Went to install my headers and the driver's side went in perfectly...but the passenger side:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2589842_n.jpg

Stopped right about there, looked like it was hitting the frame with the outside most tube. So, under the car I went to investigate and I found this:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5217969_n.jpg

Riding hard against the a-arm mount. The headers still need to drop just a bit and swing closer to the transmission....and that's when I found the real culprit!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8021464_n.jpg

That's a tab on the bellhousing for my 700r-4 transmission. These headers were not made with that bellhousing in mind I believe. I also think that it's not structurally important and I can chop it off. With it out of the way, the headers should slide right into place!

Like the driver's side headers:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7923622_n.jpg

It's a LITTLE bit close to the same tab on the other side of the bellhousing, but this picture is a bit deceiving. There's more than 1/4" clearance there.

Also, while I was at it I took a picture of the oil pan clearance. It hangs down almost as low as my milodon pan on my BBC did and I gained an inch or so by going from the BBC to the LQ4.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...5_463539_n.jpg

I find this to be more than acceptable for a street-strip car that I will drive carefully everywhere. Just ran out and measured the thickness of that weed-whacker line that was under the car (worked great to keep the headers up and away while I installed the motor for the final time). It measures about 1.5" thick. So it looks like I have about 4.5" from the pan to the ground. This is the 'muscle car' kit from GM. It uses the LH8 pan from the H2.

And finally, I tossed a few loose parts on the motor to mock things up and give a preview of the future.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3986336_n.jpg

That looks great in there nice job. I love the orange on the motor.

Got a bunch more work in today since I took a mental health day from work.

Just a reminder....passenger header hit this tab on the 700r4 bellhousing:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8021464_n.jpg

This was quickly fixed with a hack saw since that piece does nothing but get in the way.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7498957_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...4_614847_n.jpg

And now there's TONS of space.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5996061_n.jpg

Now it clears the A arm mount just fine.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...8_777686_n.jpg

And the frame is a bit tight, but should still work just fine.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8309939_n.jpg

I installed the coil packs, spark plugs and plug wires. No pictures of this since it isn't very glamorous.

The next big hurdle I had to jump over was the dipstick mount not clearing the flange on the Edelbrock headers.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7210941_n.jpg

Before:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7101696_n.jpg

After:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...1_233508_n.jpg

Viola! Fits perfect.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3532874_n.jpg

Things are really coming together.

Here's a new one.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5335381_n.jpg

Looks good.:thumbsup:

Coming along good! FYI every dyno/flow test I've ever seen with that K&N open lid says they hurt flow/hp, they cause turbulence over the top of the boosters.

That's what I've been told too, after I had already bought it. I have a solid dome top coming in the mail. I'll paint it orange to match the block and valve covers. Then I will test both back-to-back to see the truth for myself. I tend to believe those that win races who say it hurts power, but I'm also experimenting with this car as much as possible.

Looking good Nathan!!:thumbsup: :cheers:

Sorry guys, life has been a handful lately. Got a few little bits and pieces done today. Upper and lower radiator hose is installed. Steam vent piping is hooked up and good to go. Fit checked a bunch of other stuff. Determined I have a gas pedal cable that is frayed and snagging, so that has to be replaced now. Also dropped the gas tank with the thought of installing a fuel cell in the trunk to prep for a dedicated fuel system for the nitrous down the road.

First things first, the lower hose. A source told me that the Gates 21505 would fit and I failed to do my homework beyond that to make sure it did before I ordered one. When it showed up the ID of the tube for radiator side and waterpump side was 1-3/4". Need 1-1/2" on both ends. The bends were about dead on, so I headed to the parts store to find one that worked. Ended up with a Dayco 71397. Lopped a inch or so off each end and viola!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...0_871519_n.jpg

The upper hose is a stock unit for a chevy truck. I ended up with a Gates 22436 hose. Fit the waterpump perfect (duh) but was a wee bit small for the radiator. After some gentle coaxing, some real loving XXX rated coaxing, I got it to fit. I believe the radiator side of the hose is 1-5/16" and my 3 core HD radiator for a 70 Camaro with big block is 1-1/2".

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4395933_n.jpg

Next is the fun part. Figuring out how to bleed air and vent steam into/out of the cooling system. There is a high point in the cooling system now near the bend of the hose right here:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...3_329662_n.jpg

It will trap air and hurt cooling flow through the engine. Turns out I need a high point in the cooling system to run a line from the steam tubes in the cylinder heads to. And I used this to make that happen.

http://l15.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hpho..._7495389_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3067554_n.jpg

It's from Jags That Run. It has an inlet/outlet size of 1-5/16", a bleed valve and a barb fitting for the 1/4" ID hose from the steam vent. I cut the hose where I wanted the splice to be made and installed one half.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3533900_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7990671_n.jpg

Then the other half and routed the steam vent line.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8333845_n.jpg

Doesn't look half as frankensteined as I thought it would. Plus it will be functional.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8181977_n.jpg

I did a few other things like run the PVC hose and test fit the heater hoses. I have a small concern about the rubbing of the hoses on the upper A-arms.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2239212_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8378695_n.jpg

I think I can get away for a while by wrapping the hoses at this point. Any thoughts?

Hey Nathan, things are looking really good! I have lost all of your contact info and would love to get in touch to catch up. Can you PM me your number please? I'd really like to stop in and meet your baby for the first time and check out the car too.