Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
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I'm deffinatley going to paint the block. The oil pan might not look really great. I might remove it and paint it, but it should look great from the top.
Before I get my LT1 into my car (which now is going to take until January due to insufficient funds) I'm going to be painting the block Chevy Orange as well.
For now though, my parents are going to get me another 2.8L to go into the car to get me driving until I get my extra student aid money in January. Then I'll have enough to get the tranny I need and get the wiring harness(custom made) I need.
So I took the heads in, and the guy told me that dipping them wouldn't even get all the grease off. I have no clue if that's true but he told be they'd have to shot and tumbled to get them clean... ok I said, and he told me it would be $40 bucks for both... huh. Ohhh well. Being the kinda guy I am (shoot first and ask questions later) I have likely overlooked some things in this engine work. I never did a compression test on the cylinders, I don't know why just didn't, and now looking at how much money I have in the engine I'm going to be PISSED if I assemble the thing and it still smokes blue due to bad rings. My question is what are the likes of my engine having bad rings? I know for a fact that the old valve seals were brittle and bad. Some were missing. But I'm still worried about the rings. None of my pistons have any obvious play (I know how stupid that seems but that's at least a good sign lol) and when I removed my heads and the coolant got in the cylinders the fluid stayed in the cylinders for about 5 hours until I decided to remove it with a towel (gotta be a good sign too right... right? lol) So any thoughts would be appreciated.
Alright, I talked to the boys who cleaned my heads... they are really nice guys. The went ahead and did a leak down test on my heads for free... No Cracks!!! They also told me that my valve guides aren't great, but they aren't horrible either, they said that it would be 100 for intake and exhaust, and they would machine lap the valves. I didn't though because this is a budget build, and I don't plan on keeping the car very long after I finish it.
Yeah. I bought this car knowing nothing about it, the day I bought it, I was coming back from looking at a dodge dart 440. I really want more engine, and a 350 isn't going to be enough, so I learned a lot on this car, and will drive it a bit when it's done, try to go to a car show with intrepid and hopefully anyone who reads this if they want to, but will likely sell it asap. I am probably going to buy a 70's trans am 403 ci. I would have done more with this car, but I can't stand the fact that it's a unibody. Even if I have to just simply beef it up a little. I just don't like it, so it's going to have to go. I will miss this forum a lot though.
I would worry about paying for gas all the time. It's gonna be a lot for a 350 and I wouldn't even want to think about the money you would spend on gas for a big block
Well I got my heads back, and they look pretty good. One thing that is a negative is that they removed a sensor or something from the heads, both heads have threaded holes for the sensor but only the drivers side bank has one. The other side is plugged. Here's my question, what is this sensor, and can I just plug the hole on the drivers side. Don't worry about my engine light coming on, I'm just going to remove the light bulb lol. So my question is will it hurt performance? Here's a pic with the empty port highlighted. Camaro 34.JPG
Here's a few more pics: Camaro 35.JPG Camaro 36.JPG
Plug it, its for a water temp sensor. You can just put a mechanical one in there if you want to, I was going to but low and behold my headers are in the way. And gas for a 350 isn't that bad ask my 26mpg Camaro it'll tell ya lol. Dac! You're really gonna sell your car?? Whyyy?
It's just not enough. I like the 80's camaro's I really do, but their just not classics. I truly hope I don't offend anyone by saying that, but in Dac's stupid little world, he wants a big block monster that can tear up the streets. Don't worry intrepid I'll still make it to a car show down south, it'll probably be the only road trip I ever take in the car but I'll make it to one if you're up to it. I'll probably post on the indy forum if we set up a car show, that a few third gens are meeting there and that any indy guys that can make it should come.
BTW hows that 26 mpg 350 beast coming along. You better get her cleaned up lol. If anything you can just show everyone that comes by how brown your oil is lol!
Plug it, its for a water temp sensor. You can just put a mechanical one in there if you want to, I was going to but low and behold my headers are in the way. And gas for a 350 isn't that bad ask my 26mpg Camaro it'll tell ya lol. Dac! You're really gonna sell your car?? Whyyy?
Hey intrepid,
What kinda upgrades do you have in your 350? And does it actually get 26mpg or around there?
