The Fun Part Once we chased all the surface rust away and sprayed the entire engine compartment with Rust-Oleum rusty metal primer topped with satin-black paint, it was time to start the construction phase. Much like with our early Chevelle, we also discovered that interlocking safety motor mounts wouldn't clear the stock frame mounts, necessitating the use of our original mounts. We also learned that the headers would fit from underneath if we lifted up one side of the engine about 3 inches using the engine hoist. The new 1 7/8-inch coated headers from Dick Miller were relatively easy to install, but both sides rubbed the firewall, requiring some minor hammer surgery. The driver side also necessitated a simple dimple to clear the steering shaft. What we didn't know was that these headers require a special mini starter motor also available from Dick Miller. Because of short deadlines, we elected to reuse our original, smaller 1 3/4-inch headers.The new 1 7/8-inch coated headers from Dick Miller were relatively easy to install, but bo All old cars have their idiosyncrasies. We learned that sliding the engine in without the motor mounts allowed just enough room to squeak the flexplate inside the bellhousing. With that done, we could then slip the motor mounts over the frame brackets and bolt up everything.All old cars have their idiosyncrasies. We learned that sliding the engine in without the We initially installed this engine-driven fan just to get the car running, but we intend to use a pair of Spal 11-inch electric fans once we have more time to handle the details.We initially installed this engine-driven fan just to get the car running, but we intend t While the engine swap was in progress, Moore found an '88 Monte SS steering box in the boneyard, so we cleaned it up and bolted it in along with a second-generation Firebird 1 1/4-inch front sway bar and Energy Suspension bushings.While the engine swap was in progress, Moore found an '88 Monte SS steering box in the bon Back in the May '10 issue we did a story ("A Quick and Easy Wilwood Caliper Bolt-On") on installing Wilwood's twin-piston calipers. Using a cheap cast-iron 15/16-inch bore master cylinder, we now have excellent binders.Back in the May '10 issue we did a story ("A Quick and Easy Wilwood Caliper Bolt-On") on i This is the completed 455 finally stuffed back in the engine compartment. We also had to modify that upper radiator mount we found at the junkyard to properly position the new Mark 7 radiator. We trimmed the mount with a cutoff wheel and then welded it back together with our handy Craftsman MIG welder.We also had to modify that upper radiator mount we found at the junkyard to properly posit We had no end of difficulties with cooling system electrolysis in our Orange Peel Chevelle, so we intend to lavish extra attention on our new Mark 7 aluminum radiator with a load of filtered (not distilled) water protected by a bottle of HyperKuhl. This additive not only offers outstanding corrosion protection but also employs wetting agents that improve cooling efficiency.We had no end of difficulties with cooling system electrolysis in our Orange Peel Chevelle Deadlines ambushed us again and we didn't get a chance to hit the dragstrip since we only got the engine running the night before we put this issue to bed. The new Olds motor feels strong and the Quarter, Jr. dragstrip simulator estimates our heavyweight should run somewhere in the high 12s at 109 mph. Not bad for a 47-year-old cruiser.Deadlines ambushed us again and we didn't get a chance to hit the dragstrip since we only On The Road With the engine nestled in place, the front sheetmetal details took a little time to align. During our junkyard tours, Moore discovered an excellent '88 Monte SS steering box that was a perfect fit for the Olds to upgrade that one-finger '60s power steering. We bolted in a new rag joint from Rock Auto to complete the deal and also upgraded to a 11/4-inch front sway bar that had spent a previous life on a second-generation Firebird. Complementing this steering and suspension upgrade are the Wilwood D52 twin-piston calipers we had previously installed. Combined with a 15/16-inch iron master cylinder and an adjustable proportioning valve, we now have excellent brakes to whoa the lumbering Olds. With the goodies all bolted in place, the best part of the whole story was warming the big 455 and then hitting the boulevard. If you've ever built and then fired up a brand-new engine, then you know that cooking paint/smoking oil smell as all those new parts get acquainted. They say aromas are some of the most potent memory triggers, and every time that smell hits us, it's always a fun time. "Well, whose junk pile piece of Chhhh-evelle is this? Did you boys come here to race-or just kiss?" -Kathy Mattea's song 455 Rocket PARTS LIST DESCRIPTION PN SOURCE PRICE Mark 7 aluminum radiator custom-built Mark 7 Radiators $650.00 Dick Miller headers, 17/8 inches DMR-6822RP Dick Miller Racing 692.94 DMR small starter DMR-510 Dick Miller Racing 217.94 Spal twin 11-inch fans 30102052 A1 Electric 259.95 Wilwood D52CB calipers 120-10937-RD Summit Racing 164.99 Wilwood disc brake pads 150-8939K Summit Racing 52.94 Rust-Oleum dark-gray primer 2089830 Home Depot 3.44 (4) Rust-Oleum semigloss black 7798830 Home Depot 4.98 (4) Ames Performance radiator cushions P120A Ames Perf Eng. 19.00 HyperKuhl coolant additive see website Applied Chemical 12.95 Monte Carlo steering box N/A Junkyard 35.00 Sway bar, 1 1/4 inches N/A Junkyard 15.00 SOURCES Glasstek Naperville IL 630-978-9897 www.glasstek.com Dick Miller Racing Hernando MS 662-233-2301 www.dickmillerracing.com Rust-Oleum 11 Hawthorn Parkway Vernon Hills IL 60061 847-367-7700 www.rustoleum.com Mark 7 Radiators Bay City MI 989-922-7335 www.mark7radiators.com SPAL USA 1731 SE Oralabor Road Ankeyny IA 800-345-0327 www.spalusa.com Ames Performance Engineering Bonney Road Malborough NH 03455 603-876-3345 Painless Performance 2501 Ludelle Street Fort Worth TX 76105 817-244-6212 www.painlessperformance.com Applied Chemical Specialties Omaha NE 847-477-9262 www.Norosion.com Wilwood Brakes 4700 Calle Bolero Camarillo CA 93012 805-388-1188 www.wilwood.com « | 1 | 2 | View Full Article By Jeff Smith Enjoyed this Post? 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