OK, being a guy, I have stifled the tears (although there were times when it was an effort to hold them back) ... but the others have flowed ...
And finally, with the essential help of our son Andy, much hammering on the firewall, and much drama during the transmission install ... my 496 is in place:
Lots more to do, but the big work is finally done.
Classic Chevy International in Florida, I believe it's now Eckler's Classic Chevy, had a kit to install big block chev engines in 567 Chevy's that used the engine side mounts, and didn't require any firewall modifications.
Long list of things yet to do, but the big jobs are now done.
Clint, I knew of that engine mount system but I wanted to do it using the front mounts and original 55-57 bellhousing - which I would never do again, it was WAY too much work overall.
Ray, I think those original Cal Custom valve covers look even better surrounded by aluminum and black.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Long list of things yet to do, but the big jobs are now done.
Clint, I knew of that engine mount system but I wanted to do it using the front mounts and original 55-57 bellhousing - which I would never do again, it was WAY too much work overall.
Ray, I think those original Cal Custom valve covers look even better surrounded by aluminum and black.
Dave
Dave, congrats on the great work and she is looking real fine but i have a question. When you say that you used the original 5 6 7 bell housing, does that mean that you used an original 5 6 7 tranny. I am curious because i thought i read once that you were using a late model tranny. Cheers. George
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
George, I have an HD all-synchro 3-speed (as came stock from factory in late 60's behind big block Chevys - I got mine for under $200 delivered from an ex-circle-track racer - way less costly than a Muncie 4-speed and don't need the extra gear with all that big block torque) - bolts right up to the original 55-57 bellhousing and all other dimensions (trans input shaft diameter, length, splines, etc.) are the same (thanks to the engineers at GM - they got it right the first time and did not change it). Just way stronger case and internals.
Nothing wrong with the original 3-speed stick in our 55-57 cars, they were built for what was demanded then, but I think my original would not have held up very well behind my big block
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Dave, thanks for the clarification, it all makes sense to me now.
I also discovered that the original driveshaft yoke will not fit into the rear of the new transmission - that HD 3-speed has a larger output shaft - one more trip to the parts store coming up!
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod