gotham22

Guys, thanks for the info. Really appreciate it. I do like the idea of ceramic headers. Need to wrestle with the idea of changing it from stock. Did you do the whole exhaust from MSA? Tzagi1 thanks for the info about the timing chain. Now if the wife would just let me work on the car! Ha!

Hey guys, now that I have the engine and transmission out I have been thinking about what I should do to it as I am hoping to never have it out of the car again. I have owned the car for a few years and never had an issue with the engine. I did a compression test before I removed it and got good readings. So I am not sure there is anything I "have" to do. Here is what I want to do... replace hoses -especially some of the vacuum hoses which are becoming brittle. I need new fuel injector wires as the rubber is brittle and falling off. I would love to re-zinc the fuel rail as it looks terrible. Re-torque the head bolts and adjust valve lash. Replace clutch. Based on the pics I have a few questions. I know some of these are just a matter of preference but while I have the engine out I want to do it right. And my goal is to make the a reliable weekend driver. The exhaust manifold looks pretty rusty. Is this something I can restore or should I look to replace? Do the gaskets need to be replaced, you can see some oil stains on the header and valve areas? Should I replace the fuel injectors? The pulleys seem pretty rusted, these can be restored though right? Does anyone know where I can find a new heat shield that fits under the egr valve?

Thanks. Wheee’s thread is great. Looks like I have a bunch of fab work in my future. Will be taking a short hiatus. Hoping to get back into the second week of November. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Two Questions: 1) What is the best way to remove the tension rod mount without damaging it so it can later be welding on to the new frame rail? 2) I bought a new frame rail and floor support from zed findings but I don't see how the floor support will attach to the tension rod mount? It doesn't have the piece I circled in red. Is this something I need to fabricate myself? Does anyone have a good picture of how this should look when I am done?

Wanted to thank everyone here for helping me out. I am a true novice and I could never have gotten to the point I am at today without your help. I reached a big milestone today! Engine is out!!!

Awesome tip! Just wish I had a pick and pull near me

Thanks grannyknot! It is not a full tear down but my goal is to have the engine be as reliable as possible. I already know I need to rewire efi injector plugs as mine are brittle and falling apart. Will keep an eye out for other bad connectors or just worn parts in general. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

This weekend I am pulling the engine out of the car! Got a chain connected to the bell housing. Just ran out of time. Question - while the engine is out what are some of the "must-do's" that I should be thinking about. I am assuming now that I have unlimited access I should be swapping certain parts - i.e clutch

Thanks lordkarma88. I have never worked on cars before so this is all new to me. Have to say though I am learning a lot and having fun while doing it.

thanks for the help. Looks like I will use the bell housing bolt for this. There is no sign of a bolt or threads on the manifold anymore.

Here are some better pictures

Hey guys, I am ready to pull the engine. it is fully detached. I have a lift bracket on the front passenger side but do not know where to connect the leveler to on the drivers side. I read a lot of post about a bolt hole towards the firewall but I don't see it. I see what looks like a hole where a bolt goes but it is not threaded and nothing can be attached there. See pic. So where can I attach the leveler to that will be string enough?

Tzagi1 - thanks for the help. I did use on blaster and heat and they still broke. As for the water that was the only place I found the water. But as you said it flows downhill. I guess I could get in the car while someone hoses it down to see where the water is coming in from Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Haven’t update this thread in awhile but I was able to get some work done. Started removing engine parts to pull the engine. Radiator, fan, canister, alternator and starter are all out. Along with other bits and pieces. Two things I am dealing with now. When trying to remove the exhaust pipe from the manifold two of the three bolts broke. Do you guys know of a what to fix this? Is it fixable? Second thing, when I am not working on the car I have to covered using a cover craft car cover. We have had some pretty heavy rains here the past week. When I removed the car cover and opened the passenger door there was about an inch of water sitting directly under where the seat would be. Any idea where that could be leaking from? I know the car covers are not water proof but that seems like a lot of water and has me kind of stumped Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Love the color! Looks amazing Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

FInally good news!! I did a compression test this morning and all 6 cylinders read 160. Whew! time to start preparing for the engine to come out...

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Anyone have a good site they buy their metal from? Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Ok so I mis measured. Looks like it is 18g. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

I used a sheet metal gauge Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Wheee! Been following you thread and love it. Been super helpful.

It appears that the floor pans are 16 gauge. Does that sound correct? Anyone know a good source to but sheet metal? I found this site - https://www.onlinemetals.com. I guess it is as good as any.

Agreed. Like I said scary thoughts! Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Its been awhile since I posted. Haven't been able to work on the car much. My daughter is 6 months now and she has been taking most of my time. I removed much of the tar coating on both the drivers side and passenger side floor pans. I wanted to make sure there was no hidden rust. Thankfully i did not find any more. Since I havent been able to work on the car frequently I gave it a quick coat of eastwood frame sealer today to make sure I dont get any flash rust. Next steps will be to do a compression test on the engine and then pull it so I can replace the frame rail. Having scary thoughts like "since the engine is out why not strip the car and do a full restoration..."

Got the car supported in multiple places and level. Removed the carpet on the passengers side and found a hole on the floor pan. Very minor considering what I have been dealing with so far. Funny how your perspective changes!