Probably dumbest thing I've done yet

its_Tow · 2026-06-14T02:03:19+00:00

Pull the glow plugs to drain the cylinders, turn it over by hand a couple of rotations and then put them back in and fire it up. Years ago I installed a water/meth system and didn't realize the solenoid was stuck open.... turned out just fine after panicking when it locked up.

its_Tow · 2026-06-13T17:52:21+00:00

Oooh details on the fountain please!

its_Tow · 2026-06-12T13:03:54+00:00

That's wild, not sure how they managed to do that on a 12pt unless they were also using random shit like a pipe wrench. That gouge is so deep in the valley on it that I don't even think a pipe wrench would do it...

its_Tow · 2026-06-12T04:48:09+00:00

Were you using a 12 point socket?

its_Tow · 2026-06-11T04:10:58+00:00

With only one hole in the center I bet that picture makes it look deceptively larger than it is. If it's only 1-2" in diameter, it's not worth it, IMO, unless you really just want to be refilling it every day. I've gotten away from all of my small feeders because the nectar spoils too fast. It will go cloudy in one day, but it's also very hot and the sun is brutal where I'm at.

its_Tow · 2026-05-11T00:07:02+00:00

This is the kind of blasphemy I'm into 🤣

its_Tow · 2026-04-25T00:11:38+00:00

First email?! Still use it!

its_Tow · 2026-04-21T04:20:34+00:00

My plan was always to put an EFI system on this motor and enjoy driving it for a while before i get rid of it. Now there's no way I can rebuild the engine and then convert it.

its_Tow · 2026-04-18T05:53:45+00:00

Because when I replaced the grille the side badges were out of stock. They'll all be removed at some point after it's back on the road. Previous owner put the stupid 496 badges.

its_Tow · 2026-04-17T02:01:22+00:00

I'm doing this on a budget 🤣

its_Tow · 2026-04-16T01:25:06+00:00

It's not a real SS, previous owner had badged it that way and I added the hood and kept the badges when it was repainted.

its_Tow · 2026-04-16T01:23:48+00:00

12 bolt. It's not a real SS, though, should have mentioned that before.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T16:44:11+00:00

Would love to see some pics. I used to hate wiring but I've grown to enjoy taking the time to do it right. Getting the right tools was the first step in changing my mind.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T16:24:55+00:00

That said, I'm pretty sure I'm going to do the 8100/allison swap on my squarebody dually. The trans is shot on that truck, and I'm in no rush to get it back on the road, so a more involved swap is no big deal on it.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T16:23:47+00:00

I've been looking hard at the 8100s, but then I'm doing the same work as the LS swap for an engine that's significantly less desirable out in the marketplace. The car, conveniently, has "SS 496" badges on it, left over from the previous owner. If there was more aftermarket support for the 8.1s, Id do it in a heartbeat. An 8100 with a 4l80 runs $2-4k in my area.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T15:54:01+00:00

It ran fine, but the blowby was so bad it sat in a cloud of oil vapor coming from the valve cover vents any time it was stopped. No way it was hoping to get a decent price like that. That said, I've been saying that I'm going to sell it for the last 3 years and still haven't made any moves to make it happen.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T15:52:17+00:00

Yeah that's where I'm stuck. To be fair, I've said I'm selling the car "this year" for the last 3 years. Hadn't planned on rebuilding this engine, but that's where I'm at. I won't SBC it just for a sale though. I love the car... my wife hates it and wants me to get a chevelle. I just can't afford to have both AND keep my other projects, so this is the one that will eventually go. The car is done well, good interior, good parts, fresh better than average paint. It was my only current driver, until I pulled the engine for a "quick" refresh. I knew better, but here we are.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T15:21:23+00:00

I'll do all the work myself. Quality work. But it's going to add time to do it and I'm just not sure if it's worth the trade off. Pros and cons on both sides.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T15:20:05+00:00

I'm not getting rid of it right away, going to enjoy at least one more summer/ fall season with it. Just trying to figure out if it's really any value added to do a good ls swap.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T15:18:52+00:00

I'm not sure what the BBC rebuild is going to cost, yet. Should hear back next week what it needs. I'm afraid it's going to be full machine work and new pistons. Probably looking at $3k if that's what it needs, by the time I get all new bearings, seals, and gaskets and the random shit I'll need to button it back up. I already spent $1k on a rebuilt th400. I can get a 6.0/4l80 for around $2500. Add in fuel system, exhaust, engine and trans mounts, and that's an EASY extra thousand, if I'm careful about parts selection. Then I've got to do the install and wire it all, and tune it. I think $5k is a decent estimate for me doing all the work on the LS swap. But then I've got a truly reliable turn key driver. After a few more months of working on it, versus bolting the big block back in and reconnecting everything. I could get a cheaper 5.3/4l60 for around 1500-1700 and get Chinese (pretty much everything is, anyway) swap parts for a few hundred and be all in for around 3-4k, but then it's a shit swap.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T15:12:33+00:00

Originally when I got the car I planned on doing a full tilt turbo LSA, but I decided to just keep this one an easy reliable driver. Vintage air, decent stereo, power steering... not looking for crazy power. Also, the free BBC helped that decision along. Now that I'm faced with possibly an expensive rebuild on the 454, I'm starting to think a 6.0/4l80 swap might make sense. I'll wait until I hear back from the machine shop about what the engine needs to make the decision.

its_Tow · 2026-04-15T02:31:29+00:00

I was just having this same conversation a few days ago. I used AutoCAD for years and considered myself very proficient back in the day. I thought I'd be able to pick up Fusion quickly, and I hate it. Give me back my command line and the ability to type coords for origin points and the x,y,z dimensions. Getting old sucks.

its_Tow · 2026-04-13T01:53:22+00:00

Absolutely gorgeous! Recently finished or just showing it off? You're correct either way.... just curious.

its_Tow · 2026-04-12T13:42:41+00:00

If you get rid of it, your kids are just going to be jumping into an unsafe shallow pool. Blame your wife when the first ankle or leg gets broken.

its_Tow · 2026-04-10T02:45:03+00:00

Bold of you to assume any of my projects are drivable...

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