My 83 Wagon

mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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Well, its been a few months since my last post so I figured it was time for an update.
Pretty sure I mentioned taking the motor back out of the wagon in another thread. Its still on the stand due to a couple of issues that I had. Bought a new timing chain cover, got that problem solved. The second thing was my fault. When I first got the crate motor I swapped out the chrome timing cover for a painted one. I used Duplicolor gloss black on the cover, oil pan and block. Prepped them all like everything else Ive ever painted. When I put the oil pan on the paint around the bolt holes started to pop. Flaked right off of the flange AND the metal strip. Didnt know why it happened but it always bugged me since I couldnt really touch it up correctly. It sucked because the rest of the pan looked perfect.
Since the motor was on the stand and I had the pan off I figured I'd strip it, shoot it with epoxy primer and spray it again. It didnt go quite as planned. I tried to sand the paint off and it wasnt going well. By hand or using a DA, Tried some paint stripper. Two coats and it was still barely coming off. So I get the brilliant idea to tape off the bottom and throw it in my neighbors sandblasting cabinet. It took over 40 minutes to strip that thing. I dont know what they used on it from the factory but that crap was on there. Made me wonder how it came off the flange so easily.
So I have it down to fresh steel. Take it home, throw it on the bench and start to pull the heavy plastic and duct tape off. Ive blasted more parts than I could count over the years. I dont know why but this time I guess I didnt mask it off right. As soon as I pulled it apart I could see the grit inside the pan. It was EVERYWHERE. Not only that but there was oil that ran out of the baffle and of course the grit was stuck it it. I thought i had it pretty clean but I should have tried to clean inside of the baffle. I tried to flush the pan out multiple times. Wax and grease remover, thinner, gas, Simple Green and water. NOTHING would get the grit out of that pan. As soon as I stuck my finger into the holes on the baffle I could feel grit. I was kinda pissed. In the end I wound up buying a new oil pan from Chevy. $137 shipped to my door. A lesson learned.

Now everythings back together. Stripped the two reinforcement bars. Self etching primer. Painted everything again and this time no issues. So while its on the stand I figured I'd tackle the plug wire situation. I picked up a bunch of GM brackets at the local junkyard. I always liked the way the plug wires were routed from the factory. Along the valve covers and wrapped around the back.
I went through a ton of Chevy trucks and vans with center bolt covers. The owner of the yard didnt even charge me for everything I grabbed. I used the brackets that bolt up to the back of the heads. I cut the upper sections off with a cutoff wheel. Shaped them so they look almost factory. Blasted, primed and Hot Rod black.
For the sides Im using the rear brackets that were along the valve covers bolted to the block. The right side brackets are a 1/2" shorter than the left for some reason. It was like that on every motor so I guess thats just the way theyre made. Once theyre finished I dont think its going to be a big deal.

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I had to cut the crap out of the front brackets so they would clear the header flanges. Im also on the fence about the separators that I have on the lower tab. It keeps the wires locked in but I dont have anything for the back wires so Im not sure if Im not sure if Im leaving them on. I might come up with a different idea for the rears.
I primed the brackets last night and Im painting them this morning.

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I still have to trim the wires but I want to see which company out there makes double crimp ends for an HEI.
I think they'll look pretty good when everythings finished.

While the motors out of the car Im also taking the wiper arms out and repainting them Eastwood Silver Cad instead of the low gloss black that I used the first time.
It never stops. LOL
 
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ssn696

Living in the Past
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Jul 19, 2009
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The hard part is having the courage to take a piece of art out for a drive. Never mind the road dirt, it’s the other drivers I worry about.
 
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liquidh8

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I'm a huge fan of the oem plug wire holders. Used them on my small and big blocks
 
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mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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I'm a huge fan of the oem plug wire holders. Used them on my small and big blocks

Jim, what vehicles did you find them on ? I searched through a ton CK series trucks and late 80s vans. One thing I found was all of the right front brackets had the dipstick tubes attached to them. The other thing was the left side brackets are a bit taller than the right. Ive got another thread that I posted last night that shows the almost finished setup. Do yours look like that ? Take a quick look.
 

liquidh8

Comic Book Super Hero
Jim, what vehicles did you find them on ? I searched through a ton CK series trucks and late 80s vans. One thing I found was all of the right front brackets had the dipstick tubes attached to them. The other thing was the left side brackets are a bit taller than the right. Ive got another thread that I posted last night that shows the almost finished setup. Do yours look like that ? Take a quick look.
Mitch, I'd have to hit storage. If I recall, the sbc was from the c/k, though I was buying them new fron scoggin dickey, same with the bbc.
 
