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Two big steps forward:
1) Over the past couple of days, I pulled the gunked-up old heads off the 383 block, determined to rebuild the stock block if necessary rather than go crazy with a new, bigger big-block. Turns out it's unnecessary, because the short-block, at least, was rebuilt as advertised, and here's the proof:
Note the ".030" on the piston crown (meaning it's been bored 30 thousands of an inch oversize and had its pistons replaced) and the cross-hatching in the cylinder bore: This is an engine that just needs some cleaning up and it'll be ready to rock! The black guck is just carbon on the piston; I'll carefully remove as much as I can and maybe run some alcohol injection to finish cleaning up the pistons, but it should burn off over time because it won't be getting the too-rich fueling from a carb anymore now that it'll be running fuel injection.
2) Mike and I drove the Saab to Kansas City today to pick up new shoes for the Newport, a set of American Racing Torq Thrust II 17" x 7" wheels shod in brand-new rubber for the price of just the tires, basically. This photo gives an idea of how they'll look in the front wheel-well - I think they're pretty snazzy, though the hubcap on the stock wheel behind looks a bit silly!
Whatcha think?
For comparison, here's the stock wheel and tire:
Now I'm going to restart this computer, because it's freezing for a few seconds every few seconds. That's fun.
Best,
Chris
1) Over the past couple of days, I pulled the gunked-up old heads off the 383 block, determined to rebuild the stock block if necessary rather than go crazy with a new, bigger big-block. Turns out it's unnecessary, because the short-block, at least, was rebuilt as advertised, and here's the proof:
Note the ".030" on the piston crown (meaning it's been bored 30 thousands of an inch oversize and had its pistons replaced) and the cross-hatching in the cylinder bore: This is an engine that just needs some cleaning up and it'll be ready to rock! The black guck is just carbon on the piston; I'll carefully remove as much as I can and maybe run some alcohol injection to finish cleaning up the pistons, but it should burn off over time because it won't be getting the too-rich fueling from a carb anymore now that it'll be running fuel injection.
2) Mike and I drove the Saab to Kansas City today to pick up new shoes for the Newport, a set of American Racing Torq Thrust II 17" x 7" wheels shod in brand-new rubber for the price of just the tires, basically. This photo gives an idea of how they'll look in the front wheel-well - I think they're pretty snazzy, though the hubcap on the stock wheel behind looks a bit silly!
Whatcha think?
For comparison, here's the stock wheel and tire:
Now I'm going to restart this computer, because it's freezing for a few seconds every few seconds. That's fun.
Best,
Chris
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Speaking of wheels, when would you like to practice more on yours? And shall I ride it over to your place? I seem to recall you already scoped out a safe area to test-ride, correct?
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And yes, we should probably get it out of your garage at some point. :D
I figure we can start test riding on the sidewalk, then maybe move up to the parking lot or even the area around my new house - it's in a relatively quiet residential neighborhood with good pavement.
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In fact, last night I actually found myself smiling while I pondered the simple yet magical innards of that 383 Mopar, my hands greasy and shoes smelling of radiator fluid. When I became aware of this simple joy, I only smiled wider. A bit later, I took a moment to sit inside the car on that big bench seat and just sat there smelling the vintage-car perfume of vinyl and steel. I put my hands on the broad steering wheel, toyed with the joystick-like vent controls, listened to the stainless-steel music of the radio buttons as I ran my finger beneath them... it was lovely.
Nope, the guy in the mirror isn't me; he's the previous owner. I need to take more shots of it in a month - when it's back on the road!
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I love exploring the details of a vehicle as it works well. Actuating shift linkages, turning the wheel on a tight steering column, pulling in a brake lever; these things really are sublime, eh?
I just washed and waxed all of my bikes on Sunday. It was really a good time, and it was so nice just to sit back and admire them as they were all clean.
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Is there room in this boys club for a gearhead girl?
:)
I was never happier than when Jbird let me take the 920's starter gears apart and play in the oilpan.
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- E
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