318 to 402 Edelbrock LA Stroker Build

[Beer]

LOL thanks guys, but I would likely "get run off" ("oil field" for fired) due to a lack of production. 18 months to get the motor done and way over budget!

The body is still totally stripped. I had gotten on the list of one of the top restore guys in the state, and was like fifth on his list. I saw him at the track end of Oct and went up to check my status on his list, and somehow, Despite him finishing the 71 Buick he was doing (I was five cars back including the Buick) I went to about 8 cars back (shoulda been 4th  )...Needless to say at 4 months a car, and being bumped I dont think he will be doing the work.

I have approched a local shop I have seen really good work come out of, however when I approached them, they say there is no money in restore work (this I do not understand...a shop rate is a shop rate...). So I am patently waiting for my buddy to get a trailer so I can load up the rolling chasis and tow it to more shops to see who will do it

In the mean time I got the dash redone in Oct with a dashpad (did a thread on that here in interiors) and this time home I have the rear seat uphostery coming (will do a thread on that to).

So I am slowly plugging away...on da 73.

Oh, if I could have a hand in the Challenger it would certainly only be a two door, with the retro look of the origional (done better than the new Mustang), with and without functional ram air. Black gauges (not a fan of white) No V6's, only V-8's/V-10. Six Speed Manual/ 4 speed Auto with an overdrive, Factory headers 3" Duals with X pipe for exhaust, Sure Grip and Traction control as well a ABS (TC could be turned off on the fly), gear availibility from 4.11 (R/T) to 3.23 (Base model) and yes there would be a convertible RT. 

Cheers
Beer

[Ghoste]

Shop rate is shop rate, but insurance paid collision repair is more like shop rate RT.

[Beer]

Had some time and decided to test fit the motor with the new oil pan. cudaken was right I will need to notch the K frame. The pan clears buts its just too close...

Here is the motor in, we are not really sure how the mounts go. I had pictures of the the passenger side mount when we took it off, I was sure that it goes to the front side of the  ears on the block(based on the picture), when we went to install it, the engine was cockeyed in this configuration. The mount for the drivers side only fits behind the ears of the block...I still need to clear up this issue. Anyone with a smallblock 73 I could use pictures of your mounts and how they are installed on your block I believe I have them right now, as the pan really can't stand to move forward or backward, its really tight.


This correct for the drivers side engine mount?


Here is how I thought the passengers side was, the only way the engine would fit correctly was to put the mount behind
the ears so this photo is I beleive not how to do it???


Front with the engine in place



Front passenger side where cudaken notched his. Its not touching but its close and when the motor torques...likely it will rub.


Tie rod is close too, its about an 1" away with the wheels centered, when the wheels are hard over it almost touches the pan.








Cheers
Beer

[Beer]

Yearly update LOL.

Got sidetracked dabbling with the Corvette, got into tuning (EFI-Live, Nitrous for LS-1's, did some bolt on's). Started a side Biz that should generate a little cash (Filling Nitrous bottles, making custom panels for cars w/ various "accessory needs).

Here's some samples of the panel biz



Below Two Stage Nitrous Panel is the one for my Personal Car













Anyways hope to get the Charger project back on track this year using the proceeds of my new Nitrous enterprises!

Beer

[Lostsheep]

Those switch panels look really good.

[CHARGER_FAN]

Those switch panels look really good.

Pretty schweet!

[mikepmcs]

Jimmy T,
I'll be your Beeeooootch anytime just say he word. Marketing, labor, you name it!  I'm a hard worker and learn real fast, LOL!

You guys should see his Vette!!! 


v/r
Mike

[firefighter3931]

Excellent post Beer ! 

By far the most comprehensive and detailed writeup i've seen in a long time. 



Ron

[charger_72_318]

i wish u good luck with your new business

[mikepmcs]

Jim,
I just talked extensively with Michael Fiori at   http://www.columbiaclassiccars.com/index.html.
Right here in town Winthrop off 202.
I called him specifically about your car. 
I had heard that he doesn't do full restorations but called anyway.  He told me that they will start doing full resto's this spring/summer due to them being inundated with requests and he also wasn't happy with some of the body and paint he was getting when he sourced it out(for reference my buddy mentioned further on in this post is not his source for paint and body work).  He told me they just ordered their paint booth so he's serious about what he was talking about. 

They disassemble the car piece by piece do the work and reassemble the car etc... Now, they will do that as well as the body work and paint in the near future.   

I would love to send you to my buddy Danny Oliver but sadly he mostly does collision work.  I honestly(and he would be pissed at me if he heard me say this)think that his shop doesn't have the room to have a car sitting in any one bay for a length of time to be able to do a full resto.  I do know that Danny is a fantastic body and paint man though, so I'm not disrespecting him in the least, I just don't think his shop is set up for that right now.  He has talked about shutting down the collision part and just doing classic car restorations but he hasn't decided yet.  Now on the other hand, if you are just looking for metal repair and paint,(as in you will assemble the car yourself) he might be the guy to talk to.  If that is your route you wish to pursue, his number is 377-2300 (Danny Oliver).  I bet his price would be way cheaper than anyone else's as well.  I actually think he undercharges.  I asked him about my 69 once when I first met him on a total overall and it was less than $5k(I couldn't believe it). Actually I said around $5k and he looked at me and said nowhere near that.  His hourly rates are in the $45 range.
Anyway, I just thought you might want to contact Mr Fiori at Columbia here in Winthrop or Danny Oliver(if you talk to Danny tell him I sent you) and see what they have to say as this might be a couple you might want to consider.
You should see Danny's 69 Chevelle.
Here's a picture of Danny for reference.  He's a crazy mofo.
v/r
Mike McSweeney

[Lostsheep]

Did he burst into flames?

[mikepmcs]

No, but we thought the truck was gonna blow up from the heat over the gas tank.

We get a little ridiculous with the burnouts every now and again.

v/r
Mike

[CHARGER_FAN]

Ever do any like this?

[mikepmcs]

No, LOL.  But i can be persuaded.

[Beer]

Thanks Mike I will look into it. I need to stop dicking around with the Vette. Its just easier to do a couple hundred here on something that runs, than save up for the 10K body job.

The car is totally apart now, the Doors glass and hood on on just so the car cover don't sag.  Bonus's at work Dried up too...Chevron used to spoil us, not no more...

I will be in town 15 march for three weeks gimme a call is you come down to Bath-Brunswick!

[Challenger340]

That's a GREAT READ  Beer !  Fantastic job you guys did !  Thanks.

[mopar1]

That is a quality thread.

[Beer]

That is a quality thread.

Thanks

The body project is about to get kick started. 

[BROCK]

Great thread   Any updates

[Beer]

Body should be going in somewhere (still looking for a shop) this Spring...looking to get transmission parts next couple months.