DCOWBOYS1975

Good deal. Any by the way this is coming from the guy that got blasted on here by all the V-6ers. So that should show you how nice a job you have done by what I am about to say. I would be proud to drive your car. You have done a VERY VERY nice job on it. I plan to stickie this and follow your lead.

Trey

bl85c

iTrader: (2)

Not all the v6'ers, just the touchier ones. I don't really care what your oppinion is, it just annoys me and some of the other guys to see people downtalk v6 owners. Every once in a while we get a couple v8 nuts that think they know everything and they can teach us how everything we're doing is wrong. Of course I don't really consider myself a v6'er either, I like anything that has more than 4 cylinders.

DCOWBOYS1975

I was apologizing to grimm cause last time I was in here it got kinda outta hand. I could care less how many cylinders you have as long as it has a Bowtie or a bird!! And as far as knowing everything, I don't know ^$&^%# but I am trying to learn. So any knowledge is good knowledge. Keep it coming!!!!

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

^^all right. All that is settled. I dont want this to get into any fighting/bickering. If this thread turns nasty and gets out of hand I will leave it to die and be buried with all the old ancient posts.

chevyracingrox

all i can think of doing is taking a small drill bit in a big *** drill and gradually increasing the size until you can get a screw extractor in there. i love those things, pain in the *** but it saves a lot more pain and money.

DCOWBOYS1975

Take a torch and get it super hot and its easier to get a bit to take. I had to do that with my Big Truck.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

I tried that. I got a small bit to drill right through, then I went to the next size up and it didnt do a thing.

I also tried that. I got it to the point where it was starting to glow a little...still wouldnt take.

I am going to ask my buddy to bring over his welder and weld a nut on the bottom. And until then I am going to soak it in penetrating oil.

DCOWBOYS1975

That was gonna be my next suggestion. Torch is just easier but good luck.

chevyracingrox

i never thought of welding a nut onto it. if the wrench keeps slipping just weld the wrench on the nut and weld a handle on the wrench so you can get some leverage. if that doesn't work, its going to get really difficult.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Ok, since i cant get these stupid bolts out, Im kinda going back to the original plan (slightly modified). I am going to hold off on buying a transmission right now and get my car towed to my buddies garage and have them get the bolts out, fix the rust, and paint it.
And while thats gone I want to rebuild my motor and get it all ready. So a question I have is, how long can I leave a rebuilt motor on a stand? I know to use that STP engine lube stuff (or equivilant), but how long will that stay where it is supposed to?

IROCmonkey

as long as you lubricate everything when its assembled, seal all outside holes (tape is fine), and store it somewhere clean and dry. You can leave a fully assembled engine on a shelf or on a stand for months, even years.

forkvoid

iTrader: (1)

I left my 3.4 shortblock on a stand covered in a plastic bag for about two months, then left it in the car without being started for probably two or three. It all runs just fine. Just store it well.

firstfirebird

iTrader: (3)

Yep, as long as you have a coating of oil/assy lube nothing should rust. My old shop stored a running engine out of a car for at least a year, and it fired right up after being re-installed. Of course we cleared it of gas before packing it away (most damaging of all fluids during storage).

project89

iTrader: (1)

+1 my shortblock sat in the stand with a bag oiver it for over 8 months, if the motor is fully assembled and it sits just be sure to prime the oil pump before the initial start

i always use torco engine assembly lube that stuff will stay put for a very very very long time

enswrob

definatly agree on primeing an engine after storage

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Thats what I was hoping to hear. Thanks for the replys. It will probably only be sitting for a couple months at the most, so Ill tape the openings and wrap it up good.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Ive been meaning to do this for a while, but always ended up doing something else. I ended up putting all my other stuff aside today and got my car ready to be towed to my buddies shop...


Just have to tie some wires down and clean out the interior of my misc parts/boxes.

A couple things. The hood is not latched, and I decided to put the fenders on and let my buddy see if he can work with them. I figure its worth a try since I have them.

chevyracingrox

man that thing is looking pretty good. any idea on what tranny you'll be using?

DCOWBOYS1975

That is the funniest song I have ever heard!!!!

Trey

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Im just going to get a rebuilt 700r4. I had thought about rebuilding it myself, but decided to get one already done and maybe practice on my old one.

What song? The Camaro song? A local radio station made that song. I about died when I first heard it....in my Camaro!!

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

I haven't done anything really lately...so I haven't had anything to update with. But I came home today to these.....

....oooooohhhh. What could be in the big boxes?


..........Guess you'll just have to wait and see.......


On another note, My body work is a couple weeks out....finally. Than some minor engine work...get or rebuild my tranny(still have to check a price on getting mine rebuilt)... maybe a few small things...and I'm home free. Hopefully everything will fall into place and Ill have to cold months to spend in my garage

89RsPower!

2 big *** turbos?

firstfirebird

iTrader: (3)

Guess it's almost time for you to get a couple more boxes eh? Say the word :P

gtolady

Hey Grimm, Just curious - did you ever get the bolts out? And if you did how did you finally manage it? I was going to suggest welding nuts on the end but I see you already thought of it - what happened with that technique?

Too bad you're not closer to central california I know an ironworker who likes 700r4's so much he rebuilds them as a hobby and only charges $375 per rebuild - strange...

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

I will take them...Im going to need them soon anyways.

They are still in my frame. I gave up and asked my buddy thats doing my body work to get them out. He has more tools and experience and I didnt want to further mess them up.


That does suck....that defiantly would help. I have a few transmission shops near me. I just need to price them. Although most places cant give me a quote till they have it apart

firstfirebird

iTrader: (3)

Might be cheaper to have the rebuilt tranny shipped for that price

I'll get the balance of your parts out in the next couple weeks, I'm excited to see this thing finished!!!

Did you get a cam to compliment the parts?

gtolady

Yeah, I experienced that whole 'transmission shop shock' when my transmission went out. I couldn't decide between throwing up or fainting when the first shop told me that it would start at $800- gah!
Just say the word and I'll go talk to the guy and see if he'll do it. When he did mine the deal initially was just $375 for a new rebuilt 700r4 with my old one as a trade in but he didn't realize and I never thought to mention that my car was a V6 so after finding out that a 700r4 that was made for a V8 won't work in a V6 (funny thing that...) I ended up just bringing him my tranny and a week or two later he gave it back all better.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

That would be a great price...but I would have to pay for shipping both ways and that would be alot of shipping. But if you see him you could always ask...It would keep my options open.

And to FF--Yes I did get a basic cam. I didnt get a custom grind, because I had bought it before all this Delta cams talk But Oh well, it will work good. And Ive been excited to see this finished for too long. I have to get this moving again.

7SEALS

grim where are you located at in PA? Im in Erie. I could stop over and give you a hand!

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

I appreciate the offer, but I'm trying to do this project myself, as much as possible. Plus I'm down near Pittsburgh...so that would be a trip for you.


But anyways...Ive finally got a little update. I finally got the car cleaned out and all ready for a little "road trip"...

If everything goes to plan...and it better ...there will be a trailer at my house tomorrow to pick up my car for its body work and paint.

firstfirebird

iTrader: (3)

What's with the psychadelic wall paper in the garage? I KNOW your dad wouldn't allow that :P

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

The walls are painted white...in the whole house. We like variety

I had to blur out the "secret weapon". I don't think my dad would approve of me showing it off. Its no '91 Camaro...but not everyone can handle an F-Body

KBcobra

Probably an engine where the blur is :P would be my guess since your front end is up so high.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Finally some good news!!!! The car has finally been taken to the shop!!

Now I get to work with the motor and some other issues.

Ill try to get some pics of it, while its getting worked over, for your viewing pleasure.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

While the car is gone Ive been looking into the ride height problem I will be running into...40 less pounds because of the aluminum heads. So my question is, how much higher will the front end be with the aluminum heads? 40lbs isn't that much, so I wouldn't imagine that it would be more than a 1/2 inch...but I didn't know if anyone might know.

chevyracingrox

It shouldn't be enough of a problem to change the ride height dramatically. If your concerned look at getting weight jacks since they're adjustable.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ing-101-a.html

IROCmonkey

40 lbs isn't a lot in the scheme of things. IIRC, you are making this a turbo 6 right? so whats the turbo, plumbing, I/C and all weigh? not to mention changing out the stock manifolds for headers. Overall the weight difference shouldn't mean much.

I'd just put it all back together and see. If you dont like the stance then you can start having fun with the suspension

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

As of right now the turbo "might" have to wait. My hours at my job have been cut way down for the time being...so I might not have the money/time to get it tuned and running right in time for summer. Im still working on getting it up and running, just might have to go with a N/A 3x00 until next winter

nd4spd42085

this is actually the first time I've read this thread, but it's come a long way... congrats on the gut and restore, that's how my firebird started...

I also have to repair rust on my camaro, luckily the holes are in the floor board and not the structural members...

I am going to stay tuned and wait for the finished product...

looks great up to now... you must be excited... best of luck with the motor build...

btw, in the earlier pics I noticed that yours is one of the cleanest looking 60 degree motors I have ever seen...

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Thanks I hope to make it cleaner yet

Just thought Id bring this back from the dead. I kinda lost hope on it for a while...due to the issues Im having with the pain/rust work...But I got the engine back from the shop a couple weeks ago with the cylinders bored out, freeze plugs/oil plugs put in, and new cam bearings installed...



I painted it up and I just finished up putting the crank, pistons, and cam in tonight...



I just need to get the damn sprocket off of the front of the crank...my gear puller wont grab it.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

I got a super "awesome" update today

A couple days ago I wanted to put the heads, and up, on...only to find that the head dowels were no where to be found.

Bought a new set and got them today...
Gaskets...


1 Head...


Both heads...


And If my project hasent been plagued enough...When I went to put on the rockers, one seemed never to get tight. When I took it out this is what I found...

All those shaving must have been pushed down into the hole...because I never saw it when I first got these and looked them over, replaced the valve gaskets, and cleaned the gunk off them. This is such a kick in the (you know where)

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Well I decided to work on the engine a bit more today. I got the stripped holes fixed with helicoils (turned out to be 3)and what happens next...It rains for the next few days and so I couldn't use the grinder to fix the timing chain cover.
Got this done today...





And just for kicks and giggles...



And before anyone says it...I know that the LIM isn't painted and it may look bad. So be it. I will probably end up painting it but with the things going the way they are right now...I'm not to worried about it.

kevmann

Wow! I just took the time to read and see this whole thread. It has been very interesting and educational. You will be the envy of all of us when this is done. Very nice so far. Cant wait to see it finished.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Thanks and don't envy me yet...I don't even know how/if it will run yet.

But its getting closer. The body work/paint is almost done...the guy who was doing the work had some MAJOR problems which set stuff back a bit on his end. but the engine is looking better and better. I just have some loose ends to tie up (wiring, some fitment issues, etc.) and the engine will be done.

Here is where I am at...


Because of the DIS bracket the hole for the PCV system is a little under the bracket...


And on the other side the alternator just barely sits on the other PCV hole...



And finally, the bracket on the alt bracket is a little tight. I have a TB spacer that will cover that hole above the TB, and with that on Ill have to grind away at that bracket...


I atill have to put another coat on the valve covers and tap a few holes and plug them...but at least the end is somewhat in sight. Although I am a little worried about the belt routing. It looks really close in places. But Ill have to wait and see when I get the engine back in the car, because I never took off the PS pump.

mongoosekeith

where did you find those old school wheels?? they look AWESOME!

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

The guy I bought the car from threw them in for free. He bought a Mustang and had no use for them. They came off of an old Corvette. I had tried to sell them a while ago to get money for a set of tires for my new rims...having 3 sets of rims takes up a lot of room.

mongoosekeith

they fit right on? or did you have to use adapters?

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Direct fit. There is a little bit of rubbing on the plastic inner fender wall...but not very bad.

mongoosekeith

ok thats not to bad they make them in different widths too

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

Yeah. This style rims came on a bunch of Chevys back in the day...Camaro, Corvette, and Chevelles come to mind.