Frame swap, here we go!

[denpo]

Hi everyone.
I'm progressing a good pace, front train is already reinstalled, I'll post picture in the following days.
One question, I'm reinstalling new brake line and I was wondering if I had to change the proportioning valve? I didn't notice particular problem on my brake while it was still running, but I don't know if this part have tendencies to good bad with time.
Thanks.

 

[denpo]

Fast Foward

I got to admit I've been procrastinating on this thread, so a little fast forward of the last weeks.

First my front rebuild.
Poly bushing, moog balljoint, moog 470lbs coil, bilstein shock, VBnP heady duty idler arm and tie rod.
Spreader bar is half ebay, half my machinist. He used shoudler screws for the link, very good idea, make the link very tight. Not sure yet about the mounting bracket.






SS Sleeved calipers with O-ring (Thanks Howard and Mike)


Headers grinded + ceramic high temp paint


Diff/spring assembly reinstalled in the new frame



What i sent to Gary:
I opted for the cheapest solution, especially in term of shipping cost.
Up to me to rebuilt the spindle.


Cleaned and POR-15ed fuel tank and support. I've rapidly checked the interior, everything looks fine. Still have to pull the rubber bag to check for leaks.



New SS brake line, new valve, and my borgeson installed.



Brand new parking brake assembly, so easy to rebuild very out of the spindle assembly




So now you're up to date, and ready for the big thing to come.....

 

[denpo]

E day (forum solidarity strikes again)

Today was a big day, those you're been dreaming/worring about for weeks.
And I can tell you the gods was with us.
I decided to do the engine swap today.
Yesterday I was about to rent a engine hoist, when 1Michel, my Quebecer Vette comrade just replied to a PM I sent him a while once.
"Yes I have a engine hoist, come get it".
Wow. I was worried I'd have to rush the crossmember cleaning in order to be able to bring back the hoist before Monday morning. Michel was ok for me to keep it all week long.
So BIG BIG BIG thanks to 1Michel. I owes you one.

When to pick it up this morning.
Two friend joined the party, turned out we couldn't be less.
Actually there was a fourth member, here to take pictures. He's pretty good at that, so here's some artist engine swap.

When moved the old frame toward the new frame, just enough to clear the space above the engine and lifted it up.
Done, frame cleaned. I nobody come to pick it up for free this week, the metal scraper will come pick it up.





























Here are the Heroes of today
Jeff, Sovan and you servitor

 

[1Michel]

good job D, You might be procrastinating on the thread but not on this project huh?

This thing will be up and running in no time.

 

[denpo]

good job D, You might be procrastinating on the thread but not on this project huh?

This thing will be up and running in no time.

Thanks to guys like you my friend :drink:
I've been working on the crossmember all evening :sweat:, it goes back in the car today, and then exhaust with the new dual hiflow cat setup.

 

[1Michel]

Thanks to guys like you my friend :drink:
I've been working on the crossmember all evening :sweat:, it goes back in the car today, and then exhaust with the new dual hiflow cat setup.

Hey didnt do squat LOL

Glad to help, at least I can contribute to a project, mine's pretty much on a snail's pace as you could see. LOL

anything you need, just call.

 

[denpo]

productive weekend

Fist, I changed camera, the old trusty canon 1.3mp might be good for reference picture, when I come to picture for posting, it was crap.

Done putting back the exhaust (with hi flow cat), the spare tire carrier and the tank.
Got to see big part getting back on the frame, out of my way. So precious space.






2 1/2 hi flow cat matted to a 2 1/4 exhaust assembly.




If someone has an upper spare tire cover laying aroung, let me know hone:






The new holes to make the tank support match my gas tank size.


It's not entirely done (upper cover, exhaust collecter gasket, header wrap), but for now I clear a lot of space in the tiny garage.

 

[denpo]

Update (late, I know)

As some may already know, my frame swap is turning into a full swap, complete rebuild. I was wondering how I would weld my rusted out rocker channel when Tom Sarno came out with a free birdcage.

At that point the free space in the garage is nearing the absolute zero.

To get the new birdcage in, I had to move the soon old body out of the garage. To do so I dropped the body on a big dolly I made. Very simple, 2 2x12x10, with to raiser at the rocker channel. I've put my frame dollies as rolling base. It did the job pretty well.





Tom didn't lie to me, the condition of the birdcage is excellent set aside the fact it started rust form the inside.





Orange dust here is sand, not rust



The floor pan was another story

Heavy paint over rust.
I stripped the gooey paint and the rust, cleaned it, treated it and glassed it since it had turned really thin.



I cleaned my windshield motor, I could even salvage the plastic cover broken in two with soft epoxy compound used for bumpers.


I've put madvette's insulation kit, here on the rear.


And did install the whole interior rear


Pedal set cleaned and put back


Wiper area cleaned


And wiper assy reassembled


Harness put in place


Hood latches redone :



If I didn't have a leaky heater core (replacement on its way)

And if I didn't lose the small vent duct that goes to the middle of the dash board, the interior would redone by now.

All in all, the Christmas holydays have been a very productive period. Putting the beast on the street by the summer is still a reasonable dream.