Blog Index
1. Engine removal and bay cleanup
2. Lower cowl repair and bay painting
3. Engine bay and fender repair
4. Painting front end parts and engine test fit
5. Van engine removal, engine test fit, serpentine setup planning and engine assembly
6. Engine installation and serp setup
7. Cooling system planning
8. Cooling system planning
9. Cooling system planning and rad bracket construction
10. Radiator brackets, fan mounting and front end mods
11. Fan, rad, condensor installation, alternator mount, air breather mods
12. Cold air intake
13. Engine hookup and wiring
14. Shifter, Muncie installation, trans crossmember and remote released hood latch
15. Fuel system
16. Clutch covers
17. Gas cap and various planning
18. Dash restoration and mods
19. Indicator light box construction, gauge install and dash mods, wiper switch mount
20. Door planning
21. Instrument cluster, build sheet and various
22. Shell prep, rear spoiler repairs and urethane facia repairs
23. More urethane facia repairs and shell priming
24. Jamb painting and rear spoiler straightening/installation
25. Rear spoiler bodywork, pre-assembly coat and door blasting
26. More door work, new emblems, making new door panel bases
27. Door metal restoration and bodywork
28. Door painting, fenders, hood
29. Front and rear urethane facia finishing, bumpers, trim etc.
30. Door wiring tubes, parts, door planning
31. Front clip assembly and mods
32. More parts, window regulators, hood latch mods
33. Dashpad, interior, seatbelts
34. Painting interior pieces
35.Interior work, carpet install, hatch supports
36.More interior work, door assembly
37. Dash assembly, recovered seats,power windows
38. Power door locks
39. Hatch seal, door panels, power hatch release
40. Rear view mirror, Autostart, door switches, fuse center, QR Code sticker
41. Stainless steel bench top, battery terminals
42. Blower circuit, climate controls, hatch release button
43. Hot water shutoff, headlight discussion
44. More discussion - headlights, terminals, relays
45. Headlight installation and wiring
46 - 49. Delay wiper module R&D
50. Wiper system finishing touches, dual SS exhaust
51. Wiper module contruction, headers, visor decal repro
52. Side louvers, windshield, 5 bolt part gathering, engine initial firing, LED charge indicator
53. Steering column and rag joint refurb, adjustable frame plate mod, stock dipstick issue, brake lines
54. More headers, engine brackets, mini booster install, header spark plug wrench
55. Electronics, booster hookup, proportining valve refurb, turn signal switch, engine sensors, plug wires and looms, breather quik latches
56. Group 78 battery mod, more exhaust
57. Stainless steel dual exhaust, LED dome light
58. Exhaust, LED spyder emblem
59. LED spyder emblem, disassemble rear end
60. Rear end posi upgrade and 5 lug conversion, drum brakes
61. More brakes and 5 bolt conversion, new wheels
62. Brakes, 5 bolt, ECM, dash re-assembly
63. Windshield replacement, stainless brake flex hoses, dash parts, UMI rear suspension upgrades, brake master cylinder and linkage
64. More of the same, A/C hoses, light fixtures
65. Front and rear bumper installation, Eico air dam, A pillar trim refurb
66. A pillar trim, dash assy, interior plastics, rear window louvers
67. More nterior work, carbon fiber shift knob, new A/C compressor, new gas cap, customn made brake pin, hatch latch squeak stop attempt
68. M20 Muncie trans repairs, steering column work
69. Adapting CF shifter ball, tourque arm bushing, gear reduction starter, fuel line re-route and insulation, oil pan gasket
70. Rear main seal, cup holder, seat belt clip, fuel sender replacement
71. More fuel sender, charcoal cannister and tank vent, turn signal cancel cam, alternator and A/C comp. mounting
72. More comp and alternator, Spal fans, new vacuum line to dash, PWM fan controller
73. More fan controller, new vacuum ball, stereo
74. Stereo, spare tire
75. More stereo, calendar
76. Steering wheel refurb, sun visors, rear interior carpet side panels, amplifier power wiring, overhead head unit mount, seatbelts
77. Rear seat back refurb, tool box, refinishing of cowl area, custom cowl screens
78. Hydro dipped tanks, under hood detailing, cowl seal
79. Wiper arm fix, pictures
80. Hatch release solenoid, A/C, Power steering pump, blower motor, power window fix
81. MSD box, air breather LEDs
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I went to the doctor the other day and he told me that I have a serious lack of horsepower complicated by some common blowby. The cure it seems is a complete motor/trans replacement.
While this isn't covered by my health benefits, I hope to make a full recovery very soon!
I'll post more pics of the treatment course as it occurs. Prescription calls for 76 350 4 bolt, forged trw flatops, cast 10/10 crank, line bored, precision balanced by Atchisons, 2.02 ported and polished heads, 8004 weiand intake, 4010 holley, crane .532/324 etc. Saginaw is getting replaced by an M21 Muncie 4 speed and I will hook up the stock shifter to it. Headers and duals may have to wait for a bit.
The clutch I pulled out looks good so it will be reused for now. Eventually planning on the lakewood bellhousing/ billet flywheel and hayes clutch deal.
Stay tuned....
Goodbye ugly blue motor!