BUILD THREAD my 1980 Grand Prix w/BBC 454 build thread

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454GrandPrix

Master Mechanic
Jul 27, 2016
429
818
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Lehi, Utah
I'm getting extremely close to driving this thing. For that reason, when it briefly stopped snowing a few days ago I decided it was time to put the interior back together. Since the carpet was loose, I unbolted both front seat belts in order to install the seat belt guides for the Camaro bucket seats. Once the belts were reattached to the floor, the carpet was put back into position and all the trim pieces were reinstalled to hold it down. Now I could reinstall the passenger Camaro seat, and for the first time I also attached its seat belt guide. Then I swapped G-body seat brackets onto the driver's bucket seat, which finally let me install that seat and attach its seat belt guide as well. At that point, the snow was setting in again so I stopped for the day.

At last, my Roadkill interior is ready to go:
Seats_zps45ickbus.jpg


(Before I picked up these bucket seats, I did some online research. I found out I can still buy new OEM-style covers for them. Unless better buckets come along, my plan is to buy new covers in a blue that matches my interior. For now, I'll probably just put an old towel down on the driver's seat to avoid snagging the ripped fabric and not worry about it beyond that.)


This takes us to last night. I have my DVR set to always record the 10:00 news, thus allowing me to catch the weather report before I (eventually) go to bed each night. At 11:45, I figured I'd watch the news and then head to bed a bit early. At midnight I get to the weather segment, and the gal displays a map of current temperatures (from 10:20pm) around the region. Ten miles north of me, it is (was) currently 53 degrees. Ten miles south of me, it is currently 53 degrees. That is the highest temperature we've seen in weeks. "Well, damn," I say to myself, "this would have been great weather to finish wiring the trans controller."

And that's when it hit me: why not go out now? I was lounging around in sweat pants and a t-shirt; I put on some shoes, a sweatshirt and a light jacket, and headed outside for a peek. It was still comfortable outside, especially for Utah at midnight on January 9th. The GP is sitting in pitch dark next to the house, but I decided this warmth should not be wasted--I grabbed a couple flashlights and went right to work. I spent an hour installing a second relay next to the one for the fuel pump, pigtailing a couple wires off that relay since I will want both of them to trigger via switched power. I also routed the controller's constant power and ground wires to the battery as directed, and I completed the job by covering all the wires in convoluted tubing for protection as well as aesthetic appeal.

:D Just a boy and his big block, working in the pitch dark after midnight:
midnight_zps6rd1ueti.jpg



At this point, all I have to do is crawl underneath and finagle a way to attach the FWD shifter cable bracket to my RWD transmission. Once the cable is firmly held in place--and assuming it properly shifts the transmission as I hope it will--I am ready to move this thing under its own power.
 
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TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
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Do you have plans for upgrading that steering box?
Those round tops are a little squishy........ especially with a big block up front.
 

Bar50

Royal Smart Person
Jan 1, 2009
1,180
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Tulsa, OK
Looks like progress!

Can't wait to hear or see it run.
 

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
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Socialist NY

454GrandPrix

Master Mechanic
Jul 27, 2016
429
818
93
Lehi, Utah
Do you have plans for upgrading that steering box?

Yes. When I first bought the car, the steering box was leaking. I bought a new replacement one from Rock Auto and swapped it in. It leaks, too. :(

I intend to install another one in the spring or summer. This time, I'd like to do more research. I hope to find one that is a bit firmer and not as "loose" as this one.
 

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
113
Socialist NY
The replacement is a round top too? Where is it leaking from?
 

Texas82GP

Just-a-worm
Apr 3, 2015
7,981
18,676
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Spring, Texas
You want the 800 series box. It requires a bigger pitman arm. Monte SS is an application but the F41 (close ratio) box was available on many cars. You can get a remanufactured box from Summit right at $100 shipped.
 

L67ss

Royal Smart Person
Dec 8, 2016
1,350
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63
That reminds me. How would I id my steer box. I know its a factory f41
 

Texas82GP

Just-a-worm
Apr 3, 2015
7,981
18,676
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Spring, Texas
Bolt on top id's it as an 800 series box. Then it's number of turns lock-to-lock.
 
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