Tootsie Roll + vortec begins!

[philos1]

Cool, that makes more sence. So the ensolite is more of a padding that goes over the damplifier and under the carpet?

So 30-35 sq. ft has done the rear doors, rear floor, rear quarters and wheel wells? If so that is perfect beacuse I have only purchased 40 ft so far.
This is an awesome project!

correct. I got the Ensolite in scraps (4'x5' remnants), this s*** is REAL expensive normally, and is used for lots of applications (sound studios etc, I also heard of a guy using it for the padding in motorcycle seats), this was the only way I could afford it, otherwise, it would've been egg-crate, or similar in the rear quarters, and probably none in the doors (window clearance potential). anyways, I paid $20 per remnant from "foam mart" in Burbank.

Also, no ensolite under the carpet, but that would work too- I just got it for the doors/quarters.

cheers.

 

[CaliCruiser]

awesome thanks! I think if I decide to add additional padding/material/"whatever the technical audio dampening terms is" then I think I will just get the stuff second skin sells.

Dylan

 

[philos1]

OK. So here's my dilemma, I got the Marks kit #MFK560 that is actually a bellhousing spacer/adapter instead of the MFK371 kit that is a complete new bellhousing. The one I have uses a chevy flywheel (168 teeth) and chevy clutch. I'd much rather have the toyota clutch as I just got it not that long ago, but that's probably not gonna happen. I also like the idea of one complete unit rather than a spacer, but there you have it- not available right now (3-4 weeks plus).

Now my question- which chevy clutch should I use- there are LOTS available, and I'd like one that's not too stiff, yet able to hold well. Obviously, I'm probably looking at centerforce, but is there a specific model etc. Or should I be looking at some other brands as well? who has the chevy clutch w/ the Marks adapter? How do you like the chevy clutch?

someone help, as I'm pretty bummed right now, and I need some moral support- maybe I'm taking it too seriously?

 

[89s rule]

I dont know about now, but 5 years ago or so when I was really into Mustangs these guys had Centerforce beat. http://www.specclutch.com/ SPEC I had a stage 2 and it was somewhat stiff. (I had a 300 hp at the wheels 302 w/H/C/I and a tremec 3550 tranny. It needed to be stiff.) Looking over thier web page they have changed things up since I bought mine. (They swapped out a used one I bought that was worn worse than I thought, charged me but swapped it out @ a good deal none the less.) Again this was when they were just getting started, but good stuff! If I ever go manual again and I need a clutch it will be these guys.

 

[philos1]

I dont know about now, but 5 years ago or so when I was really into Mustangs these guys had Centerforce beat. http://www.specclutch.com/ SPEC I had a stage 2 and it was somewhat stiff. (I had a 300 hp at the wheels 302 w/H/C/I and a tremec 3550 tranny. It needed to be stiff.) Looking over thier web page they have changed things up since I bought mine. (They swapped out a used one I bought that was worn worse than I thought, charged me but swapped it out @ a good deal none the less.) Again this was when they were just getting started, but good stuff! If I ever go manual again and I need a clutch it will be these guys.

thanks. looks nice!

 

[philos1]

Alright, back on track here...

So today I bolted up the adapter to the bellhousing/motor (minus clutch/flywheel), and set it up to start fabbing motor mounts (building my own)...
Motor is offset towards the drivers side by about 3/4". I would have pics of the mounts tacked in, but I F-ed up making a set and had to restart from scratch- leaving no time to finish tacking/fitting before it was time to come to work (hopefully the cherry picker holds everything tight over night and nobody screws with it).

I know that the front pinion/d-shaft angle looks kinda steep, but it seems like I should get the rear set up as straight as possible, and I can shim the front axle if there's any issues- see pics.

Good thing is that I can get a fresh look at it tomorrow AM before I weld anything up...

Glad to be working on it again, and can't wait to get her back on the road...and now, pics

 

[CaliCruiser]

Very nice looking!

Are you planning on damplifer-'ing' the entire rig or just the rear sections.

heart transplant is coming along nicely.

Dylan

 

[philos1]

OK, so today I got the mounts tacked in and I'll pull the whole thing back out to finish weld sometime this week depending on when I find a clutch and flywheel.

Had to make two sets of mounts cause I F#@ED up the first ones.... I like these, simple and strong (no jokes about my upside-down welding skills, or my nunchuk skills).

I thought I was going to be cool with the stock manifolds, but I'll be going with ramshorns from an early model- stock ones were very close, and I'm sure with some work they'd fit, but the ramshorns will end uup being less work in the long run... you can see the pass side is good, but the d-side barely hits the steering gear box (no pics) with the way I've got the mounts setup...

Cali- yeah, I'll be doing the whole thing, just be doing it when I can't get other stuff done on the swap...


pics below

 

[Elbert]

is that some type of air pipe in the passenger side exhaust manifold, or is it EGR? IF so how you plan to deal with that, and use the rams-horn type exhusts? I'm going to take the same route this summer and I've starting to acquire some of the parts. I bought a 350 Vortec too, which I've not received yet.

