Cascade Crew

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

So this weekend I started my engine swap for the Firebird. I got the engine, harness, transmission, rear end, rear suspension and fuel tank removed. Having all of that old junk out of the way I cleaned the crap out of the underside of the car and engine compartment. Now I'm just waiting on some new paint to spray under the hood before installing the new engine. I also took the time to clean, de-rust, and paint the rear end and 5 speed. I'm currently waiting on a new filler next for my new fuel tank unless someone here has any tips on removing the old one from the old tank.

As soon as I can get a new filler neck I plan on reinstalling the fuel tank so I can put in my new shocks and spohn rear suspension so the car can sit on 4 tires again. Then of course I'll get a few friends to help me drop in the new motor. Not that I'm not capable of doing it by myself but I'd rather not scratch up anything or break stuff on my pretty new motor. I can't wait to see what this polished tpi looks like on it either. With any luck within the next two weeks I'll have it fired up and won't have to drive the pos SHO any longer.

- J-bone

aaron_sK · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:26 pm Post subject:

Take the tank to a local radiator shop. They should be able to fix the neck for you for a few $$$.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:18 pm Post subject:

Just weld it Laughing

I got a two part epoxy from the parts store made for repairing tanks. It's worked for 3 years so far.....

iansane · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject:

cameron7710 · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:02 pm Post subject:

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject:

Crazy Canadians.

Canada

blue89 · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject:

"It's on fire, omg!" Weld faster! Laughing

Spikeophant · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:27 am Post subject:

I've welded gas tanks before, just flush it out with water first, and leave a bit in the bottom....

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

I just want to figure out how to get the filler neck out of my old tank so I can put it in the new tank. (swapped tanks only for compatibility with fuel injection and larger capacity)

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

Ok, so I got a welder to remove the filler neck from my old tank. It was fixed using silver-solder. It is not TIG welded in place because he didn't have any silver solder. Hopefully I'll never have to take it out ever again.

I have now removed everything from the engine compartment except the crossmember. I had some light royal blue paint mixed up at the local paint shop. I'm going to spend the day sanding her down and getting ready to paint.

iansane · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:03 pm Post subject:

Sweet! Progress is good. Any pictures?

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

I got the rear end in, the fuel tank in and wired up. I apologize for the bad image quality, my phone sucks.

Red Bird · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:34 pm Post subject:

Looks good! what type of paint/prep work did you do to your differential.

blue89 · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject:

I agree, paint looks decent and the goodies look nice. I have an axle I need to paint so how did you prep yours? And no relocators for your LCA's?

RSFreak · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:31 pm Post subject:

I like this quote from the youtube video:

"you are dangerous and will die a stupid death"

Laughing

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

As far as the paint prep, I just took it home, scraped off as much of the grease, oil and dirt as I could. Sprayed it with degreaser, scrubbed it with a plastic brush. Pressure washed it, repeating until there wasn't any grease left. Then I wirebrushed the crap out of it. Finally I cleaned it with grease and wax remover.

I just used some good old rustoleum to paint it. I've done it before and had it work out pretty good. If I cared enough I might have sent it out for power coating or something, but that would be in a dream world for me. I really just took the thing out to access the fuel tank. It was just hard for me to put it back in after all the work of taking it off. I also took the opportunity to replace my control arms, panhard bar, and shocks, I still have to align everything but it's Sunday and I wanted to get home and watch "Life" and eat some pizza.

I'm not getting too insane with this because I doubt I'll break anything in the rear with a TPI 305.

...having said that someone is going to reply about how they blew their's with 305.

flea · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:38 am Post subject:

Dewey316 · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:21 am Post subject:

You should be fine with it, as long as you don't grab sudden traction. Keep the drag radials off it, and you should be alright.

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

Some more pictures from today.

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

More! Should have her running today.