Alright boys the Dac got a lot done today. It's coon season now so don't expect as much entries as usual for a while. But I was able to do some stuff today so here I go. I decided I would assemble my heads today in order to avoid them rusting, so I started off by going to the local NAPA and getting a plug for the water temp sensor. Here's a pic: Camaro 37.JPG
I then began the process of lapping the valves. I picked up this little tip from the eastwood company; instead of buying a valve lapper and taking the rest of your life to lap valves, just put the vavle in and hook up the end to a 3/8's drill. Go very slowly and you can lap your valves without a tired hand. Here's a pic: Camaro 38.JPG
I then began to add the valve seals. Here's a pic and a tip, I used a 1/2 inch deep well to drive the valve seals in. I found later that if you flip it upside down the 3/8 drive rachet port slides right over the valve and fits even bettter. Just tapp it lightly with a hammer and it'll slide right on. Camaro 39.JPG
Then I had lunch lol. Here's a pic of a head assembled: Camaro 40.JPG
I had some time left in the day, so I took the heads taped em up, degreased em', and painted them. It's interesting that these duplicolor engine enamals don't require primer, they make it, but you can't even find it, or at least I haven't. Without primer you reallly have to get the peice your painting spotless. BTW I sheared a "bolt head" of one of my A.I.R. tubes, those tubes are in there so hard that the manifolds aren't really worth fixing, so I'm going to try to get headers, however I do have a question, I want to keep my exhaust I have now, I don't want anything fancy either, but my real question is I don't know wether to get long tube headers or short? Anyway some pics of my heads painted: Camaro 41.JPG Camaro 42.JPG
Its lookin good Dac, I am sorry to hear you'll be getting rid of it, though. Maybe I'll buy it from you And I hear ya on getting stuff sorted out on my car, I got a job finally so I should be able to jump head first in a week or 2. I'll start a build thread. I need to rebuild my engine again cause I have some tiny *** water leak somewhere and I didn't notice it It still runs but theres a small knock thats driving me crazy. I'm heading to Kentucky later this week to get some new fenders, T-tops, some interior parts, and quite possibly an LT1 I dunno about the LT though, I like my 355 but I really need to repaint it. Green really didn't work out for it. As for the headers I have shorties, I dont know anything about the long tubes, I just know I have to take my headers off whenever I wanna change plugs
Wow Intrepid, I'm excited for your build thread! I need some interior pieces too, half mine were missing when I got my car... the worst is the head liner though, damn those things are expensive, and it's not like you can go to a junk yard and buy then because very few junk yard third gens are t-tops. Ohh well. And LT1 dang that would be sweeeeeeet!! I like you too much to sell this car to you intrepid lol lol lol.
Yeah I know what you mean on the headliners, mine was good when I got it but the t-tops leaked so its pretty much ruined it. I'm trying to decide what to do first, one of my cars or my S-10. I'm thinking probably S-10 since winter is coming and I won't be driving my cars...I dunno though. And as for the LT1 swap I really don't know if I could figure it out lol. But for only $400 for the complete motor, wiring harness and computer...can I pass it up?
No intrepid you absolutely can not pass that up, what a heck of a deal! I understand about the s-10, that might be the one to do first with winter like ya said. Is it a 4 wheel drive? BTW congrats on the new job!
It's not 4 wheel drive, my grandfather left it to me when he passed away and I've been wanting to do a restore on it. I have all the body panels and a new bed but I want to paint it and stuff too. With a good coat of paint and regular washes through the winter I don't think I would see rust for a couple years, hopefully.
