Chevelle updates

[VintageMusclecar]

One step forward, two steps back.

So I finally got around to swapping out the manual steering for an original power set-up...got sick &amp; tired of wrasslin' that uncooperative sumbitch into tight parking spaces, etc. (--if Rachel ever had to drive the car, there would be <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">no way</span></span> she'd be able to maneuver it at low speeds [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif[/img] )

So....

Out with the old:




Vacancy:




Remote reservoir mounted:



All ready to install (--or so I thought)





(The Pitman arm was just slipped on 180° out temporarily while I wrestled the new rag joing on)


Aaaaannnnnnnd.....we come to a screeching halt yet again.



*Edit* Mystery solved---apparently the PS pulley is correct and I need a 3 groove crank pulley.

More shortly...

[earntaz]

Ouch!!!

[427TJ]

You and Kwhizz make for fascinating reading! Inspirational too.

[VintageMusclecar]

Joe Smith to the rescue!

Joe ROCKS! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

I was unaware that the big blocks with power steering took a 3 groove crank pulley. Looking at the installation it seemed somewhat obvious that the PS belt should've ran on the unused groove on the 2 groove pulley arrangement, but alas....GM, again in their inimitable wisdom ( [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) thought it better to throw yet another monkey wrench into the mix.

A few quick calls to Joe yesterday got me the info I needed, and by sheer luck, Joe had the 3 groove pulley I needed--not only that, he went <span style="font-weight: bold">WAY</span> above &amp; beyond and got it to me overnight!




Why the rush?--because I'm trying my best to get the car back together &amp; ready to take to Kil Kare tomorrow, and seeing as how for the last month + all but ONE test &amp; tune session has been cancelled due to rain and the forecast for tomorrow is SUPER-nice, I don't want to waste another opportunity if I don't absolutely have to.

That said, it's all back together now save for a belt for the power steering pump and filling &amp; bleeding the system (and praying for no leaks &amp; the steering box works!)






The only other concern I have at the moment is the proximity of the return hose to the #1 header tube. In the pic below the pump is slid inwards towards the engine (for belt installation) so the hose is very close to the tube, but with the pump slid towards the outer end of its adjustment (after the belt is installed &amp; tightened) there's notably more room.

(Sorry for the ultra-crappy pics! My shop is little more than a Dungeon, so lighting for decent pics is SORELY lacking! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img] )




The thing that confuses me is the return nipple on the back of my pump housing points upwards while the AIM (and several other reference pics I've found) show the factory return nipple pointing downwards--which would alleviate the issue with the header tube. Not sure what the deal is there yet, but I'll get it figured out--eventually.

Rachel's out running parts right now, so as soon as she gets back I'll head to the parts store and pick up the belt.

Fingers crossed! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img]

[VintageMusclecar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427TJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You and Kwhizz make for fascinating reading! Inspirational too. </div></div>

&quot;Fascinating&quot;...lol...I suppose that's one way to put it. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

[earntaz]

(Sorry for the ultra-crappy pics! My shop is little more than a Dungeon, so lighting for decent pics is SORELY lacking! frown ) Aaaah ... but what beasts come from the dungeons -- and I thought I was the only one with same. TAZ [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

[VintageMusclecar]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnddddddd..........

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Drumroll.................................
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After three (count `em...<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">THREE</span></span></span>) trips to the parts store(s) to find a belt that fits...we have power steering.

FWIW, with the 3 groove crank pulley and the 3873847 PS pulley, a .410&quot; wide (10 mm) by 51&quot; belt should be just about right. I have a 51.5&quot; belt and it's just a skosh looser than I'd care for with the adjustment maxed out.

Gott'a wait `till the system de-foams a bit before I can test drive it, but I was able to turn the wheel back &amp; forth with 1 finger. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

SO FAR---no runs, no drips, no errors...save for the slight mess I made spilling PS fluid while trying to fill the reservoir with the engine running (the car does shake a little after all...)

Fingers crossed...more shortly..I hope!

[VintageMusclecar]

Test drives are complete. I had to re-clock the steering wheel, but that aside, the car is <span style="font-weight: bold">MUCH</span> nicer to drive now, and tight spot maneuverability is <span style="font-style: italic">vastly</span> improved! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Also, a couple of weeks ago I made a few minor adjustments to the idle circuits on the carb. This seems to have cleared up the part-throttle hiccups the car was experiencing between 1500-2000 rpm.

Now if I can just remember not to try to lug this thing down below 1500 rpm while cruising through town. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smirk.gif[/img]

Assuming there aren't any unforeseen snafu's tomorrow, Kil Kare appears to be a go.

[VintageMusclecar]

SO!!!...

What happens when you mix 4,000+ lbs of `60's musclecar with 600+ lb.ft of torque, a 5 speed manual trans, a 3500 rpm launch with sticky tires and a 12 bolt rear end?...

Took the Chevelle back to Kil Kare today for another shot at redemption.

Pfft...yeah, right.

I'm now 0 for 2.

Got there at 5:30, zoomed through tech, hot-footed it over to the staging lanes, and promptly sat until after 7:00 before I got to make--er--TRY to make my first pass.

SUPER-light burnout...rolled up to the lights, brought the tach up to 3500, aaaaaaaaaaannnnddddd.......

The 12 bolt gave up the ghost right there in front of God &amp; everybody--the thing barely even lurched off the line.

Video below (please excuse the potty mouth), post-mortem pics of the 12 bolt once I get the car off the trailer and on stands in the garage.

Oh, on the plus side, the Suburban did a GREAT job of towing today, but I REALLY need to figure out a way to upgrade the WOEFULLY inadequate OEM brakes.

[scuncio]

Dude. It only gets better from there....