67 Firebird-Part 2

[rickpaw]

Thanks for posting all of this!! I'm hoping to do this conversion at some point. I can't believe that that oil pan is $500!!

You're welcome. Regarding oil pans, I looked at Holley/F-body oil pans as alternatives and found that Holley oil pan mimic the shape of the stock oil pan best, but by the time the baffle kit is added, it will push the cost to $600. You can skip the baffle kit ($200), but I want to track the car in the future and don't want any oiling issue. The F-body pan is cheaper, but based on my measurements it will be tight fit with the DSE mounts. The Mast oil pan is nice design wise, but the casting on my pan is pretty rough looking, not something I'd expect from a $460 part. Plus, it eliminates the 2 lower belt housing mounting holes.

Something to think about.

[SamHatco]

Hey, Tu, making great progress. You'll be up and running in no time.

Sam

[rickpaw]

Thanks Sam. I'm hoping to get it rolling again this summer.

[rickpaw]

Progress had been slow as I got distracted with other things, but managed to work on the swap a little bit.

The 11" single diaphram brake booster was a little too big, so I swapped it for a 9" dual diaphram one from Tuff Stuf.





Ordered/received wire harness/ECU from PSI

[rickpaw]

Swapped out the stock trans cooler lines fittings for AN fitting from Fragola's



Did a quick rattle can rebuilt job on the engine block


And installed the coolant/oil pressure sending units. I had to drill out the autometer M12 adapter out a bit for the Dakota Digital coolant probe to fit thru.

[LUV2XLR8]

what's the part numbers on the AN fittings from Fragola?

[rickpaw]

It's 481670-bl. Got mine from summit

[rickpaw]

Progress had been really slow on the swap, mainly because of family activities, and it's getting hot in Tx.

I converted the stock shifter using Shiftworks kit.



Stock shifter disassembled



Shiftworks detent compared to the stock one


After about 20 mins of cutting/grinding/hammering, I removed the stock detent.


Shifter put back together with new neutral switch/bushing and detent.

[rickpaw]

I swapped the stock valley cover and converted the PCV system to LS6 style PCV.

New LS6 cover next to old one.


I got lucky and did not have to mod the block. I guess the truck block is slightly different than the LS1 block.


Transfered the knock sensors over to new cover and installed back up with new gasket/bolts.

[rickpaw]

Dropped the engine/tranny back in the car. Hopefully it won't come back out for a long time.



Installed the Holley accessory drive brackets.


That's it for now. Next is laying out the harness, and I also have a tilt column coming from GMtilt.com.

[68firebird]

Looking good!

[SamHatco]

Looks great, Tu. Yes its getting hot now, triple digits. Now get a fan and get in the garage and finish it.



Sam

[rickpaw]

Now get a fan and get in the garage and finish it.

Sam

Sam,

I have 2 fans going at full blast and it wasn't enough. LOL. Yesterday afternoon when I went out and ran the harness, everything I touched was hot.

Tu

[rickpaw]

Since it was cool(er) this morning, I snuck out and got some stuff done.

installed the shifter with new gear indicator markings



Got the new Lokar throttle cable installed


Started installing the harness, coil packs, headers. Had to bend the fuel inlet slightly to clear the bigger truck coil



Pass side header is really close to the starter. I have to get some heat shield for it, or go with a mini starter




overall shot of the engine. still have to run charge wire, mount the ECU.

[rickpaw]

Received the tilt column from Jim @ GMtilt.com earlier in the week.


Got it loosely installed


Also made the bracket to mount the truck ecu holder on the pass inner fender where the battery was.



ECU mounted

[rickpaw]

Also mocked up the intake tubes. Looks like I have to get a new fan as the Mark VII fan is too thick, and interfered with the intakes.


mounted the trans cooler

[rickpaw]

Installed new drive shaft from Inland Empire Driveline



The stock transmission pan interfered with the pass side O2 sensor, so a replacement pan for a Tahoe was ordered.

The old pan next to the replacement one. The new one has a notch on the corner that clears the O2 sensor.

[rickpaw]

Looks like I'm behind on my updates.

Been working feverishly to get the car ready for cruising the coast in Oct.

Installed Champion rad/Meradyne fan since the Mark V fan is too thick




Bought this little guy from ebay to hook the steam vent to.




Engine compartment shot. Everything is hooked up.

[rickpaw]

Bought a Procar Sportsman Pro seat to replace the Elite seats I sold awhile back



My 3 year old sign of approval

[rickpaw]

Over the last weekend tried to start the engine for the first time. There was minor fuel leak around the pressure gauge. Turned out the AN fitting was just finger tight. Got that fixed. No other leaks was found. I was stoked.

First start. It ran for 2-3 seconds, then stumbled and died. Have a code (P0102-MAF sensor). Click on the images for video links at photobucket.


Checked voltage at the MAF sensor. 5 volt at yellow/black, 12v at pink/black. Decided to unplug the MAF sensor, and this time the engine stayed running.


Any thoughts on the MAF issue? I'm going to check for vacuum leaks next.