Ranger24

Headlamp motors.

Ranger24

I appreciate your thoughts.

The splines were pretty beat up. I didn't think about cutting and then re-splining the shaft...that might have worked considered it needed to be reduced several inches. Oh well, I probably saw it as an excuse to buy more shiny things.

I rec'd the FR column yesterday and it is really cool so I'm kinda happy I went that route.

Yep, I'm a VS fan, I met Paul and the guys at Carlisle last year, great group.

Sig1977

Hi Ranger, Why did you choose to go with Van Steel parts? quality, cost etc.



My 77 - L82 4 speed

Ranger24

I liked their (VS) fitment better than the Sharkbite. Althoiugh SB looks cool under foot I wasn't a fan of the articulating suspension. Once I started working with VS I was sold. Their customer service is top notch.

Ranger24

I spent several weeks messing around with...wait for it...THE RAG JOINT! Turns out the rag joint that was provided by Borgeson does not fit the Flaming River column (both were supposed to be 1" x 48 spline on the columne end). So I went ahead and ordered the 1x48 U joint from Flaming River with a double D on the box side and thought that would be it. Well, I was dead wrong because the FR U joint DD was slightly smaller than the output shaft on the Borg. I had to get the grinder out and knock off some metal on the box to get it to fit properly. Yet again another learning experience. I have since added a set of digital calipers to the tool box. Here is a picture of everything finally put together.

Ranger24

Headed back to Black Wolf to get her motor back finally!!!

Ranger24

While the car is at Black Wolf I'm thinking about what to do next. I believe it should be the interior next but I also need to do some body work on this car to fix various cracks etc.

So I'm asking...what should I do next???

DSchaefe

Interior, then drive it all summer, then work on the body in the fall/winter.

Ranger24

Thanks for input...I believe I have settled into that decision at this point. I have plenty of time to think about it because it will take 2-3 weeks before the car is ready to come home...really wish I had a larger work space...I could've tackled the engine pull my self...oh well.

Ranger24

It has been a number of weeks since my last post so I am happy to be able to share some progress with everyone...and some new challenges. I went down to the shop today to take some pics of the motor finally resting comfortably on it's mounts for the first time in seven months. Man it looks good in there with the new hardware surrounding it. Can't wait to hear it and drive it.

We did run into a problem with header fitment and the Borgeson PS box...just a little tight and touching (although barely) in two spots. No problem we'll modify the tubes slightly so they do not touch...like this ...lol. Spray those areas with hi-temp and away we go. May even wrap these headers down to the kick out for extra heat abatement and look...haven't decided.

I hope to have some more photos in few weeks of the finished product......ya right, I should be so lucky.

Sig1977

Outstanding. Enjoy the posts.
Regards

Ranger24

It's been about a month since my last update but things are moving slower than anticipated with the engine install. No real issues, the shop is simply crazy busy so they are taking more time to complete things.

I finally received my rocker moldings from Paragon after a 4 month wait so I dropped by the shop to deliver them and see how things are progressing. I was delighted to see that they have installed the headers and the March performance serp pullies. I suspect it will take another two to three weeks...can't wait. Losing prime driving weather but I'm betting that rebuilt 454 will make me forget all about it.

Ranger24

Been a while since I updated this...been on vacation, work etc. Anyway, I visited the shop this morning and things are coming along although slowly. They have all the major components installed and believe we're no more than two weeks out from bringing the car home. They have the sidepipes installed as well and I have to say they look really good against the yellow. Some pics:

Sig1977

Hi Ranger

In earlier pictures your car is up on black ramps. Can you tell me more about them and where you purchased.

Thanks,
Mike
Sig1977

Ranger24

Yes, its called a KwikLift (Kwik-Lift.com). Mine is Powder Coated black. I also added the 2x6s to the sliding tray to add some additional lift for my bottle jack. There is no way I could do the work without this system given my car port constraints.

Ranger24

Quick update, I heard the motor fire for the first time in 9 months. Man did it sound nice. The car will be headed to the alignment shop and then back home this coming week.

I'll take a bunch of photos when it's back in the driveway this coming weekend. Man I can't wait...I'm like a kid at xmass.

Ranger24

Alright, alright, alright...the car is back home!!! But getting it there is a story in and of itself so I'll spare the details. At the end of the day Chris from Black Wolf drove the car to my house on a Sunday. Wow! that thing thumps now. I will be taking some videos of the car with engine running this weekend and posting here so y'all can hear it.

After Chris tuned the carb he suggested I swap it for new since the carb on there is a bit cagey and not particularly easy to set up. Probably do that later cuz it runs ok now the way it is. The next thing I will be doing is dropping the headers and taking them down to Jet Hot for coating inside and out. I decided to do that because the coating Doug's used is worth two cents. These suckers are already showing rust in spots and the under hood heat is a bit high. The Jet Hot should settle that heat down somewhat and I can get closer the flat black powder coated egg crate.

Couple of specs on what went into this engine build:

Turned the fly wheel, new single stage clutch, motor rebuilt by Springfield Machining, Edelbrock E-Street BBC aluminum heads, Erson Custom Grind Cam (222/226 550 Lift) Edelbrock water pump, Dewitts rad & E fans, March Performance serpentine, and MSD ignition.

carbster09

Firstly what a nice build. Thanks for the pics. I wish I would have gone w a VS coil over set up, but actually with some help from VBP, its handling well.

What wheels / tires are you running?

What carb/intake and hood do you have? I have clearance issues and was thinking of going Holley

Lastly who is Black Wolf? I really need a good carb dude for my newly build BBC.

My car is in Md,

Thanks Chris

Ranger24

Thanks for the nice comments Chris, I really appreciate it.

The wheel and tire set ups are 17x8 / 18x9.5 Boss 338 Gunmetal 245/45/17 and 285/40/18 Nitto NT555. I believe they are 5.5" back space but I can't recall.

The hood is an L88 I believe (came with the car). The intake is a Holley Street Performance and the funny thing is we don't know the carb OEM. No name on it anywhere. The air cleaner sits down over the carb and with the L88 hood I have tons of clearance.

Black Wolf Automotive Specialists located in Woodbridge VA. They are fantastic to work with and I'm sure Chris can schedule some time to work on the Carb for you...he is really good. http://www.blackwolfauto.com/

NAVY08

Ranger,

Thanks for cluing me in to your project. I just read it from start to finish. I will be giving your friends over at Black Wolf a call as I recently had an issue with the shop I was planning on using

We aren't too far from each-other. I'd love to come check out your car

Bob