The DisAstre project

[Hoffbug]

I bet that sounds sweet...

[fatguyzinc]

nice, my wife has a 75 astre- we just used the
tried & true SBC swap. its a NASTY 327
with 10-1 pistons, a set of 2.05 camelhump heads
and a 280-.495-106 cam and 2600 stall in the th350
with a 7.5 inch cosworth vega 3.73 rear end.

i'll give you 3 guesses what her favorite color is...

[Hoffbug]

This is the only GM H-Body window I have ever taken out so I couldn't tell if this was normal of not.. Im guessing it isnt structural but the previous owner went insane with some sort of sealant around the window It was gooped over the plastic trim clips even. we broke the piano wire 5 times and only got about a foot...

[Stewzer55]

Possible, GM pioneered using the windshield as a structural member on the Corvair starting with the first 1960 models I think anyway. Don't quote me on it, I'm just a young know-it-all...

[Hoffbug]

It was in there to a degree that I think it was. The factory sealant has been supplimented by something that had the consistency of a solid block of rubber.

[SuperBuickGuy]

the window was a structural member?

[Hoffbug]

I got the old windshield mostly removed from the DisAstre today... The previous owner may have gotten sealant from NASA cause this thing was beyond cemented in place.. Tools and techniques will not be listed other than to say the old Norm Coleman 08 campaign signs were put to good use once again. ... Thanks again to my helper who has asked to remain nameless.

[DanStokes]

I had the same issue with my 8.8. Pre-crushing is a great idea! Next time.

Dan

[Hoffbug]

someday I'll learn how to set up gears.... I took my diff to a friend to check how I'd done... sigh.

I hear you.. The worst part seemed to be Crushing the crush sleeve.. Ive read it takes about 320 FT LBS of torque to even start it.. I always cheat and get it close first in the press..

[SuperBuickGuy]

someday I'll learn how to set up gears.... I took my diff to a friend to check how I'd done... sigh.

[Hoffbug]

I put the rear end together over the weekend..Used a T&D pinion depth kit and it worked great... cosworth Vega 7.5 rear end housing, 3.73 gears, Detroit Trutrac and Moser C-clip street axles...

[SuperBuickGuy]

perfect!

[Hoffbug]

Threw a rotor and brake on to check for wheel clearance.. I have .140 ( just a hair over 1/8") between the spokes and the caliper and a ton of room between the caliper and the inside of the wheel

[Hoffbug]

[Hoffbug]

Front springs are in.. Had to get a little creative.. Used half of the internal spring compressor ran down through the top shock mount with a 3" spacer made of 5/8" ID pipe.. The spacer had the ends cut at an angle to try and force the spring to line up a little more straight.. Then I had to run a ratchet strap about 3 coils up from the bottom to pull the bottom of the spring inbound as much as possible... Once I had it compressed enough to start the nut on the lower ball joint I had to take a 1x3 plank about 3 feet long and drive the base of the spring into the pocket with a dead blow hammer.. I hope the ride height comes out good in the end cause I dont want to ever have to take these out...