New 87 GN (Topic merged with "It's On!" post)

[Pyro6]

The valve covers are just too cool.

[SuperSix]

Thank you sir!

All the black painted items except for the block, heads and oil pan are Rustoleum low gloss black engine enamel. The silver-looking painted parts are Rustoleum flat aluminum high heat engine enamel.

The block and heads are how they came from the builder (In hindsight, I should have painted them with the low gloss too), and I picked up a can of black semi-gloss by accident, so I used that on the oil pan.

[earlbrown]

While access is easy (giggity) it would be a good time to fab up a starter strap.

* SuperSix is stupid

What's a starter strap?

Looks like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-1956-1957-CHEVY-STARTER-MOTOR-SUPPORT-BRACKET-NEW-/130617689380?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e696bc524

Except it's only a strap of metal and doesn't cost $15. It runs from the stud on your starter motor up to the block.

[SuperSix]

Ahhh. Got it.


none of you momos can find anything I did wrong?

[Charlief1]

If you go with one of the mini starters I sent links to you won't need to do that Mark.

[Steve Wood]

share your links!  Might help someone else down the line

[Top Speed]

Looks good Mark.

[Charlief1]

Here you go Steve. We've been using the 3HP version gear reduction ones and have had only 1 failure in the last 5 or so years. We use them on high compression engines and they work well to spin them over.


http://stores.ebay.com/Gearhead-Enterprises/High-Torque-Starters-/_i.html?_fsub=17336149
 
http://stores.ebay.com/whiteperformance1/Starters-/_i.html?_fsub=1388919017

[SuperSix]

I am going to pass on the mini starter right now. I can't justify the $$$.

I am now pulling all the brackets/etc from the engine compartment to paint them - plan on pressure washing the engine bay this weekend.

Then it's on to tidying up the wiring harness - and re-rerouting the fusible links away from the starter. I need to place that Casper's order.

I read that you can get rid of the charcoal canister. And avoid gas smells by putting a small gas filter on the end? Is that true? Any other tips?

[Steve Wood]

why would you want to get rid of the cannister?  filters will not stop vapor, they stop larger particulates

[SuperSix]

why would you want to get rid of the cannister?  filters will not stop vapor, they stop larger particulates

I want it out of the way. I have an old ATR relocation kit on the T, maybe I need to either steal it or fabricate a bracket to relocate it under the fender cover.

here's some pics of it relocated in the 87 T.

[Steve Wood]

might be time to replace the charcoal?

[SuperSix]

Spent a good bit of time on the beast yesterday.

I started cleaning.prepp ing the engine compartment for paint. Tagged, bagged, etc. Soaked it with purple degreaser, then pressure washed everything. Once it was dry, I painted the front frame (and any visible rust) with a rust converting primer.

Ended up replacing the center drag link, Pittman arm, inner and outer tie rod ends, and new sleeves. I will do the bushings and ball joints at a later date. The front sway bar and poly bushings will be later too.

Put in the Jeep steering shaft I had. That was a PITA - it was fully compressed when I got it, probably to save shipping space. For some reason, it didn't want to extend easily, so I had to use a BFH and pry bar - but I got it in, save for some hammer marks on the lower shaft.

I painted the top of the core support, testing blacks. I used semi gloss, not sure if I care for it. Most of the other black parts on the motor and such are low-gloss. In the pics I painted the middle section of the firewall with semi-gloss too for testing purposes.

Prepped/sanded/painted a bunch of brackets. (Cruise control, PS reservoir bracket, shift linkage, PS side relay bracket)

Cleaned/refurbed hood latch.

I noticed quite a few wire/line holes drilled in the firewall under the steering column - I need to address those (pics below)

I need to take out the brake booster - previous owner pinched both the cruise control cable and windshield washer fluid hose behind the booster. Derp. I have a newer booster and master cylinder I will be putting in, I can't trust the installed parts.

I ordered the AN fittings and braided hose so I can fab up transmission cooler lines - should be here this week.

And of course, pics:

[Steve Wood]

Damn!  that was a lot of work!  I should import you to help me out.  My body is in rebellion after taking the winter off to play Skyrim

[SuperSix]

So much to do, but damn it felt good to put in a good day on it.

I need to stretch/relocate the fusible links (Need to place that damn order with Caper's I've been putting off) prime/paint the rest of the engine bay, inspect/retape the harness, replace 2-3 weatherpak connectors, etc.