1969 GTX....The T stands for tetanus

[threewood]

Wow! you are moving right along. That engine sure looks good back in where it should be.

Thanks. It sure feels good to get all my eggs into one basket finally. Poor car hasn't had a motor since the 1990's so it feels good to have her this close to being on the road again.

I ordered my new driveshaft. I went through Driveshaft Specialists out of San Antonio. Went with a 3.5" aluminum, Spicer slip yoke, rear has 7260 small u joint. I should have it in hand in 2 weeks. Then I get started on the exhaust.

 

[moparnation74]

Engine looks sweet in that beauty 3 wood....I know your ecstatic!

 

[threewood]

Here is $80 worth of break-in oil lol.

I also went through and tightened my suspension down at ride height, greased all the zerk fittings, filled the rear end with gear oil, ran engine ground cables and finished wiring the coil, ignition and tach.

I ordered a kickdown cable kit from Bouchillion. I figured this is clean and easy to install without paying the hefty price of a stock rod kickdown setup.

I am still waiting for Edelbrock to ship my carb out.

 

[moparnation74]

Here is $80 worth of break-in oil lol.
View attachment 424192

I also went through and tightened my suspension down at ride height, greased all the zerk fittings, filled the rear end with gear oil, ran engine ground cables and finished wiring the coil, ignition and tach.

I ordered a kickdown cable kit from Bouchillion. I figured this is clean and easy to install without paying the hefty price of a stock rod kickdown setup.

I am still waiting for Edelbrock to ship my carb out.

Gibbs oil is a good choice and worth the price!

I run that and Brad Penn

 

[threewood]

I finally got around to pulling the valve covers and drilling the valve covers for the breather, pcv, and filler cap. I used a 1 1/4" hole saw bit and cleaned up the edges with a half round file.

I also got the two transmission line fittings and sealed the system up. While I was down there, I fabbed a line bracket from a spark plug wire bracket and attached it to an oil pan bolt.

As it sits...

 

[moparnation74]

I finally got around to drilling the valve covers for the breather, pcv, and filler cap. I used a 1 1/4" hole saw bit and cleaned up the edges with a half round file.
View attachment 425044 View attachment 425045

I also got the two transmission line fittings and sealed the system up. While I was down there, I fabbed a line bracket from a spark plug wire bracket and attached it to an oil pan bolt.
View attachment 425046 View attachment 425047

As it sits...
View attachment 425048

Man that looks fantastic! Like the look overall great job 3 wood....

 

[threewood]

Man that looks fantastic! Like the look overall great job 3 wood....

Thanks, it's growing on me. I generally don't like all the chrome but it works and was fairly inexpensive.

 

[camtra]

Looks good. I always liked chrome on engines. I'm starting to see more MOPAR guys put chrome on their engines. I was debating about mine when I get there but I think I'll have some chrome also.

 

[threewood]

No pictures but I am getting it closer. I made sure my oil drain plug was tight and poured in my break-in oil. I had my valve covers off and was making a mess as the drain back holes are small. In hindsight I should have poured it in the distributor opening. Once I had 6 quarts in, I primed the motor and turned the engine in about 10 degree incriments. Plenty of oil getting to the heads and rockers! Note, oil will pour from the head if the valve covers are not in place. Good tension on the drill 360 degrees.

I also cleaned up my neutral safety wiring. The harness I bought was about 2' too long so I shortened it and ran the wiring up over the trans and up the firewall to the bulkhead. I attached the wiring just off the switch to the return line to keep it out of the way of the shifter rod.

Ordered my exhaust from Jegs. One of their 2.5" kits w/o mufflers, Dynomax Ultra-Flo welded 2.5" and a pair of ball connectors to go after the H pipe so I can easily remove the exhaust if needed. I will weld up my own H pipe to fit just behind the crossmember.

 

[threewood]

I installed my Bouchillion kick down cable this afternoon. You need several tools including 3 pairs of baby hands....it was frickin tight! The headers didn't help. The transmission hook up is pretty straight forward however. Hooked up, the cup end of the cable rubs the spring....no way around it.

Once you get to the manifold / carb brackets. take your time. The directions are not all together in the same section and the kit directions do not contain info on the throttle bracket, which is also pictured WRONG in the kit directions and contradicts the bracket directions. The bracket needs to be split and screwed together.

Besides that, the cable is smooth and actuates the throttle lever just fine. I'm not sure how i feel about plate after plate bolted together so I may weld the carb bracket together. Once I get my carburetor I will be able to tune it.

 

[69 GTX]

I got a kit with my transmission but I tried to see if I can get the manual linkage to work first. Yes it gets really tight down there!

 

[69 GTX]

Don't forget to wipe down your headers before firing, fingerprints can become permanent after a heat cycle.

 

[threewood]

Jegs exhaust arrived this morning. 2.5" with Ultra-Flo mufflers. I used this same kit for my 62 Belvedere (with modifications) and was impressed with it. All mandrel bends and all the hardware plus free shipping. I am going to add the two ball flange pieces so it can come apart if need be. I have had crap luck with u clamps. Every other seam will be welded and the mufglers are stainless so they should outlast the pipe.

 

[threewood]

This kit is NOT plug and play. The loop over the axle needs shortened and the pipe into the muffler needs cut down. And the bend in the pipe in front of the muffler needs straightened. At least I have a jump on it.

 

[threewood]

Working more on the exhaust today. I need to get the pipes from the headers to the mufflers finished then I can work on the H pipe. Lot of tweaks to do to the angles so I cut out a wedge, adjust and weld.

 

[moparnation74]

Working more on the exhaust today. I need to get the pipes from the headers to the mufflers finished then I can work on the H pipe. Lot of tweaks to do to the angles so I cut out a wedge, adjust and weld.
View attachment 428363

People have no idea the time you spent doing this......Great job 3 wood coming along nicely as always!

 

[threewood]

People have no idea the time you spent doing this......Great job 3 wood coming along nicely as always!

Thanks! It feels longer than what it really takes. The "kit" I am using is suppose to go right in. No way Jose! The S bend on the drivers side collector was way off as well as everything else. I probably could have dropped $800 on a TTI exhaust but what fun is that!?

I finished up my H pipe. I put the pipes in place, took some measurements and hand cut the ends. After test fitting a few times I ratchet strapped the pipe in and marked it.

Then I cut out the openings leaving the line plus 1/16". Cleaned it up, reattached everything and ratchet strapped the H pipe back in then laid some weld beads to hold it. Pulled it off and welded both sides. The shapes look funky but they fit, glad I don't have ocd. There is also ample room for my 3.5" driveshaft. All done ftom my garage floor!

 

[threewood]

I'm done for the night. I got the exhaust hung. I still need to run the over axle pipe on the passenger side and weld up the ball flange.

 

[threewood]

Got it all welded and buttoned up. No oem type chrome tips but I may go that route in the future. My arms are arc burned lol.

 

[tallhair]

Just finished your thread. Like your energy and build.