As per my last post (a whole 2 min ago) got my car running, now finishing up the last few things. I have a radiator to fit an SS monte. What hoses should i buy? anything that fits nice, or just get SS monte one's and cut them to fit. I have a GM alternator, out of my 68 lesabre, do i need an external voltage regulator, or what? i just hook one wire to ground, and the other to battery positive? i know i should know these answers, but i'm drawing a blank. so i decided to not distroy anything or kill the battery and just fess up and ask. What do i do? i'm to excited about getting the beast running to remember stuff i've learned over and over again. hmmm. i know there's more i need to ask.... OOH, will the stock drive shaft from the 83 limited fit (with a new TH400 yoke) It was a TH350, now it's a SPth400 short tail, with the stock rearend for now... I was hoping to just replace the yoke and go, till i get a new rear, so i don't have to have an expencive shaft made for the old rear, just to replace it in a year. and anything else you guys can think of to help me out. i'll be running full gagues, tach, oil press, temp, voltage.... (anything else)? money is not a huge issue right now for these small things, as i had saved up for a 2 week road trip that is not happening, so i'm getting the car roadworthy. Thanks guys, -Brendan
First off, congrats! Radiator - is that the 28"? Hoses - get the largest diameter you can. Lower rad hose must have a spring in it to prevent it collapsing. I use the lower hose from a 4.9L Pontiac. Alternator - That 68 will not cut it. Pick up anything from the mid 80's Cadillacs. They were the 100 amp units and fit up perfectly. Drive Shaft - Nope - gotta have one cut and balanced. It's about $150.
Well the alternator i have fits just fine.... as per hoses, i was wondering for fit, i know i have to get the correct diameters, but was just wondering about it for the bends in it.... drive shaft... shoot. oh well. i'll get the old one cut and balanced....
I used a stock 455 big car upper hose,and a flex hose for the lower. my alternator is a 140 amp unit off a 95 trans sport (contact 65specialconver, he's the alternator guru, you'll get a "charge" out of him ) the length of my driveshaft,with a short th400, was 51 1/2" long
Hey about the driveshaft... do you know how long the stock shaft is in an 83 regal limited with a th350? and how much did that alternator run you, and how did you wire it?
I am not sure about the original length of it an alt like mine shouldn't cost more than $50 at a boneyard for a good one for the wiring, I used a plug adapter harness from 65specialconver.
Yep, it'll fit, but will it power the car well? That 165 Amp unit sounds pretty good! Gonna look for that myself! A decent wrecker unit should cost you under $50. We pay about $10 up here. The driveshaft has to be measured with the weight on the wheel. Every one of our custom regals is a little different. Easiest way is to get a length of wire and tape one end to the center of the yoke, then mark off the point it touches the trans shaft. Pull the wire out and measure it. The short tail shaft only has 2" of play so you want to be accurate. Upper hose I have is from a 71 Lesabre 455, lower is from a 1979 Century 4.9L Pontiac engine.
I used an upper hose from a 70 GS 455. I have a new driveshaft that I had made for my car that I cant use. I will let it go for $75 + shipping and someone tell me how to ship it. Let me know and I will send you pics and measurements. It doesnt have a yoke, but it was for a 83 with a 455, turbo 400, and a 8.5 GN rear. I changed to a 9" rear and had to have another one cut. Shawn
hey where do i measure from... i have the stock 83 rearend in it. and didn't want to pay much for a drive shaft, as i will be getting a 9" tell me what to measure... also i might be able to get one here for around 100 bucks, so might go that way, depending on shipping.
Fyi...oem driveshafts between G-bodies that came with 7.5" rears are 1" shorter than G-bodies that came with 8.5" rears.
