Dale Spooner sent me a couple of photos of his shop in action. Good looking equipment and a nice clean shop. Jim
Are the exhaust manifolds, heat shield and crossover from this 430 worth anything or just more scrap metal? They have to go, the question is where? Repost from MG Conversions: [SIZE=-0]The bell housing came in today, it fits properly and had been cleaned up nicely so it is ready to use. That's good news because we can now do a test fit in the car. I've gone a few days without posting, and that will happen from time to time, but my philosophy on a conversion is to try to do at least one task on the car every day, even if it's nothing more than finding that certain bolt. This keeps the project interesting and moving forwards, and eventually it all gets done. For an example of that philosophy in action see: http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Supercharged-MGB.htm in the latest edition of the V8 Newsletter. I may not post every day, as it would not always be all that interesting to read about the quest for a bolt, but when I do I'll try to bring everyone up to date. The bell housing was a donation from "Woodie" (Michael B. on the V8 board), Thanks Woodie, we greatly appreciate that. Dan Masters (MG board, MGE) dropped off a very nice engine stand on his way through yesterday. It is quite stout and stable and once I've figured out an accurate way of weighing the engine I'll get it mounted. I removed the alternator and bracket, fuel pump, motor mounts, flex plate, heat shields, exhaust manifolds, pulleys and distributor today in preparation for weighing. Haven't decided about the carb but may remove it as well. The starter was already removed. Dan and I spent an hour or two talking shop, looking at bits and pieces and such. While we were at it we unwrapped the 340 short block I had bought from Fliteline. Bill told me they have one more of these and I can tell you they are willing to deal on it, as they are getting rid of the old stock. After we had made a deal it took them a couple of days to search the warehouse for it and they turned up the other one too in the process. Don't know if I really should tell the details of the deal but I think I will anyway. I let them just do a visual check rather than their normal tear down and reassembly in exchange for shipping costs and it ended up costing me $450 delivered to my door for the short block. It's .030 over and the crank is -.010", a little dusty, some paint flaked off, and no lifters but I think that's a pretty good deal. The bonus is that the pistons have very little dish and I'll have to check deck height to know but there is at least a possibility of having the high compression pistons. I'll check it in another day or so. This is the engine that will replace the Olds 215 in my car. (The link above) I've just about got enough room now for all three cars with enough room to get around them, work on them, move things and whatever else, and still have more moving to do so it will soon be quite roomy even with all 3 cars inside. The lab is a 40 x 60 metal building with 2 15' tall garage doors and I'm in the process of getting stuff up on to pallet racks. Yesterday in the office area (the place where the office will be when I manage to build it) I set up a set of drums and I've stocked the cooler, so taking a break from the action will be more enjoyable. But I have to get rid of some things and if anyone is interested I'd just as soon see you guys benefit. Here's the list: Compressor- a big fella, 1 stage 2 cylinder Quincy compressor on a 120 gal tank. We set it up with a 15 hp 3 phase motor and reversed the lines to run it as a vacuum pump, but a 5hp 220v motor would run it as a compressor using a small drive pulley and it would make a fine compressor for the small shop. 4ea DC welders- 3 phase, 250amp "fireplug" style. 2 have the contactor missing and are labeled "runs, no arc" one more is missing the contactor cover and the other is complete. I'll test them as I have time but probably 2 work and 2 need contactors and brushes. Hydraulic unit- 5hp 1500psi with radiator, and a 12"dia x ~18" 500psi cylinder (needs seals). If anyone wants any of this contact me and I'll make you a good deal. We need the space and I don't need the stuff. Trades considered, we could use things like a MIG, sheet metal shear, and brake (which I don't have). Next week Steve will be here with the GT, and I got a delivery notice today which I think is for the MSD unit from Mike Domanowski. I'll have more to write later. Jim[/SIZE]
Are the exhaust manifolds, heat shield and crossover from this 430 worth anything or just more scrap metal? if it's a 1967 only 430 the exhaust manifold will be the 'high flow' casting. all of the exhaust manifolds from 68-76 are basically the same and have no particular value. http://www.buickperformance.com/Exhcompare.htm
Thanks Bob, I'll try to get the serial numbers tomorrow. Probably later than '67 though IIRC, so more scrap. I've been taking some "before" shots and will try to post those in a day or two. In the meantime I really need to hook up with someone familiar with setting up 501c3 non-profit entities, hopefully someone who can contribute to the project. Can anyone help make that connection? Thanks, Jim
I have a "complete" 455 that I will donate to this project. I actually haven't seen the engine yet. It is at Eric Ruge's shop in Eureka, Kansas (Ruge Automotive). The heads are off, but the bores look okay I was told. I could probably get it taken to the Nat's if someone wants to pick it up. If I've missed a thread and there's another plan for the engine that's fine. If you want the engine pm me and we'll work out the details, Thanks, Allen Mandeen
We set up our local club as a 501c3. You need to incorporate first, with your Secretary of State's office. After that you can file for the non-profit status with the IRS. IIRC, that cost about $120 or so. They will want copies of by-laws and a list of officers, and some documentation that you will do something "educational" or "for the benefit of the community." A couple of accountant-types in our club did the actual paperwork, but this was the gist of it.
