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DT69Cam 05-12-2017 11:24 AM

Excellent craftsmanship!!!

SlowProgress 05-12-2017 08:59 PM

Thanks for the kind comments guys. In the end it's not really craftsmanship but mostly persistence to learn new things that keeps me going. I do wish I was faster though!

im4u2nvss 05-13-2017 08:15 AM

I am really enjoying your build, keep up the great work! From what I can see you are using 80 grit to prep metal surfaces(with a combination of DA and die grinder), is this correct?

SlowProgress 05-13-2017 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by im4u2nvss (Post 658767)
I am really enjoying your build, keep up the great work! From what I can see you are using 80 grit to prep metal surfaces(with a combination of DA and die grinder), is this correct?

That's pretty close. The car was sand blasted and I just touch it up with 80 grit on the D/A every so often. If I am working in an area, and I spot a little surface rust, I just sand it out. I also use the flap wheel quite often to smooth out welded areas and a little hand held die grinder, smaller D/A and a tiny belt sander for the tight spots. I learned the hard way using junky tools and finally bought a couple of really good Dynabrade D/As and use good quality paper, it really cuts fast. I do need a better die grinder though. About the only thing I hate to use are carbide cutters. The little metal shards end up everywhere and they are sharp and painful wherever they stick you. I also have a little bit of conditioned air (stolen from my house) pumped in the garage. I realize keeping it bare metal won't work in some parts of the country, but AZ is pretty darn dry!
Also, avoid touching metal with bare hands. Gloves keep your skin moisture from starting new rust spots, but I forget that one all the time! Hope that helps.

Scott

https://i.imgur.com/Vf1nrUUl.jpg

SlowProgress 05-15-2017 08:26 PM

Beautiful evening in the garage for brake line work. Won't be able to work with the door open much longer !

https://i.imgur.com/Z6DbkIXl.jpg

im4u2nvss 05-16-2017 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowProgress (Post 658770)
That's pretty close. The car was sand blasted and I just touch it up with 80 grit on the D/A every so often. If I am working in an area, and I spot a little surface rust, I just sand it out. I also use the flap wheel quite often to smooth out welded areas and a little hand held die grinder, smaller D/A and a tiny belt sander for the tight spots. I learned the hard way using junky tools and finally bought a couple of really good Dynabrade D/As and use good quality paper, it really cuts fast. I do need a better die grinder though. About the only thing I hate to use are carbide cutters. The little metal shards end up everywhere and they are sharp and painful wherever they stick you. I also have a little bit of conditioned air (stolen from my house) pumped in the garage. I realize keeping it bare metal won't work in some parts of the country, but AZ is pretty darn dry!
Also, avoid touching metal with bare hands. Gloves keep your skin moisture from starting new rust spots, but I forget that one all the time! Hope that helps.

Scott

Thanks Scott!

SlowProgress 05-29-2017 10:52 PM

Vent lines and differential brake lines
 
I made a little more progress on things. I bought some Earls vapor guard hose and fittings for the fuel tank and differential vent and got those all plumbed.

https://i.imgur.com/Rw69jhMm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/w0ma9Mel.jpg

I ordered some 3/16 and 1/4 inch brake line from Classic Tube. I also ordered a really nice tubing straightener from Inline Tube. It looked heavy duty in the photos and I liked the gear drive. It was huge when it finally arrived, sort of overkill for 3/16 brake tubing. My friend and coworker Dustin also loaned me his hydraulic tubing flare tool – nice!

https://i.imgur.com/U6ykbXhl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Z2cznwvl.jpg

I jumped in and started making patterns with aluminum welding rod. You can see how different the tubes are from stock to clear the DSE 4-link brackets. It took a little while to figure everything out but the results were good.

https://i.imgur.com/CXnrhfGl.jpg

I made these little brackets for the brake hoses from some stainless angle.

https://i.imgur.com/zTALg6Fl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5fQgGWBl.jpg

One trick I stumbled on when a magnet accidently stuck to a bracket, use magnets to keep small parts from dropping to the bottom of your glass beading cabinet. Not sure why I didn’t think of it before!