Ok Dac got a little done this evening. I hate when someone restores and engine but doesn't either clean or replace the hoses and battery so here is how the Dac goes about it. Heres a few things I use, I use laquer thinner, mineral spirits, wood cleaner, tooth brushes, and paper towels. Camaro 43.JPG
I got started cleaning my radiator hose and battery and once they were done I thought, maybe I should have got before pics . Anyway here are after cleaning pics: Camaro 44.JPG Camaro 45.JPG
I also thought I'd get a before and after of my a/c hoses. BTW I really don't like how they are red, they show dirt really easily, and they look like they are from a air compressor, or something non automotive. I wish they were black, but I can't do anything about it other than replace them and they're too expensive just to change a color, so here's the before: Camaro 49.JPG
And here's the after Camaro 47.JPG
Alright boys the Dac some more work done. I started the day off by painting my block. Here's a before pic: Camaro 54.JPG
For some reason this damn thing won't let me upload certain pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moving on I got my water pump, and fan painted today. Here's a pic of her in done: Camaro 57.JPG
Also what is this thing and can I get rid of it?: Camaro 58.JPG
I don't know what that thing is Dac I'm sorry lol. Your parts look nice though, wanna paint my engine block a different color than neon green while you're at it? Tonight I drove to Elizabethtown, ky(180 miles) and i used a little over 7 gallons and got 25.7mpg at 80mph! Isn't that awesome??? I love my car!!
Yeah I'd love to paint it green, for about a million bucks... jeeze, this painting is kinda getting old lol. 25 mgp... yeah yeah yeah that's really great intrepid, I'll bet your oil is brown too huh? lol.
Alright lets try this again fellas, Here's a pic of my block done: Camaro 60.JPG
Today I decided I would plug my exhaust manifolds, because even though headers may be cheap I still ain't got the money. I started with the one off the passenger side bank... that side has been nothing but trouble since the begging. Anyway it took me two and a half hours and a 3/8 titanium bit to get them in there. And in the end all I did was drill out the old brass pieces and hammer (that's right hammer) in the new ones. There in there really tight, but I don't know whether they'll hold or not, anyone have any thoughts I'd like to hear em. The driver side manifold took ten minutes. I just unscrewed the old out and bolted in the new lol. I finally caught a brake. I wanted to upload two other pics and this dang thing won't let me. Anyone know how to fix that.
The Dac got hooked up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone have any ideas what a gallon of omni ppg base coat and clear costs?
Does anyone ever read this thread lol. I would like some advice on the whole exhaust manifolds holding or not. I also did some research today and it'll be 300 bucks to paint my camaro in a three stage black ppg omni paint. I'm kinda tempted to just paint it primer gray and leave it. I don't know how that'll look or hold up, but I don't know what elso to do other than put the project on hold till late spring just because of paint.
If you dont want that sensor there anymore, make up a small plate and weld it over the hole in your exhaust manifold.. Or for a quick fix put a gear clamp over your brass plug you hammered in (but only if there isn't any leaks around the plug)..
In my case I would just weld it though because I have metal and a welder / grinder available.
Here's what I got for free the other day! Camaro 101.JPG
Got a little done tonight. I decided to paint my A/C directors (already painted poorly in red) SO being that I see way the heck too much crappy vent director painting I decided to do a little process that will assure good adhesion and looks. The first thing that is essential to getting a good job is to disassemble the whole thing, so here's my vent director before disassemble: Camaro 102.JPG
Here's a pic of her disassembled Camaro 103.JPG
Ya know just as a quick side not before I continue, I just thought I'd say that these are truly the most fun projects. I really enjoy em because their simple, and you can easily do a great job. Anyway here we go again, After dissasembly you need to get the thing clean, so go over every part with wax and grease remover. Even though I'm using Krylon fusion which does not suggest sanding, I don't believe in that at all, so I go over everything with a scotch brite pad. Then another good cleaning with wax and grease remover, followed by a dry wipe down with a paper cloth. Then paint. Here's a pic of it all painted: Camaro 104.JPG
Here's a good one next to the hack job style: Camaro 106.JPG
Here's a pic of it installed: Camaro 105.JPG
Hey man. Sorry for not explaining well enough with my last post. I was trying to say that you could take that brass plug out of there, so there will be the hole. Then make a plate to cover the hole out of some sheet metal. Then weld that plate over the hole. Then there will be no leaks and it should last longer than the manifold will.
Makes perfect sense. I thought of that before but worried about two things, one that the sheet metal wouldn't be strong enough to hold... you think twenty gauge would be alright? And two that I wouldn't get a complete seal around the metal piece. But if you think that would work, I'll definatley give her a try. Sounds pretty easy to me if it'll hold.
