LOL! Thanks Jim, very impressed with your "Speedster" and fabrication skills. My first real job out of high school (summer of '76) was at the small local Porsche/Audi dealer. :thumbsup:

During the pan and gasket swap I snapped a couple pics of the antique lower-end SBC. Nothing fancy, 010 block, balanced assembly, brazed pickup, 2.02 heads that casting #'s match up to 67 375hp Corvette, hydraulic cam has no ID on the front so I'm assuming GM?, Comp Cams Magnum rockers 1.5/1,6 ratio, Mallory Unilite distributor. I don't know what crank or pistons were used, based on traits I'm guessing 10:1 comp. Any insight based on observations would be appreciated. Trash talking is expected too. :unibrow:

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MGP6491-XL.jpg

I like seeing there was still hatch marks on the cylinder wall in this pic after 23 years.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MGP6492-XL.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MGP6495-XL.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...MGP6494-XL.jpg

After test driving the wheel/tire/trans install for 500 miles or so I noticed the Hurst Blackjack optional shifter upgrade I ordered with the T56 Mag kit was weeping ATF out the top shift arm pivot.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/Hurst-B...IMG3681-XL.jpg

Let me back up a little and explain that Hurst advise me prior to installing the new shifter to apply heavy grease to the underside of the pivot ball and cut the seal from the underside of the stock Tremec shifter and fit it to the underside of their shifter......that should have been my first clue.

After discovering the leak I spoke with Hurst technical and was advised to verify the fluid level and check the case vent to insure it wasn't pinched or clogged. Once that was confirmed and it was still leaking, I was told the they hadn't heard of the issue and asked again about the fluid level and vent. I told them it may take a little time to confirm the venting for sure and the tech was very accommodating leaving me a verbal open window of warranty time. So a couple months passed and during some other projects the created downtime I pulled the console and slit the carpet kit down the tunnel, and thanks to the access/clearance plate I built, pulled the shifter to thoroughly inspect.

During the multiple conversations I questioned them as to why no seal was engineered into the design. As is, the gear cluster throws oil onto the bottom of the shifter linkage and the trans builds a slight amount of pressure during operation (obvious with the Incorporated vent system) and if oil is on the pivot ball internal pressure can push it out the top side, seems logical to me anyway.

After calling Hurst tech again to say all looked in order even though I hadn't flow tested the vent line due to restricted access. They then told me they only knew of two others they were having leak issues with and they have about 2000 sold in the field? That's a 300% percent increase by my math. :D They again questioned vent function and oil level. So.............

Here's the pressure tester I tossed together to verify vent function.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1955-M.jpg http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1951-M.jpg

This and audible indication confirmed the vent was functioning and the max pressure registered was 2.5 psi. The oil level was checked on level ground via the inspection plug. When originally filled it took 3.6-3.7 qts and the specs say capacity is 4 qts.

FWIW - When I sent the guage pictures the communication stalled.

All said and done Hurst doesn't have an answer, though they have been very good to deal with (Jim Goodlad - tech rep). Jim early on in the process offered a new shifter, give a full refund and locate a new OEM shifter to replace the one I ruined at their advice to cut out the seal. They've fulfilled their obligation short of designing a shifter with a seal that insures it won't leak. I have no hard feelings because Jim is a real good guy and in a middleman position between non-enthusiast businessmen and college engineers that may have no real-world field experience.

So I'm returning the Hurst shifter for credit and just installed a White Lightning Shifter from American Powertrain.
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1997-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG2000-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1992-L.jpg

A few things that stand out with the White Lightning: The shift pivot arm is slightly shorter which means the shift throw would be even shorter than the very acceptable Hurst unit. The other is the shifter plate uses recessed socket bolts which provide an extra 5/16" of tunnel clearance.

In my conversations with American Powertrain they were very good to deal with and obviously a company very focused on their reputation and customer service. I was told the first few prototypes of the shifter leaked and they Incorporated a seal in the design.

I have yet to test the unit so the verdict is unknown at this time. I can verify that the throw is slightly shorter and feels very precise. After a few hundred miles I should know if it's a keeper.

I love the excuse that we have sold a bunch and only a few have leaked. That's because most of them are still sitting in a crate or stalled/slow project. Nobody had brake knockback and now everybody has it. :unibrow:

Nice work Sieg. When will we know the results?

Hopefully first part of next week depending on Momma Nature. I have a couple other mods I chomping at the bit to test also. :unibrow:

I'm close to getting Norwood's details current!

I needed to replace a cracked front spoiler and when removing it I remembered spoiler Stielow used on Red Devil and Jackass. I did a little research and head scratching and found a piece of 18 gauge in the garage and started measuring. I already had the OEM replacement spoiler in stock.

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1671-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1683-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1692-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1695-L.jpg

Overall I'm happy with the results and it appears to have reduced the operating temp about 10* in our cooler climate.

Really cool thread, great story and great mods. Dont ever worry about keeping up with the Joneses I think your car is cool and really like the direction your going with it and the mods. :thumbsup:

Thank you very much, the input means a lot. :thumbsup:

Keeping up with the Joneses reminds me of the joke about the little guy that gets a hooker in while he's in Vegas and they get to their room and the gal tells him to get undressed while she's in the bathroom getting ready. The poor little guy doesn't have much of an appendage and he's sitting on the edge of the bed eagerly waiting for his date to come out of the bathroom and when she does she busts up laughing pointing at his crouch and says "Who are you going to satisfy with THAT!!"

The little guy looks her right in the eye and says "ME!!!"

For those interested in the front end alignment specs of a bone stock car lowered about 2.25-2.5" (for reference front wheel opening is 24" from the ground rear 24 5/8") Here's the most desirable aligment specs we could squeeze out of it:

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...-8-2011-X2.jpg

It's more negative camber than I'd like for the street but the objective was gaining max caster.

It's nothing that a $10K check to Blake wouldn't cure. :D