https://i.imgur.com/0jQXndql.jpg

The differential brake lines are almost complete. I ordered some little stainless clamps to secure them in a couple more spots. I also need to find a center differential brake hose. Here are some images of the installation.

https://i.imgur.com/pfuAgzFl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FmiwD7al.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/B8T8s0xl.jpg

I am going to route the brake line through the subframe connector like I did on the other side with the fuel line. I got started on the channel and picked up some scrap stainless to make the little cover.

https://i.imgur.com/dFwudxVl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/frumTGvl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/TJ9BwuUl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Ijialoul.jpg

I ordered a proportioning valve bracket so I can get that mounted and this week will finish the subframe cover and start on the rest of the brake lines.

DT69Cam 05-30-2017 05:32 PM

Scott, that is just awesome. I finally mounted the ECM bracket I made from your template. Thanks again!!!

SlowProgress 05-30-2017 08:57 PM

Hey that's great I am glad it worked out for you. Hoping to get into wiring mine later this year!

waynieZ 06-01-2017 07:22 PM

Looking good! Nice tools and you did a nice job on the lines.

SlowProgress 06-25-2017 09:46 PM

Tiny Update
 
The best thing that happened is I finally decided to put a mini-split A/C in the garage. Yes it is a luxury and I used to not care how hot it is out there. Last year the Summer temperatures really stopped progress, especially the dog days in Oct and Nov when you still can’t always work with the door open in Phoenix. So yes it was nice to get this done. We had some “special” weather last week so timing was great.

https://i.imgur.com/6oNC6IWl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BK8debcl.png

Here is the result with the A/C running.

https://i.imgur.com/HvtizZYl.jpg

I finished the frame notch on the LH side and pretty much just copied the right side.

https://i.imgur.com/5dwV9Hml.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ErIPrrpl.jpg

With that out of the way I got the proportioning valve installed with the DSE bracket and one short tube fabricated.

https://i.imgur.com/9G2fYr2l.jpg

I went back and forth where to put the line lock. I almost augured in but finally just mounted in on the inner fender tub brace. The bottom lines will be a little hard to reach but I think it will be fine. That will be a busy corner with the clutch cylinder close by also.

https://i.imgur.com/QgxNxsWl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bc5MeHul.jpg

With that finally figured out I started the LH brake tube about one flare away from it being complete. I added some extra squiggles in the brake line because there will be a little flexing.

https://i.imgur.com/1YgVvStl.jpg

So that’s not much to show but I probably sat around too much staring at the new A/C unit !

SlowProgress 01-07-2018 08:22 PM

Haven’t Given up Yet !
 
No excuses, I just haven’t been working on the car very much. I decided to push it outside, clean and blow all the dust off. I hid parts everywhere to make room to work on it again. Keeping a neat work area isn’t something I am good at.

https://i.imgur.com/1sazlX9l.jpg

I have all the brake lines figured out and connected to the various fittings. The line lock was a little hard to shoe-horn into the location I picked. I still have a couple of supports to work out but need to do those when the frame comes off. I went through a bunch of tube patterns in aluminum and had to make a few of the stainless tubes over. The long tube from the master to the rear end still needs some tweaking, but best to do that with the body separated. This is actually pretty hard because so many things are in the way!

https://i.imgur.com/hJSUUPcl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EEoWjsMl.jpg

Overall I am pretty happy with the routing.

https://i.imgur.com/OpsscYDl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/cKO2XGzl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1pIQ7TTl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ya11zpcl.jpg

I bought a small fuse/relay panel from Eaton for the trunk. Next I need to figure out all the connector locations, re-install the exhaust and route all the rear-body harnesses (or at least mock them up). I am still not sure about the battery, remote shutoff and large fuse to protect the long battery cable. There is a lot more going on in the trunk than there was with the stock Camaro!

https://i.imgur.com/1GV1csQl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QDPNRn3l.jpg

That’s it for now. I will try to be a little more active on the car this year. Goal is to install and start the engine this year, so I can blow it apart for paint. That doesn’t sound like much but will be a challenge for me.
Happy New Year !

