still need to figure out what to do about the black exterior pillars.

About 6 or 7 years ago I did a rattle can spray job on my pillars after sanding them down. Afterwards I put two coats of clear coat on. It lasted 5 years or so before it started to look bad again. I need to do it again.

Nice pics of the work. - BC

[redmetrix]

Looks great! I like the blue on blue combo, and I love the 92 SE's even more.

[zuper8]

Looks great! I like the blue on blue combo, and I love the 92 SE's even more.

the blue on blue is what I fell in love with too and I always liked the 92s. I only wish this one had the SE badges on the C pillars...

thanks for all the comments guys!

[wdean]

I'd say it was definitely worth the time and trouble you put into it...great job, and even though you didn't flip it, you got a great DD out of it

[Jrs3800]

Looking Good Rachael

[zuper8]

Well those gaskets needed to be changed!







Think I should do the thermostat/ seal while I'm at it? lol


Also glad I'm running a high detergent oil. I suspected it would need some clean-up....

[Jrs3800]

Once you get tot he point of reassembling.... Do like I do...


I do the dabs, I also run a small bead of sealer on the bottom and top of the rubber gaskets.. set the gaskets down on the block, add the corner dabs again, and then run a small bead across the top of the gasket.... Fel Pro says install dry, But every engine I have ever done this way had stayed 100% bone dry... I like it that way...lol

What you have with your motor is that it had an internal coolant leak... looks to have been a very small one... Keep running good oil through it... Its made it this far, chances are it'll keep on going...

[2002BonnevilleSE]

man pluto has come a long way since you got him

he needs a spoiler though

Ditto ^^^

You did a really nice job on the car...congrats

[zuper8]

Thanks :D

Don thanks so much for the tips. looks like you are using ultra grey for sealant? i was gonna use black, is that okay?

After reassembly, I was just going to run the old oil for a second, drain it, change filter, and put in new oil and filter. Should I do a run of cheap stuff first? If so, how long should I let it run with the cheap oil?

[Jrs3800]

You can run it for a few with the old oil.... Then change it with some cheap stuff.... Give it a thousand miles or so and change it with your normal stuff..

RTV Black is fine, but I prefer RTV Gray..

[kemicala]

wow. what a turn around you did on that car. i wish i had half the skills you do.

[zuper8]

Massachusetts drivers are about retarded. we all know that. well anyway, one of them pulled out in front of me last week. I was travelling straight so not at fault, but still worried about how all this is going to go down. the other guy's insurance company is being evasive.







I could fix this easily myself but I'm pretty sure they'll total it. BB value is around 800-1000 :( it's worth way more than that to me.

[1oldman]

I would think if the A/C works and has no major mechanical issues it's worth at least $1500 to $2000. Try Edmunds,com, used cars, appraise my car.

You've done a great job on the car. - BC

[Saturn Simon]

Real shame about the accident. Beautiful car, lovely colour too.

No pictures of the door pockets?

[1oldman]

You really ought to think about fighting them if they make the decision to total the car, especially if it was their policy holder's fault. I think the car is worth fighting for. You've done some really good work on your Bonneville. JMO - BC

[LeSabreUltra]

Ouch, that sucks...

Are those Lexus wheels in the first pictures? I think I see the Lexus L in the center. They look good on the car.
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[zuper8]

Yes they are lexus wheels, they came with the car and I rather like them too!

It was totaled, it appraised for $1,301. The other guy's insurance company said since it's 20 years old and worthless they weren't going to bother with a salvage/ rebuilt title. I can keep the $1,301 and they get the car, or keep the car and get $1,026 and a clear title.

I'm keeping it, because I'm crazy. Already found a blue hood.