Monday, January 23, 2012

And (Slow) Progress Continues

Progress on the engine continues: new Carter fuel pump, oil filter adapter and fittings for senders, heater bypass valve, PVC, copper exhaust manifold gaskets and manifold installation, and AC compressor and brackets in place. 


Inside the car, getting the heater/AC duct work to all work has been a big issue.  The original heater box itself had been damaged (it looks like at the factory at the time of manufacturing).  The underdash vent unit was cracked and damaged, and the chrome vents were corroded beyond restoration.  Thanks to some forum members, I managed to find a  replacement heater/AC box from a '64 Grand Prix in Texas, and a vent unit out of a blue '63 Catalina from Arizona.  The box hasn't arrived, yet--I'm hoping there were not any changes from one model year to the next.  I've rehabbed the vent unit by repairing a small crack, buffing up the chrome, and painting black.  Just a lot of time-consuming, putzy stuff.
From John in Texas:
And from Mark in Arizona (extra radiator core will come in handy as a spare-my car's original was pressure tested locally and looks good):
How the vent turned out:

Under the car, I have placed new fuel supply and return lines, and new brake lines.  Haven't fitted them perfectly, yet.

Over the next month or two, hope to get the heater/AC components installed, get the distributor properly in, and put on an Edelbrock 750 cfm carburetor with linkages, etc.  Really want to get that engine in the car and off of the stand.

Concurrently, I want to finish off the lines under the car, weld the gussets for the rear sway bar and get that thing installed, and then pull the axles to replace the bearings and to get the 3.64 posi unit installed.  This unit was completely rebuilt, put into a car only to have an engine blow.  I'll have to clean it up and paint it. 
And somewhere in between, I have to get to Boston to pick up a 4-speed set-up that I bought way too long ago.  So much to do, and so little time.

No comments:

Post a Comment