Packratt
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Posts posted by Packratt
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Well my post surgery knee recovery is going well but has pretty much canceled my interior sheet metal work because I canāt crawl around in the car.Ā So now Iām shifting to the drivetrain. I finally got the 454 off to the machine shop for a hot tank and crank polish. Since my Ricky Racer days are past and to save money for other things Iām building it back as a warmed over 454. Ā I have most of the internals but waiting until I see which heads I find before I order the pistons and cam. I did score a sweet set of old school Cal Custom finned valveĀ covers this week so Iām doing the one legged banana danceš I havenāt seen any dancing bananas on here lately but you long time members know what I mean. Iām including a pic of the valve covers.
Itās good to be going forward again after the setbacks of the past fewĀ years.Ā
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Iām looking up parts to convert my 2:73 open to a 3:36 or 3:55 posi rear. In my research I found Yukon carriers are made in China and Eaton Tru-Trac is made in Tiwan whileĀ Auburn Gear is supposed to be made in the USA. Are there any other American made carriers that you know of. Iām just trying to support our American workers while rebuilding my American car.
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After two days of sorting parts Iām surprised at what I have and even more surprised at what I need. I have a complete American Autowire kit except for the engine harnessā IĀ thought I only had the tail light harnessā and several switches. I have the cowl panels and front floor patch. Engine wise I have new pistons , intake, and a new NOS Carter Carbā forgot about that oneā and the new distributor.
It looks like every light lens and bezel needs replacing as well as the trunk extension trim. Rear floor, trunk floor, trunk divider and package tray need replacing along with the bumpers need to be rechromed.
Looks like money to me but I knew that when I started this.Still debating on it but most likely will be selling my bike to pay for some of this. With my health issues that would probably make my wife happy, lol.Ā
Now if I could just get my air compressor running I could get serious. -
I have a new package tray but Iāve decided to replace the trunk divider as well. I can only find the trunk divider and package tray as one unit so I guess Iām going to sell the new package tray I have and buy the trunk divider/ package tray combo. Wish I had known this sooner but oh well
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I was going with the center and left pieces but after inspecting it tonight Iām going with one piece. I found some pin holes on the right side and thin spots. At least with the floor out I can get to the package tray and rear window easier.
Someone had mounted the center trim with sheet metal screws and sealant. The old tail panel looked like Swiss cheese
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Well after sitting dormant for five years Iām finally working on my Monte again. I hadnāt totally quit work on it because I was alway refurbishing small parts and ordering new parts as money allowed.Ā
The pics show where I left off with cutting out the tail panel and rough fitting the one I got from Jared. I have a new package tray to weld in then the truck floor. Iām hoping to order the pieces from Belden soon to repair the damage to the rear window channel. The engine is apart and ready for the machine shop but will have to wait until I get back to work.Ā
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Hello Ert and Welcome back!Ā Iāve only been back a couple of weeks myself.
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Actually itās in the hallway now. Thanks for the laugh!
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No problem Rob
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Mine is still one of the most talked about piece of Monte memorabilia I have. Everyone that seeās it says something about it.
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I usually put the offending object in the back yard on a container of Tannerite. Next have a seat on the deck while I get a good pic of the Tannerite in the scope and drink a cold beverage. After I calm down I slowly squeeze the trigger and the offending object is no longer a problem.Ā
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Not Monte related but car related and most of us have vehicles with a computer in it.Ā
I found this company online to get a refurbished computer for my sons car. When I got the computer the car ran worse than before so I contacted them Ā by email (they never answer the phone)and they told me to send it back and they would look at it. What followed was three months of getting the run around about not having cores or other excuses to not send me a computer. Since they had both my core and the computer they sent me the car sat in my yard for three months while my son borrowed one of my vehicles for school and work. Last week I finally told them I wanted my core back and a full refund. I got the core Monday but still waiting on the refund.This was absolutely the worst automotive company I have dealt with in 42 years of buying parts and I wanted others to know about them. These computers can be pricey at the dealer and I figured one of you might eventually need one is why Iām posting this.
On a brighter note the core they sent me was not the original and is on its fourth day without a problem. If I get my money back I might just come out of this with only time wasted.Ā
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I keep track of you guys still but sometimes life gets in the way. Career change a few years back ate up most of my online time unless it was on my phone on the run.
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Itās been a long time since Iāve been here but just wanted to say hello. Hopefully I can get here more often. Still have my 72 and actually been working on it lately.
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The Bend Oregon rant comment interests me since years ago I was a favorite with a certain state trooper there on a semi weekly basis.
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I am rebuilding a 355 that the cam failed in and the heads are junk. All I know about the pistons are they are thirty over KB's and the rotating assembly was balanced before it was assembled. I will have to totally tear down, clean , and re-ring the engine but want to put decent heads on it. I would go with vortec heads but the engine came with a brand new edelbrock intake that is the old style. I have found a set of new GM heads that are dirt cheap. Specs are 76cc chamber, 1.940/1.500 valves and casting number is 93438648.. They are supposed to be like the old 882 GM castings. I am shooting for about 300 hp depending on the cam I choose.
I plan to put this engine in a roller project if I find one cheap enough. My 16 year old is getting my truck this fall so I am trying to come up with a set of wheels to knock around town in.
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It's a good thing he did not put it in his car or he would have to fly Greg in so he could look at it again
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I saw it on the internet so it must be true!
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Wasn't this just demonstrated at the Eastern Meet
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Yeah, but that would make them too easy to steal....not that they aren't already easy to steal.
rob
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Jared the instructions that came with mine said to insert cylinder with key installed then turn and it should lock. Mine came from a guy on ebay that rebuilds columns and seat belts.
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I read an article in Hot Rod a couple of months ago where they used the steering box from certain year Grand Cherokees in A body GM cars. It is supposed to be the same Saginaw steering box used in the mid eighties Monte SS's and other G bodies but without the internal stops. Has anyone tried this on their Monte? It seems these would be cheaper and easier to find than the ones in a Monte SS.
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Here is the Link to the story.
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Did inventory on parts I have for the rebuild and discovered I have more than I thought even extras! Started cutting out the trunk floor getting ready for new floor. Trimmed and test fit the tail panel I bought from Jared. Pet the 454 on the stand whispering "there is no replacement for displacement"
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I prefit the tail panel I bought from Jared then pulled the gas tank. Getting ready to cut out the trunk floor and prepping for the new one. It was nice to have unexpected time to work on the Monte.
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Whew recovery is tough but progress made
in General 70-72 Monte Carlo Forum
Posted
There ya go š They use to be everywhere!