"MM54" (mm54mk2)
06/22/2016 at 22:05 • Filed to: '71Chevelle
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"MM54" (mm54mk2)
06/22/2016 at 22:05 • Filed to: '71Chevelle | 3
| 2 |
Please don’t hurt me for the title pun.
This past weekend I finally was able to get back to work on the Chevelle. What was accomplished? Let’s find out...
First off, I replaced the original battery cables since the main lead to the starter is always hot, and runs along the frame. I don’t really need that to decide to short and catch fire.
Picking off the undercoating reveals the factory part number ink stamp on the cables
Once the original lead was off, I inspected the insulation (under a layer of undercoating, like everything else original to the car) and found it was in great shape. The connections were a bit corroded, but otherwise it probably was okay. In any case, it’s much more comfortable now with fresh cables channeling power around the engine bay. Yes, that brown 14ga fusible link powers everything that isn’t the starter. It was a simpler time.
Next up the A/C lines were removed since I haven’t put the compressor back in and they were in the way. They’ll need replaced anyway when I convert the system to R134a. No pictures of this, it’s just some hoses being removed, use your imagination.
Speaking of hoses being removed, I also undid some evaporative emissions nonsense and fixed a big vacuum leak uncovered in the process. Also no pictures, it’s also just some hoses being removed.
Next is the main focus of the day - the exhaust. I installed the headers, fresh spark plugs (since, as you may recall, mine were shot), boot protectors (because headers), and loomed up the wires mostly out of the way. It isn’t the prettiest but it works until I get some sort of brackets figured out along the valve covers.
Sorry the picture is so huge. I wanted this and the next one side-by-side but Kinja said “NOPE!”
I repainted the valve covers a few years ago; it didn’t hold up very well. I’ll try again when I have them off to adjust the lifters.
The car went up on jackstands, and the rest of the exhaust made its way in, slowly. In summary, the system consists of: Hedman Shorty Headers, 2.5" stainless duals with a 2.5" H-pipe, and Pypes Race Pro mufflers. I used some simple 45-degree bends to make downpipes from the collectors of the shorty headers to where the exhaust expects to pick up.
The install would have been much simpler without the H-pipe, but I wanted it so I spliced it in. Power gains and better sound is worth a bit more effort!
Something-something-can’t-weld-different-metals
After 14 hours (see? There’s some actual exhaustion going on, not just the pun) the car returned to the ground and it was time to the first start-up. After putting the old, bad battery back in and jumping it, the car started up and just managed to warm up before running out of gas (oops).
After borrowing a couple gallons meant for the lawn equipment, it started back up, and I recorded this:
Pardon the smoke; not only has it not revved much in over a month, it’s also the first it’s run with this exhaust, which has a lot of oil/grease/dirt in it still to burn off.
What’s Next?
This weekend a friend and I will be working on the brakes. The plan is to replace all hard lines (and flex lines), rebuild the rear drums with all-new hardware, and convert the front to disc. This includes a new, power booster & master cylinder. The system will then be filled with DOT4 because why not.
JGrabowMSt
> MM54
06/22/2016 at 22:34 |
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Thats a good sound. Also, DOT4 brake fluid should be just fine. Im considering moving to DOT5 in the future when I do a brake upgrade simply because the Magnums are so heavy and experience really bad brake fade. NACA brake ducts are also a definite on the to-do list in the future.
Im liking your project a lot. I wish I had the time and space to restore something older than myself. Im just in a deep hole, and I think I finally see the light. The HEMIWagon will be driving again soon.
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MM54
> JGrabowMSt
06/23/2016 at 20:39 |
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DOT5 is interesting for sure; I don’t know that I would want to convert an existing system to it from 3/4 just because of the incompatibility factor. To me, it’s not exactly worth it for a regularly driven car since, in a pinch, you’re going to have trouble finding some to top off (in addition to the whole water-settles-out thing and again the complete incompatibility with non-dot5).
I’m glad you’re enjoying the project! I like your hemiwagon and hope to see an update soon.