 

[philos1]

is that some type of air pipe in the passenger side exhaust manifold, or is it EGR? IF so how you plan to deal with that, and use the rams-horn type exhusts? I'm going to take the same route this summer and I've starting to acquire some of the parts. I bought a 350 Vortec too, which I've not received yet.

It's part of the EGR (both sides actually), you can re-route it to the collector, just past the exit or in the down tube section... just plug the old style air injection on the ram's horn and you're set. AFAIK, it's one of the only manifolds that will work with the swap AND please the smog refs...

when are you starting? Keeping your stock tranny?

 

[browser5031]

How much to make me a set of those motor mounts? You did all the hard work figuring the angles.

 

[Elbert]

It's part of the EGR (both sides actually), you can re-route it to the collector, just past the exit or in the down tube section... just plug the old style air injection on the ram's horn and you're set. AFAIK, it's one of the only manifolds that will work with the swap AND please the smog refs...

when are you starting? Keeping your stock tranny?

I think it will be some time this summer. I have a friend who works in a fab shop and has experiece working in a hot-rod shop too, so I'm going to get him to help with the motor mounts and any welding.

I planned to go with a yota 5 speed (have a 4 speed right now) and run the Mark's adapter that allows retention of the stock trans and transfer case.

 

[chicago]

Philos,
Youre making this look WAAAAYYYY too easy!
Im beginning to think its a SNAP!

Nice job!

Chicago

 

[philos1]

Browser, I don't even want to get into fab work for profit, it'd kill the fun out of it (all you need is a vice and a grinder with some cut-off wheels, and a torch to bend the 1/4" plate)
angles are at 45 degrees, easy really.

Chicago, you're too nice...most of the time, I'm scared as hell that I'm gonns F it up. Yours is looking freaking amazing as well, everything is so clean and shiny...you'd be great at this stuff!

elbert, get on it and post some pics!

No real work today, rain and no clutch/flywheel means a hold on getting it bolted down for the last time. hopefully monday or tuesday, weather and time permitting...


between the swap and the Damplifier, I can't wait to finish!!!
Dynosoar is pumped on the Damplifier too, now that he's been over and heard the difference- a bit of a plug for the kind service Anthony's given over at second skin, so take it for an honest pleasure with the product and service. I give credit where I think it's due.

more updates as I get more done, till then....

 

[philos1]

Bought a reground flywheel and a clutch kit today- clutch kit is generic auto parts store for 1995 chevy pickup- pretty inexpensive, but still a Japanese clutch... worst case if I don't like it is R&R a new one that may be better. It's actually a 12" clutch instead of the recommended 11". I figure that the extra surface area should be worth the price, but we'll see.

another rain day, so nothing doing except a lot of driving around looking for parts, etc...

Hopefully tomorrow I can take out the whole assembly (necessary to take it all out again? seems so), put in the clutch/flywheel, then put it all back in for the last time!

same mud-time, same mud-channel.

hopefully I've got pics tomorrow for you all.

 

[philos1]

got the motor mounts finish welded and painted today. Also got the clutch/flywheel assembly in as well. I'm missing one of the springs that hold the bearing to the clutch fork from my Marks kit, so I'll have to order another one before I know if my clutch setup works or not, should be OK though...
at least the motor is in now for what should be the last time

I broke my distributor cap and ignition module moving the motor back in, so that's more cash out due to my stupidity hopefully the dizzy is still OK. we'll see.



Doesn't sound like much work, but it took me the whole day without a lunch break- working in a rainy driveway sucks!

anyways, here's a pic of the motor mounts, enjoy

 

[philos1]

since my motor cam out of a Taho-ho, can I call the toosie roll a Tahota?

 

[philos1]

No real work today. re-checked pinion angles, etc, checked all the hardware on the mounts, bellhousing, cleaned up around the driveway.
I should get some real work done later in the week if I have the energy- been working till 3:00 or so every night at work, so It's hard to get up at 8 or 9 to go and get dirty and sore...

pics as work progresses.


anyone in the L.A. area got a line on OBD II compliant catalytic converters? They're s***ty expensive, and I'm not sure if the smog refs will pass universal cats or not- should be good to go, but you never know. I'd be OK with used ones if they are clean enough and for the right application.

 

[chicago]

Lookin good Philos1!
The frame and everything is so nice and clean, then the fancy schmancy motor mounts top it off!
nice job on those. They look great! I donno much about em except that is where the motor sits !
I donno about you, but I get nervous everytime I set up to weld something crucial...Then I think..."well, HERE GOES!"

Keep it rollin!

Chicago

 

[philos1]

Lookin good Philos1!
The frame and everything is so nice and clean, then the fancy schmancy motor mounts top it off!
nice job on those. They look great! I donno much about em except that is where the motor sits !
I donno about you, but I get nervous everytime I set up to weld something crucial...Then I think..."well, HERE GOES!"

Keep it rollin!

Chicago

Meh. you you can always grind it back off right? But yeah, I feel the same way ALL the time on this build

yours is almost done, can't wait to be almost done because the next step is BEING done