gprimm

No the intakes don't warp. If the RTV was not sealing correctly you'd have a vacuum leak. If you had a vacuum leak it wouldn't run right. I would first look at the round gasket between the distributor and the intake. My son was losing oil in the rear and that was the issue.

I would buy from the best price. NAPA buys from rebuilders and repackages them. A company here in the area builds new alternators and starters and sells them to Summit, Jegs, NAPA, etc. NAPA buys new units from them but packages them as rebuilt; the reason is so their return % is lowered. They know they have issues. The advantage to the major chains is they have a lifetime warranty. NAPA does not. I buy the best price from the national chains and use the lifetime warranty. I am a nightmare as they don't count on someone keeping their vehicles as long as I do!!!!

OK. Shiftworks it is!!!

I am thinking about adding the Speedhut Tach to my small block 71's dash, replacing the clock. Two questions: 1). Is this the right size for the dash hole? 2). Has anyone done this swap. I'd really like to have the tach in the dash and this is stock looking. http://www.speedhut.com/gauge/G338-TACH-01/1/Tachometer-Gauge-Speedhut-8K-RPM

The original rallyes I have seen were Argent with a grey backing. I have found that the "Dove Grey" matches originals almost perfectly. They painted the back first then the silver. The originals I have seen had the silver "overspray" on the grey from the slots. Now that could possibly be different by plant.

The original rallyes I have seen were Argent with a grey backing. I have found that the "Dove Grey" matches originals almost perfectly. They painted the back first then the silver. The originals I have seen had the silver "overspray" on the grey from the slots. Now that could possibly be different by plant.

The one Monroe is still fully compressed!!!!! To the metal scrapper. Glad I caught that. Will be replacing 2 sets of struts this summer. Won't be Monroe

One of my winter projects is replacing original parts on my original owner 1981 Z28; brake hoses, underhood hoses, rear wheel cylinders, brake calipers, front springs, etc. 18 months ago I replaced the original shocks with Monroe Sensatrak. When I replaced the original front springs yesterday and took the shocks off, there was no rebound, or push from the shock on the rod once it was pushed in. This follows the problem I posted in November about these shocks when new. Got the Gabriel Ultra G Force shocks. What a stinking difference. From on I am using Gabriel. My Montes are next getting ready for the NMCOA Convention in Decatur. I will be using Gabriel on those 2.

As mentioned before fit & finish, but there is a little math involved too. Montes have a long distance to go because of the distance from the engine to the radiator. The longer the distance the less the slope. The shorter the greater the slope.

I have used Por 15 orange and it holds up excellent. On my last 2 I used etching primer from a rattle can and then a high temp orange from a rattle can. Very impressed. DId it to my son's car 4 years ago and he can blast it with a pressure hose and it looks great. I just use Acetone on a rag prior to the etching primer.

On specific recommendations for cams, I always call the cam manufacturer tech lines, let them ask me about the car details and then pick from their recommendations.

It is great that the Monte will be riding high once again. Thanks for the pics. Fantastic!!!! Keep posting progress pics.

They look fine. Thanks for sharing, for that price it was worth it. May try that myself. Colorado Springs, eh? Spent 4 years travelling there visiting my son. He graduated from the Academy in 2011. Love The Springs.

Gas pressure provides the rebound to me. Agree, just surprised at how bad they were new.

I thought Monroe was supposed to be better than Gabriel shocks. Well, over the last 18 months I have purchased 6 Monroe Sensa-Track shocks and 2 of them had no "rebound". I'd push them in and they stayed there. That's a 33% failure rate; that isn't good. I will either avoid them or check them prior to walking out of the store.

I usually do both so I can thoroughly clean the trans so she matches the nice beautiful engine.

I might be there. One there in the mid 80's. Have the plaque but the quality has come so far since then.

For cam specs call call a manufacturer.

and on my two original brake boosters, neither one came with GM DELCO stamp.

Distributor delivered today. Taking it and a advance kit to the engine builder so he can put it on his distributor machine and dial it in. Soooo looking forward to putting it in on Saturday!!! Now,reading up on how to adjust my newly rebuilt 1981 GM ECM carb. What a chore!!!

Agree with the recurve. I will take it to an engine builder with a distributor machine. He charges $20 to set up the distributor. I went ahead and ordered the Skip White distributor. Should last as long as the 14 month old MSD that cost 3x as much.

Considering replacing my 15 month old MSD Streetfire, that left me on the side of the road with a bad Stator. Not an expert, but seeing that Summit has the Magnetic (traditional HEI), Davis Unified / Hall effect. Price differences from the basic HEI to the other two is quite significant. Opinions please.

And the answer is: Stator !!! Replaced the module and coil and nothing. Took an old HEI apart to the Stator out, pulled the MSD apart and put the old Stator in and WE HAVE FIRE!!!!!!! I think I am going to buy an HEI from Bill White in TN and have it in the trunk at all times. 10 minute switch if it ever happens again!!!

UPDATE: Put in a new ignition module, coil and cap. Still no spark. There is 12 volts going to the coil and when starting it drops but not much. Rotor turns when the engine turns over. So the timing chain (new) and the pin the distributor are good. I am puzzled. Fuel is good as you can smell it.

While driving this afternoon on a trip going to meet a Derek Atteberry on a cruise, I felt a little hesitation and then the car has no power. I put it in neutral and glide to the shoulder. It cranks like a son-of-a-gun. Son brings some test equipment and it seems there was power going to the MSD StreetFire distributor, but no spark to the plugs. Have it home and think the distributor is the issue. One year old MSD. Wow, surprised there. GM HEI's seem to run forever. Might take the old GM and rebuild it using good stuff. Or just fix the MSD. Also thinking about one of the "thin" HEI's so I can use a Pontiac dual-snorkel factory air cleaner that I have. Very disappointed. Thank goodness for AAA and the free towing.