My "New" car, 79 Monza HB

[77nighthawk]

Hey Chris, thanks, It's amazing how well brake-clean and a brass brush works. I was quite happy with the results, even though my garage smelled like brake-clean for about a week afterwards.

TOM71VEGA, I look forward to seeing your posts. I know all about that time thing. Never enough time in a day to get everything done. I was hoping to be further along on mine by this time. Oh well, I guess I'll have to be content with sitting in the driver's seat making engine noises. VROOM VROOM!

Brad

[77nighthawk]

Time for an update. Been trying to get the car ready to drop an engine and tranny in. Also, gathered up 2 th350 tranny's, one to build, and one for parts. Will get started on the teardown of the longtail tomorrow. I want to get all 4 pistons out and machined for max clutches, to make the tranny as strong as possible. I already have the transkit and a new aluminum pan, but still have to get a convertor, front pump, and hardened intermediate race. Pics of teardown to come. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

Update. After sorting out some wiring, and installing the manual steering gearbox this week, I was able to go out to the garage, and do a little arranging of things, moving things to storage, and finally some cleaning today. Too many projects in too small of a space. After freeing up an engine stand, I was able to mount up the longtail tranny for teardown. There was some water in the tranny pan, but not too bad. A little brake-clean took care of the gunk that had developed. It was getting late, so I didn't get done tearing the tranny apart, maybe tomorrow. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

More pics.

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[zeke]

Nice stand attachment.

[77nighthawk]

Hey Chris, thanks for the compliment. I needed a tranny fixture, but didn't have a workbench "stout" enough, so I came up with this 10+ years ago. It works real well, plus, it's mobile.

Went back out to the garage this morning, and after about an hour of fighting the clip that holds the output carrier, was able to finish the teardown. The case is in good shape, but needs cleaned. The only piston that needs machined is the direct clutch piston. The other 3 pistons are good-to-go. The parts I am lacking for the rebuild, are already on the way, so hopefully next weekend, I can assemble the tranny. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

Took that piston to work with me, and machined it down, during lunch, to fit another friction and steel. I also rough cut the upper plates for my motor mounts. When I got home, I bolted the plates to the engine, to check clearances. Plenty of room. I also took the empty tranny case off of the stand, and put the shorttail tranny on it for teardown and rebuild. The flexplate, convertor, front pump, and hardened race, came in today as well. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

Pics of the plates for the motor mounts.

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[77nighthawk]

Got the 2nd tranny tore down tonight. I like the case of the 1rst one better, so I use that case instead. I'll take the case to work with me tomorrow, and wash and clean it. Looks like I may be able to get the tranny done this weekend. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

Ok, yesterday, I got the parts all lined up on a table to go through them, and took the case to work and pressure washed it. Tonight, I opened up the rebuild kit, to start sorting out the bushings, thrust washers, and seals, fricknfracknsassafrass! There's no bushings or thrust washers! And upon closer inspection, no shift shaft seal, or vacuum modulator. So I got on jegs site, and checked the kit description. None of that stuff was included in the kit. So I ordered the missing parts, plus a case saver, that I forgot to order anyways. So much for building the tranny this weekend, or next weekend for that matter, parts won't ship till 12/14. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

Well, since I can't work on the tranny this weekend, I thought I would work on making the templates for the frame plates. I worked on the right side tonight. I removed both V6 plates, and started cutting away at some cardboard until I had what I wanted. It's still a little rough, and needs trimming, but I will transfer it to steel before I proceed with that. Brad

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I know it doesn't look like it, but it just clears the pitman arm.

[77nighthawk]

Ok, here's what I came up with for the left side. After I rest up a bit, I'll go back out to the garage, and make these out of steel, and work on the underside gussets. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

Well, I didn't get all the pieces made, yet. Got both big plates cut and fit, just need to make the smaller ones now. Man, a waterjet would be nice right about now. I'll keep all of my patterns, in case someone wants a copy, to make their own plates. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

Went back out and did some more. If I have time tomorrow, I may tack them together, and work on the gussets. Brad

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[77nighthawk]

Ok, tacked the pieces together, removed them from the car, welded them together, and bolted them back in. Now I just have to make the gussets. Got good news Monday, jegs emailed me with shipping confirmation for the parts I didn't think I was going to see for another 2 weeks, so I should have all of my tranny parts by Friday. Hooray!

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