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I have a powermaster mini starter on a 454, and with the new ARH 1 7/8 headers mocked up, I found that I needed to clearance the headers to make room where they touched the rear of the starter motor. Was looking for a few different solutions, and ordered this Moroso unit from Summit. I mocked it up, and it looks like it will fit the mini starter perfectly. It has material sandwiched between the two layers of metal, and fits nice and snug. a few pics for reference. I noticed a few mentions of various heat shields, but didnt see a pic - just thought id share. Hopefully will get to Drop the motor in tomorrow to mock up headers / z bar clearance and will look to install this as well.

I have never seen an original 1971 Monte come with an MSD box, tach control and Holly carburetor from the factory.

Yes it's a hard call. It's still a 402 4-speed but the build sheet would be the key

I replaced the carpet on my door panels. I bought the lower carpets from the Parts Place which actually had the dark green carpets in stock (special order for someone else). I removed the lower moldings from the panels, removed the old carpet from the panels and then trimmed the new carpets and re-installed. Use a good 3-M trim adhesive. I also painted the black insert on the molding.

Looking forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some more Monte owners!!!

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1971-CHEVROLET-MONTE-CARLO-265263 402 bench seat 4-speed. It has the SS rear bumper and trim which is odd. Also has the air compressor under the hood but it is the wrong tank. Maybe they parted out a 71 SS and put some parts on this car.

Photos from Vaughn

If I remember correctly, when I looked at the car and the documentation the build sheet did list the suspension, including the air suspension but if I remember correctly it did not list the SS bumper strip and the blacked out panel between the trunk and bumper. But, according to my friend this car had been ordered for a GM Executive who wanted the 402 4-speed but also wanted the SS items. I can only speculate that there would either be no way to code those two things on the build sheet OR they were added to the car prior to it being delivered to the executive by a dealer. No matter what, this is a special car. I knew the owner here in Pittsburgh for around 20 years. This car was at our Eastern Meet in Greensburg, PA which was the joint meet I planned in conjunction with the NMCOA. The owner here in Pittsburgh knew my love for these Monte's from the years I knew him and it is why he wanted me to buy it. I only wish I could have purchased it when he was still alive. Once he passed away his wife may not have known his desire for me to buy it. OH Well.... I need to stop crying in my beer and Whining in my wine. It isn't mine and now I will never be able to own it. I will still love my Monte and Model A and be happy with driving them.....(That 4-speed would have been fun to drive.... \I will have to settle for driving my 200CI, 40 HP 3-Speed Manual Transmission Model A Ford....If I can get Where there is a will there is a way. rob

Photos from Vaughn. It has the rear sway bar and rear shock protectors. If the Build sheet can verify it is a 402 4-speed as well as having the F41 suspension and load level system from the factory it is a uniquely optioned car. The build sheet was not available to be viewed.

I am going to go down today. I will try and send you some picture's Aaron.

We are now at 30 members with 15 of those driving more than 700 miles. Wow!

That's the starter I used on the Monte & Z/28, Mark. Part of the problem with the PowerMasters, was they wouldn't spin the engine fast enough for the EFI to get a 'Sync' signal. A couple of themjust didn't fit either, even if you 'clocked' them with the available adjustments. There is a replacement for the GM one we have that's cheaper, supposedly. I forget what the part number/vehicle application is too. There's no guarantee it has the same output specs as the hi-torque GM one either. Note: If using that GM starter Mark & I used, you NEED to use the correct bolts to mount it to the engine, GM# - 12338064

Dennis, Two years ago is just before these auction prices for Monte Carlo's started to drive the values up to crazy money. I was going to offer her 32K if I would have been given the chance. This is a very clean car and due to its condition and being so rare it will now bring big money at the auction....much more than I would be able to pay now. I don't know where these auction bidders get their crazy money but I think this car will do well at auction because it is so rare. Would I love to own it, YES!!! Is it worth what it will bring at auction....NO!!! I missed my window of opportunity. At one time when my friend thought he had cancer of the pancreas he called me and told me he wanted me to help him find buyers for some of his cars, and wanted me to buy this Monte. At that time I did not have the money to buy the Monte but sent him several different possible buyers for the car but they all got back to me saying he would not sell it to them. When I called him and asked him why he would not sell it to them he told me that he was going to try to hold onto it until I could buy it. He later contacted me and told me they had misdiagnosed him and he did not have cancer. I met up with him at a cruise a year or so later and told him I was ready to buy the Monte and he said he was going to hold onto the Monte but I would always have first shot at buying it. At this point in time, I hope someone either pays way too much for it OR the guy who bought it from my friends widow isn't able to flip it for big money... rob

Vaughn, No, he did not purchase it new. From what he told me, it was ordered for a GM Executive and ordered with the rear SS blacked out rear panel but without the SS badge in it and also ordered with the rubber bumper strip and air ride. When I saw those things and the power windows, gauge package, 8-track and other things I figured it was his old car. I can't wait to see what it sells for. I am tempted to let her know what it brings at auction.....but I won't rob

Rob. I had mentioned to Aaron today that I remembered this car from 2005/6 and that you you would know this car. It turns out that this is the Monte I remembered. I am sorry to hear that it got sold before you had the chance to purchase it. If I remember correctly your friend purchased it new with the ss trim.

