The untimely death of my trans on the way home from Wagonfest West 1 finally pushed me into action (when you get lemons... make lemonade ). I finished my motor and have ordered a tranny from a local shop. The new trans has a much beefier 3rd and 4th plus Corvette servo, hardened everything yadda, yadda, yadda....... good for 400hp. The new motor is a 4 bolt main TBI truck motor that I picked up used on Craigslist, did a partial teardown to get a look at, then put back together (it was NICE and fresh inside). While I was at it I couldn't resist setting up my TPI injection just for a look..(I will continue to run TBI for now until I get the fuel lines and cables sorted out. Here's a pic...
Definitely the best of the center bolt valve covers IMO and also difficult to find. My dad actually just had a machinist modify a set of Vortec heads so he could run the perimeter style valve covers. He is running the same style, but obviously in the perimeter bolt style.
I've seen adapters on ebay or Summit that allow you to use the old perimeter style valvecovers on the center bolt heads also. But I like these, they come up on ebay, I just waited until I found a set that were cheap enough, then I media blasted them and hit 'em with some paint and a new emblem.
Well, Almost there...... The new trans is in. But..... as usual.. three steps forward, one step back.... The builder installed the wrong connector for the TCC solenoid , But they sent me the correct one. Now the pan has to come off to change the connector....the u-joints were shot and the driveshaft was bent, and how come no matter how sure you are that you have everything you still need to make an average of 3.6 trips back to the parts store (and Taco Bell....?) :confused: Anyway, I expect to be back on the road in a couple of days!
Oh yeah, it's all progress.... I see in you sig that you lost a dog recently? Sorry Brother,..... That picture of them grinning from the back of your wagon is a classic and one of my favorite pictures. Dogs love wagons, I have three greyhounds and they go bananas when I fire up the wagon. Again, my condolences.....
Well, It's running. I need to do some data logging and bin tweeking for the new motor but...... it rained here today and WOOOOOOOHOOOOO is it fun to drive in the wet! It's gonna be real fun when I have it dialed in. Why did I not paint those headers??..........