Scott

214Chevy 01-08-2018 09:42 AM

This car is coming along nicely. I love what you did with the rear of the car.

SlowProgress 02-11-2018 09:17 PM

Tinkered a bit
 
I played around with the location of the trunk fuse box and finally decided where to stick everything. I bought some stainless bolts and machined a little nub on the hex end, center punched the fusebox holes and drilled 1/8 pilots for the little nub. This made it easy to get all the bolts in the right spot, and also holds the box up off the surface a little.

https://i.imgur.com/Bxqbcsbl.jpg

With the fuse boxed tacked into place I step drilled the connector holes and test fit the connectors.

https://i.imgur.com/M0mglpJl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/j9h6hYYl.jpg

Here is the box and connectors mocked up. I still need final weld, the little holes to mount the connector screws, and figure out which backshells to order for wire routing. I also added an underside view.

https://i.imgur.com/fXWv4h4l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/RTHc8HFl.jpg

Next week I will mount the pump controller and figure out the wire routing and maybe add a few clamps.
Still need to figure out which battery and the exact location as well!

Scott

JoeLightning 04-16-2018 09:26 AM

Is it next week yet? :poke:

Love this build. I suspect you have been working so hard on it you haven’t had time to update your fans. All the best.....

waynieZ 04-16-2018 06:57 PM

[QUOTE=JoeLightning;676300]Is it next week yet? :poke:

It must be next week! :underchair:

SlowProgress 07-22-2018 11:14 PM

Poor neglected build thread !
 
I have been busy on the car but only about 6-10 hours per week. I did get the pump controller mounted weeks ago but got distracted working other things

https://i.imgur.com/z8t8g5xl.jpg

Also the pump wiring cleaned up pretty nice. It is almost ready for prime time.

https://i.imgur.com/Cceemsgl.jpg

The shop is covered with body filler and I have just been slow to get a post made (apologies for that). My good friend John has been coming over one night a week and throwing mud at the car. The body is clean metal but I really warped it as a kid removing paint with a body grinder. John has been a lot of help and we have fun eating pizza, drinking beer and making a lot of noise.

https://i.imgur.com/ea7DYMJl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ey3iXmtl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HPbRaXMl.jpg

While John throws filler, I am TIG brazing some of the body seams. It is slow because I am not good at it.
I am also trying to figure out the rear muffler hangers. I realized when the exhaust was all welded together that thick stainless is just really heavy and my planned hangar idea was probably not strong enough. I didn’t want to weld tabs because I thought they might crack and pull out. I came up with this idea to design a strap that wraps around because it will be strong and easy to position. It is sort of tapered to help conform to the areas close to a bend radius where is will be located

https://i.imgur.com/kjE0FRTl.png
https://i.imgur.com/IhTDkd4l.jpg

I bought these adjustable swaybar links so it will be easy to adjust the height and mocked up one of the spares. I thought I could blacksmith this but I think I will take them to a sheet metal person to roll the radius a little smoother and make a crisp bend in the tabs. There will probably be some sort of spacer to keep the ears parallel.

https://i.imgur.com/hKVoNkNl.jpg

I am working to get the battery and mount on order from Summit this week and plan to keep plugging away at metal work, and wiring while John keeps putting filler in the low spots. He is really patient at that type of thing and greatly appreciated.
Not much of an update but I didn’t want everyone to think I had given up.

tubbed69 07-23-2018 11:33 AM

glad to see some progress:thumbsup::thumbsup:

waynieZ 07-24-2018 08:55 PM

Nice progress, What did you use on the roof to guarter seam ? is that the aluminum filler? Looking good.

SlowProgress 07-24-2018 11:15 PM

Thanks guys. Wayne that is aluminum filled body filler (all-metal brand). I was going to lead it but I took some advice from someone who has prepared a lot of cars and he told me not to worry about the metal filled products. I tend to over-think and needed a little kick to move forward.

rixtrix1 07-27-2018 09:15 AM

Project really is coming along nicely. I respect your perseverance, patience and attention to details!

SlowProgress 05-19-2019 09:32 PM

Back at it finally
 
Well I took a long break from the project, a dangerous thing to do when you are so far along. I keep trying to get back at it, and something like laziness seems to get in the way. Thankfully my friends keep pushing me along, and John comes by on Wednesdays to work on fill and prime to get the body further along.
The exhaust hangs without temporary supports now, and the crazy hanger idea worked, just need some small finishing tasks and fabricate the tailpipe turn-downs

https://i.imgur.com/Z3RuRrHl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ues7vLyl.jpg

Just having the car back on the cart, and seeing some primer really has been a motivator. I was definitely getting a little burned out on fab work, and any sort of color has been a good thing.

https://i.imgur.com/iW7mVrml.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0C5f2Hjl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QVcE1uHl.jpg

It was a real milestone to get the engine set in the car. I was a little worried that some of the fabricated parts wouldn’t fit, but the exhaust connects nicely, and just a small rub on the intake I think will be a relatively easy fix.

https://i.imgur.com/IFjAnncl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ieTP6Oql.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6znA8c0l.jpg

I am starting to work on the little fitment issues, connect all the sensors, and will be trimming and cutting the wiring harness to route everything as cleanly as possible, but not show car clean. I want it to be functional. There will be some MS style connectors to break the harness apart, but I don't know how that will work yet.

https://i.imgur.com/nSbWXddl.jpg

Lastly it has been a lot of fun lately. Here we are pretending we dropped the engine on my friend John. Beer may have been involved!

https://i.imgur.com/dkXF0bul.jpg

Going to keep picking at the wiring, inlet duct, cooler hoses, everything needed to run the engine. Goal is to actually start it this year and go out with some loud noises!

Scott

SlowProgress 08-11-2019 08:59 PM

Picking away at the wiring !
 
The plan is to keep putting systems in the car so I can have all the brackets fabbed, holes drilled, and get the engine started to make sure everything works before paint. There is a long way to go, but I have been picking away at the wiring steadily the last couple of weeks, and have a good start with the rough- in.

I decided to put a bulkhead grommet on the right firewall for the pedal harness and all the wires headed to the gauge controller. The A/C is going to get power from the new fuse box in the trunk.

https://i.imgur.com/yBUYOyAl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WIKEtmwl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zRDniwol.jpg

I picked up the battery and mount. Just about have it pinned down so I can start terminating wires, circuit breakers and probably some sort of shutoff, and large system fuse. There is a lot of work to do here and I am pretty tired of working in the trunk so it can sit for a while.

https://i.imgur.com/inptZrAl.jpg

I also ordered a Wegner Serpentine accessory drive. I am really looking forward to getting that on the car because it will make the engine look closer to complete.

https://i.imgur.com/NoZjFT0l.jpg

Things not worked out yet.
• Where am I going to put all the coils
• Figure out the fan PWM control
• Run all the water, Oil and P/S hoses
• Figure out that huge 4-inch air inlet
• Pick valve covers (sort of related to the coils) haven’t figured it out yet.

I will post some photos when I get the Wegner drive installed.

Scott

SlowProgress 06-10-2020 07:48 PM

It's been too long !
 
I just neglected my build thread and apologize for that. I am going to post up a few times to get caught back up to avoid one really long post. Lost my mom at the end of last year to dementia and needless to say 2020 has been a dumpster fire so far!
The Wegner box showed up and it was a lot like Christmas. Really a well-made product and it all fit perfectly. I had a ton of fun putting it on the engine.

https://i.imgur.com/umuIHNSl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PhaHHbyl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LTVurI7l.jpg

I started plumbing up the oil cooler lines which was also fun, nice new parts are like that! General routing is figured out but need some brackets and guards to complete it.

https://i.imgur.com/TCg1N2sl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/hXi7zwHl.jpg

I was working the mechanicals and my good friend John kept plugging away at getting all the panels cleaned and primed.

https://i.imgur.com/w2PFzUAl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MeuEKJol.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ofWSkZSl.jpg

Somewhere along the line I had to shove the car outside to clean-up the mess to keep working. It is always nice to see it outside!

https://i.imgur.com/rTpOWP7l.jpg

Good stopping spot for this post.

