228 replies to this topic

[M44K TS]

Not really anything to update apart from I think I've got the final seat position about right ready for getting the seat frame made up this week. This is about perfect for comfort, tiny bit close to the pedals but that's mainly to the stupid brake pedal the truck has, I want to change it to something a bit more suitable later on. There's an inch or 2 that the whole thing can go back by the looks of it, I won't know for definite until the glass is back in to check for cab corner window clearance.




Looks quite high up but I can live with that,


I was surprised by how much space there still is behind the seats, easily enough room to run a subwoofer box if I decide to ever put some form of sound system in there (I know, V8 soundtrack is all I need etc etc! )

[Klevdo2202]

I want this....

[M44K TS]

I want, never gets!


I have a feeling this brake pedal is going to annoy me. I'm going to see about having it altered as it sits far too far forward and is angled right up. I want it straightened out to make it a bit more comfortable to drive.



If I can have it as a straight pedal, that'll make it much better, you can see how far forward it is against the accelerator


I've been doing some reading up about the Fram oil filter I used when I did my oil change last year, it makes for very interesting reading, they have a very bad reputation for being crap and in some cases, causing low oil pressure and engines to knock. When I think about it, the feint knock that I can hear when holding the engine at 2k rpm wasn't there before I changed the oil, I'm wondering if it's actually pre-ignition or if it's connected with the crap quality filter. As a precaution, I'm going to drop the oil again and swap to a K&N filter which gets good reviews.



I'll also get my mechanic mate to pull the sump off to check the bottom end over and fit the new sump gaskets I bought. I'd love to rebuild the engine for peace of mind but will probably wait until the end of this year to pull it out and check it over.

Anyway, shiny bits!

Hated the horrible rubber gear shift linkage knob, it was sticky, presumably from being in the sun, so, a quick order to So-Cal Speed Shop resulted in this...

Before


After


Huge improvement for such a small part.

Truck also goes in tomorrow for the seat frame.

[M44K TS]

The engine rebuild that I had planned for the end of this year is off the cards now, my mechanic mate had another listen to the engine again yesterday, he seems to think the knock could possibly be the bottom end, although there's still a possibility of the oil filter causing low pressure and/or pinking still. With that in mind, a rebuild could cost quite a bit, it's already been apart before by the looks of it as there's orange silicone gasket everywhere on it, so, may need oversized pistons, bigger big end bearings, crank reground etc, all on a 1973 engine. That could easily cost around £1k+

What I've been thinking of, (and pretty much settled on) is go for a crate engine, basically a brand new 0 mile engine for less than £1500.

It's a no brainer really as I could transfer all the ancillaries over from my engine along with a new edelbrock intake manifold and see a minimum of 250bhp, 350bhp + with edelbrock heads and cam thanks to forged rods. I could also recoup some costs by selling my engine on for rebuild.

Only thing is, I keep looking at shiny new bits for it, like Edelbrock inlet manifold, MSD street fire distributor, shiny engine pulleys, basically, stuff I could do without buying.

Here's the engine I've seen, everything off my engine would swap over, but there's a few parts that I want to renew for obvious reasons, like the water pump, crank damper/harmonic balancer, crank pulley as mine is wobbling like mad.

http://www.roadcraftuk.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=37&product_id=581

This is the dizzy I've seen, it just looks 'right'
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MSD-8362-Small-Big-block-Chevy-HEI-distributor-Brand-New-Streetfire-Hot-rod-/230888211645#vi-content

It'll be peace of mind more than anything really. I know the 'box was rebuilt, new suspension on the truck, refurbed rear end etc, the only thing I'm not 100% convinced about is the 1973 engine. I'd feel a lot happier knowing it was rebuilt, but, realistically, a brand new engine may be the better way to go as I plan on keeping the truck for a long time!

[jamesmpi]

Depends if you are bothered about keeping the original engine in the truck or not. Personally I would always try and keep it original so would go down the rebuild route. However buying a new engine will be a quicker solution. Why don't you keep the old engine and rebuild it yourself in the future. That way you can do it still use it now, and have the option for refitting the original engine at a later date.

[M44K TS]

The engine that's in isn't original, it's from a 1973 Camaro. Originally it would have had a 3.8 straight 6 with a 3 speed manual. Plus, all of the running gear is non-standard, the front end is from a Chevy Nova, later rear axel and brakes, coilover rear suspension with a 4 link brace etc etc.

I'd just sell the current engine on as is, no point of rebuilding it as well as buying new, the way I'm thinking, a rebuild may cost more than the new engine hence buying new.

[jamesmpi]

Sounds like a plan then! :)

[M44K TS]

Progress has ground to a halt at the moment due to me slicing my hand open at work almost 3 weeks ago, severing a nerve and a tendon in my finger. So I've had an operation to attach them meaning I've been able to do very little. Annoyingly, I have loads to be getting on with as far as the Chevy is concerned.



Still though, the dreaded parts spend has begun. Bye bye weeks wage in less than an hour

First batch of parts consists of:

Edelbrock intake manifold, gaskets and fixing bolts
Dipstick & tube
Water pump
Crank/harmonic balancer& fixing bolt
Timing tab
Thermostat & housing housing
Polished aluminium water pump pully
Chrome crank pulley
Valve cover wing nut fastners
Exhaust manifold gaskets.

Still need to buy:

HT leads
Flexplate bolts
Harmonic balancer installation tool


I had planned on waiting a couple of weeks to buy the engine but like a little kid, I got too excited so ordered it anyway!

[MrBounce]

OOOOHHHHH Crate Motor!!

And as for your hand - man up it's only a scratch Hope it gets better soon my friend!

[M44K TS]

haha cheers dude

[M44K TS]

I like days like today.

First batch of parts has turned up.



We have:

Edelbrock intake manifold



Fitting kit for manifold


Timing tab


Crank damper/harmonic balancer bolt.


Dipstick & tube


Thermostat housing


Inlet manifold gasket set


Harmonic balancer


Exhaust manifold gaskets, alloy water pump pulley and chrome crank pulley



2nd batch of items will be the water pump & rocker cover gaskets which will hopefully be here tomorrow, then on Friday, there'll be spark plugs, water pump, crank pulley & flexplate bolts, harmonic balancer install tool, oil additive for breaking the cam in and best of all, the engine!!!!

I'm getting excited now!

[creakyjaws5533]

I never really liked cars like this but yours has changed my opinion it is absolutely awesome looks epic cannot wait to here it running

[F1L8EY]

i need to move to the states... or Havanna!!

[M44K TS]

Creaky, I can't wait until I hear it running too!!!

Cheers dudes.

[M44K TS]

The worlds largest water pump turned up today, weighs a bloody ton!



Also the valve cover gaskets



Engine should be here tomorrow!!!!!