When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey I am up in Seattle right now if you have a question or need a hand let me know. I built my first motor this past summer, 383, and then swapped it into my 86. I had never done either before!!!
So if you have some really stupid questions or really good questions let me know and I'll try and help out. As will the rest of the forum, I'm sure. Good luck!
P.S. I had the hood off for the engine swap too. While I took mine off because of a height clearance issue with the hood open and car jacked up in the garage it sure makes things A HELL of a lot easier!
And as for all the sensors and so forth, just wait. When it is all said and done you can look at the engine bay and you'll know everything!
Then is sounds like you are at the mercy of the brotherhood of mechanics.
Park it and start learning.
[B]I agree. I bought my 86 knowing that it had a blown head gasket. Turns out she had TWO blown head gaskets. The block was crowned .004" . It cost me 80$ to have it resurfaced, had the heads done as well for another $100. I'm no mechanic, shade tree at best, but with some help from some greybeards and a gm shop manual she's making fire again. Total rebuild= around $800. All new bearings, rings,polished crank,etc. Satisfaction in doing it yourself= PRICELESS! Just my .02
Good Luck