Project SicMonte

[SRD art]

I have a question for you Doug. Im getting ready to do a cheap paint job on my cutlass. Assuming you have seen people do the $50 paint job, http://www.rickwrench.com/index79mas...llarpaint.html , and you would paint your car again would you do it with the rattle can like you did or do the bit of extra work and try this method? As far as im concerned i have more important things to pay for at the moment besides a fancy and pricy paint job.

If you put that much effort into it you could paint your car with a dish sponge and house paint and have it turn out that nice. I did mine almost a year ago with 7 cans of Rustoleum semi gloss black, which yielded 2 coats. It was a super quick and ugly job, but I simply wanted to cover bare spots and body work with something that wasn't porous like primer. The only prep I did was quickly sand the old paint with 320 grit on a da, wash it, tack cloth (which was a waste since I sprayed it half in the garage, half in the driveway) and then spray. Except for some paint chips here and there (largely due to really inadequate prep in those areas), it looks fine. For kicks I recently did a quick buff with some old cleaner/wax laying around and it made it a bit more shiny. My investment was about $35 in paint plus some sandpaper. Page 25 of my build thread shows how I did it and some thoughts about the results. Sorry for the thread hijack Doug.

[SicMonte]

Help I've been hijacked!!!! lol


Here's a couple fun facts:

1) Trans came with a clutch and flywheel that a certain company has offered to inspect, service/rebuild and balance for me.

2) Going with a G Force crossmember...simple easy bolt in.

3) Going with Finch shifter boot.

4) any ideas on what shifter I should use? This one has nothing for a shifter....

5) I need to change my speedo...still looking into options for that.

[carguykeith]

I have a vote for 5, I'm really happy with my Speedhut unit I can change transmissions, rear gears, engines, tires and anything else yet still keep an accurate speedo.

http://www.speedhut.com/gauges/GPS-S...-inch/1:3|37:3

[SSLance]

For a speedo, I recommend...



and this shifter works good as well

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Core-Shifter...02554e&vxp=mtr


Actually, I just noticed that is an auction for the 6" and you need the 7.5" shifter handle... 7.5" and canted towards the driver... I can't find that one listed right now but I'm certain he has it. Might have to call him, he'll include whatever shifter ball you want as well.

[rchaskin]

I know!!!! I'm going to try my best to get it all done in time.

Do you have your T56 behind a SBC?

Yes, I have a LT1 style T56 behind a GM crate. I have the CT400 crate motor in my car.

[SicMonte]

Yes, I have a LT1 style T56 behind a GM crate. I have the CT400 crate motor in my car.

tell me more....tell me more!!!! What flywheel...clutch...pedals...hydraulics....?

[SicMonte]

I have a feeling that I will be using my "Speed Box" app on my iPhone as my speedo for a while. Budget doesnt allow for a new speedo at this time.

[SSLance]

Doug, you are fine with the F-body master hydraulics in your pictures, as long as it's still sealed up. If it's broke open, go ahead and spend the $90 to get a new fresh master cylinder. I'd get a pedal from Bernie (SickSpeedMonte) as soon as you can if I were you, not sure how many he has left. If you'd rather go the John B pedal route, I have one of those that I'd sell you. Either one is good, Bernie's is just easier to push in the further the pedal travels (makes it nice in traffic).

[SicMonte]

For a speedo, I recommend...



and this shifter works good as well

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Core-Shifter...02554e&vxp=mtr


Actually, I just noticed that is an auction for the 6" and you need the 7.5" shifter handle... 7.5" and canted towards the driver... I can't find that one listed right now but I'm certain he has it. Might have to call him, he'll include whatever shifter ball you want as well.

Once I get the trans in the car and everything settled...then I will seasrch for a shifter.

Remember that I have fixed back Kirkey Road Race seats...so I am pretty planted in the car. The shifter is going to have to be pretty spot on for me in those seats.

I have been looking at the Bowler shifters and the White Lightening ones from American Power Train.

Of course all this depends on next week and the verdict if this trans is any good....

