Big Block '82 Malibu wagon thrash

[magoo_oner]

I like how u did that xmember ive been bak and forth with a few ideas on moding mine before I do exhoust because on my first wagon I ran the pipe under the xmember never again will I do that lol it looked weird and hit every speedbump haha but I like urs ima do hahaha u inspired me on that one!

 

[Ringers]

Thanks, guys! Went to the local yank apart. Snagged a speedo drive out of an 86 305 full size wagon, grabbed the correct dipstick from same car. On the way out, I snagged the rear springs from an 85 Monte, 3.8 auto car. They have one less coil, so a little less energy. I came home, stuffed the bags inside the springs and tossed them under the car. Lowered it by an easy inch, which set it just about right. Got drilled on my trans mount, didn't feel like wrestling one out from under the trans in the gravel and the local Auto Parts store didn't have one in stock, so I ordered one. Be in tomorrow. Here's the Wagon/El Camino spring vs: Monte Carlo-

 

[Ringers]

Got the crossmember done today. A couple pics- Just tacked in p[lace

Took a couple inches out of the stock mount and welded it in place

I got more done today, but I'm thrashed. I'll post more pics tomorrow.

 

[Longroof79]

Nice work, Matt. You've made a great deal of progress. Keep up the good work.

 

[Ringers]

Well, snowed in today. gave me a good few hours on the Wagon. Anyone that has done Big Block 7ooR conversions with headers knows this is a problem area. Column shifter linkage. I chopped the link apart and moved the lever 2' towards the frame, thus clearing the header.

Next, I cut 2-7/8" out of the driveline. I cut it right at the end, and clocked it. The ends are swaged in place from the factory, so I heated the end and pressed the adapter back in. Stuck it on the bench, Dialed it in and TIG'd her home. The forged ends are ASTM A588 or better and readily accept welds. Should offer no issues.

We will see. Next is the wiring, A/C, Carb and Magneto.

 

[Ringers]

I'm pretty stoked right about now. Scored the Tach dash for the Wagon. Changes a couple things, I was going to run a Vertex mag, but the tach changes all that. I have an Autometer Tach adapter, but when I was running the Mag in my old drag boat, the tach jumped around and was pretty inaccurate, so scrounging around in the used parts bin at the shop, I found an MSD 85551 Dizzy and Darin hads an MSD 6AL he's tossing in favor of a 7 box. It's time for a Jack and Coke!
The hidden distributor

Pulling the wires for clean up and re route

The Trailer hitch I fabbed up. Not much of a frame back there, but this works, if you have little tounge weight.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

That weld looks amazing on that driveshaft! Im learning TIG right now and im having a blast but that takes alot of skill, especially on a rotating component to get it perfect. Good job and im looking forward to updates

 

[Ringers]

Thanks, ya...I've been welding all types of material for a long assed time, about the time you actually become a GOOD welder, your eyes start to go! Ha Ha!! sh*t, these days, I'm out there with reading glasses on while I TIG! I've been an AWS CWI since 2000. It's a confict of interest to inspect your own welds, cuz one has the tendency to say "Of COURSE the're good! After all, I did them!" But, at least I know acceptance criteria!
That's not why I am posting today tho. THIS IS THE REASON!!! Got my Tach dash!! While I was in California retreiving one of the boats, it came in! WoooHooo! I don't know why I'm so excited, it's kind of retarded, I just DIG factory gauge packs! Now for install!!

 

[magoo_oner]

Nice cluster matt how much did u pik it up for and the carb works great I got it on this morning

 

[Ringers]

Cool! Glad it did. The 6 in the wagon ran great when I got it. I paid $300 for the cluster and all the wiring. And I mean ALL the wiring. Complete underhood harness in great shape!