stangeba

These two pictures are great, thanks for posting them. I'm sure many of us have never seen the with and with out firewall like this. Is there a spot for them in tech info? Bruce

The bolts on my upper control arms at the pivot (9/16" head) came loose several times since I re-did the ft end on my 71 18 years ago. The PST kit for my car cost $179.00 back in 1990. Bruce

I too am happy nobody was hurt. Could you elaborate more? Top or bottom joint. New (<1 year) work, 10 years old or original. Part supplier TRW, MOOG, PST Kit or China. Back yard (DIY) repair or perf shop. Perhaps we can all learn from your misfortune. Bruce

FYI, Hemmings Muscle Machines April and May 2008 is running a tech article about swapping transmissions. They are using a Nova and a 200-4R but the information is great. Bruce

The rear glass AKA backlite is bonded in just like the windshield with urethane adhesive at a glass shop. Unfortunately I'm afraid you will find rust holes when you remove the backlite that need to be welded or perhaps even sections of the metal replaced. Reading above many of the people in this club have had than same problem as have I. When you do remove it, sandblast the area well and hundreds of tiny holes will appear. This was a very poor design with water always collecting in the lower area of the glass and GM wasn't the only one that did it this way. Good luck! Bruce

Just my two cents on flex fans. I replaced the standard 4 blade steel fan on my 71 350 4BBL (NO A/C) with a 5 blade flex fan from a 71 Z-28 back in 1971. The only time I had a problem with overheating is when I punched a hole in my stock 2 core radiator and the repair shop pinched off the tube to fix it. Never boiled over but ran hot in a traffic jam. I replaced the 2 core with a 3 core and all is well. I do have a stock engine. On the BAD side, FORD had flex fans break off in around 1972. One incident is rumored to have killed a mechanic when it slit his jugular. Bruce

Looking for recommendations on where to buy new chrome bumper bolts. I figure I should just ask first. Now that my bumpers look great, the chrome on the bumper bolts is a bit dull. I tried polishing them up but next to the bumper, they look tired. Thanks, Bruce

Terry, I also remember not being in spec, but I got mine working. I say, hook it up and give it a try! Bruce

Sorry, I don't know of a repair place. If you split the case (take it apart) make an alignment mark so you put it back together in the same spot. I believe this can lead to the unit engaging below 25 MPH. The small vacuum orifice that is adjustable is very sensitive, don't adjust it too much. I bought mine used years ago. Every 3 years or so it stops working. I take the unit apart, clean it, reassemble it (NO LUBE) and it works again. I think it sucks in dirty air (it has a foam filter) and that causes it to stop working. I added an extra ground wire since I have plastic fenders. I don't know if I need it or not, can't hurt. Bruce

One of the newer Vortec in-line six's from a Trailblazer with a 5 spd would be a cool project. I got a ride in a 60's Austin Healey with that engine, FI and a six speed. Talk about fun! The original engine was blown up in the 60's and he had an older Chevy six in it for years. He is out of the NJ area and brought it to the Woodward cruise last year. Tom Langdon from Stovebolt Engine Co modified the exhaust so it was a dual 3 into 1 set up. That thing sounded like an original old Healey, fun times. Bruce

Phil, My wife was a nurse at the Ford Mt. Clemens plant (A plan discount) I worked for Russ Milne Ford in Mt. Clemens and we didn't have kids yet, so it was a no brainer. Sold it to my Brother in-law and he drove it for several years. Didn't rust out like the Monte did. I still remember the owner Russ Milne Sr. telling me I was nuts for getting an expensive $6,000 car like that. The '84 Escort cost us $8,000 4cyl 5 spd. Bruce

Camaros had in-line six's but Monte Carlo's never did. A nice dressed up six replacing one in a Camaro sounds good and it's way different than the typical SBC that we all love. There is a club Inliners International you may want to check out that is all in-line engines. A split 3 into 1 exhaust from a inline six sounds way different than anything else. Also check out this site Langdons Stovebolt Engiine Co. for some ideas. Bruce

Scott, Street was for pics, garage and driveway were for work. The neighbors were very happy to see it finished. Thanks everyone for the kind words. I came across these old slides and scanned them. I also found all my old receipts for the stuff I bought back then. I'm sure the prices would make everyone sick. I'll have to look hard for the one with the NEW OEM 1/4 panels and fenders from the dealer. Bruce

"Michigan winters" That is correct Sam! It's now -1 F and getting colder. Salt doesn't even work at this temp but let's dump more on the roads. Back in '71 people believed rust proofing would help, so I had it Ziebarted when it was 5 days old. I didn't and don't have any holes in the floor pan (that I know of) but everything else was rust city. In 1982 the car had 118,000 Michigan miles on it. Bruce

Restoration 1982-1987 Here are all the pictures I have of the restoration of my 71 Monte Carlo that I started in 1982 and finished sometime in 1987. I then did more work in 1988 or 1989 on the underside. My oldest Daughter was only 2-1/2, now she is 28, wow time sure does fly. Bruce

When mine leaked, they first replaced all seals since it was old and never apart. Second (still leaked) replaced the ft pump, still leaked. Third, replaced the converter cracked weld. Leak was gone for many years but it's back. I should just go to a 700 R4 this time. Bruce

Same book: Valve timing (crankshaft degrees) 350 cu in V8 Lobe lift: .2600 Inlet .2733 Exhaust excluding including ramps ramps Inlet opens BTC 28deg 38deg Closes 72 92 duration 280 310 Exhaust opens BBC 78 88 Closes ATC 30 52 duration 288 320 (All Above @ Zero lash) Bruce

According to the paperwork (photocopied book) I received from GM of Canada a 1971 350 engine / THM 350 Trans has a stall speed of 2110 RPM. It has a stall ratio of 2.10 (whatever that means) and has a nominal diameter of 11.75 (I assume inches) The 71 Big block with THM400 has the same specs but has a converter diameter of 12.20. Bruce

Where (how far in / out) do you position the yoke in the trans to get this measurement? I wonder how much total movement your drive shaft has (in and out) when the rear axle is full up vs full down on the snubber? Bruce

David, That was great! I think it would be cool if everyone (or 10 - 15) had a post of their Montes running just like you did from the back. There could be different categories like small block, big block, X pipe, stock and so on. Bruce

I assume you then have TWO shift indicators, one in the speedometer head and one next to the floor shifter. That is so cool, perhaps early production Montes were made this way then later, to save money, Chevy pulled it out. Be careful with the cable that is attached to the steering column that moves the speedo shift indicator, they break easy. Bruce

See if you can attract the attention of a cop! He'll let you know. (he he)

Cloth.

I put Walker duals on my 71 SB way back in 1979 with a lifetime warranty on the mufflers. Sound is like stock would be. I'm on my third set and the mufflers are shot inside and rattling bad at 1100 RPM. E-mailed Walker and the pipes are no longer available and muffler has changed. These Walker tailpipes have the turn up as mentioned above that looks more like OEM did. Not sure what I will do now. There is a place if you want high $$$ correct called Gardner http://www.gardnerexhaust.com/homepage.html Bruce

OK, that's cool. I collect Sinclair stuff so I had to ask. Bruce