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mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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Mitch, I'd have to hit storage. If I recall, the sbc was from the c/k, though I was buying them new fron scoggin dickey, same with the bbc.
Thanks Jim ! I might hit up another yard tomorrow that has a bunch of trucks. The CK series are getting harder to find these days.
I like the brackets on the back of the heads but I might look for a few more that mount on the sides.
Do you remember if you used the separators on the front like I used or did you cut the tabs off ? Im on the fence.
 
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mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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Getting real close to finishing this wagon. Lots of little things left hanging that Im trying to finish. Yesterday I spent an hour putting in a new grommet and bushing for the shift linkage. Of course the bushing didnt fit the rod so that took a little time on the bench.
That vacuum fitting was also a pain in the butt. Not that it was hard to do but I gave my drill press to one of my friends 5 or 6 years ago so I had to search around for someone that could let me use theirs. LOL
I still have to trim the plug wires at the cap, finish the heater hoses, buy and hook up the line from the AC compressor, tighten the transmission cooler lines and some other misc crap before I drop the car back on the ground.
I also spent a good part of yesterday cleaning and prepping the left side inner fender for paint. I had a small crack to fix at the bottom of the back side. It was about
2 1/2" long. Didnt know how it would work but I used Permatex Plastic Bond. Gotta say it worked really well. Cant even see where it was.
So this morning I sprayed it with Bulldog, DP primer reduced with a little DT as a sealer and just followed with two coats of SEM Hot Rod Black. Looks pretty good. By tomorrow afternoon it should be a lot less glossy.
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mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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Small town NY
Another update for you folks.
I wish I could say things are finished but as usual theres some issues.
That inner fender in the photo never flattened out for some reason. Im not sure why. Ive sprayed gallons of the SEM Hot Rod black and the results have always been the same. A nice semi gloss. Maybe the primer wasnt cured enough. Maybe it was too cold when I sprayed it. I have no idea. I had another inner that was for the 81 that was already to go so I figured I'll that one instead.
I got the right side in. AC lines done. It looked like everything was coming to an end. I have to buy some small parts to finish up. Easy right ? Nah. Its never f'n easy.
I poured some transmission fluid in the other day. Looked like everything was good. Yesterday there was a large puddle of transmission fluid under the car. The dipstick tube that I had in my garage didnt fit right. It was cocked and the grommet didnt sit right. Im not sure were it came from. I dont think it came with the car. Maybe it was from the 81. I bought a new Hughes with a locking stick. Same one I used in the 81. Looked like it was a perfect fit. Still looks perfect from underneath. But its not.
The fluids coming out of the grommet. Im pissed. I cant get to the bolt from underneath the car. With the AC,header and GM plug wire loom bracket it was a pain in the a** to get at it from the top. Used a flew head gear wrench while I was standing inside the engine compartment with the inner fender out. Im sure you know where this is heading. YUP. I have to pull the inner out AGAIN. This is getting old. Im pissed. Not that I have to do it again. Well, yeah. Thats part of it. My knees are killing me. Yesterday I had to be a contortionest trying to get the throttle cable out of the firewall. I got a shorter one that was a better fit. I kinda got stuck under the dash. My wife actually had to help me get back out.
Im getting tired. Old. Beat up. The thing that Im dreading is pulling the motor back out of the 81 after this wagon is done. Now I understand why guys sell the old cars and buy a new muscle car like a Challenger. Fast, heated and cooled seats and a warranty. LMAO

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mikester

Comic Book Super Hero
Mar 10, 2010
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Gettin down to the end.
Im ordering a couple of cables tomorrow from CE Auto Supply. A negative cable to replace the one I stole from the 81 and the cable for the alternator/battery. Gotta put in some antifreeze and it can be started. FINALLY. I still have to put the left side inner fender in but Im waiting until the motors running and timed. I still have to trim the plug wires at the cap and theres a couple of wires that still have to be put into the bulkhead connector. Figure its easier with it out.
Lots of hoses and wires though. A friend of mine that owns a shop said he can charge the AC for me. Hopefully he can bring the stuff over to my garage to do it since it usually takes a 40 point turn to get a vehicle of any size into his shop due to the collection of junk hes got behind it. I still have to get an exhaust done. Not sure if Im going to buy a kit like Pypes or have another guy that I know bend and weld something up at his shop. Ive seen some of his work and he does a nice job with SS.
ALMOST !!!!

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