I got a little done tonight, so here's what happened. At some point someone has replaced or rebuilt my 700r4, so when they did and they reinstalled it, somehow they bent the tv cable. So today I decided to fix it. I figured I could heat it up with a propane torch and then straighten it with pliers. So here's my torch set up, pretty simple: Camaro 107.JPG
Here she is before: Camaro 109.JPG
Here she is after: Camaro 108.JPG
It isn't perfect but it oughta help. My question is, how do I shorten the cable. I know there is a little bead like thing hooked up to the end that keeps the plastic cable hook up on the cable, so maybe if I cut the old one off, and then buy a new cable "bead". It looks like a new one could just be crimped on.
Hey man, Welding that patch in should be air tight and strong. They use welding to join the pieces in an exhaust system. Make sure you weld around the whole patch, with a nice solid bead.
A thing i recently found out is that welding with solid core wire and gas is way easier and creates x1000 better results than using flux core wire with no gas.
Also welding with flux core burns through the metal really easily, where as with the solid wire and gas combination lets you weld longer without worrying about burning through.
Here is an example of how much better solid core with gas is.
A welder guy brought his solid core wire with gas welder over and I could weld a very nice 1" weld with it.
Then I used my welder with flux core on the same piece of metal.. and after getting a centimeter it was burning through and the bead sucked.
So my dad is going and buying a tank and some solid core wire.
And the welder guy tried also with the same outcome. My welder was set to the correct power and wire speed too. according to the guide on my welder.
Good luck
Last edited by marekdennhardt; 11-21-2009 at 03:30 PM.
You'll have to buy a new TV cable after you fix the bracket. That cable has to be a certain length and if its stretched it won't shift the tranny correctly.
First of all thanks Intrepid and Mark for the help. I really appreciate it, I have a gasless flux core lincon so it's a little tougher than good clean oxygen free welds. I'm thinking of a way to weld the hole and think I found one, I post when I do it. I am not just posting to say thanks though, I'm posting cause the Dac got some serious work done today!!!!! I made a big step forward in my project by painting the engine bay. I gave a single coat with self etching primer. Then two coats of high build primer. Followed by a coat with rustoleam's semi gloss black, all paint layed was with my trusty huskey paint gun lol. So here's the pics boys, and beware that they may look a little glossy because the thing still is drying: Camaro 110.JPG Camaro 111.JPG Camaro 112.JPG
Don't freak out just because you can see some primer, I'm going to recoat tomarrow.
Dac had back to back work days so here's what he got done. I gave my heads a second coat. And then installed my new water temp gauge sensor. So here's the heads and the sensor installed: Camaro 112.JPG
Here it is up close. I is way different than my old one, apparently the old design had a common malfunction so this was what replaced it:
I accidentally posted one pic twice instead of two different ones, check next post
Since I put my second coat on today I decided to hit my inner wheel wells, they turned out pretty nice: Camaro 114.JPG
Here's a pic of my second coat dried... Maybe I should have cleaned all those wires before paint.. ohhh well lol. Camaro 116.JPG
I also got my manifolds taken care of today, I decided that I wanted to keep my brass plugs because they were sturdy, so I went to the hardware store and bought nuts just large enough to fit around the brass plug heads I demented by hammering them. I then welded the nut to the base that the plug was in. Following that I cut out a piece of 20 gauge steel to fit in the nuts bore. I then welded the sucker in. After that I just cut the top of the bolt not needed off and called it good... Ohh I also painted them with some silver vht header paint, here they are:
They won't load so I'll have to try some other time
Hey everybody check this paint scheme out and tell me how you think it would look on my camaro. I know it's an Opel but just let me know. I'm also thinking maybe a light shade of the silver for the stripes might look nice, or even black racing stripes with that metallic would look sweet. Here's the link:
due to insufficient funds) I'm going to be painting the block Chevy Orange as well. 
And I hear ya on getting stuff sorted out on my car, I got a job finally so I should be able to jump head first in a week or 2. I'll start a build thread. I need to rebuild my engine again cause I have some tiny *** water leak somewhere and I didn't notice it 
I dunno about the LT though, I like my 355 but I really need to repaint it. Green really didn't work out for it. As for the headers I have shorties, I dont know anything about the long tubes, I just know I have to take my headers off whenever I wanna change plugs
. Anyway here are after cleaning pics:
