Here we go. One last time...

[oldbee]

Now it's time to sit in lounger in driveway& just SMILE!

 

[moparedtn]

Full disclosure time:
There were a couple hiccups today, if I'm being honest:
1. I had the distributor in there 180 off. A couple pops through the exhaust on the initial try at starting and I was right back out there, pulling it and rotating 180.
She fired right off after that.
2. I noticed after a few minutes that the crank pulley was wobbling fairly badly.
The moment my wife went back in the house to start dinner, I had the shroud and fan off that thing while it was still hot, investigating.
Sure enough.....loose bolts, apparently never tightened.
Oy.
Had it all back together in nothing flat and all was well after that.

 

[oldbee]

Well we know ur honest anyway- never could've went perfect, never does.

 

[moparedtn]

Don't lie was the better half watching the o.p. gauge or you?!Very,very happy for you both! Sounded rich, lol.Great job both of ya!

Thank you so much, my friend, for hanging in here with me and helping.
No, I did the first startup (wasn't going to let her be the one to wreck the dang thing), so it was me nervously listening to the mariachi band and staring hard at the oil pressure gauge until the thing built some up - and when it did, it shot up to 80psi cold!
Mercy....

 

[BeeKool]

Way to go Ed! That was quite an accomplishment despite we real setbacks.

 

[oldbee]

Well then u did it wrong, I was always under the hood when firing up 1st time.

 

[Ladysmith Bob]

Take the rest of the weekend off and spend some time with family. Recharge for next week!

 

[oldbee]

My (probably now infamous) '68 GTX has started undergoing yet another engine swap
after all sorts of attempts to diagnose and repair the "mystery motor" 440 it came with when I bought it.
Given my present health situation, this will be the last time I ever do this.
It is what it is.
I hope everyone will sort of follow along and keep an eye on me as I try to do this mostly alone.

First off, I bought an engine from a gentleman out in Las Vegas. This was his eBay ad:
View attachment 395775
View attachment 395776

I just happened upon it right after he first put it up and immediately contacted him requesting video of it running. He graciously provided same:


Sounded good to me, so the deal was struck immediately and he took it down off eBay - even though I reminded him that if he left the auction alone, he'd surely get more than what we agreed on.
He'd hear none of it; we had a good long talk and he was happy it was going to a good home.

A week later, it arrived:
View attachment 395788 View attachment 395789 View attachment 395790 View attachment 395791 View attachment 395792
Looked perfect, no damage. Dang engine stand drooped under its' weight.

There was no turning back now...

Z. AND this was the first post, I think.

 

[oldbee]

I do unfortunately see future posts concerning little problems!! It always happens. Kiss ur wife!

 

[khryslerkid]

It's Alive!

Good job! Another hurtle! Fine tune and enjoy!

 

[moparedtn]

Now it's time to sit in lounger in driveway& just SMILE!

Nope, not yet.
Next is the road test!
I can already tell this new clutch is gonna take some getting used to.

 

[OH71RRunner]

So glad to see you got it going. Congrats!

 

[moparedtn]

Way to go Ed! That was quite an accomplishment despite we real setbacks.

Thanks much, BK. Yeah, seems like forever since I started this. My back is wrecked, but for some reason I don't feel it as much this evening.

Well then u did it wrong, I was always under the hood when firing up 1st time.

Eh, maybe. I wanted to be the one turning the key first time, watching gauges, listening. I didn't want her to feel bad if something had gone wrong.

Take the rest of the weekend off and spend some time with family. Recharge for next week!

Now that the weekend is shot - ok, I will.
I spent all day yesterday on tractor chores, errands to town, vehicle stuff. Overdid things and re-aggravated the disc in my lower back that pinches the nerves running down my right leg. Fire, man, all the way down...
Didn't matter. Today was going to be the day, hell or high water.

Z. AND this was the first post, I think.

Seems like years ago, doesn't it? I am very thankful He saw fit to let me see this day. Whatever time I got left, it's ok now. I can rest a little.

I do unfortunately see future posts concerning little problems!! It always happens. Kiss ur wife!

Sure. I have to learn about Edelbrock 1407's now.
Oh, she's been kissed a bunch already.
She saw it in my eyes when it became apparent the engine was going to be ok and just grabbed me.
Guess I got something in my eye...

It's Alive!
Good job! Another hurtle! Fine tune and enjoy!

Thanks much KK! Yessir, time to play with the little things. Finally.

 

[moparwacko]

Nice work Ed, give the Mrs a hug and say thanks.
Oh and the test drive should be a "date", take her for a root beer float just like the old days.

 

[moparedtn]

So glad to see you got it going. Congrats!

Very kind of you. Much appreciated!
Such a relief for the car to go from "burden always in the back of my mind" to "hey, I could actually take it out for a drive!"

 

[moparedtn]

Nice work Ed, give the Mrs a hug and say thanks.
Oh and the test drive should be a "date", take her for a root beer float just like the old days.

Thanks!
Hey, that's an awesome idea!

 

[moparwacko]

Well, enjoy the moment -well deserved.
Rest up my friend, you do realize they are never "done". Hehe

And you can't go anywhere until it's done.

Lots of good carb guys on here, so let a new thread begin.

 

[moparedtn]

Well, enjoy the moment -well deserved.
Rest up my friend, you do realize they are never "done". Hehe
And you can't go anywhere until it's done.
Lots of good carb guys on here, so let a new thread begin.

True dat, it's not done - but this is a major step toward the plan being completed.
MY wife asked me this evening if I still thought "car done = ME done".
Told her today was a wonderful gift, but the plan is still the plan.
Good to know the car isn't a project now, but a runner again.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Congratulations ! the baby was born ! Reminded me of the thrill I had when Brutus first came to life. . Your exhaust and cam sound very similar to mine. What mufflers and size pipe do you have? .........................MO

 

[moparedtn]

Congratulations ! the baby was born ! Reminded me of the thrill I had when Brutus first came to life. . Your exhaust and cam sound very similar to mine. What mufflers and size pipe do you have? .........................MO

Thanks very much again, my friend.
The thing had this exhaust on it when I bought the car (good Lord - it's been over six years ago now!). It's 3" duals with some sort of two chamber Flowmaster clone looking mufflers on it and it's rather obnoxious.
Honestly, it used to rattle a little on things on the passenger side somewhere, but something I did this time around has "cured" that.
Beats me what....but I'm not going to replace a rust-free system.

I did use the Remflex header gaskets and new collector bolts (Hedman) this time and they both worked beautifully.
The cam is a mystery, but I could see the familiar purple coloring on it with the distributor out. I'm guessing it's the 484?