Just drove from Iowa thru Missouri to Springfield Illinois and spending the night ,hope to go on part of Route 66 tomorrow .

No Sprint driving today...it's blocked in.
Having a new roof installed on house & shop. :(
OUCH!!!

Any progress on your engine build Bill?

Yes actually I have Brian.
Just completed assembly earlier this week and it's resting on the stand...nice little 388 SBC stroker w/mild HR cam and Dart Pro I heads. All it lacks is valve covers.

Probably never going to find it's way under the hood of the Sprint though...got a buddy that's wanting this engine BAD!! Has called me 3 times last week and is willing to pay a premium price for it too.

This is the 2nd engine I've recently built but never made it to the Sprint.
The 350 HO 330HP crate motor I duplicated using Vortec heads & GM's HO cam now resides under the hood of a NICE '65 Malibu SS convertible.

I've had some persistent people, but I have no issue telling them no. But, I suppose if you are in no hurry... start planning the next build.

To be honest...the most enjoyment for me comes from putting together different, thought out combos and then getting to fire them up for the 1st time.
That Vortec headed 350 in the '65 is amazing. Reach in and just touch the key and it fires right up...warm or cold.
Very crisp throttle response...

Hey Bill ,you want to build another one ?I think I hurt our motor in the very badly last year when we left the Ohio show and got watery gas .We just got home tonight from traveling the country with Chuck and I think one of my cylinders is almost dead .It may be time for another crate motor.

Oh Crap John. :(
Sorry you and Joan had to cut your trip short. Sure, if I can be of any help please call me!!

Bill ,we actually didnt cut the trip short ,I just changed the plugs a couple of times and kept adding oil as needed .It runs fine like that for a good long time and then needs plugs again.

Sounds like you are fouling the plug

Yes ,it is fouling the plugs big time and even closing the gap on some of the plugs ,I have never seen that before .Some of the gaps were barely gapped at all afterwards and I originally had them at .045 .It is smoking pretty bad on the passenger side ,any suggestions on what to check first ? Thinking about checking compression first .May be time for a little retirement for the vert ,it most likely wont go to Ohio this year .

I'd definitely start by running a compression test on all cylinders.
Wish I had time to get up there and look/see what ya got...
Taking the Elky to OH??

Probably driving the Sport Trac to Ohio as I have some work to do on the Elky .

Im guessing valve guides if it is smoking. Compression check will tell you one way or the other.

But I can't understand why the gaps are closing up on the plugs...:confused:

I agree also. Almost sounds like the plugs are to long

Should be using a common 14mm thread, .460" reach, 5/8" hex, tapered seat, projected tip plug...like the AC Delco R45TS.
Like I mentioned this morning John...check/replace the PCV valve, run a compression test, change plugs to verify using the correct ones.

Back from vaccation. Longer it has been since I did the paint the better it looks. Not that the paint got better but the fact I see the overall and am forgetting where to put the magnifying glass to see the flaws LOL.


Anyway now that I have done as much damage as I going to to the savings on vaccationing. I can finish making a order for this years junk on the chev.
I got a couple more big jobs to do. Nightmare FWD engine transplant and a few smaller deals. And then I will have time to get in gear on this awhile again.

I had a break from the stress of painting the jalopy. I all rested up now and ready to tackle the next projects.

Put some miles on the Chevelle for the first time in a while!

Also played a role in what should have been a new world record

Quick video - wrong orientation and not the best but I was focused on holding the line lock, not sliding sideways into either car next to me, as well as maintaining a reasonable RPM/Speed so as not to completely melt the tires off the car in Memphis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voj3-EqLJg8


My car was sitting at the Tremec tent in Birmingham, which was cool I guess. Was a PITA to get all the rubber cleaned off from Memphis though!
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMG_3458.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMG_3459.jpg

Looking good Eric ,all I did was go to the parts store for oil and filter and other supplies .

As they said in the Marines. That is F@@kin Outstanding.

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/...pstgqvaujd.png

I watched the show on TV when they built that Chevelle. Don't remember which show it was though. Turned out pretty cool.

New valve cover gaskets tonight.

Took the Chevelle to Rolling the Dice car show with my son to Spirt Mountain Casino for Father's Day. Also my Grandson came down later

I am still here and kickin. But it is summer and work got me buried. Retiring isn't working out so well for me LOL. Oh you retired them you got time to rebuild my car or paint this or build this.
I doing maintenance on my van and truck. Got a engine ordered to put in a CRV.
But really I am about to order a ton of junk which will keep me busy for a long time. At this point I be happy to get the top on before the heat is over. It is looking like work wont die down till fall. I be working on the chev all winter.
I been just looking at her alot and wishing I had time to do something. Every time I get parts spread on the bench to do something. I just have to clear them off because I got some other work to do.

Ray ,love the pic with you and the little guy ,I have done little to the Chevelle lately .been a little under the weather due to over heating .

Changed the oil, now I need to fire it up while I have it in the air and see if I can find the oil leak. I have had it with this leak, I could spit nails.

We got finished with the valve seals last night on the Malibu ,put new plugs and wires on as well while there .

So John...will the convert now make a trip to OH next month??

More than likely it will ,need to try it out you know ,we still may have to play with the timing a little .I still have to change out the gas tank once I burn some gas out of it .It was good to see you and Anne the other day too and the dolly's are perfect for the T/A to rollerskate on.

Oil pan gasket is where the oil leak is. Checked the bolts and they were loose. Tighten them up till they snug just up. Came home after cleaning it all up yesterday and had 3 drips on the floor and I hadn't even started since the oil change. Hope this solves my problem

Wax the car and tomorrow is my first test drive to see if I cured my oil leaks. Be at a Balloon Festival show tomorrow.

Saw about 80 nice Chevelles at the Springfield, MO Chevelle show yesterday...awesome weather too!!

Drove the car today and no oil drops on the new card board under it.

Victory! :banana:

Thanks. Now I can finally take it out and enjoy it.

That's great news Ray. I'm betting you had a pretty big sigh of relief when you looked at the new cardboard.

I been working alot so haven't done much to her. Buying stuff. I washed her and just sat in her a while today. It is just nice it looks like a car now and not the rusted POS I bought. As Nancy said I just enjoying what I already accomplished a little today.

Friend saw this out cruising today. Tail lights are the trailer lights
http://chevelleforum.org/picture.php...pictureid=4636

Finally got the Chevelle out today for a drive and saw a car show so I dropped in. Ended up getting a news story on it and made the local PDX Car culture photo album. A first for me.

http://chevelleforum.org/picture.php...pictureid=4640