Thanks Allen and Nicholas. Allen I have sent you a PM, will await your reply. Nicholas that sounds encouraging. I'll get on the Sec of State site (been there before) and get the process started. Is it OK if I ask for pointers along the way? Regards, Jim
I have the engine weight for the 430. With iron heads and intake, no carb, distributor, pulleys, alternator, brackets, starter, motor mounts, exhaust or flex plate, ( crank damper is installed) the weight is 495 lbs. This seems to correlate fairly closely with what I've heard. I also have the engine number: S3814. I'm trying to get some photos of the setup, etc but the photo gadgets are not cooperating too well so it may take a bit longer than I expected. I've also pretty well finished with reorganizing the lab to make workspace and all but one corner is swept up so nobody needs to worry about getting stuck with clean-up duty. I've even got one workbench completely cleared off. (That only leaves about 10 more to go!) Anyway if I wanted to I could easily fit 4 more MGB's inside and still be able to get around them so I think we'll have adequate space. My goal is to have at least half of the benches cleaned up by the weekend. If I can double that so much the better. Sure would be nice to have the tools all put away, it's been so long since everything was where it belonged I won't know how to act. Well I've got to go by the post office tomorrow to pick up the package Mike sent. Didn't really do much on the project today except weigh it, but it's important to have a clean and spacious work area so maybe that counts. Anyway next the engine comes out of the roadster and we go for a test fit. Can't wait to see how that goes. Jim
Repost from Conversions: We now have Mike's MSD-6AL unit and it's on the shelf with the Griffin radiator and some other parts. As for me, well I'm not going to make it much further before I have to rest. I've got half the workbenches cleaned up and would like very much to get the rest done before I stop, but my muscles ache, my fingers are getting sore and my hands feel fat. Maybe some of you guys feel that way every day and it sounds like I'm just whining, but it just gets worse from here. I'll have to take a break from it. I've been up until 2 or 3 am every night for a pretty long run now and it's about time to rest. But I want everyone to know that this is a serious project and since I'm leading the way I need to lead well. My promise is that when you come to visit you will have pleasant surroundings, a comfortable place to work on the car, and the tools to do the job. It isn't a TV studio, but then again there's no worry about scratching the paint on the floor either. Well, I'm headed back out to tackle yet another bench. Regards, Jim BTW, Dan M, we had the legs on the engine stand turned the wrong way. It all lines up correctly now.
Repost from MGE: Guys, is anyone close to Bowling Green, KY? (About 200 miles for me) We have a 455 BBB being delivered to the Nationals there on the weekend of the 18th and someone needs to be there to pick it up. I was hoping there would be somebody close. I'll make the trip if not. Steve will be here with the GT tomorrow, and is bringing Kelly's axle also. I have finished pulling the engine from the roadster and we can do a test fit with the 430. Also I ordered a camera battery and should be able to get photos uploaded soon. We'll bring the GT right on inside, where it'll stay until finished except going out for paint. The engine is out of the roadster so we can use it for a preliminary test fit, and it can donate a couple of spring leafs as well. That's all for now, Jim
post a general request in a new thread for this either on the Bench or over in "Buick Events and Clubs". there's probably a lot of people going that aren't checking this thread very often.
Btw, what was that link that has the engine numbers? what, casting #s and such? i know www.AtlantaBuick.com has quite a bit but i hate dealing with .pic files.... http://www.buicks.net/shop/engine_ident.html http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/bigblock_casting_numbers.html
It's been a busy 24 hrs since Steve and Margaret got here with the car, and there are a couple of things I need to catch up on like numbers and such. But you've got to see these pictures: (That's Steve in the second shot.) Jim
Yep. Just barely. I'll have to do a little more work to the body first but we have a nice crossflow aluminum Griffin radiator with an integral electric fan on the shelf which was donated by Pete Mantell at Mantell Motorsports. It will fit nicely in the available space. We will have to move the bottom of the steering column down 3" and put a 1/2-1" block under the front frame rails for hood clearance for the valve covers but everything is pretty straightforward. We even have good suspension travel left with the engine in place. Headers are going to be fun. We won't be able to go equal length on them but there is enough room. Jim
That looks great... pics have been forwarded to my MG buddy. I got him all hot on the idea. Could we do a pair??? :beers2:
