Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

I have alot of stock parts for a 70 caprice! if you need anything that i may have - it's yours - just pay for the shipping!

And I'm down your way a couple times a year>

Thanks for the offer. I really only need some trim pieces that are beat up on my car. That and rally rim trim rings and center caps that were stolen off the car.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

Before Randal's BDay party, I did get some annoying things fixed.

First was the old pcv valve, which I'm not sure was even was stock. It was the straight up type and the hose kept falling off of it. It was also getting in the way of the throttle linkage. I didn't like how it looked either.


The new one.


Next, was a safety issue. The spring clamps on the fuel line weren't clamping tight enough for my wants. See the stain on the water pump under the fuel filter? That's gas. It didn't leak until I leaned on it or moved the filter in any way, then it dripped.


These are the smallest hose clamps I could find, but at least they are stainless, including the screws and housing, not just the band.


I also replaced my old chromey fuel log. This one has been on ten carbs and three cars and has been bent around to fit around stuff. Not only that, the fittings were all stripped from constant wrench use. Yeah, I know. I should use a line wrench. Try getting one on the damn fitting, then have it turn. If it moves at all before it hits the fuel bowl, you can afford more expensive wrenches than I can. The fuel pressure gauge leaked out it's fluid long ago, and the face got all etched up from acid.


I pulled the carb off to change up the rear jets from 78 to 80's. Also, I was going to try to mount up the downshift switch. I needed to get a set of longer carb studs to mount the bracket on top of the base plate. Now, it fit with the 3310 Holley 750, but with this Proform base plate and linkage, it hits everything. This idea failed. I guess I'll get the B&M switch.


If you mess around with Holleys a lot like I do, keep an old soup can around for draining the carb and refilling it before firing the car. I bent the side to a point to pour gas back in through the vents. You can put this under the fuel bowl screws right on the intake. Unscrew the lower bowl screw and the bowl will drain into the can and not all over your engine.


Lastly, my freebie tach didn't work. So I got a cheapie Sunpro from the parts store to match the gauges. It looks pretty good.




Now, to fix the rattle and the leaking valve covers.

[squirrel]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

work work work

I use half a soda can for the gas trick, just cut it in half and use the bottom, works great, easier to find than a soup can, and fits under the bowl easier too when draining the carb.

[Bamfster]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

I have an old tuna can that I keep in my carb tool box.....

Any mileage #s yet?

[82z]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

Instead of using the b&m switch. go to a boneyard and pull the gas pedal out of a 70's truck. The kick down switch is mounted to the pedal and it cleans up under the hood. I am in the process of doing this on my camaro.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

I'm not interested in going to a cable throttle system right now. The switch won't be seen once the air cleaner is on.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

Saturday, I checked the plugs and they looked brand new still with the exception of a bit of oil on the threads. I guess I got the primary side of the carb jettted right. I got a coupon for an oil change for $19.99 at EZ Lube, I took it in to get it's first change since the engine in went in.

I asked for a sample of oil from the dude in the pit and he hands me a styrofoam cup filled to the brim with hot oil. I proceed to still my hand into it looking for metal from bearings and such. When I pulled my hand out of the cup covered with oil, I looked up to see the other customers looking at me from the window in the waiting room with their mouths agape. Most of the employees joined in the jaw dropping gaze of this dude with his hand covered in dirty old oil. I was wondering what they thought I was going to do next, maybe drink it. Someone suggested I should've asked for Coffeemate to go with my drink.

I wanted 10/40, but they only had 10/30 in the cheap brand. So, I took it. The engine had Valvoline 20/50 VR1 race oil in it. Probably why the lifters yapped at cold start up. It now quiets down almost immediately. I also bought a bottle of Lucas Oil Break In Additive. The instructions say to fill the car up with it's five quarts of oil, then dump this stuff in on top.

[Monk]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

Those spring clamps for the gas line
get pitched

Like you........I've had my share of
ones that weeped gas

Engine detailing looks great

[milner351]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

Scott - it's times like that when you wish you had a camera to capture the looks on the faces of those who "just don't get it". ;D

How many ounces is the lucas break in additive? In a BBC I can't imagine even a quart over filled doing much harm unless you're on the dyno.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

A pint, maybe. Definitely less than a quart. My feelings as well on the overfilling.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

I got to wrenching and pulled the front end apart today. Got all the bushings changed on the A arms and removed the original upper ball joints. Those old riveted in ball joints were the worst I've seen. After digging through the petrified grease around the rivets we dug out the air chisel. It fought us the whole way. I was half expecting to see welds. Carl was a huge help today.

The bad news was the new ball joints that a friend gave me are the wrong ones. Looks like I got to order new ones.

I also cut a coil out of the new springs.

Ran out of time before I could put things back together. I'll post some pics as they come along.

[milner351]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

That's a lot of work Scott! I hope the coil removal lowers it just the right amount.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

I did parts pricing today for the upper ball joints. They ran from $20 ea. at Autozone to $65 for Moog at the real parts store. Everyone says Moog increased their prices dramatically in the last couple years because they have three words on their box, Made in USA. Two of my parts guys say arent any better than the middle priced stuff they sell.

The Moog strut rod bushings I put on this car 5000 miles ago have already and/or fallen of altogether.

[JOES66FURY]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

I have head that the Moog quality has gone to pot from a few different folks. I am not happy with the Moog parts I put on my truck, the OE and autozone pieces are holding up better than the Moog parts.

And the prices of those Moog parts, made in the USA or not are a bit questionable IMO...I have found that Rock auto sometimes has decent rates on higher end stuff than the local parts store if you do not mind waiting.

[DanStokes]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

I've been buying that kind of stuff from Roack Auto. They ship pronto. They usually have several brands for each part and prices are excellent. Worth a look.