My Cam Research for the Experts Eye

Hello gents, just a little update. Back from our 4500 mile, 6 week road trip and putting attention back to a first drive. I hope you all are doing well.

I thought I'd have the transmission up onto the stand, but the 2 side bolts aren't quite long enough. Rather than spend a lot for two longer 5/8 bolts, I decided to get 5/8 thread rod and make my own for less, plus I'll have extra rod. So a little delay.

Ran the engine, no drama, just primed the pump and it cranked right up.

Engine cooling is ok, the electric fans maintain temp in the 190ish range sitting in the garage. Next summer will be a better test to verify if I may need to consider a larger radiator and/or higher cfm airflow. I did change distributor advance to manifold vacuum, with adj advance can.

I also started to get the main gauge cluster ready to put back into the dash. This means a cleanup and installation of speedo, indicators, lights and my aftermarket oil/water temp gauges. Pretty straightforward and will allow me to get rid of the temporary gauge panel I'm using. I decided to use the gauges I had and put that money towards trans rebuild.9302023132056.jpg
 
Lol I knew after I looked at the pic that Rick's eye would highlight the prettiness! My work bench shares space with wife's honey do work!
 
"My work bench shares space with wife's honey do work!"

your lucky if that honey do crap does not eventually creep along, constantly expand and dominate the work area
I was constantly fighting that issue in fla.
you can build a 10,000 sq ft shop and eventually 1/2 or more will become
(STORAGE SPACE for crap your wife won't let you pitch in the dumpster ,
even though you both admit its trash or stuff your very unlikely to ever use.)
my shop in fla was 2800 sq feet
when my mother-in-law passed, my wife decided we needed to keep most of her furniture..
naturally it got stored in my shop,
I only got to trash it when we moved)

my new shops only 1/2 that large so floor space is tight

slowly getting back into the engine/car hobby, ordered 14 heavy duty shelves

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200700934_200700934?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Storage%20%2B%20Organizers%20%3E%20Wire%20Shelving%20%3E%20Wire%20Shelving%20Units&utm_campaign=Ironton&utm_content=62497&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl4vpkZHK-wIVBBXUAR17NACZEAQYASABEgLfnP...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
 
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Thankfully we're both pretty good about clearing out stuff that's just taking space. Except tools. We did some remodeling back in Jan that really showed how much we didn't need - donated a lot of things.

Gauges are coming along..a fun little project. Still have the indicators to do.20231031_172821.jpg
 
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All done, I'll need to work on a bit of dash wiring , then I'll be able to run the engine again. Next up is th400 rebuild with my "filler work" finishing up wiring details.
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New led bulbs helped a lot.
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What are the two red and two green lights above the gauges for???

Nice that you can remove part of the dash, that would never work on today's cars.
 
your married rick!
its obvious
the red= STOP!
the GREEN = GO!
and his wife controls the wireless remote controller while he drives :facepalm: :giggle:
 
don't we all (MALES) wish we had one that worked!
(a wife remote control)

if you don't think this is funny/absurd you have not been married very long:facepalm:
if the remote actually worked I think the divorce rate would be significantly lower and all males
would buy 3 spare remotes and have a years worth of replacement batteries on hand at all times! :like:
it would damn sure reduce the amount of beer,whisky and prozac sold
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Oh your killing me Paul, maybe in heaven we will find one of those remotes for real !!!
 
!
Hate to move from that topic lol but work continues......

My transmission fixture works great. I did make the side bolts longer - threaded rod with a welded nut. I'm really happy with it. Very solid.

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First step is to disassemble with lots of notes. Then I'll figure out what parts (kit) are needed. I like Raybestos waffle clutches vs Alto smooth thin clutches. I'll also selectively use some Sonnax upgrades. I've gotten my stuff before from transpartswarehouse.com, good parts and reasonable cost.

Maybe I'll start a thread tagged to this one on the th400 rebuild vs including iy here? What do you think? Can I link both threads in my signature?
 
I love the transmission holder/ engine stand tool!
 
TXChevy said:
Can I link both threads in my signature?
Click to expand...
Yes you can put links in your signature, I have them.

I think it would be a good idea to have a separate thread for your trans, easier for others to find what they are looking for.
 
I'll do that second thread for the TH400.

Green outer lights are left and right turn indicators. Left side red light is alternator light, right side red light is oil pressure light.

Edit:
TH400 Rebuild
 
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I'm in the fiddly work part of finishing wiring and all sorts of stuff.

Gauge cluster re-installed in the dash - those weatherpak connectors make it super simple to install. Everything seems to work fine.


If you look just to the lower right of the gauge cluster, next to the ashtray you'll see an opening. That opening was for a large HVAC control panel - I had previously used it for some indicator lights as shown. Pretty clunky. On the right is the start of a new indicator lights panel that hopefully gives a better look. I'm using the original dash trim piece.
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Took a while to get the metal panel bent as needed but it turned out fine. Should give a smoother look. I covered it with 3M titanium wrap, which will also be used in some of the later interior trim. 6 micro led lights, and I went with my weatherpak connectors again for easy install.
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This is generally the angle of installed unit. I have a small cover plate that will hide the OFF-HI slot.
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Lamps are L to R:
-Th400 downshift switch on
-Line lock on
-Fan1 on
-Fan2 on
-Fuel pump on
-Fuel pump off

I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel on wiring....

I thought I'd comment on the Revolution Electronics Fuel pump controller I'm using. Love it, works great. Turn the key on and it primes the system (activates pump) for about 4 seconds, then shuts off. Start the engine and it immediately activates the pump - it uses the distributor tach signal to know when to run. No more separate pump priming switch.
I realize that if the controller fails then its no more fuel, but I added a backup connector in the pump circuit that lets me run fused 12v directly to the pump "just in case".
 
Whatever is at hand to get the bend or curve needed. I used the smaller V in my homemade bender in my homemade 20T press, plus panel pliers, wood, clamps, pipe etc lol. Whatever it takes!
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I'm also thinking that I may not do the th400 rebuild thread. There's tons of better info out there, plus it's gonna take me a long time, working between other vehicle work, holidays etc. I'll continue this thread as milestones though- in this case I had a bit more detail hoping that it was somewhat interesting.
 
I was just curious what specialty tools you were using and like you said "Whatever is at hand to get the bend or curve needed."
 
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