There are many stories like mine but I thought I'd just update my winter project(s). I had been working on Davids (AllC34me) 77 Red car for a while at his house. We decided to get it done right, and he needed the room for his 71 Brandshatch project he would ship the car to me to finish. Now his car we did pretty much a frame on resto with a crate motor and a Keisler auto to 5 speed swap. Completly rebuilt the eintire undercarraige and suspension. So in the middle of doing this at my house keep in mind I have a small 2 car garage with a lift I had planned on putting in a solid roller cam in mine. I already had a great running fuel injected 383 with 409 RWHP running through a Keisler 5 speed. So I was just going to pull the motor and put in the roller cam and new valve springs. Well here is where it all goes to @#$#. While I have it on the engine stand looking at the heads I figure why not push more air through it. OK Order a set of AFR 210 Eliminaters. While putting in the cam why use the old timing chain, new timing chain cover for the roller cam. Ok so I button up the motor and start thinking. This is where it gets dangerous. The TKO 500 I have, they did not have the 600 when I did mine has a very low 1st gear. So I figure with my new found HP with the cam and heads 1st gear is going to be pretty short. It was already pretty short. So I'm on the hunt for a TKO600. If one comes along I'll swap them out. Just about to buy one from Keisler, just the gearbox and my brother in law makes me an offer. He had a complete 06 GTO LS2 and T56 from a wreck he was going to use in another project. Long story short he sells the project, buys a 07 Z06 instead. Offers me the GTO stuff. If I had not had so much into my Gen 1 motor I would have swapped it out. I opted for the T56 though. Better gearing and 1 more gear to boot. Got a smokin deal on it. Hauled it home and that is where the fun starts. I won't go into it here but this is not a simple bolt in at all. Went Hyd clutch and used the LS1 style TO bearing. Many many fitiment issues but they are worked out. Now the T56 has an electronic speedo output. the converter is 300+ dollars. Heck, why not spend a few more $$$ and put in all Autometer gauges. While the dash is out and apart why not upgrade the pathetic stock radio to something more modern. Now remember I still have Davids 77 in the same garage as mine and my wife still gets to use HER side of the garage. So I've got cars stacked up, sometimes working on mine up in the air on the interior. Now one more thing I'll add. Davids 71 needed some parts rebuilt. I redid the rear while all this is going on and I now currently have his 71s motor apart for rebuild. The garage is a little tight but I have managed to get his 77 ready to go, I just fired my motor off this weekend for a few seconds just to make sure it runs. The 71s motor is off to the machine shop tomorrow. I still have some work to finish up mine but it is coming along very well.

 

You have been a busy man! I think you are the only guy I ever heard of that needed a six ft. step ladder to work on a C3. mds...

 

I don't know how you do it. On top of having all that going on and staying on your side of the garage the weather here has been shall we say less than cooperative. When do you find time to eat and sleep?

 

I'll take it the kids have grown and moved out.......

 

I can validate everything Gordon is saying here and he has been the recipient of most of my tough stuff to date. I appreciate all his help and soon we will get him back some of that valuable space he has been lending out to me and my projects. The only issue is what will you do with the 77 gone, the 71 engine done and your 72 completed? By then the snow should be melted and you can get your car back out to play. Good thing you don't have a three car garage, the implications and possibilities are mind blowing just thinking about it.
Thanks again for all your help Gordon.
David

Oh, you forgot to mention the 71 steering column rebuild too, that sure came out nice and you did that at the same time you were working on the 77 as well. Talk about multi-tasking.

 

Yes I have worked on it from a ladder. The weather has been a challenge as I usually move davids 77 out when I need to work on mine. Neither car has seen any snow or been rained on. I refuse to let them sit out. I kept mine running until Davids was running and that is when I took mine out of service and removed the engine. To say it has been a challenge is an understatement. I do have a basement where a bunch of parts are stored but the key is to keep organized and clean up after a days work.

2 kids still at home. 16 year old son and 18 year old daughter that is going to college next year. I spent today at Temple in Philadelphia today with her trying to figure out what she wants to do and how to pay for it.

 

I feel your pain.....I really, really do!

Deja

 

Garage pictures of the 2 cars and motor

 

To this point the most important tool in that garage may be the "snow blower".

 

It looks like we are not done with the snow blower yet. Some more coming. That blower is not for 20+ inches of snow and we had 3 of them so far. Burnt up one belt but it keeps chugging along. Saved my back this year.

 

Gordon: The way I see it, your love of life and limb compliments your organizational skills.

I had forgotten your investment of the 2-post lift as opposed to the 4-posters. Makes shuffling a lot easier, I surmise. The goodly amount of insulation tacked against the outside wall must make shop time more bearable and even shucking a belt on occasion makes the snow blower a valued assistant this season. Save that back.

Your talents are amongst the finest in the CF and it's always a pleasure to see a fellow enthusiast enjoying so much productivity during the off-season. No wonder you and David have such fun rides to motor in when the time is right.

Way to go. Your hard work as a Dad and as a tech pays great dividends. Thanks for sharing the load and best wishes for more good times.

 

Those garage pics are great. I could sit out there and melt many hours away with cold beer in hand.

P.S.; Mental note: Got to get me some new tire-rims!!