Well, First I spent about a half hour at the MTO/DMV getting the new Val-stickers for both of my G's. My G-10 Van always seems to get papered without an issue but my 85 Monte SS, aka Project Regress, almost always seems to get red flagged for insurance, even though the paperwork for it got sent in for confirmation two months ago. Won't bore you with the details but did get the tag in the end.
Second, from there I went up to the salvage yard I usually frequent when I am on the hunt for something and found they actually had a starter motor on the shelf that would fit my SBC, in-line bolt pattern, small/large bolts. I officially now have "Three" versions of that starter, all of which fit, and all of which get installed differently. Version three as scored was tagged as being for a 6.0 81 Caddy Deville. Brought it home and dropped it off in the shop.
Third, post lunch, went back into the shop and started to clean up the new starter. Got it back to the point where it would accept a coat of paint and went looking for a can of GM Engine Blue, as that was the color it came with and is also the color of the motor assembly. This is the same stuff that I shot the assembled motor with and it is not an off the shelf color; some time back I took a paint chip to my paint chemist and she cooked up a perfect custom match for what was there to begin with. Not sure why but trying to find a commercial foo-foo bomb version of this color at the local supply shops came up a dud.
Fourth, while taking a break from the varsol and lacquer thinner, I slid under the car and took a 3/8th thread chaser to the bosses in the block into which the bolts for the starter will go. Not sure how unique it is but this particular block is double drilled and tapped so that either staggered or inline versions of the starter mounting bolt pattern can be used. Scraped the mounting pad clean to get a good ground surface while I was there; may revisit that with a piece of red 3M scuffing cloth to get a real clean surface. As has been pointed out ad infinitum, electrical circuits in cars demand good grounds and will drive you nuts trying to trace a bad circuit if it is a ground issue. May also elect to fab up an additional ground wire to run from the case to the frame. Belt and suspenders.
Last, I gave the candidate starter motor one last wipe and dipe to make sure it was clean and shot it with the GM Engine Blue. Gave it a couple of light coats to get to the correct color depth without generating runs or sags and left it to dry overnight. It'll get its wiring harness attached tomorrow as it is easier to put those wires in place while its on the bench and that harness is not factory stock anyway.
Came back into the house, and logged in just to see what was going on.
Nick
