After doing a complete 4th gen interior (here) I moved onto the engine compartment since it was in dire need of some freshening up. I should be done in a couple of weeks so I can finally drive and enjoy the car.

 

 

 

 

I still need to paint the brake booster and master cylinder, make a mount for the clutch master cylinder, make a mount for the 4th gen fuse box, run the vacuum line for the defrost doors, run my washer fluid lines, mount the cruise module, paint the A/C drier, get my A/C lines, charge the system, replace the steering shaft boot, and finally put the steering column back in the car

 

I was really excited about how clean it looked unitl I started running my wire harness and heater hoses. That crap really messes up an engine compartment!!!

 

VERY VERY cool looking man i would say A+ it is harder to do that when the motor is in there so proops to you. why did you paint the valve covers? i wouldve left them aluminum? chrome?

 

I bought them as polished aluminum but they have gotten really beat up over the years. I really like the look of polished aluminum but I wanted something that looks subdued and blends with everything. Since there isn't anything else that's polished I just painted them.

 

good job with the paint, really make a difference.

as for wiring, look into some techflex loom instead of the factory split stuff - really nice touch to such a good looking bay

 

Are those pure choice fuel lines?

 

Yes. I've used them on both my cars. Those guys are awesome and willing to do whatever you need

 

Can anybody snap a pic of what the a/c liquid line looks like. I need to buy one but I want to make sure it's correct

 

I like how you welded in mounting tabs for the power steering reservoir, that's genius.

 

Thanks. I figured it would be the easiest and cleanest way.

 

I got my LT1 A/C kit from Firebat yesterday. This kit is well worth the $100 he charges. Unfortunately, my stupid Flowcrap headers are interfering with the fitment. One more reason to avoid these pieces of garbage!!! Anyway, Firebat is awesome to work with and we are currently working on a solution. For those that are looking to put A/C in your LT1, get with him and he'll hook you up.

 

whada difference, NJ!

 

Personally, I would have routed the lines the long way under and around the front of the compressor. Running them that close to the exhaust is asking for trouble

 

Both hoses are supposed to be ran underneath the headers but those flowtech headers are quite different than the hooker shorties I used so they are preventing that from happening. The hoses are designed to loop around and run forward along side the compressor then go to their destinations. The compressor in the stock f-body location is in such a terribly crammed area. The motor mount is in the way on the right. Headers are directly above the back of the compressor. I first tried making the hoses like Hawk's LS1 lines with a compressor block with fittings coming out the top instead of the back but there is not enough height to even get the fittings on trying it that way. You guys who bought older kits from me will notice subtle changes I have made to the kits and its because a number of reasons including venders changing how they make the parts and finding different ways to get the hoses crimped. My plan is to look into headers more and also see if there is a solution for headers that interfere with the current hoses.

 

Just a quick note for you guys wondering why the AC hoses are so close. I'm not keeping them that way. Those were pics I sent to firebat to show the issues. I'm working on acouple of different solutions so don't worry. I'll let y'all know what I come up with. BTW, I hate flowtech headers!!!!

 

that looks real good wish i had the patience to do detailed work like that.

 

Finally got my hose situation taken care of. Now all I need is the liquid line and I'll be done with the A/C.

 

I got these off of amazon. I'm not sure why but one of them was very "pitted" and the other was completely smooth. They also had different paint on them but they are far better than what was on the car. I got the A/C system taken care of and ready to go and I have gotten everything else together and the engine is running. I need to bleed the brakes and put the hood on so I can actually move it out of the garage and test drive it.

 

That's a whole lotta blue.

 

Did you shorten the hard fuel lines that go to the tank?

 

Yes. I cut them back about even with the firewall and used the stainless compression kit with the fuel lines. The lines are a little long but nothing to worry about.

 

So fresh and so clean!

 

How well do you think the paints gonna bond to your plastic parts? I like your idea on your a/c box. Doing the same thing now and that looks great!

 

I sanded and primed the plastic pieces so I am confident the paint will stick. There are small spots where the screws touch that have chipped but that is to be expected.