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Most recent work completed on the Vega project.

Wow! Nice work! I'm subscribing t your thread! Keep up the awesome work!

More pics...

Hi,
for the oilpan mods, did you do them ? got any dimensions ? that is going to be my big headace i think.
thanks nick75vega

Hi....Regarding your mechanical fuel pump, are there any clearance issues between the fuel pump fittings and the lower radiator hose or anything else?....I'm thinking of running a mechanical fuel pump on my '72 V-8 converted Vega GT Coupe, currently only has a Holley (red) electric fuel pump....I also have the front engine mounts, just like yours!....Thanks, Ron

Nick, yes I did the mods on the oil pan. Some of the info I used can be found on V8Monza.com under H body FAQ. I started off with a stock pan and measured from the front 9 1/2" back and marked a line accross the pan with a sharpie marker. Then measure 3 1/2" from the front and make another line accross the pan. Extend these lines down the sides of the pan to approximately 1"-1 1/4" from the surface that bolts to the block. Mark another line from front to rear to connect the first 2 lines together. This is the area that needs to be removed. You'll notice that the internal oil baffle will have to be cut also. I just cut it off at the 9 1/2" mark and removed the front part of it. I used 16 gauge sheet metal to make the filler pieces, 18 gauge would be easier to work with and closer to the thickness of the original oil pan material. The overall depth of the pan in this area is 3 7/8". The bottom of the filler piece is 4 5/8" accross then bend the sides up at a 45 degree angle. Next bend the sides again at a 45 degree angle at 2 1/16" from the first bend. This is what gives you the steering link clearance when turning from side to side. I overlapped the sides of the filler piece over the sides of the pan approximately 1/4"-3/8", remember 3 7/8" overall depth. Then I made small pieces to fill in the front and rear. I made alot of the cuts to the original pan with a hacksaw, a torch would warp the pan too much. It would be best to weld it all together with the pan bolted to an engine block a little at a time so as not to warp it. I don't know if these mods will work with a 383/400 stroke. Hope this makes sense, good luck with your project. Dave.

Ron, I don't have a lower radiator hose on it yet. It looks like the fuel line to the carb would clear but not by much. I'm going to have to be creative with the lower radiator hose because of the wierd angle of the radiator outlet. Thanks Dave.

48 Fiat wrote:Ron, I don't have a lower radiator hose on it yet. It looks like the fuel line to the carb would clear but not by much. I'm going to have to be creative with the lower radiator hose because of the wierd angle of the radiator outlet. Thanks Dave.

That's cool! ....If the fuel pump outlet clears then I know the inlet will as that's pointing towards the passenger side of the car....I know the fuel pump outlet (to carb) appears to be awful close to the lower radiator hose however I just remembered, those hi volume Holley pumps have an adjustable housing so I guess it should work!....Thank you!

Hi,
thanks Dave. thats good information about the oil pan. i am installing a 96 lt1, and i don't know if there are any differences from other years of motors, so i may have to modify mine.
nick75vega

Hey guys nice build and fab work! Thanks for the updates.

Concept of the transmission cooler we want to build.

Here are pics of latest few things we have done to the vega. We added different fuel bowls to the 600 Holley Carb. Made new 3/8" aluminum fuel line. We are going to route the heater hoses away from the fuel line and adjust the alternator bracket for clearance.

I'm concerned about the placement of your sump holes. They appear to be too far rearward...the back, like a fuel cell seems like the logical place, however because of the upward angle of the bottom of most stock tanks, the sump needs to be conciderably farther forward or made MUCH longer & deeper than the ready-made ones or you will run out of gas way before the tank is empty (maybe half a tank?) since the lowest point of the tank is just behind the fold line in the bottom. Take the time to put the tank in the car & check with a level to see what I'm referring to.
At this point, since the holes are in there, making a few more holes & a long/deep sump is your best bet.
Hate to be "the bad news guy", but now is better than later I guess. Lorne

Thanks for the tip. I see exactly what you mean, didn't think of that. We haven't made the sump yet so longer and deeper sounds like the way to go. Thanks again Dave.

48 Fiat wrote:When we bought the Vega it already had a V8 and Turbo 350 installed. We didnt realize that it had turbo 350 from a pickup and the engine and trans was moved forward about and inch and a half because the length of the drive shaft that was used. Yes, the motor mounts where made to move the engine back and we will have to shorten the existing driveshaft. I just finished my second year of welding school, the motor mounts, torque arm, and rear lower control arms where some of my projects. Thanks for your interest feel free to ask any questions. Thanks Jason.

Sweet looking ride!! I was wondering how did you decide on final engine placement? My '73 has the 350 already in it, and only have maybe 1/2" clearance between the HEI distributor and the firewall, but a couple of inches from the heads to the firewall. Did you just keep sliding it back until something hit? Thanks and keep up the great work.