Rebirth of my 1970 GTX!

[t.flatt]

I'm gonna post this quick because I got these back in the mail today. These manifolds look amazing! I had Performance Coatings coat them in ceramic Satin Tungsten Grey. It should keep the heat down quite a bit and look great for many years! I had them plug the holes for the heat valve. I planned on this engine looking stock but that valve would not have done anything, anyways. There is no heat crossover on the Stealth heads. So, I went with the much cleaner look of eliminating it. I'm happy!!!

 

[t.flatt]

So, now I'm looking at this thing. I've got a 1969 18-spline and 1970 case and tailhousing to put it into. After a bit of playing around with it I have a pretty good idea of how it works! Looks like it spent a bit of time getting jambed into reverse. But, my novice eyes don't see much wrong.

 

[Nxcoupe]

So, now I'm looking at this thing. I've got a 1969 18-spline and 1970 case and tailhousing to put it into. After a bit of playing around with it I have a pretty good idea of how it works! Looks like it spent a bit of time getting jambed into reverse. But, my novice eyes don't see much wrong.

View attachment 1885903

Get close up pics of the clutch teeth, the little ring of monopoly houses on the leading edge if each gear by the slider. That is what wears, gear teeth themselves rarely are an issue. The clutch teeth and sliders are where they wear and what causes grinding and popping out of gear.

 

[blue69runner]

Manifolds look good. Coated mine on outside with coating from east wood. Still looking shiny even after driving for a while.

 

[t.flatt]

Get close up pics of the clutch teeth, the little ring of monopoly houses on the leading edge if each gear by the slider. That is what wears, gear teeth themselves rarely are an issue. The clutch teeth and sliders are where they wear and what causes grinding and popping out of gear.

Thanks for the tip! Now, I just have to get ahold of Brewer's and get some parts.

 

[TorRed]

I've considered a similar large stroker but stock looking build for my bird including manifolds, can you share what cam you used including specs? Thx

 

[t.flatt]

Manifolds look good. Coated mine on outside with coating from east wood. Still looking shiny even after driving for a while.

I was really tempted to use the Eastwood stuff as I want to do as much work as possible myself. But, a few things got farmed out. I hope yours stay looking great!

 

[t.flatt]

I've considered a similar large stroker but stock looking build for my bird including manifolds, can you share what cam you used including specs? Thx

I got the cam from Bob Karakashian. Really nice guy! Told him how I was building the engine and he said, "Yep, I'll get you a cam that will idle super smooth and have more torque and horsepower than almost any other cam out there." At twice the price... But, he doesn't give out any cam specs. Even after I asked for them. And, hey, I didn't have to burn my brain up deciding on what cam to use!

 

[TorRed]

I got the cam from Bob Karakashian. Really nice guy! Told him how I was building the engine and he said, "Yep, I'll get you a cam that will idle super smooth and have more torque and horsepower than almost any other cam out there." At twice the price... But, he doesn't give out any cam specs. Even after I asked for them. And, hey, I didn't have to burn my brain up deciding on what cam to use!

Thanks for the info. I actually want a decent 'lope' in my cam so mine would be a little more aggressive even if it didn't produce any more power than yours. Yours is an awesome build, congrats!

 

[t.flatt]

Thanks for the compliment!

 

[t.flatt]

I had to put the brakes on the tranny for a bit to get the K-frame painted. In my usual style I did it twice! I used Eastwood's epoxy primer and 2K ceramic chassis black. The first result looked like I sprinkled sand over it right before painting. Not what I wanted! I let the primer sit overnight and sprayed the black the next day. A guy at Eastwood said you have to let the primer cure for 72 hours before topcoating and that was my mistake. The cans say topcoat after 1 hour. So, whatever. I sanded it all down, such a fun part to do that to! Resprayed it with better results. A little more texture than what I was expecting, but it's going in the car like this! I also had the seams on it welded.

 

[t.flatt]

Here is a long overdue progress report. I painted the engine! The paint came from Frank Badalson and it looks awesome! The instructions state very clearly to not use any primer so I didn't. I did this months ago and finally got around to posting it. My Jeep has kept me busy during those months, but I'm back in car mode!

 

[t.flatt]

Now, it's time to do what I've been putting off since I got the car back from the paint shop. The cut and buff! So, these guys are gonna be my friends for a while. I have one fender done already and it's gonna be worth all the work! Here's a run down of what I'm doing... 1500 takes off the orange peel pretty quick, then, 2000, 2500, 3000. Then 3M's Perfect It 3-step polishing process. There may be some guy out there that wants to see this car go from really shiny to really dull to super shiny so I apologize. I'm not updating 'till it's done. Later, guys!

 

[Tinker67]

Now, it's time to do what I've been putting off since I got the car back from the paint shop. The cut and buff! So, these guys are gonna be my friends for a while. I have one fender done already and it's gonna be worth all the work! Here's a run down of what I'm doing... 1500 takes off the orange peel pretty quick, then, 2000, 2500, 3000. Then 3M's Perfect It 3-step polishing process. There may be some guy out there that wants to see this car go from really shiny to really dull to super shiny so I apologize. I'm not updating 'till it's done. Later, guys!

View attachment 1985339

Now it's time for the nervousness. Just wondering are you using foam polishing pads? If so, I found a way to clean them when they get somewhat clogged. I used a good 'wallpaper seam roller' chases that compound out of the pads like the edge of a screwdriver does on a wool pad. Just a thought. Car is gonna be beautiful, great work sir.

 

[t.flatt]

Now it's time for the nervousness. Just wondering are you using foam polishing pads? If so, I found a way to clean them when they get somewhat clogged. I used a good 'wallpaper seam roller' chases that compound out of the pads like the edge of a screwdriver does on a wool pad. Just a thought. Car is gonna be beautiful, great work sir.

Thanks for the compliment and the tip! Yeah, I have the white, black and blue foam pads from 3M. Yes, it is pretty nerve wracking taking sand paper to your new paint job. Sanding through the clear would be very bad! But, so far so good!

 

[t.flatt]

Ok, I'm over half way done on the cut and buff! Here is a shot of my neighborhood reflected off the deck-lid. Everything is going great!