TrunkMatt

Awesome!

Honestly guys, the best part of owning this car has been meeting all of you and making new friends / family. The Western group of individuals I met is quite obviously a tight-nit family with a lot of history... but you all remain very open, friendly, and welcoming to us new members. You all just created memories that get filed with my best life experiences. Cheers to you all, Matt (TrunkMatt)

SWEEET!!!

We both brought the cat and didn't bring the cat at the same time. You'll never know until you look in the room. Love, Schroedinger

It was great meeting everyone this evening... was really nice sitting out in the parking lot looking at all the Monte's.

I hit the road in 1 hour!!!! WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!

From what I found on the net - copied from a Chevelle forum" "The trans spark selonoid is designed to not allow vacuum advance until you are in a top-end gear and the engine is up to temp. It is a very primative emission control device. I'll say that there is only a few left working and they are on NCRS cars. I had one on mine when I originally built the car and quickly took it off. It serves no performance at all so it is not on my car. " So essentially it keeps your timing from advancing until warm.

Speaking of internet access... as long as there is T-Mobile coverage, we'll be able to setup a wireless hotspot during the day at the meet for everyone in FGMCC (using our 4g tethering). As long as people keep it porn free it should be ok for the basics :-)

All systems go Doug!!!! 9:30am is perfect timing... we'll be ready. The wife is out getting some road snacks.

It is amazing what new tires can do... Now - before anyone says "NO NO NO!!! - CHINESE TIRE!!!" I know I know... itis intentional. I decided to put on some cheaper tires that were the same size I want to move into to test feel and fit. I figure I'll run with these for a few months, and switch into the final more expensive tire later... or mess with spring and shocks and do something different. The proper tires are real investments, and these are a good "interim" tire to use before i make up my mind. Besides, what's more American than something made in China? Anyhow - the sizes are: FRONT: 235/60 R15 REAR: 255/70 R15 I now have almost 4 inches to the headers - and I like the new more aggressive stance the bigger rears gave the car. Being a cheaper tire, these are a little more "bouncy" on the road -- but they are pretty quiet, and will give me a nice comfy ride to Boise. Most importantly, the speed-o is not accurate.

Wow, that is a fair amount of distance, but it will make for one heck of a fun trip in a classic car. Honestly, in my mind traveling that distance with a trailer would be far more frustrating. Best of luck! Hope everyone makes it safe and sound.

Spent about 4 hours today prepping the car for the meet (wash / wax / etc), so I just will have to do some minor work on arrival. I discovered about 1/4 inch of dried on road grime and Oregon-mud up in the rear wheel wells above the tires. Previous owner must've lived on dirt roads here in Oregon. Came right off with some brush work, Simple Green and the Hose... thankfully he had a good under-treatment, there was no soft spots. Of course I was right underneath so I ended up with all of it in my hair, face etc... but it is cleaned up for the drive out now! After the monte was done, I gave the Volvo the same treatment (minus the wheel well work)... 2 hours there. 6 hours total today for both cars... but I am glad I did it. People kept stopping their cars in the road to check out the Monte when I had it parked in the shade on my lawn for waxing... one guy almost got rear-ended. Here are some pics of the kids: Took this shot at "magic hour" when the suns colors are best: Not a monte, but still special to us. The Volvo C30 R-Design, AKA: "Jellybean"...

Not a type-o... they are 265/50 on the rear and 205/60 on the front. No idea why the previous owner set them up that way. I am guessing to keep Diameters similar despite tire width as that makes the rear tires 25.4 Diameter and the Front 24.7 As far as speed-o, it is reading about 7% too fast... When it says 60, Gps is saying 56.5

So right now I have 265/50 R15 Dunlop GT Qualifiers in the rear and the 205/60 r15 in the front (same tire) Rims are American racing torquelite wheels REAR: 15x8 4 1/2 backspace FRONT: 15x7 4 inch backspace I am thinking up the rear to 275/60 and front to 235/60... most likely going to be a firestone wheel... I like the wider back wheel look... went through the tires database you guys linked me to --- there are so many different setups my head is spinning.

