Engine Compartment Resto...Assembly
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Engine Compartment Resto...Assembly
Thought those that are checking in to see what's new for 2012 might be interest in following the assembly of my 1978 L48 engine restoration...limited to cosmetics. The objective is to prep for the eventually for some future owner to campaign it for NCRS Top Flight. I've spent the past few months dis-assembling, clean and paint. Know I won't need to solicit comments...I'm confidant they'll flow objectively but with affection...
.
So, here are a couple of pics of the block freshly painted from underneath.
Engine Left Side
Engine right side
Topside
I used an airbrush and Eastwood's engine GM Corporate Blue paint. Offered some nice control over the spray but still ended up using a brush to get the back of the block and avoid overspray on the tranny.
.So, here are a couple of pics of the block freshly painted from underneath.
Engine Left Side
Engine right side
Topside
I used an airbrush and Eastwood's engine GM Corporate Blue paint. Offered some nice control over the spray but still ended up using a brush to get the back of the block and avoid overspray on the tranny.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Yesterday and today began to install shields which are a pain and a lot of them. Got the starter installed, plug wires, looms, V shield, tranny lines.
Engine assembly passenger side
Also shot a photo of the frame front crossmember topside that I did along with a-arms. Will install new dust shields while also polishing the front shock washers. Finish on frame is Rust-O-leum flat...suggested by several CF regulars
Front crossmember
Engine assembly passenger side
Also shot a photo of the frame front crossmember topside that I did along with a-arms. Will install new dust shields while also polishing the front shock washers. Finish on frame is Rust-O-leum flat...suggested by several CF regulars
Front crossmember
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Dec 27, 2011 at 05:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi h4ca,
Very interesting pictures and nice attention to detail.
I ALWAYS enjoy seeing what people are doing.
Regards,
Alan
PS: During the Chevy orange period the jagged part of the timing tab OFTEN had a piece of tape on it.... so no paint; did that continue to the Corporate blue era? Thinking of Top Flight!
Very interesting pictures and nice attention to detail.
I ALWAYS enjoy seeing what people are doing.
Regards,
Alan
PS: During the Chevy orange period the jagged part of the timing tab OFTEN had a piece of tape on it.... so no paint; did that continue to the Corporate blue era? Thinking of Top Flight!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
I'm not an NCRS guy by any means - but weren't the engines painted with the exhaust manifolds in place, such that there was overspray on the manifolds and then a shadow on the block?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Ignition wire shields and gas lines painted with 'aluminum' paint isn't going to cut it with NCRS. And, the paint on the block looks more like Pontiac blue than GM "Corporate" blue. I'm not trying to be "picky", but you asked for feedback....
As far as cleaning things up...you're doing a nice job.
As far as cleaning things up...you're doing a nice job.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Ignition wire shields and gas lines painted with 'aluminum' paint isn't going to cut it with NCRS. And, the paint on the block looks more like Pontiac blue than GM "Corporate" blue. I'm not trying to be "picky", but you asked for feedback....
As far as cleaning things up...you're doing a nice job.
As far as cleaning things up...you're doing a nice job.
The lighting and camera effects "lightens" the actual finish in the photo but the paint matched up nicely with the oil cap color that I left until the end for touch-up. So, the color seemed pretty close to what was left of the original paint.
Heat shields are 5 point condition and originality. Finish is 20% so do you take the hit for rust on condition or take the hit for finish on originality due to non-original finish? So either route won't cut it for about a point. The alternative was to send them all out for cadmium plating. The chrome covers, yet to be installed, were left as original. They are nice but rust is obvious if studied closely.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
In 78, pads were painted. So what you expect to see is the engine suffix painted, while the VIN derivative characters, stamped at the assembly plant, the characters cut into the metal and typically some rust can be seen where paint was cut away. I masked my pad and left it as it was. I attempted to retain elements of originality where it was practical and significant enough to do so.
VIN pad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
The tech manual (1978-79) does not state that that practice continued during the later model years. I know as late as 1977, the manual describes the practice of using a mask on the timing tab and for the center of the harmonic balancer...as well as the dab of grease on the engine VIN stamp pad. Having said that...I've seen many low-mileage timing tabs with no paint...this one got paint!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Got some more work done but need some tips on how to crank down the balancer to 60# without the engine turning over.
So, here's the driver's side underneath...a few of the sins are visible.
Engine Left
Topside with pulleys in place, carb, throttle support bracket.
Engine topside
Of course, I found myself experimenting with new paints so here's one for those that have worked to refresh their EGR TVS valve with paint. Its Valspar picked up from Lowe's before hitting the hobby shop...its flat purple. I would suggesting guessing but, with the exception of the color, the closeup gives it away which one is original vs that for service replacement.
EGR TVS Valve
So, here's the driver's side underneath...a few of the sins are visible.
Engine Left
Topside with pulleys in place, carb, throttle support bracket.
Engine topside
Of course, I found myself experimenting with new paints so here's one for those that have worked to refresh their EGR TVS valve with paint. Its Valspar picked up from Lowe's before hitting the hobby shop...its flat purple. I would suggesting guessing but, with the exception of the color, the closeup gives it away which one is original vs that for service replacement.
EGR TVS Valve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 1,195
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Its starting to come together and look great.
You can open your hood and not be concerned about how it looks, rather the compliments.
Great work
You can open your hood and not be concerned about how it looks, rather the compliments.
Great work
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Ignition wire shields and gas lines painted with 'aluminum' paint isn't going to cut it with NCRS. And, the paint on the block looks more like Pontiac blue than GM "Corporate" blue. I'm not trying to be "picky", but you asked for feedback....
As far as cleaning things up...you're doing a nice job.
As far as cleaning things up...you're doing a nice job.
This engine shows the correct shade of blue.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Quick update on this project that I'm wrapping up. This weekend I added water and oil and after a few pumps of the pedal...it cranked right up. Let it run several minutes checking for leaks but basically admiring my handiwork. Wanted to back it out of the garage and top of the radiator but thought I best do a walk around including a check underneath. That's when I discovered a pool of tranny fluid. Several CVers have helped figure that out but here are some pics from the top view.
engine final01
engine final02
engine final03
engine final04
Also, in terms of the engine paint shade of color, at Orlando last week, I placed the oil cap from my handiwork on the valve cover of a 176 mile L48 M20 Pace Car that went for $35k. The paint of the oil cap is actually a shade darker than the valve cover...but the lighting fails to capture the subtle difference.
VIN 3976_176 miles
Thanks all for the tips and suggestions.
engine final01
engine final02
engine final03
engine final04
Also, in terms of the engine paint shade of color, at Orlando last week, I placed the oil cap from my handiwork on the valve cover of a 176 mile L48 M20 Pace Car that went for $35k. The paint of the oil cap is actually a shade darker than the valve cover...but the lighting fails to capture the subtle difference.
VIN 3976_176 miles
Thanks all for the tips and suggestions.
