DragCat

Has anyone upgraded their standard rubber mounts to polyurethane? Thoughts ? I ordered a set of poly's for the new crate but have been told that you may feel a little more vibration than with the standard old rubber ones. Even the manufacturers website video says to expect a different feel.

Interesting writeup in the thread below for those like me that didn't know any history of the car. https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1115868

Whats the story on this missing Monte ?

And so it begins 😆 Ordered the Crate engine and started dis-assembly this afternoon. And yes I get a little crazy with tagging everything and colored tape and bag and tag all the bolts and parts. 🤣 Hope to drain and remove the radiator tomorrow so I can move the a/c stuff out of the way and finish with the D/S exhaust manifold removal. So ive added a before shot and todays accomplishment shot.

Nice friend indeed ! I soaked mine with PB Blaster today to hopefully take out tomorrow with no issues 😯

Your right they do look good, and I like the use of the words "significant difference" in the handling improvements 👍

I got to use my quick-jack yesterday for replacing my starter. Very pleased with that purchase 😁 And a little lesson learned on the stater replacement, make sure you verify weather you have a straight or staggered bolt pattern. I had the staggered so I went with the power master starter, easy peasy 20 minutes. And what a pleasure it was just pushing the up or down button on the jack instead of hauling around the floor jack

That was an interesting watch, thanks for sharing.

Hey Michael, Paul makes some very good and sound comments. Its probably to late in the year to go to some cruise in's, car shows, or the local drag strip to talk to some fellow car people for recommendations. Do your homework, and I always pad the quotes in my mind for worse case scenarios. Then if it comes in less i'm surprisingly happy lol.

I'm a little confused on the questions. From the first post I read it as you already had an engine quote, but your second post reads like you don't. Metal in the pan usually isn't a good thing for starters. Is your mechanic also going to service/refresh the trans if needed or is that getting sent out too? Your mechanic can probably quote you a price on the R&R alone. If he's "your" mechanic and you like/trust him/her then you have to settle on that one. The engine builder or your mechanic should have a contact to get the engine transported back and forth. Or you could rent a PU (I think the AD's say $19 for the first 90 minutes). The engine builder should be able to give you a worse case quote for the build telling him what you "know" . Again, if you like/trust them your going to have to bite the bullet on price.

Laughing, the first thing I ordered when I got my Monte was the service manual CD's, from past experience well worth the $$ book or digital media. I always buy another ink cartridge when I have a new major project in the schedule. Can't wait to see that Monte finished and on the road, as i'm sure you are too

Dig'n the updates on the Monte. Do you and your brother have a warehouse hidden somewhere with all the parts and pieces stored in it ? 🤔

If your keeping the car what are your plans for it? Cruise in's / car shows, tooling around town i'd rebuild the original block. If you might want to flex your muscle at the track and such i'd definitely go crate motor. If you go with a crate do your research and all the possible parts and pieces you may need to purchase, they add up quick. Personaly i'd go crate carburated since I hate to have a laptop around to work on a car.

I'm late to the party but i'll add my .02 for the direction i'm going in. As Tom mentioned for headers, I was told if your pushing over 500 HP you should go with 2" primaries and never look back. If you do a search for headers in the forum you'll see what some people got and the pro's and cons of their installs. I'm going with a mechanical fuel pump, its a personal preference for me. Same with cooling, I want the original look so i'm keeping all the stock parts and pieces. Of course a little easier on my side as I started with a 454 under the hood. Good luck on your swap and keep us updated. Ive picked up a ton of information from this group and learned a bunch just reading others posts from members on their projects.

Like I need anymore die cast in any size, but was in WallyMart and it was $1.27 so I decided to splurge 😁

Thanks Alan. I had read about hanging low, proportioning valve issues between different makes. The only downside I ever saw (when I did a forum search on headers) re ARH was the price lol. Since i'm dropping in a 502 crate I didn't want to hear "it should work" on fitment. Ive been working with Nick at ARH directly so thats gives me more of a comfort level. I'll let ya'll know.

Ok so I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row before the engine swap. I did a search through the forum for headers and came up with 2 possibilities, Dougs D313 and American Racing Headers. I had hoped to re-use my factory exhaust manifolds but ARH told me probably not since the crate probably has "D" exhaust ports. Anyway as most of you know ARH are a tad more pricey, but everything I read there were no "mods" needed and no need to move or shield the proportioning valve. One thing that impressed me was they answer emails on saturday and they make a Monte specific header. Anyway just throwing this out there if someone has an alternate opinion or experience. I will start a engine swap thread when I get started, have learned a lot from the Hemmings article on their Chevelle swap. Not apples to apples but a ton of good info.

Thanks, I'll double check the existing fuel lines. I just assumed 5/16 to the pump. Of course if the holly or crate "suggests" 1/2 I'll do that. I had anticipated some plumbing so I had 2 O'Reily $$ coupons and bought some 3/8 and 5/16 tubing. I still have the receipts so I can swap'm if needed. Damn thats a clean engine compartment, I thought mince was clean.

Thanks Thomas. I did hear back from the supplier and the holly mechanical pump is the 3 port version. Another member PM'd me and said his holly recommended upgrading to a 3/8 line not the normal 5/16 so I may have to do that. Thanks for the answer to my plumbing concern question. Now I feel comfortable if I were to go electric or 2 port mechanical. I'm trying not to upgrade/change too much with the engine swap so other than complete part failure it ran before so no reason it shouldn't run now. As an old guy the main reason I still like carburated engines, air, fuel and spark the thing should run. The old KISS principle. Appreciate all the comments, it was a good day as I learned something new about my Monte , cheers

Yes the new 502's do have the provision for adding a mechanical fuel pump. So what do I do with the return line if I go to a 2 port mechanical or electric ? What i'm saying is I don't understand the return line configuration or how do I delete it from the system. From the Hemmings Chevelle article, not word for word but a summary, with the new crate motors and their roller type camshaft if you use a mechanical fuel pump you need to upgrade the push rod (bronze tip for example. I'll see if I can find the specific article. Found it https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/surgery-without-scars-3/

I'm dropping in a GM Crate 502. I'm still on the learning curve of the Monte's so I'm not really sure I understand why there are 3 ports on my existing mechanical fuel pump. Also looking at an old OPGI catalog it looks like the holly GM high performance mechanical fuel pump only has 2 ports. So I'm wondering on each difference what has to be modified changed in either scenario. On a side note, from the prior post where Hemmings dropped a GM crate in a Chevelle, I know if I stay mechanical I'll need to get a "special" fuel pump push rod.

Laughing, no I don't want one. But i'm trying not to be stubborn in my old age that I don't listen to suggestions 😮 I'd rather NOT do electrical, just another troubleshooting point of failure IMHO. Just figured someone has done it and will give the pro's and con's. I'll put you in the no column

Not sure if this is the right thread or is should have gone in electrical, oh well. I'm getting my ducks in a row for the winter engine swap and a few people have said I should upgrade to electric fuel pump vs the mechanical. So while i'm not 100% on board I thought i'd at least ask the pros. My first question is all the electric pumps have 2 ports, not like my current mechanical that has 3. So how do you re-plumb for the lost port?

Great looking Monte, glad to see you and the wife enjoying

Great looking Monte! When I was discussing engine upgrades with a friend he just finished a Chevelle LS swap. I know apples to oranges but he said lots of modifications to make it all work. Way out of my comfort level/wheelhouse but looks great when done.