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.
Am still busy with the house project but my brother dropped the 72 455 he purchased off at the machine shop. They called to say there are 2 small cracks near one of the core plugs and they do not recommend going any farther with it. We scrambled last Saturday and dug a 76 455 block out of my basement to realize duh there is no provision on the block for the Z bar mount. Rather than disassembling the 73 455 Eddie gave us I found a disassembled 67 425 with 39 degree cam angle in my stash. This will become the 455 for the project if it checks out good.
Still doing house work, never ends it seems but I am happy to say the engine is going together. The crank bolted in nicely and piston/rod assemblys, there is a set of pro comp heads waiting. The block bored .030 and rotating assembly balanced. The crank rods and pistons were purchased together from a guy who bought them and never used. It is the aftermarket (Eagle ?) crank that is already drilled for the pilot bushing and aftermarket rods and D cup pistons. The crank was checked out by the machine shop when they balanced. Flywheel and balancer were supplied to them for balance.
Slowly some time is becoming available for car stuff! The engine needs the intake, (supersonic offy) bolted on. The carb will be a Holley dominator series under 1000 cfm. Am also sanding the roof which is quite a job and there is rust under the paint and some sort of Epoxy primer.
Had a free day today while waiting for some plumbing parts to arrive for the house project so I was able to work on the 72. We started removing paint from the rockers and thats when the holes started to appear! I mean lots of holes everywhere. We had new rockers (repops) so I cut off the bad one on the passenger side and fitted the new one. Next time I will weld it in place and move over to the driver's side. I was thinking I was done welding on this car but sadly I was mistaken!
I have to get some pictures but both rockers were welded on. I just need to grind some welds on the drivers side. We freshened up the door hinges on the passenger side and need to do the same on the others. 4 tiny rot holes were found on the rt door skin, nothing else so we zapped them closed. The rear is in and my brother wanted to add the era ladder bars. Brake system needs all new yet. Power steering is being changed to manual. There is so much to do yet but I see the engine being placed in soon!
It has been a while since an update and some progress is being made. The engine and trans (Muncie) are in. There was an issue finding a pilot bearing for the aftermarket crank which was already drilled but for what bearing I do not know as several were tried. We ended up going with the adapter style bearing. I installed an oil pressure and water temp gauge. The brakes are done and working with everything new there. One front body mount needed to be replaced along with some metal work on the body there. It has been decided to purchase repop fenders as the ones we have are not the greatest. I will get a chance to see the fit of these for myself when the time comes. One door has been primed as well as the hood and trunk lid and the quarters are almost ready for some primer, 1st coat. Its almost time to break in the engine. It will be great when the car can move under it's own for easy of working on the body. Yes i know pictures are lacking, hopefully I can get some soon. Also too an exhaust system has been installed, it is a 2.5 inch flow master style and when on pretty good from the hookers on back. The tailpipe hangers will need a little positioning to get the exhaust thru the bumper cutouts but they are close right now.
The 72 has been getting some attention...finally! We gave the engine a spin and gave it a 15 minute run at about 2800 RPM. Will repeat this one more time after we take care of a few coolant leaks (heater core) and assess the radiator condition. In the mean time we mounted the repro fenders, fit was ok... some small modifications had to be made to a few mounting bolt ears on the fenders. If things go well at least the car will be in primer before fall.... if they go really well maybe even paint!
The radiant green turd has a new owner. My brother passed suddenly 2 summers ago at the age of 63. His estate must be liquidated as per NJ law and taxes paid.. Pretty much a pile of BS it is. A bond had to be secured, (yes this cost us money) in case there was any outstanding debt owed by him. Everything he owned needed to be assessed dollar wise and when sold taxes paid by us. But I am happy the car my brother and I worked on together will say in NJ and the new owner is a good friend. The HP engine we built will be pulled and replaced with a good running stock 455. Pretty much everything else, rear trans, shifter etc will be put back as original. The numbers matching 350 and Muncie will also go with the sale. Much more dollars will be needed to be spent on this car but once done it will be a stunner for sure! Closing out this thread now and maybe Ed will begin a new one... NJ Cutlass72.
