Hope to fire it up this weekend

[old man]

Well as I've posted before I was going to replace motor in my T/A. I pulled out the 340 and set aside for storage. It was worn and getting weak. I was looking for a 360 to replace but I couldn't find to my liking. I happen to call my machine shop and he had a 340 sitting in back room. I was told it was a 73 block and he would build it for me. He shot me a price of $400 for block and steel crank and rods. I had him go ahead with build. I went and put forged pistons ( keith black ) with a 10.5 ratio. We put in a .509 lift cam. He called me last week and told me that he had to do a .060 bore. I was worried about this but he told me it would be no problem so we went ahead. I ordered a new set of 915 heads with double springs and hardened guides. He called me last Friday and motor was ready for pickup. Total for motor was 1950.00 which included all parts and oil pump and gaskets etc. I didn't feel that was too bad but it gets better. When we got it home I ran the numbers and it was a 70 block not a 73. So while I had the motor out  I put a new PSE kit in the frontend. Good thing I did as the drivers lower ball joint was shot. So if everything works out with a new torque convertor being built I could have it installed this weekend. With this setup and a 3000 stall it should be a fun ride. I will keep everyone advised of how we progress. Bad part is now winter is coming so I won't be able to drive it much. So the total cost of new motor and rebuilt suspension and torque convertor will be less than 4 grand. And I will have a date code motor back in car with other sitting. Not a bad deal.

[BB1]

Yeah, let us know. Also we need pictures. 

[Silver R/T]

pics man

[old man]

Well I just got an email from Summit and my parts MAY be in Friday. So this weekend may not work. I will get some pictures over thanksgiving and post here. I will go ahead and put on a single 4 barrell Holley till I get motor broke in. Then I will change back to six pack later. It's much easier to tune with a single than the six pack. All my mounts came in yesterday so as soon as new oil pan comes in I can paint and finsh putting together.

[41husk]

Sounds good we need some pictures of that TA and your new 66 Charger

[old man]

The Charger is still at paintshop. The guy painting it is taking his time and I am in no hurry to get it back. He is skimming the body right now in filler and flat boarding it to make sure it is straight. He found a place of about 6 inch round in lower rear quarter that was made of screen and bondo. He cut it out and put in new metal. For the price he is charging me I don't want to rush him. He does this in his sparetime as he works fulltime at another job. For only 2 grand and materials I think he is a bargin. I will have pictures of Challenger up this weekend.

[41husk]

great, I wish I could have picked up that 66 you were selling it sounded like a great deal.  Look foreward to those pictures.

[old man]

Well we had to put our youngest son in hospital on Tuesday and he did not get home till Thursday afternoon. This and my torque convertor not being back yet keep car from being done. I was able to finish front end rebuild and install new heads on motor and paint. I hope to get torque convertor back this week to finish next weekend. Weather this weekend was great 70 degrees and next weekend it will be in the 30s. As usual the best laid plans fell thru.

[41husk]

I hope all is well with your son.

[old man]

I hope all is well with your son.

Thanks for your wishes. We had to put him back in hospital last night as he was still having trouble breathing. It seems that about every two years he has a bad asthma occurrence. We hope to be able to bring him home either tonight OR tomorrow. The car will have to wait till we get him back on his feet and back in school.

[old man]

Well it has taken longer than expected. Last weekend we finally dropped motor into car. Have been sick lately and weather has sucked so we cut out after bolting it in. I was told it's going to be near 60 this weekend so we will finish hopefully and fire it up. I mean there is no reason to rush. I want to get it right and I'm not going to drive it until decent weather is here. Attached is a picture of it sitting awaiting to be finishede.

[41husk]

Thats sweet!  I was in Jefferson City last weekend.  I would have tried to look you up but we were in a wrestling tournament at Helias High School and spent dust to dawn in the gym. 

[old man]

Well things did not go as planned this weekend. While tightening rockerarm assembly the center bolt snapped and broke off. Of course the bolt broke off inside hole and I couldn't get out. So now head has to come back off and go to machine shop. I bought these rebuilt 915 J heads from aerohead racing and I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake. THe heads look great but the threads in places like the sparkplugs had crap in them. I had to work the plugs in and out to clean them. Has anyone else had problems with this company? I'm going to have machine shop chase all the threads in this head while they have it. I'm pissed but what are you going to do. Just get it fixed and hopefully have it running by new years.

[Silver R/T]

thats sucks, nice Chally