4 speed swap-70-For F sake

[Lee Bacon]

Mark wheelz is right. My exp. has been that every time I try to use the roller pilot bushing I just fight it. So i just buy the bronze one & it fit's every time! Just my experiance.

[moleary]

I installed the bronze pilot bushing.

[Lee Bacon]

Sorry Mark in one of your pic's I thought it was the pilot bushing It will go in it's just that when your lifting it you have to get it just right. I layed under the tran's & just lifted it till it slipped right in. Kind of precision you know. Wish I was there to help

[moleary]

not much progress expected AGAIN this weekend on the stick job, the parts for the tranny failed to show up again

The pilot bushing is now correct ID". I fabbed up a couple speedo cable clips

Maybe next weekend

[wheelz]

Mark... Didja reach Dennis @ DME? Wheelz, Tampa Bay

[moleary]

Hi Dennis, I wish I had, but no, not for these parts as I already had someone sending me the parts and it is taking longer than need be...I will for anything else I need though

[moleary]

I plan to rest and hang with the family today (Sunday), so this is this weekend's progress report- for those who care:

FRIDAY- played hookey again. I finally got the shift shafts to swap in for the 70 linkage set up. Upon doing so, I discovered that the scabby (E-bay) dog who sold me the "rebuilt trans" failed to replace the worn reverse gears By the looks of the speedo gear, it was ameture hour rebuild. The rest of the trans is fresh. I discovered the gear issue in time Friday to find a new set in Seattle. ($200) and a speedo gear ($40) so I was not dead in the water over the weekend. I outsmarted myself this time- I set the new speedo gear on the hallogen shop light while fussing with the the other gears and it heated up nicely to expand it so I just slid it on by gloved hand over the output shaft TIP: Be quick here though to get it to it's correct location because that puppy cooled quick and gripped onto that shaft in seconds.

I sand blasted the Lakewood bellhousing and block plate and refinished them, put in storage for now.

Power windows are almost in. Pass Driver's door is done and hung. I replaced the hinge bushings Rear Q's windows are done. Wires are run complete less passenger door, which needs to be removed, holes drilled, etc.

SATURDAY: SO, trans is now in good shape now. I fit the linkage and shifter; all good! Reinstalled the clutch and decided to re-assemble the car with the factory style bellhousing just to get the car working correctly.

Road trip to painter man's shop about 1 hr away to pick up the fresh body parts. Re-assembled rear spoiler to deck lid, and sport mirrors; hung them and hood. Very nice indeed.

Trans is ready to go in now, but out of time for this weekend, kids. See you next weekend where we try to button up the trans swap project, the power windows, and get the interior back together test drive - weather permitting.

[Lee Bacon]

Nice Mark, glad it's finally coming together!!!! WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[moleary]

Now that picture would bring a tear to a glass eye

Not a bad day at all. Tranny installed and filled with Redline GL-4, final trim on tunnel hump for shifter fit, all linkage and clutch connected, crossmember and fresh driveline installed, shifter boot and trim ring installed and the carpet kit was fit.

I also continued with the power window install and hopefully tomorrow I can have it all back together.

It is supposed to continue raining so no test drive tomorrow; plan to adjust clutch, continue power windows and perhaps start the front bench rebuild / recovering project

Off to dinner with the lovely wife and cocktails!

[glen roberts]

Looks good Mark

[moleary]

Thanks Glen, I hope it all works as good as it looks.

[moleary]

all done. The weather has been sunny and beautiful. Been out test driving, everything seem s ok so far..

[moleary]

Time for an update: so far so good.

I have put about 100 +/- miles ( 8 +/- hours) on it over the past couple weeks, laid into it plenty, and everything seems ok thus far. I have stayed on the Island pretty much and only strayed off once about 10 miles from home. It’s a blast to drive! The car definitely is not as “smooth” as the hydro-matic, but definitely is a kick in the pants to drive

For the most part, it shifts smoothly, but I still do not think everything is 100% perfect in the bell crank / clutch-rod geometry department. I slotted the frame bracket a little bit to allow it to line up better which helped tremendously. I don't think there is an issue with motor mounts so I have not replaced them yet.

Last weekend I swapped back to the factory Ralleys with the 245/60/15 because I just do not like the look of anything but a factory Ralleys. Needless to say, looks sharp, but not enough tire, and too hard of a compound. It will wheel hop now, but, I have not yet installed the trailing arm frame braces.

This weekend will allow for plenty more “test” time.

[moleary]

What a great week with the weather in the 80's. I took the beast to work Wednesday and Thursday to give it some road rash in the big city and all went great. I put new hides on today so traction is now somewhat attainable in second and third if I don't mash it and it just loves shifting as it bounces off the rev limiter set at 6K rpm. What a ride.

[Rick Henderson]

Mark,
How is the car doing now? Can you tell me about the results of the dynomat install and if it really helped out much? Did you install any of the sound blocker?

[moleary]

Hi Rick, I only installed the mat as the pics show, and realized substantial noise reduction. I tend to think the vehicle stays cooler also.

Car still rips through the gears just fine, thanks! There is just nothing like rowing the gears on a Big Block Rag Top BUICK. I cant wait to put an OD trans in there like someone I know......

I talked with DK today; I'll call you as I would love to see DJ's car...

Talk soon. MO

[flynbuick]

Did you consider a Lakewood adjustable pivot ball?

[moleary]

Hey Jim, yes, the bellhousing did have the adjustable ball and I did actually get it all set up, but, since Lakewood can not figure out to make a boot for the fork, I opted to remove it all and sell that scatter shield set up to Herb and stuck with factory set up as I will not be drag racing this car....