DragCat

Hey J, don't wait to post pic's till she's done. Some of us like to see the progress pics before the finish.

Looking good and looks like you've had some nice weather for the job. I forgot what age I realized I didn't know everything but i'm sure it was after 25 lol. And just an fyi, every time you say "in stock" I just shake my head and say DAMN ! lol. Then I check the clock to make sure I can open a beer to cry in Keep posting progress pic's

The A/C box wasn't the pain for me, the header configuration made it difficult for me to get a good angle with the socket to install the spark plug from the top. And i'm a little over nervous not trying to cross thread something in the aluminum heads lol. Tightening the plug is still a pain from the top even as Joe mentioned with (what I call the wobble socket adapter) and and extension, just not a lot of room but it is doable. In the last few days I have bruises I have no idea how I got and sore muscles along with cuts on my hands and arms. But I will say this is a great learning experience for me being my first engine swap. Not to mention i'm learning a ton about my Monte in the process.

Hey Paul, installed the passenger side plugs today, note the starter isn't installed yet. I wasn't coordinated enough to get #8 in from the top lol. But it went in easy peasy from the bottom by hand. I haven't torqued them in yet but didn't visualize an issue. And yes its a factory a/c car

I haven't put the plugs back in yet, I figured it would be a little tricky and figured I would have to use Joe's technique. I should know next week for sure when I get back under the hood. I want to finish the trans connections and make sure there are no clearance issues there first. I'm going to have to adjust the proportioning valve a tad at the moment. The pass side would not go in through the top, but slid right in and bolted up from the bottom

Yes Paul, I forgot I think you asked a question about the 2" but it escaped me

Really dig the Monte, what color is the Firebird ? Looks like one of those color changing depending on the light

Headers went in last week lol, trans x-member (original) went back in today with new insulators and brackets. Forgot to put the plate in for the new poly trans mount so thats next then linkage and everything else trans connected. Then all the under the hood work begins YIPPIE lol.

Installed the headers yesterday, the passenger side would not go in through the top but slid in nice from the bottom and bolted right in. The driver side was a PITA and i still have 2 header bolts fighting me not wanting to play well. I will have to do something with the proportioning valve as its basically laying against the header. I should have the starter and trans linkage and stuff addressed this weekend hopefully no issues there with clearance and such.

This is what mine looked like before I started disassembly, I'd say it has the replacement part you pictured but i can't verify its factory correct.

Thanks Joe, I'll assume the 72 and 70 are the same lol. Weird its not in the service manuals I have

Just wondering if this is the correct description for the fuse box. I couldnt find it in my service manual and some of the letters are worn off on mine .

Thanks Cody, I ordered a set this morning. luckily I used their "related parts" drop down in the search function lol.

Nevermind, found what they are called and yes I need both sides lol

LOL, driver side is sorta in place, gotta cut some more of the exhaust off. Should have both sides done this week, thats my next step

Dropped the crate in today, The driver side header was difficult because I didnt cut the existing exhaust pipes back far enough and between that and the trans sitting under the car in the tunnel I was having clearance issues lol. We set the driver side in place sorta while we were dropping in the crate. Looks like plenty of room on the passenger side for the install but i'm glad Paul brought up the #8 spark plug issue and Joe add'd his work around. My next step is to cut the exhaust back some more and drop in the passenger side and bolt them in. I'll post an update and pic's when I get that done should be this week for sure.

Big day today, a buddy of mine and I dropped the new crate motor between the rails and hooked up the rebuilt trans (still more work there and I posted a part help ? in the drivetrain thread) Now i have to organize all my bag'd and tag'd items and start the process of putting it all back together. But its progress

Ok so I pulled the x-member and this part was on the drivers side but there was no similar part on the passenger side. I assume there should be but I don't know what its called so I can find one to order since I also assume it holds the x-member in place All help appreciated

Not wanting to steal the thread, but is the fuse box on a 72 the same as a 70 ? I was looking for a diagram (like below) since most of my lettering has worn off and I couldn't find online or in the shop manual I have.

Hey Andy, sorry for the delay, i'm having sketchy computer issues on the forums again. The reason for putting the brakes on the upgrade was the difference on the measurement mounting holes. GForce and the other similar are very specific on the mounting hole measurements and i'm almost an inch off on my existing and thats why I took measurements from the body mounts supplied. I should be dropping the crate in and putting the trans back in this week (fingers crossed) so i'll get back to this then.

Just picked up the rebuilt trans today, hope to be dropping that and the new motor in this weekend. Then stuffs gonna get very real very fast lol

Thanks Andy, that seemed like the obvious direction but as someone once said the only stupid question is the one not asked. I figured someone here had to have done it before

bumping for suggestions

Ok so I was able to get under the car yesterday, just remember i'm working by myself so I had to put a socket on the body mount bolt, use an extension and tape the ruler to that. Then I had to tape them to the frame so there may be some + or - variables lol. The top measurements are from Tom's sheet the bottom are mine. Note 1 I couldn't do the one because the fuel tank is in the way so it would not be point to point. Note 2 on the rear I didn't see a body mount so I measured from the two holes about 6 inches from the back. Note 3 I wasn't sure on the engine x-member which hole to use. Note 4 the trans x-member 1st bolt forward of the center body mount is 4", and the spread between the x-member bolts center to center is 4 1/2". The weird thing is the center body mount on Tom's spec is 53" and mine is dead on to that.

Just to add to previous, thoughts and prayers to everyone. BJ's put limits on the essentials, bottled water and such, which I have no problems with. I will say in my limited outings to the grocery store most of the public has been courteous and good natured, sort of restores my faith in humanity during hard times.