Finally the Aspen

[aspen77rt]

After getting finally getting some free time and not working OT, I can switch my focus to the Aspen. Front suspension has been off for 1.5 years. Parts everywhere. :laughing6:

First order of biz

1. Pull engine and trans (more parts everywhere)

2. Drop K-member and clean it.

3. Install aluminum isolators

4. Put the front suspension back together. Got to do something with those pretty FirmFeel T-bars.:icon_lol:

5. Parts for Engine build(major parts)
Have
-'96 360
-Edelbrock Performer (Ports opened to 360 size)
-Demon Sizzler prepped Thermoquad

It never ends.

 

[aspen77rt]

Still going to hate cutting off that 3" dual exhaust the previous owner put on. It does have magnaflows, maybe I can salvage them. But, it got to go.

 

[80 Aspen RT]

Three inch exhaust and six inch tips! :laughing1:

 

[aspen77rt]

When I got the car from the guy, the exhaust was hooked to stock manifolds too.

 

[80 Aspen RT]

Obviosly no low end at all....but how did it sound?

 

[aspen77rt]

Little background
The PO's set-up was a '77 318 (stock) bottom end, '66 273 heads, '65 273 cast single plane intake, Carter AFB, stock manifolds, dual 3" exhaust w/ magnaflows, 8 3/4 3.23 SG and a reground stock or close to stock mechanical cam. It sounded quiet w/ a hint of a rumble. Hell his wife was driving it around.

He told me their was water seeping/trace in the engine. He said he didnt think the intake was sealing. When I got home I checked the head/intake casting numbers. Next day slapped on an Edelbrock performer and WALA, no more water seepage. Best it did with that set-up was 15.7 sec trapping at 87 on crappy worn out stock springs too. Plugs showed it was leaning out.

The next year I swapped on; Magum heads, Dual plane M1, Headman tight tube headers, SS springs, Edelbrock 600 cfm, and a MP 761 cam. The 1.6 mag rocker arms added a little more lift. Best time was around 14.8 sec trapping @ 91. It was still leaning out. That set up with the MP761 and 3" duals sounded like a Tiger. Had nice chop to the idle. But as you see by the 1/4 mile time, it was a kitty kat. I bet it would have done a little better with 2.5" exhaust and a non-OD trans. That RPM drop is huge.

Now that I'm back to working on it I'll change the exhaust to 2.5".

Oh and got a hold of the guy who's going to grind a custom cam for it.

New engine build is going to be;
-'96 360 block
-kb 107 Pistons
-Hughes Iron Ram 2.02
-Edelbrock Performer with the ports opened.
-Carter TQ (Prepped by Demon Sizzler)
-Custom Hyd Roller
-TTI's

Going to keep the OD trans and 3.23's as this will mainly be a cruiser.

 

[aspen77rt]

Slowly chipping away at getting the engine out. Going with the first week of October for the engine/trans pull.

Aspen body and suspension parts waiting.

Filling up the other shelves.

 

[bremereric]

That's a wild ass water neck on that there intake.

 

[jasperjacko]

That's one of the "high" performance water necks.haha. Glad to see you're on your way. Aint it fun?!

 

[aspen77rt]

It was off one of the magnum engines I have sitting in the garage. Had to use it in a pinch a few years back. An LA one will go on the rebuild.:icon_biggrin:

 

[aspen77rt]

Evaporust came today:blob1:

and


Finalized the cam with the grinder today. So, that should be enroute in a few weeks.

 

[aspen77rt]

That evaporust is some awesome stuff Bremereric.

Cam specs arrived for the Hyd Roller


Intake- 264(adv), 212 (.050), 127 (.200), .305" lobe (.488 w/1.6)
Exhaust- 268 (adv), 216 (.050), 130 (.200), .305" lobe (.488 w/1.6)
on a 113 Lobe Separation Angle, installed at -108-110 Intake CL

 

[aspen77rt]

Farted around with the heat gun before work. Works well. The thicker the UC is the easier it seems to come off.

 

[aspen77rt]

Got the shifter, linkage, z-bar unhooked and driveshaft out. Going to fart around tomorrow taking the centerlink off and undercoat scraping. Engine and trans will come out next week.

 

[aspen77rt]

Engine and trans is out. Next the K-frame.

 

[bremereric]

Good job. No body died.

 

[aspen77rt]

Cleaned up the trans a little. Aluminum case w/cast tail shaft. *Shrugs*.... it works.

 

[aspen77rt]

K-frame is out. Looks good, just some areas around wear the bicuits were. I am thinking about rust bullet on this thing. I dont think the VHT all weather will hold up. Any sugestions other than powder coat?

Same for the framerails they look fantastic. I ll post some pics when there cleaned. I just dont know if I want to rust bullet the outside frame rails. Def the eastwood frame stuff for inside of the rails.


Bremereric: My header chioce is TTI's. How do they fit with a 4spd f-body? I dont want to mod the z-bar. I was using the headman tight tubes which work well with a mini starter.

 

[aspen77rt]

Took a break on cleaning the K-frame. Started to fart around cleaning some gunk out of the engine compartment.

 

[bremereric]

If you can stand the fumes get you some MEK at the Depot and it really helps removing the grease. Watch out cause it will remove the paint also.