Installing the 400 motor

Starting to chain up the motor to take it off the stand.

The B&M TorkMaster torque converter is installed and the tranny's bolted up. Time to lift.

Say "Ahhhhh."

The motor's in!
What a nice sight. Now comes the hard work of hooking everything up...now where's that radiator cap?

This is the Spectre "Universal" carb linkage adapter. It had to be modified like crazy to get it to fit. I used the BFH modification methodology.
I think it's meant for Holley carbs rather than q-jets...but it works now.

We had to cut the V6 fan shroud back by about 4 inches. The sabre saw made quick work of it.
This is what's left. It's now the upper radiator bracket as well.

Here's the front of the motor with the trimmed shroud and the new hoses, as well as the ignition wiring and vacuum lines connected.

This is the other side of the motor (duh).

Outside the garage so we can check for leaks and other bad things.
You can kinda see how it's sitting a little more level with the new air shocks in the rear.

Just before the maiden voyage (well, ok...a trip around the block.)
"Stand by to weigh anchor, captain!"

Note: It spewed every type of fluid everywhere. The next few days were spent fixing leaks.

Next page: Rebuilding the Quadrajet (and converting to an Edelbrock).

80 Elky Home

Projects Home