What Did You do Today - Car Related?

[chopper526]

Yikes, Ed, I never thought it had any real value. Rattiac, come and get it and it's yours!

[chopper526]

Well, decision pretty much made, going with the 350 trans. here's the engine and trans cleaned and ready for paint, and the engine compartment painted. Good enough for a driver.

[chopper526]

OK, we got the 350 all painted up and ready to drop it in over the weekend. Not too much trouble, just some elbow grease and masking tape.

[chopper526]

We dropped the engine in on Monday, went in pretty easy. The little things like motor mounts, trans mount, plugs, wires, etc. start to add up pretty quick, Rock Auto has been my friend on this project. My son decided AFTER we put the engine in that he wants to do away with the A/C. I wish he had told me BEFORE we put the engine in, it would have been much easier to take out the evaporator and stuff on the firewall. A little bit of me wants him to keep it, but I get it, it will be a major undertaking to get it up and running, and no "racecar" has A/C.

[chopper526]

I did have one minor boo-boo when we put the engine in: it slipped off the leg of the hoist, hit the shifter pawl and snapped off the shifter shaft! Man I was pissed at myself, stupid mistake. I ordered a new one and a shaft seal removal/install tool. From what I read, the shaft can be removed and installed with the trans in the car......I'll let you guys know, I sure would hate to have to pull the trans.

[EDNY]

Plus you now can change the filter while at it!. Was mentioned before but we have had the best luck with cork gaskets coated with vasoline.  Tightened until the pan and gasket make contact..then 1/4 additional turn.

[TFoch]

Looks great Chopper!

[sixball]

Good job.I'd still be looking at it. 

[62131]

It will be up and gunning in no time

[chopper526]

Plus you now can change the filter while at it!. Was mentioned before but we have had the best luck with cork gaskets coated with vasoline.  Tightened until the pan and gasket make contact..then 1/4 additional turn.

Thanks guys! Ed, I just ordered cork valve cover gaskets, I'm gonna give the vasoline a try.

[sammons]

Looks good Chopper. Wish you could talk him outta stripping the a/c out. But its his car and it probably don't get as hot up your way as here. I've passed on buying Camaro/Firebirds that kids had pulled a/c out. I didn't care if they didn't work, just as long as it was still there. Hunting up all the brackets/bolts/condenser  etc is a real nightmare.

Those were simple fix's usualy on those, most common was exspansion valve, or leak somewhere.

[chopper526]

I'm trying Sammons, he already pulled the condenser, most parts are easily available.

[62131]

A/C is a must  just to old to ride around in a hot car

[chopper526]

Squeezing a little time during the Christmas holiday to do some work on the Camaro. I started installing new tune up parts. I got to the distributor cap and rotor and found the tip of the rotor bent down and plastic ribs in the cap casting broken. I'm sure whoever installed the cap and rotor bent the tip, but why? And, I assume the tip is what broke the casting ribs. Anyone ever see this before?
I attached pictures of the old and new cap and rotor so you can see what I am talking about.

[EDNY]

I assume that the cap and rotor are used and came with the SBC?  I bet when they pulled the SBC they removed the cap and left the distributor in the block and the rotor snagged something on the way out. Then with engine out the cap was replaced and someone turned the crank by hand causing the cap damage?