Made a spacer for the tranny cooler lines, one rubber part was burning on the header. Need more coolant after checking again. 16.3 quarts is a good amount
Thats precisely why I used the blue silicone hose with AN fittings. I did a 120* back bend at the trans and ran the hoses above and across at the trans crossmember, and up through the frame rails to exit right at the radiator. What a smooth move! ws
I took it out, got it up to temp driving around along the higher speed roadways. Parked it, timed it at 14* initial, 34* total, 8* vacuum. Tranny fluid was low by maybe 2 quarts, so those are going in now. Even with an idle so tuned that water is dripping out of the tailpipes (along with a huge driverside exhaust leak), it still sounds heavily cammed. It will idle at stoplights as it should, and never drops below 800 unless held in gear at the light (750rpm). I wasn't able to fully nail it, cause I knew there wouldn't be enough fluid, so i went about my merry way. However, I did hit the 3000rpm stall of the 12" converter. Nothing can really be said about the performance of the car yet, especially since I was down on fluid. I'll update the folks again when I fill it up and go for a second test drive of many more drives to come. I thank you all for listening in to the ramblings of a 19 yr old, going from questions about water pump holes to, eventually, crossing the 1320th foot at Lebanon. Thanks again, and I hope this is informative for all the young (and old) guys here. We have what it takes
And if anyone has any TA Riviera downpipes laying around, I would beg you to sell them. And don't worry, there will be videos coming...
Briz was right, I'm bored. Made a 30* mark on the balancer, tightened up exhaust with several new clamps, used Muffler Weld to try and seal the massive collector leaks. Started cleaning things and the car. Can't wait to let the muffler weld set and then take it out tomorrow.
Dont worry, You'll never run outta stuff to do on the car. U will run outta money way before projects.
Dont worry. Your in good (broke) company. Not many of us have cool cars and lots of extra cash. I've found ways over the years to make my cars help make me money.
Everyone has a lack of finances at age 19. Don’t worry, that should improve, and don’t wish your life away.
I have really enjoyed this thread - great work and I appreciate you have shared the good, the bad and the ugly. We all have those moments with our cars. After reviewing all the pics, one thing I hope you change is the location of your fuel filter. My first wildcat had a filter in nearly the same spot (someone had cut the steel line) and I remember the day I swapped the filter and one of those 20 cent clamps failed -- fuel started spraying all over. I was thankful I was there as I can't imagine what would have happened if fuel hit the distributor. It's not a good spot for a break in the line IMHO. Again, congrats on all your efforts!
Alright I'll be linking in videos shortly. What is the stock length of the Buick 430 pushrods? I, just as predicted, ran into too much preload and it will not rev over 4200. But, from there and below, it's making so much more power. Not placebo, because my friend was shocked by the difference. I now need pushrods that will create less preload
Here is a cut and paste of Larry's excellent primer on correct and easy measuring. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/push-rod-length.331158/
Stock length is 9.350. I suggest you buy a push rod checker, find out what length you need and order that.
Hey sometimes all we need is a little push, thank you for pushing me as well. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions about your 430 to anyone here, they've all proven invaluable to our hobby.
Let's not forget that he's using '69 and down rockers with '70 and up lifters. Not to get too picky but I believe the correct length of stock 455 pushrods is 9.380". Get the hybrid adjustable pushrods. Alluding to what Briz said sooner or later you're going to have to spend some $$$. You can't get by cutting corners all of the time. All of us that started doing this stuff when we were young found that out. One of the first things I bought from Kenne-Bell back in the 70's was a set of adjustable pushrods. At this point you have a few months until you can actually race the car so there is not a huge rush to get the pushrods. Just don't keep trying to rev the engine higher than 4200. That is massive amounts of valve float and it isn't good for the valve springs to be under that stress at that rpm. No problem just driving though. http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_1428B About the only low cost way around this is to try a set of used '70 and up rockers and pushrods. Again I will say that you may luck out and get the correct amount of preload. Doubtful though because now it may not have enough preload. Apparently some people at TA don't really know everything about Buicks. Are you feeling lucky a second time?