Oh yea I do remember that Rob that's to bad for sure.

That's the car Rob? Ughhhh! I said it then and I say it again, that 😡🤬😡🤬😡!

That is the special 71 402 4-speed that a friend of mine owned here in Pittsburgh. He wanted me to own it and I told him when he was ready to sell it I would buy it. He passed away about 2 years ago and his wife asked me to help her get a value his 4 classic cars, including this one and I did. I suggested she also get them appraised and I told her I was interested in the Monte and her husband wanted me to buy it, She did hire an appraiser and that appraiser contacted a friend about the Monte and she sold it out from under me without even a phone call to give me a chance to buy it. Some here on the boards may remember me talking about it and the other 3 cars she needed to sell. The Monte, an ElCamino, a 71 Malibu ragtop and a Tran-Am. All of them 3 or 4 speed manual transmissions. rob

I'm sure a lot of us have lost out on a ride in the past, I know ive shed a tear or two in a beer 🤣 I just chalk it up to some things are just not aligned with the stars in the universe 🙃

That's a tough call. It could very well be a factory 402 4-speed but there are some strange things on this car that raise questions and hurt the value in my opinion. I would pay more for it if it was factory correct. The rear black tail panel and bumper is just a story until it can be verified. Maybe it was a dealer installation. If anyone is there it would be great to see a copy of the build sheet. I don't think it will bring huge numbers.

Yea If I remember Joe went through 2 or 3 , Mine was the stock starter that came with my crate motor, it was a tad pricey if I remember 🤣 Part # 19302919

Forget the inconsiderate woman ... now's your chance to own it, Rob! Good luck!

My original door panels on the 71 were in pretty good shape, except for the carpet. I went to Walmart and bought some dark blue dye and just blotted it with a towel. As it dried I just brushed it out so it wouldn’t get hard or dark Spots. I’d give it an 8 out of 10. But remember I didn’t want it perfect, I wanted it aged.

Thanks everyone for your input 👍. I think I'm on the right track. I will machine up a drill jig like I mentioned. Thanks Wayne.

Succumbing to peer pressure lol. I do not have pics of the starter interference, as I didn't realize it was an issue until I could not remove the rag. Clearanced now at about 1/8", and have ordered a couple of different shield /starter wraps to see if that's going to be enough, or if I have to continue to beat on it. The car is being converted to a 4 speed (M23), and I wanted to drop the engine in for mock up to double check the Zbar location. My hoist (cheapie) does not have enough reach. Even going over the fender with the engine sideways, it was too short. so - off to the metal yard yesterday for some .250 wall square stock that I'm currently grinding trying to get it to fit inside of the the hoist main beam support. I only needed to take off about 1/32-1/16" but its slow going. thats where I am in that process.

At least there not trying to sell it as an SS we'll see what it goes for.

Still overthinking this swap! I used a calculator (https://purperformance.com/p-29669-rpm-calculator.html) to figure RPM at different speeds. With my 27" tires OD at 70 would drop from 2400 to 1600 rpm. OD at 60 would drop from 2040 to 1365 rpm. OD at 55 would drop from 1870 to 1250 rpm. OD at 50 would drop from 1700 to 1140 rpm. Would the 1250 or even 1365 rpm be too much lugging, use more gas and potentially harm the engine?

This first car at top of post was actually my 8,000 mile (Mojave Gold) 72 Monte. I sold it to a fellow in British Columbia about 4 years ago when the odometer just turned to 11,000. I was going to make a post seeing if anyone knew why this very odd combination occurred? I do know this car is 100% original: it sat in garage for 34 Years and was never touched. I was curious about a build sheet when I owned the car, but never wanted to disturb the originality by removing the back seat, etc. The car's a living time capsule...why mess with it? Jeff 70SS

Here's a map of where members are coming from for the 2023 Western Meet. Many states and provinces will be represented.

The attendance for this meet looks great! We may get 30+ Monte Carlos and possibly set a new attendance record for a Western Meet. We already have 7 states and 2 provinces represented and likely to add 2 or 3 more. 18 rooms are booked at the hotel.

Bumping for future internet travelers on the subject of the NK4 wheel. The key I've found to making this kit work is the spring. The one supplied with the kit is too short. I went to Lowes and bought a 3 dollar bag of springs, cut a little off one and it worked like a charm.