Gmachine1911 06-11-2020 05:30 AM

Amazing craftsmanship, thanks for sharing! I always look forward to seeing updates on this build. My sincere condolences on losing your Mom.

SlowProgress 06-11-2020 08:20 PM

Catching Up
 
I picked up the Detroit Speed variable speed wiper kit and finally the Mast Valve covers were back in stock

https://i.imgur.com/G33Hx1gl.jpg

Working out the steam vent lines, I bought a kit off e-bay because the hoses looked small and it came with a bracket. Still need to modify the bracket since it won’t work with the 102mm intake and probably need to re-make at least one of the hoses.

https://i.imgur.com/bI5caEil.jpg

There is still a ton of work to do on the air inlet, but I need to get all the sensors located so I can start to clean-up all the wiring.

https://i.imgur.com/5GEyrBFl.jpg

Right about mid-March things changed and I have been working from home since, still getting used to it.

https://i.imgur.com/IXypdUIl.jpg

I also realized I could not use the built in P/S reservoir because it was lower than the heat exchanger. Dumb mistake so I had to order and plumb a remote reservoir. Wegner was great they swapped out the reservoir style pump for one with a fitting.

https://i.imgur.com/mgb9kzFl.jpg

This is a little big but functional (sorta ugly maybe). I may customize it as a later project ..... someday?

https://i.imgur.com/WyOObsfl.jpg

I bet you’re thinking I am going to keep posting these and boom the car will be finished. I wish that was the case but probably one more post and we’ll be caught up on the little projects underhood!

Goosesdad 06-12-2020 08:51 AM

Fantastic!!

WSSix 06-12-2020 06:13 PM

Condolences on your losing your mom. I'm glad to see you plugging away on the car. It's coming along nicely. Keep up the good work!

SlowProgress 06-13-2020 06:59 PM

Catch Can Install
 
I spent way too much time looking at catch cans. In the end I decided to buy this Radium unit because it looked really nice and had a well-design internal filter. It came with a nice LS bracket that I hoped would fit behind the Wegner A/C unit. The dip stick feature was pretty cool too! I also ordered an optional banjo fitting so I could mess with the hose exit angle easily.

https://i.imgur.com/XtfQpZ9l.jpg

The bracket didn’t fit so I had to make one as usual
I started with a thin mock-up, something easy to cut out.

https://i.imgur.com/Ud1NzHMl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/J87dreKl.jpg

The thin mockup also had to be modified but it got pretty close then I have a paper template.

https://i.imgur.com/S9CC0vYl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qWihKOul.jpg

I like this photo because it shows how ugly things start out when you hand make them.
Drilling big holes on the lathe because my drill was not powerful, or smooth enough.

https://i.imgur.com/AF4wjefl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XhZdECol.jpg

Initial fit-up and the finished part next to the original

https://i.imgur.com/hzqluwIl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0DM3i85l.jpg

Added a 45 deg fitting and really happy with the final results

https://i.imgur.com/yByKrZSl.jpg

That’s a lot o photos for a simple catch can bracket but it shows the process which may be interesting to some people.

214Chevy 06-13-2020 07:18 PM

I have that same PSC power steering reservoir. Yeah, it's kind of big, but I'm going to make it work somehow. When I ordered mine, it didn't look that big to me in the pic of course. Didn't think it would be a problem until you start cramming a motor in your car, then suddenly realize how much space you don't have.

SlowProgress 06-13-2020 08:26 PM

Yeah that thing is huge and like you I didn't think it looked so big in the photos. Good news it should keep the power steering fluid nice and cool with all that extra volume!

waynieZ 06-15-2020 10:09 AM

Nice job on the bracket. I've been looking at the PSC and was worried about the size too.

SlowProgress 01-13-2023 10:05 PM

Started working on the car again and it Feels Good
 
Well I retired last year in March and went to New Mexico for the Summer. Back in AZ now and decided to really work on the Camaro while the weather is cool. My goal is to start the engine by the end of February to simply get me motivated to take the next steps. I won’t be able to drive it yet but that is the next step before blowing it apart for painting.

