1983 Big Block Monte Slow Build (Lowered Expectations)

[Supercharged111]

I kinda wish I hadn't better educated myself on this car today. I forgot the extent of the dumb****ery that existed on this thing and kinda blew Pandora's box open a little further. First up are the unknown control arms.

You can also see the not original coils. The rears are progressive, so I'm beginning to suspect they're Eibachs. Next up is the super sweet replacement brake hard line up front.

Doesn't that just I still confidence? Buckle up, it gets better.

The brake line seems to dance around the header, then intentionally point at the ground in the middle. So, what kind of headers do these look like? Ground clearance blows. The pattern continues.

Yep, just zip ties and random *ss wiring dangling. Nothing to see here. . . how many pics per post can we upload?

Here's how well the dumps clear the ground. They scraped on the lamest of bumps because there's only one blown out shocks installed up front.

Carb'd MI car runs rich in CO. I've been studying the QJ so I can rebuild/rejet. Looks like a super capable carb from what I've read.

 

[Supercharged111]

Luckily it does have a big old honking *ss 2 core aluminum radiator, but no fan? Gonna have to find a Mark VIII at the pull and pay.

Now the mounting leaves a bit to be desired.

And a shot of the gutted HVAC box. I have the top half and a blower motor resistor.

And has the wiper box been chopped/modded as well?

I'm glad but sad to have this car. My dad was once good with a wrench, but after his head injury it was a slow downward spiral. The current condition of this car really epitomizes that. Slowly but surely I'll make this right, sort of the project of his we never got to share. He was immensely helpful with my first car, a Crown Victoria I reverted from EFI to carb.

 

[fleming442]

Those don't look like Eibach rear springs; Ima guess OPGI lowering springs. Maybe BMR or UMI control arms? They look pretty beefy; I like'em! It looked like the brake hose was just dangling?
It's got some issues, both nothing unfookable.

 

[Clutch]

It reminds me of my truck when I bought it

 

[Supercharged111]

Look closely at the 3rd pic in post 21, you can see more of the right front brake line routing. I just noticed the upper arms out back aren't jam nutted tight either. Nothing insurmountable, but will need some time to straighten it all out.

 

[Supercharged111]

Question on the Jegs crossmembers. What's the diff between a TH400 and 4L80 member? Just offset? So if I were to grab a 400 member now and trans swap later I see no reason I couldn't keep said member and worst case just redrill the frame, right?

 

[TURNA]

Question on the Jegs crossmembers. What's the diff between a TH400 and 4L80 member? Just offset? So if I were to grab a 400 member now and trans swap later I see no reason I couldn't keep said member and worst case just redrill the frame, right?

Just keep in mind the JEGS Xmembers I have seen are made for SBC and the JEGS exhaust kits

Their Xmember humps are in a different locations than all the others

 

[Supercharged111]

Well that's good to know. Thanks.

 

[TURNA]

Oh and I forgot

JEGs Suxxxxxxxxx

 

[Supercharged111]

Oh and I forgot

JEGs Suxxxxxxxxx

Let me guess: they're also the only game in town.