Finally got back to it. Fresh coat of orange.
Blasted and painted all the peripherals. Cleaned all the hardware.
All together...
The other thing I did was convert the points ignition to a Crane XR-i system and bench test it before installing the distributor.
I've always really enjoyed this process. For some reason I find it gratifying to clean, detail and assemble engines. Usually I get to be somewhat creative and make certain fashion choices. In this particular case it's geared more toward a factory correct restoration so I got to geek out on making sure all the hardware is correct and all the fasteners were in the correct locations. There is a correct pre-bent fuel line, tower style hose clamps to go with the correctly numbered GM radiator hoses and a new fan shroud on order. I also learned that the badging on those sexy 327-only valve covers are, in fact, water transfer decals (remember building models as a kid?) and not stickers. Another thing I discovered during the process is that the distributor and the starter are original to the car. More matching numbers! The alternator is the correct casting number but is date coded early '68 so it's been replaced at some point. Maybe I'll keep an eye out for one that's more "correct" at the swap meet next year.
I didn't take any pics, but I also replaced both U-joints, painted the driveline, painted the transmission crossmember, changed the fluid in the rear diff, and replaced the leaking pinion seal. That's going to leave me with all new fluids from front to back, rebuilt radiator, engine, transmission, and driveline. I'm hoping that it should be reliable and trouble free for quite a while.