Bringing the electrical system up one circuit at a time works best for me to avoid becoming overwhelmed. The engine wires will be the last thing I do when everything else is figured out.

I decided to put in a trunk contactor so I can isolate the electrical circuits when the car isn’t in use. I will have a constant battery circuit for the GMPP ECU.

The battery, contactor and a 500AMP main fuse to protect the battery cable are all installed. There is a local place that makes really nice cables.

https://i.imgur.com/QVyrQ7dl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/n7T1YdTl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rLAr0Y5l.jpg

With the contactor I can manually close the relay with a push button and turn it off when not needed. The trunk aux. fuse box and fuel pump PWM controller can be powered now.

https://i.imgur.com/beo3P1Ml.jpg

I bought a new power probe and it is a really convenient way to power individual circuits. I finished the fuel pump wiring and was finally able to spin the fuel pump in the tank by simulating an ECU pump turn on signal with the power probe.

https://i.imgur.com/J5RXpOpl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DQyqnZ1l.jpg

My son also bought me a nice Fluke meter for Christmas.

https://i.imgur.com/M7RtTGOl.jpg

I ran a new power wire from the trunk panel to the original GM fuse box so fuse box power now comes from the trunk panel and not the horn relay in the engine bay. I made a temporary splice to get the engine running but will add a fuse later in the trunk to make it safe. The wires look old and worn out but they are soft and don't have any nicks or corrosion since the car was stored inside most of its life. The stock harness and fusebox will mostly be accs. and lighting circuits. All the engine circuits will be new, modern wiring for reliability.

https://i.imgur.com/yYOSB9Tl.jpg

It was really nice to have the Ignition key working and all the battery and Accs circuits working. Feels like the car is slowly coming alive again.
I created a schematic so I would not forget how it is all hooked up (again).

https://i.imgur.com/9fITZHzl.jpg

I decided to play with the power probe and hooked up the DSE multi-speed wiper circuits and tested them. Everything works fine and I still need a lot of wire clean-up.

https://i.imgur.com/FKUeAHNl.jpg

The RS sail panel lighting was always pretty lacking and I decided to add a dome light circuit and the under-dash courtesy lights. To have both a dome and sail panel light harness meant I needed to make some sort of pigtail adapter. I was going to reuse the original sail panel light harness but it was too stiff after all the years. I bought a new repro. harness and used part of the old harness to make the pigtail to power dome and sail lighting.

https://i.imgur.com/SeGJUQ3l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/U6BuiW6l.jpg

What should have been a 30 minute job turned into several hours trying to figure out the crimping arrangement. I thought I had the right tools but the MSD crimper mangles the little terminal tabs.
I did a little online research and found someone who just modified their crimper inserts by grinding a groove so I grudgingly did that to mine. Hopefully they will still work for normal terminals with a tab clearance groove cut into the one jaw.

https://i.imgur.com/PL4S0HUl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Ye9I2Lpl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KUUrXh7l.jpg

The simplest of circuits is done and all the interior lights work now.

https://i.imgur.com/YeFQT2Kl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1d7zmk6l.jpg


The dash lights also work except the VintageAir panel is too dim. I hope there is a burned bulb, or something easy causing that.

https://i.imgur.com/Id6umADl.jpg

Next week I am going to wire up the Dakota dome light dimmer circuit.

https://i.imgur.com/oI2BWGul.jpg

Then I will bring power to the Dakota under-dash control box for the gauges. I also want to get the battery cable to the starter and power up the GMPP fuse panel in the engine bay.
Once the engine bay panel is powered the first thing I want to do is get the drive-by-wire throttle pedal working. That will seem like a big milestone.

WSSix 01-14-2023 06:13 AM

Nice work. It's good to be making progress. .

