73 454

I posted in the welcome section and some ppl told me to come say hi over here so I figured I would fill you guys in on my project.

My dad had a 73 454 that he bought in 81 w/ 56k miles on it. It now sits today w/ 63k on the clock. It needed a new clutch,a good tune up, and some brakes. So a buddy and I took a look at it one day and he was like "let's just pull the motor and rebuild it" And I was game. I told my dad I was gonna pull the motor and have it rebuilt and he didn't care(I don't think he thought I was serious). So we were ready to go! My dad comes home from work the next day and asked "what are you guys doin out there?" So I told him that we pulled the motor and his jaw hit the ground and said "WHAT?!" haha I'm such a terrible child.

Anyway's we've only been working on it on Thursday's cuz that's our day off so we've been making progress each day. We literally moved the car back 8 inches on flat tires and put it in the air! I know my garage isn't the greatest/cleanest but it made due and we've got a lot done in the space we have.

http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/oo144/schroeder94/


There's a link to the picts. I know they're not in the right order but I'm new to hostin picts on photobucket so bare w/ me.

Nick The Great

Hello from a neighbor! I live in Urbandale and work in Johnston. If you ever see a guy wave in a big blue new Chevy truck, it's likely me. Although it looks like it could be a little while before she's on the road.

Welcome

Alan 71

Hello,
I enjoyed your pictures! Thanks for taking the time to upload them. I'll be interested to see more of your progress.
Regards,
Alan

CJ 77

I'm not sure what a ppl is. Maybe Pittsburgh Power & Light? But you belong here none the less. So the guy says is this Heavin? And its answered "No this is Iowa". You're probably tired of hearing that - eh?

Sometimes I wish my sons had any interest in what I was doing as I try to stay tuned into what they're doing. That aside it looks like your doing a heck of a job for 1 day a week. I commend you for your gumption.


Keep your Dad in tune with what your doing. He may not act like he's interested but you can bet money that he is and if you guys do something together it'll be a memory that lasts a long time. Keep us informed of the progress.
chuck

400hp427vette

I hope from the pics that when the engine was rebuilt the front pad wasnt decked. Good job so far keep the pics comming

73 454

Thanks for all the kind words guy's. Like I said, she's nothing to brag about yet but it's pretty cool that I can say "we did this w/ simple tools and jackstands" lol.

Nick-The vette is in my parents garage in Boone. But if you happen to see a silver95 camaro ss clone running around it's me

ppl is the lazy man's way of typing people. lol(laugh out loud) haha

I keep him informed on how things are going. He's just not the type to do any work on things. That's why I'm so ambitious about doing it! Plus I have a great friend that graduated wyotech and is just as pumped about the car as I am.


As for the block I told them not to deck it so all the numbers are still there!

Bruthish

Neat Pics! Wish I had that motor for my '71!

73 454

Picts from this thurs.

We had to remove the tranny cuz it wouldn't clear the fenders or the nose. (which sucked but oh well) So we put the tranny in first then dropped the motor in! Kinda hard to line up laying on the ground and only two ppl doing it. lol

The headers were a pain in the *** but we got em! We had to notch the flanges a little bit cuz we're running arp head bolts and they stuck out too far and wouldn't clear. Other than those two things it went in pretty well!

Let me know what you guys think!

http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...tor%20install/

CJ 77

Nice. I think befor I did anything else I'd cover the engine in plastic and degrease, clean & paint what needed to be done. It would be a shame to have gone this far not to add some detailing to the engine bay. Just my 2 cents.
chuck

73 454

I have tried cleaning the engine bay twice. W/ two different cleaners and that's as good as she got.

CJ 77

sometimes it ends up as "it is what it is".
chuck

73 454

So do you guys wanna hear it fire up and run?! Sorry I fell off the forums for a bit but haven't had much to take picts of as we finished it up. But here's a video we took. We need to time it yet and finish up a little bit of wiring


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UUpVsOY820

Let me know what you think! remember i'm just a kid tryin to have a little fun here

MICKY B

I REALLY HAVE TO GIVE YOU GUYS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE,I DO MOST OF MY OWN WORK AND I KNOW WHAT A PAIN IN THA ARSS IT IS ON YOURE BACK WITH ABOUT 10 INCHES OF ROOM TO WORK IN. IT LOOKS GREAT AND SOUNDS STRONG !! KEEP GOIN !!

OURSHARK

You did a fine job, it sounds nice. What does your father think of the engine rebuild?

Daddybugs

Nice job...

Eddie 70

Nice work guys. Keep it up and keep the pics and videos coming.

73 454

He was very skeptical when we started, so bad that he never set foot in the back garage while we were doing the build lol. But I let him get in and fire it up and his face just lit up! Kinda made all the troubles and headache's along the way worth it ya know?

We need to pack some wheel bearings, and try to figure out why the brake peddle goes clear to the floor. So I'm crossing my fingers hoping i'll get to drive it a little bit before the snow starts to fly.

Five-spot

Nice to see another Iowa address. Keep the pictures coming.

Five-spot

New lines/master cyl/kits in your calipers should fix the brakes. Did they work before you took it apart? If you get it on the road,swing down south.

73 454

We had them working about three years ago, but the following summer the peddle just kept goin right to the floor w/ out any feedback or anything! So I'm not sure what we're goin to do just yet. The master cylinder is "new" according to my dad but it's been on there for 20 years or so but w/ not many miles put on it.

Fun fact: I found a receipt in the car from 1985 for tires that were put on at 56k miles and they still look brand new! The tires mounted and balanced cost $750 or something like that. All i got to say guys is don't let these cars sit around! They're ment to be driven and enjoyed!