Engine dressup

Was planning on doing the brakes, but got snagged on the hose connected to the wheel cylinder. I'll have to wait until I get a few tools to pull off that hose (or cut it and get some new hoses).

So instead, I put on my new valve covers I picked up from E-town swap meet, with the new breather. Also put on the new waterneck.

Next for dressup is new black spark plug wires and the billet wireloom that sends the wires down the side, rather than over the top.

WAIT! STOP!

Took apart the brakes today.  What I thought was going to be a joyous occasion getting my baby on the road became a heart-sinking moment.  All four brakes and cylinders have to be rebuilt, not just the front.  I have to order parts this weekend.

We did take apart the front completely and cleaned with brake cleaner.  The backs will have to be done another day.

Exhaust tailpipe is also rusted to the next pipe, so I can't replace the straight with the angled end until they are dislodged.

Starter issues

Today, lifted the car up on jacks so we can work on things under the car.

1. We pulled the starter out and tested it.  When hooked up, the gear would shoot out, but not turn.  It made the same noise as it does when I turn the ignition.  It seems that the ignition problems could definitely be fixed by replacing the starter.  I need to talk to my brother-in-law and see if he can get me a rebuilt starter for a nice price.

Once I have this, I can put the wires from the new harness on the starter and complete the install of the new harness.  I need a new battery, install the ignitor II under the distributor, and add the relay from the ignition to the starter, and hopefully all my engine electrical issues will be solved.

2. Found out one of the studs is missing on the front-passenger wheel.  Lovely.

3. I'm now in search of new headers.  Both of mine are rusted completely.  I'm thinking of getting some Hooker Competition Headers, which go well wiith the Flowmaster Thunder Series which are already on the car.  I'm dreading taking off the old headers, since the bolts are ALSO rusted.

Next on the TODO list:

1. replace the starter

2. Rebuild the front drum brakes and check the brake lines

3. adjust the exhaust pipes

Installed most of a new engine harness yesterday.  Need to jack it up next weekend and complete the install.  The wiring looks a LOT neater than what was there before.

2 weeks ago, rebuilt the carb.  Worked very well.

Today, looked into the wiring.  The worst mess I have ever seen.  Everything has to be completely redone, but first I need to trace every wire and see where it goes.

To begin

Yesterday, we replaced the negative battery cable, cleaned the positive terminal, and Dave adjusted the idle. Starting up was a LOT faster after we let her cool a little while. Today we are going to turn her over and see if she starts quickly. If so, then we only need a few things to finish off the electrical - this will at least have her start more often.

Update: Started her up this morning, took 3 times to crank it over, and the voltage said 12/13 Volts.  Awesome!  We heard a click when I turned the key and it didn't start the first two times, so we may be looking at a bad starter/solenoid, and they have to be replaced.