Anyone working on their wagons?

Wow, way to go Fox. This is exciting stuff.

What a great way to start the summer cruising season off - a new engine in place a just panting to go somewhere.

 

Hmmm, what is in the works:

• new 700R4 being picked up Saturday.
• new 8-3/4 rear diff (3:55's) on idle - will be done same time as tranny
• can't do either till it completes its wedding car duties first weekend in June - I can't risk any downtime or I'd be dead meat
• on the swap meet prowl for three 2 bbl Holley pro-jection set ups going cheaply - as they frequently do at swap meets. Going to play until I get a set up working properly in tripower mode, then the car will have tripower once again but this time injected. This may end up being a next winter project.
• Frankly, finishing up the Chevelle has been a major distraction :banghead3: but now that it is complete excepting front and back glass, the rubber bumper pad, and some trinket stuff, I can refocus on the Safari. Need to have the Safari done and ready to go for mid July when the wife retires. A couple of long trips in the works.

 

I washed mine - does that count? Actually, I;d like to change the exhaust this spring... We'll see. I did get some of my missing trim from a guy on the g-body forum, so I'm down to finding the b-pillar trim for the interior. Otherwise, I just want to drive it and enjoy the sunshine...

 

I'm still whacking away on spindles and ball joints.
I hate ball joints.

 

Ball joint. Is that like a whore house?

 

uh-oh, here we go...
Do ya think one thread could ever stay on track here?

 

Nope.

 

no kiddin..?....


ass for what ive done......ive washed 3....and put 4 up for sale....

thats all the momentum i could muster

 

Yup, time for spring cleaning...scrape the moss off so the for sale signs will stick. I heard it only grows on the north side of the cars.

 

You forgot whacking away.

 

Being unemployeed at the moment, I have the time to get many projects done. So far this spring I have; Taken the front and rear seat out to get redone at a shop, I have new carpet to install over insulation and fresh paint on a rust free floor, I replaced the original shocks-Yes original-with Bilstiens all around, New fuel filter, oil pump, Installed a new transmission selecto-shaft o-ring-no more tranny leak, Installed an older rechrome rear bumper, painted all brackets and area with chassis black, I have dyed the cargo area panels with a fresh coat of F8 green, and re-attached the cargo bin lids with a piano hinge, I recieved an NOS front bumper-got it for $299.- yesterday, I'll start the tear down and reinstall on that today, I ordered a steering box upper seal to install when I switch in my new to me factory tilt-a-scoope column, that may go in today as well. WHEW!

 

Been working on the '56 this week. I've put the taillights, grille, and a few other parts on the car. Next, I'm going to test-fit my bucket seats and console ('64 442 Olds buckets and '66 Dodge Coronet console), and prep the roof for a lime green metalflake paint job!

In May, I'll have the 440 and automatic sitting in the engine bay to test-fit things. The exhaust manifolds are my current limiting factor. I do not want headers. I'm looking at possible interference between the 440 oil pump and the power steering box on the Firebird subframe, as well. Worst-case, I've got a line on a Dodge 360 to put in the car, if the 440 proves to be a huge PITA.

That's where I am on the '56 Plymouth wagon.

 

Man...I'd love to see a 440 in that wagon, Patrick! Hope it works out.

Speaking of a PITA....if any of you want to build an engine for speed....DON'T start with an LT1! It is a lot different than a regular sbc and the parts are inexcusably expensive. Had I known the problems going into this I would have just bought an older wagon with a big block. I'm not saying that you can't make them go; I'm saying that the cost per HP is nuts because of the parts cost. I had a plan in mind for this wagon. If I would/could have done that plan it would run around $15,000. Needless to say, the wagon will be a mild build and a disappointment to me, as far as performance, in the end. I love it and it will be a quick runner with a brand new engine, but it won't have the snort and drive train gusto I would have liked to have in there. Even if I would have HAD the bucks to spend on the speed and performance I wanted....no way I would have dumped that kind of money in it. Still....it will be a great runner with a new engine with more snort and new drive train parts and I know I will enjoy this wagon a lot. I just don't like getting beat on the street.

 

He did, and I gave it a great set-up.
I expect much better from this bunch...

 

They are already a high-performance motor and had limited production.
While an advancement in technology, cost per hp goes up dramatically, especially when you're paying someone else to do the work.
And then you have to pay to tune the computer. Even if you buy the software and hardware and attempt to do it yourself you're in for major $$, never mind figuring out how to use it. So then you have to pay for dyno time.

If you're looking for cheap, plain jane SBC or BBC is definitely the way to go.
About the only thing I would do to an LT1 is some high-lift rockers and a PCM tune. Maybe headers. So that would add up to what, $2500 at least?