Okay - so I made an appointment for some new treads. Give me some recommendations for the best Rear / Front tire combinations with R15... and Tire brands.

Hmm on this site: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp I get 205/60 r15 Overall Diameter: 24.68 in 626.87 mm 225/70 r15 Overall Diameter: 27.40 in 695.96 mm That should get me about a 1.4 inch raise to the center - yes?

Front is on 205/60 r15 I am thinking of stepping into 225/70

I honestly don't know what the exact lowering process was - as the previous owner did it. I think springs only, but I am not the most technically adept at suspensions. I know... I know... I am in the process of learning every detail of this car right now :-) Ya'll have been great in teaching me... as I go to more meets I hope to get a bit more of a clue.

I am sincerely hoping there is decent cruising speed, and not idling around in 100+ degrees so that it doesn't turn into. "Roll down the windows, TURN ON THE HEATER, and cruise!"

My oil pan sits up higher than the headers... I have about 6 inches to the pan. Looks like an aftermarket low profile pan.

Tires!!! Yes - Thanks for the consult! Front Tires... they are 205/60 R15... so I am guessing that could really solve some issues upping. They measure at 24.5 Diameter right now... so If I got to 225/70 I could pick up 3 to 4 more inches Diameter, which means 1.5 to 1.75 inches in clearence. Sweet - I could live with 4 inches total clearence

You just looking for pure performance? Or you also looking to get that lopey sound too??? You don't really need a huge lopey cam to make great power... but if you want the sound - it narrows your selections. Go to 1:18 in this video to hear what I am talking about: People in 350 Chevy Small block forums I browse seem to like the Edlebrock stuff... but I have no personal experience to say if they are good or not I wish I knew what cam the guy that owned my Monte before put in my 72 350... it has HUGE low end power, an amazing lopey sound that makes people think "wow - what is in there!?" but gets really damn good fuel efficiency (considering). Some day... I'd like to know what is inside my engine.

Vacuum break did it! I worked it a bit by hand and everything seemed to free up and all is better now. Still need some cold-idle speed work I think, but it is livable.

Here in oregon, I am having some big time clearance issues with the Hooker Competitions. Wondering if anyone else has the proverbial "dragging of knuckles" at random times from these. My car came with Hooker Competition headers... and I am left with Maybe 2.75inches of clearance on the passenger side, and maybe 2.5 on the drivers side. Almost every driveway no matter how flat - scrape (no matter what angle). Every flaired Manhole cover - scrape. Portland oregon has lots of speedbumps because of bikes... I actually got hung up on one today, even when angling... had to find another street to go down. On Highway 26 in oregon where the pavement is rutted / grooved out from big trucks... bash bash scrape (at 55 MPH it is nerve rattling... and makes me think I may be ruining my car). Car behind me said I threw off sparks - eek! The car is a bit lowered (previous owner set it up), but I like the look... doesn't seem any lower than other monte's I've seen... so I am wondering how big a deal this really is??? What are my BEST options here boys? Is there a better / shorter tube header and geometry I can look into??? Also, am I doing as much damage as I think I am??? Or am I just being a wimpy new owner... and the Hookers are durable enough to take the onslaught of oregon/ I took pics for you all to look at. PASSENGER SIDE: HEADER BRAND: DRIVERS SIDE: CAR ISN'T LOWERED THAT MUCH - IS IT ???

So, I am now more excited than before!!! I just spoke with JACK from RPMProductions... who is running the event (wanted to email my registration form since it is so late...) Anyhow, he was excited to talk to me and said that FGMCC is having AMAZING support for their show. In fact, there are so many of us showing (one of hte largest clubs) that they are lining our group up right next to the featured Car display!!!! He said it will make quite a unique and great display going from all the Camaro's to all the Monte's, and get us a lot of attention. He is genuinely excited to have us attending! He was a really great guy to talk to on the phone.