Finally found a minute to do an update. We had great weather here (ie: no snow) until into Decemeber so I grabbed a couple good driving days. I put just over 200 miles on the car before taking off the road for the winter. Overall it ran very well. The Edelbrock 500 works well, OK for now. I do think I’ll be working on the fuel injection in the spring.
Picked up another transmission. Sounded like the pilot bearing was the problem but there was a nice t5 on Craigslist at a good price with a larger range that the one I had so I went for that. I walnut blasted (thanks for the nuts John) the tranny and painted it with Eastman Chassis saver. That stuff hardens like a rock. I had a half full can that developed a skin and I had to use a screwdriver and hammer to brake a hole in it. It gets stronger as it ages, I’m thinking it was a good choice.
Anyway with the tranny in an the leaks pretty much stopped I’ve got it in a very drive-able condition. Have to put some screws in the new interior panels, put the end caps on the doors, a little rubber piece here and there, speaker grills, things like that. When I was buying parts I got some new v8 brake rotors and pads from Brit-tek (nice place to deal with). I’ve got to order a speedometer cable – I looked all over and have no clue where mine went. I remember taking it out and then that’s the last time I saw it. I’ve been using my Android phone with a speedometer app in it. Actually worked pretty good – and it keeps a reference of your speed and probably location. It’s called Speedview by Code Sector. If you lay it on the dash at night it will reverse so you get a heads up display on the windshield. Neat. Of course on the MG if you put it on the dash and turn the corner too quick and have the window open you’ll lose your phone. Been there almost done that.
Here’s some of the last pics:
2011-09-21_14-56-23_176
Leon,
Your paint job turned out great! I’m just finishing up my ’73 Buick 215 (heads installed, just have to install rockers, pushrods, etc.). Engine looks cosmetically great. All painted up. Bought a shorter water pump housing, compact water pump pulley and longer oil pump gears from D&D). Still have a lot of questions though: How did you address the oil filter interference problem(the metric swivel deal or remote oil filter adapter)? Also, am thinking about a tranny, HTOB, bell housing and such.
On the down side, I discovered my ’77 B that I bought with such a great looking BRG paint job – has a number of rust related issues that should probably be addressed before the engine conversion. The financial reality of this project is just starting to materialize.
Any words of encouragement at this point would be appreciated.
Best of luck,
John Z
Thanks John. Went back and forth over the color, up until the day before it was painted I was going to stay with black, at the last minute decided to take one more look through the paint chips and found this Chrysler 300 color. It goes great with the new interior (Autumn Leaf).
Here’s a pic that you can see my remote oil filter in:
http://leonsmgb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2011-12-14_13-07-34_590.jpg
Also yesterday I went over to Scott S. house (he’s in the car club also) and we got his 215 started for the first time. Sounded really good. Always great to hear one run after they’ve been sitting. He’ll be on the road this spring.
I started out just having a couple rust spots filled. Whoops. New floors, rockers, parts of fenders and on and on. Whatever you do, don’t add up all the receipts!
leon …
Leon,
Question: Are your headers ‘block huggers’ or did you route them thru the wheelwells? Couldn’t see this detail in your pics. Also, What is the heat like when you’re driving on a warm day?
John Z