My vacation project

[freshtiva]

Hauled the "new" motor down to the car wash on the trailer this afternoon for an initial cleaning to remove the bulk of the grease and grime. Hate working on a dirty motor. Got the brake lines installed last night.

[freshtiva]

Cold, windy, and damp here today so I decided to retreat to the shop. Got a little over due work done on this project. My new motor didn’t have the A/C pulley so I had to snag one off an other motor. Replaced water pump, timing belt, seals up front not leaking. Have a painted valve cover to install but my valve cover gasket isn’t leaking yet so I’ll do that later when it does start leaking. The motor is ready to put in but Im going to have to beef up the front cross member mounting area due to some rust before putting the motor in. Might do that tomorrow. I found some 13 “ rims with the stock bolt pattern and got some new tires too. Thinking of making this a dedicated winter car so Ill leave the automatic in. I need to have at least one auto anyway I think. Pics taken with new Sony camera.

[eurotiva]

Transmission looks good painted

I always paint 'em if they're out.

[festivaWES]

You found those wheels? or bought them?!!....

[freshtiva]

You found those wheels? or bought them?!!....

Look familiar ? I found them amongst my junk was my meaning.

[freshtiva]

Here are some pics of the rust problem where the front part of the cross member mounted. Don’t know why it rusted so bad here ( the rest of the car is pretty solid ) but I didn’t help the problem when I twisted the welded nut off with the impact.

　
My solution was to run a 361/4 inch piece of two inch angle iron between the two stabilizer bar brackets. Had to drill out the olds spot welds on the radiator support brackets and remove them. They will be welded back on to the angle iron . This will support the front part of the cross member. Ill cut out the old rust and treat with something before a final install.









Should be ready to put the motor in tomorrow.

[Twistiva]

Man, oh, man, Fresh!

Wish I had your mechanical skills! Looking very nice. Your posts and numerous pictures inspire me to keep collecting parts for my rebuild/restoration.

Cheers!

[freshtiva]

Thanks twistiva, but be thankful you dont have my mechanical skills. Noticed Oklahoma had some twisters last week before crossing over into Arkansas and killing some folks. Unfortunately thats spring in tornado alley !!

[freshtiva]

Motor in :

[neanderpaul]

Go man go!

[devon527]

Drive it yet? Was it worth its wait? lol

[freshtiva]

More progress today. I forgot about the A/C mounting bracket. Had to take one off an other motor. The worst part of these motor swaps is parts cleaning. Tired of that !! Wish Id thought of the A/C bracket before I put the motor in, it would have been a lot easier. Everythings hooked up, no extra hose or wires left hanging. Found a place for everything. Need to get some front axles and start working on the front end now. Golfing tomorrow first though...yahoo !!!




Where I left off last night:



Tonight:

[festivaWES]

Come finish my projects...i don't have any damn time to work on them..

[freshtiva]

invested $415 in the project today. New LCAs, axles, tie rod ends, fluids, etc. That includes the 3M stripe off wheel. Going to try it after lunch. Should be everthing I need to start it. Still have to put an exhaust on it and check condition of rear brake pad, fronts look good. Also need to drain old gas and put some fresh in.

[htchbck]

That is one beautiful engine bay! Looking good, and yes, those stripe off wheels are the bomb! Thats gonna be a super nice car by the time its done