[SicMonte]

Doug, you are fine with the F-body master hydraulics in your pictures, as long as it's still sealed up. If it's broke open, go ahead and spend the $90 to get a new fresh master cylinder. I'd get a pedal from Bernie (SickSpeedMonte) as soon as you can if I were you, not sure how many he has left. If you'd rather go the John B pedal route, I have one of those that I'd sell you. Either one is good, Bernie's is just easier to push in the further the pedal travels (makes it nice in traffic).

Lol....first thing I did when I got this was call Bernie. I have one with my name on it!!!

The master and hydraulics look brand new! I think the slave cylinder is there too? Remember...I am manual/clutch challenged so Im not really sure what everything does just yet.

[SSLance]

If the master cylinder, reservoir, and slave cylinder are all still connected by hydraulic line and sealed up, you are probably good to go with it. Don't break it open...for any reason. They are basically impossible to bleed, if there is any trouble with it...just pick up a complete new set.

[SicMonte]

If the master cylinder, reservoir, and slave cylinder are all still connected by hydraulic line and sealed up, you are probably good to go with it. Don't break it open...for any reason. They are basically impossible to bleed, if there is any trouble with it...just pick up a complete new set.

I'll take pics of what I have tonight when I get home.

and a lil insight on my dash and gauges.....Im making a new sheet metal dash for the car. No frills...just sheet metal and gauges and switches...going rull race car lol.

I dont like alot of flash...as you can already tell by my car.

[SSLance]

You need one of these too Doug

http://cart.grcperformance.com/oscom...products_id=69

I'm a firm believer in buying the right too for the job once, and never thinking about it again, this fits that bill perfectly.




Your T56 has a Vehicle Speed Sensor in it. You need a way to read that sensor for several issues depending on your setup. That is why I went with the Dakota Digital dash for s Speedometer. It reads the VSS signal for the speedometer, and sends it back out through the module which in my car I use for the reverse lockout as well as the VSS signal to my ECM that I'm still running.

The plus also...is it gives you a great set of other gauges to use as well...all in one nice decently priced package.

Another tool to do a job that you buy once and forget about.

[SicMonte]

hmmm...so I have to hook up a speedo to the trans in order for the trans to work?

I was planning on just using an automoeter gauge...not sure which one yet though.

[rchaskin]

I had a mechanical speedo conversion done on my tailhousing. I did not want to run an electric speedo.
I used factory pedals, LT1 style hydraulics (GM# 12559912) with the Speedtech's pedal adapter and firewall mount.

I ditched the factory aluminum bellhousing and used a McLeod Scattershield (Sum# MCL-8760-00)
I also used McLeod on evrything else.
Flywheel (Sum# MCL-8760-00)
Clutch kit (Sum# MCL-75216)
Roller Pilot (Sum# MCL-8605)

Hurst Shifter (Sum# HUU-3915061) I had to get a white shifter ball for it...could not get used to the black one.

I also had to have my trans built, as it was bad to start with.

Works great now.

[SRD art]

I had a mechanical speedo conversion done on my tailhousing. I did not want to run an electric speedo.

What was involved with that? Something you did or a trans shop had to do?

[rchaskin]

What was involved with that? Something you did or a trans shop had to do?

Done by trans shop. See this.

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...light=rchaskin

[SSLance]

hmmm...so I have to hook up a speedo to the trans in order for the trans to work?

I was planning on just using an autometer gauge...not sure which one yet though.

No, it doesn't affect the trans either way...but you'll need a VSS signal for the lockout solenoid linked above to work.

You can get it from the VSS signal to your autometer gauge as well I suppose, not sure what they use for a module to run it?

[SicMonte]

Here's what I got in the "kit".....

The clutch, pressure plate and flywheel are all going to be serviced, inspected, and balanced by a very very very good clutch company. I will sing their praises once I actually send the parts out! Hint: They are the CENTER of attention in the clutch world and are a FORCE to be reckoned with.

[SicMonte]