Dusting off the old Malibu

[WIDESIDE72]

I spent Sunday afternoon cleaning up my old Malibu, since it doesn't currently have A/C and it is getting to be great Hill Country cruising weather. I think it is going to need a couple of tires, though. It has been sitting for a while. The 383 stroker still runs great, and the 2004r trans and 3.73 posi rear still chirp the tires.

It really needs a paint job. I guess that is on indefinite hold...since we are going to be PARENTS!!!

[JohnC]

That looks like a real nice sleeper car!

Also Congrats on becoming parents!

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by JohnC

That looks like a real nice sleeper car!

Also Congrats on becoming parents!

The 40 series Flowmasters and cowl hood kinda kill the sleeper vibe. I have been considering finding a stock hood and putting a quieter exhaust on.

[1LoC10]

nice

[WIDESIDE72]

I call it "JYD" for "Junkyard Dog". It has a pretty good body, but really needs paint. The car has Bell Tech 2" drop spindles on front and 2" lowering springs on the rear. In the photos, it has 15 x 7 rallys all the way around, with 205 75 15's on front, and 225 75 15's on back. I have a pair of 15 x 8 Corvette rallys and a pair of new 255 60 15's that I took on trade. The backspacing on the Corvette rallys fit the rear of the G bodys perfectly. I actually had a pair with a set of 275 60 15's on the back, but they did rub on the inside inner fender from time to time. I took them off and sold them a few years back when I was out of work. I plan to swap the 225's to the front and put the 15 x 8's and 255's on back. It gives it a much better stance. I also have a set of 15 x 8 Centerline Auto Drags with 28" M/T ET Streets for the drags. I recently picked up a pair of 15 x 7 Auto drags for the front for $50. I really wanted a set of skinny front runners (4" or so), but couldn't pass up a dela on the 15 x 7's.

I told the wife I wanted to bring the baby home in it, but I will have to change out the 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's that dump in front of the rear axle...

[flashed]

That is one nice Malibu ,I would like to find one of those that is still completely stock with A/C for a daily driver for my wife. So far the ones Ive found are pretty beat .

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by flashed

That is one nice Malibu ,I would like to find one of those that is still completely stock with A/C for a daily driver for my wife. So far the ones Ive found are pretty beat .

I have actually considered fing a Malibu wagon to improve the convenience/ practicality of an extra car. The plan was to transfer the divetrain from this car into a wagon. I thought I found one near Ft. Worth, but it was sold before I got a chance to look at it. Try craiglook.com. It searches Craigslist nationwide, and you can even search up to a 250 mile radius from your zip code.

[WIDESIDE72]

I picked up a a set of 17 x 8 MB motorsport wheels and tires w/ about 50% tread a few months back for $250(!) on c list

[WIDESIDE72]

Due to a flat lobe on the Comp Extreme 4x4 hydraulic flat tappet cam recently, I started on swapping a big ol' solid roller cam (specs not handy at the moment) into the 383 this past weekend and finishing up this coming weekend!

[NONHOG]

Looks like fun! Just curious what caps were you running on the 1st pics?
Hard to tell at the angle its at.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by NONHOG

Looks like fun! Just curious what caps were you running on the 1st pics?
Hard to tell at the angle its at.

They are stainless steel "police" caps from JC Whitney. I bought them years ago. They are plain with no bow tie or logo of any kind.

[northern 85]

Cool car looks like it would be a blast to drive

[WIDESIDE72]

Major change in plans as half the pistons had broken ring lands and there is a hole in the #3 cylinder. Parting the 383 out. Heads for sale on 67-72 parts forum. Now to decide: 355 or 468. (I have both
Posted via Mobile Device

[WIDESIDE72]

Roller cam will be for sale as well
Posted via Mobile Device

[bk2life]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

pistons had broken ring lands

im guna guess hypereutectic pistons..junk imo..

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Roller cam will be for sale

cam and lifters or just cam?

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by bk2life

im guna guess hypereutectic pistons..junk imo..





cam and lifters or just cam?

yep. Hypereutectic pistons. I have had better luck with cast pistons! I will never run them again.

It is a cam and lifter package on EBAY now

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170952472023...84.m1555.l2649

[no moa]

Love those old Malibu's. Buddy has one they took apart to restore, i tried to buy it for years. Wouldn't sell it.
Nice project. Go 355, do you really need more than that in that little car? lol

[Redcap]

Nice Malibu! I have a '78 2dr that needs some attention.

[andrewmp6]

I have always liked the g body my family had 4 of them at one time,my dad my mom my brother even my grandpa had one.That was a good deal for someone the cam and lifters looked pretty new.

[no moa]

I wish i had some $ i'd be all over this car. (not at that price though)

http://maine.craigslist.org/ctd/3402297476.html

[WIDESIDE72]

I have everything off the 383 and ready to pull. I am going to swap in a 355 that I had in the car before the 383, along with a serpentine belt drive off a 92 TBI 305 so that I can reinstall the AC and make this car more of a driver. The 383 was fun. It would pass everthing but a gas station! THe 750 Holley mechanical secondary is going on a 454 and either a quadrajet or carter 600 I have will be going on the 355. I also have a set of Sonic Turbo mufflers to replace the Flowmaster 40's and a pair of mandrel bent tail pipes since I had to chop the cheapo muffler shop crush bent tail pipes off when I lowered the car. They rubbed on the rear upper control arms. The mufflers and tail pipes should quiet it down a lot.