I put a main circuit breaker on my Trans Am that powered all the accessories. It had a push button to open the circuit. I used it for whenever the car was parked as both a theft deterrent since it was hidden and to prevent battery drain

Good luck continuing to move forward. Enjoy retirement!

camcojb 01-14-2023 10:28 AM

:thumbsup:

SlowProgress 01-29-2023 10:16 PM

Roughed in the ECU wiring
 
Made pretty good progress this week. I got the ECU wiring all roughed in. It still needs all the zip ties removed to clean it up. Check outs were successful.

https://i.imgur.com/u4IqLmbl.jpg

The Engine light illuminates in the fuse box with ignition power and I can feel the fuel pump relay shut off after a few seconds. The code reader connects with my phone when connected to the OBD port.

https://i.imgur.com/zoMiiIKl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YGchr5fl.jpg

It was really nice to hear the electronic throttle reset with power on and I probably played with the electronic pedal more than I would like to admit.
There is a short Video below. It was a great milestone to have the throttle respond to the pedal.



Still working to start the engine by the end of February to build up the motivational stoke!

SlowProgress 02-19-2023 10:50 PM

Oil Pressure Finally
 
I made a bit more progress toward starting the engine. Made a pressure lube tank out of my weed sprayer by adding a Schrader valve.

https://i.imgur.com/6deo1GWl.jpg

Simple connection to one of these LS adapters from Amazon.

https://i.imgur.com/YPj0gJcl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OsD91Usl.jpg

This worked well pushing oil all the way up top and even registered decent pressure on the HP Tuners dashboard which was convenient.

https://i.imgur.com/RiW372Sl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AwbHYTTl.jpg

I also checked all the cylinders with the borescope to make sure nothing slipped inside due to the manifold being off and on several times. Cylinders looked good even after several years. Plenty of oil left inside. Also installed the dipstick.

https://i.imgur.com/f09JR3hl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tTA4nF5l.jpg

I finally ordered the clutch so I can crank the engine over and bought the Vintage Air 850W fan harness to get my fan connected. I tried to find the 9.5mm Yazaki terminals and make my own fan harness but struck out. The VA harness is really nice looking, using 6Ga wire which is correct for the GM fan.

https://i.imgur.com/6sWJuO8l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/f6K4h09l.jpg

Goal is to keep plugging away and do a motivational start-up by the end of February, so far on track for that.

SlowProgress 02-21-2023 09:42 PM

Clutch is in
 
I realized I was missing dowel pins for the block and had some brought over to my local GM dealer. I used dry ice to freeze both the dowel pins and the pilot bearing to help the installation a little.

https://i.imgur.com/jVsKa5Cl.jpg

I have had bad luck hammering pilot bearings in so I tack welded studs onto flywheel bolts bought at the local auto supply.

https://i.imgur.com/fy57GfRl.jpg

I had to tap the pilot bearing in to square it up (after freezing). The press tool did a good job once the pilot bearing was started and square.

The flywheel and clutch went in fairly straight forward. The Dyad seems like a nice product!

https://i.imgur.com/NTnzLYQl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1MTLdK0l.jpg

Now if the bell housing will fit and the trans will stab ok I can move back onto the last few tasks to get this engine started.

WSSix 02-24-2023 06:12 PM

Very nice looking clutch. It should work well for you from what I have read.

SlowProgress 02-28-2023 10:30 PM

First Attempted Engine Start
 
I put the top end together for the final time before engine start.
There was a minor interference between the throttle body and water pump I hadn't noticed before. Good thing I caught it. I had to grind a little of the throttle body and the water pump to make it better.

https://i.imgur.com/V69KnqRl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/c0M5Pe0l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/l7bytYul.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dYO3LbIl.jpg

Today was supposed to be first start. It was a gorgeous day in the Phoenix area. Everything appeared to be working but one of my stainless connections stared dripping gas. We decided to not risk starting a fire and will pull that fitting apart and try again in the next few days.

I was still a fun day.

https://i.imgur.com/TVbOOtql.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rmhcI5bl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WtW8xmql.jpg

Some bonus video of the 850 W Cadillac fan running. It is pretty impressive at maximum power. I am not happy with the wiring and plan to clean it up as a future project before putting the car on the road. Actually all the wires need a major clean up.



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