Northstar T is taking shape

[Gerry]

The only trick bits I've thought about would be cams, but them bits are well over $600.oo for a set of four by the time you add the needed heavier springs etc. naaaaa. 300-325 hp and tq will be fine for now. it's easy to change cams in one of these, so that could be done in the car at a later date if deamed necessary, but heck, I'm pretty sure I can keep myself scared fine as it is.
Did you say CHROME??? Moderator. please escort this gentleman out of here at once and give him 40 lashes!! chrome is for bathroom fictures and 50s Buicks IMHO. I HATE chrome. I do accept polished stainless, brass, and aluminum as very fine contrasting bits, but I prefer paint for the majority of a project.
see that you don't mention that word to me again. K??

Russ

Sorry Boss
I was nt thinking straight. Chrome does it for me but there again its a dollar thing and I anit got enough.
G

PS See I did mention it again

 

[Ted Brown]

I don't think I have any chrome left, sold it or traded it all off years ago, don't want it back, really...

 

[Northstar T]

Have I mentioned how much I dispise wreaking yards? Maybe it's just me, but I always feel like I have to cover my butt with both hands before I go inside. This saga all began the day after Thanksgiving, when I went in and requested a "reasonable milage, excellent condition Northstar engine". After repeatedly poking and proding them for 10 days or so I finally received a motor they had shipped in from Utah with "92000 miles and 170 lb straight across". I paid very good money for it and took it to my shop where I ran my own compression check and found values from 95 lb to 155 lb and a VIN number that didn't match the engine number. thankfully I know the owner of the local yard and he got an earfull. I don't like to "go to the top" but sometimes you gota'. The owner of the yard bought a car with my engine in mind so I could hear it run, which I did yesterday, and they pulled it out today. so three weeks later I finally have a motor again.
I'm taking some time off for my "winter break" so let the wrenching begin!!
This is what a 99 Caddy engine looks like in it's "native garb".
.

Russ

 

[putz]

Did you say wrenching or headaches?

 

[Northstar T]

Did you say wrenching or headaches?

Well for the past month it's actually been more "wretching" than anything else, so ya, headaches cover itl. but it's all downhill from here......... right?

Russ

 

[Gerry]

Russ
thought I would give you a hand with your new engine. As they say 'many hammers make light work

Gerry

 

[Northstar T]

Russ
thought I would give you a hand with your new engine. As they say 'many hammers make light work
Gerry

Pfffft. that's not a hammer. THIS is a hammer.

I got a some "unneeded parts" knocked off the new motor today, but most of the day I had "other obligations". tomorrow I'll get more serious.


Russ

 

[Northstar T]

Jennifer had to work today, so I had uninterupted play time. Managed to get the new engine spit shined, swapped in my VIN9 (higher HP) intake cams, installed my newly beautified valve covers, installed the flywheel and clutch assy, plus a few other bits and pieces.
It's sure good to be going the correct dirrection again on this project. :hooray:
More of the same tomorrow if all goes as planned. I might even get er' back in the car.

Russ

 

[Northstar T]

2 days later: I figured we've all seen the motor go in this car once before, so no sence repeating the procedure. This second time around I was able to spif up a few items along the way, and everything went pretty smoothly,.... well.... until it was time to turn the key for the first time that is. Primed the fuel pump and hit the key...... nothing... re-prime and repeat.... nothing. Huummmmm. double check to be sure all electrical is properly pluggged in... looks good. ck for spark.. looks ok. squirt some fuel in the intake.. chug chug.. huummmm. fuel pump is obviously running.... what the heck. so I'm standing there staring at it and all of a sudden the light goes on in my head and I just have to laugh at myself out loud. When I pulled the old motor out I had clamped off the fuel line back at the tank so it wouldn't siphon the fuel out on the shop floor. removed clamp and VARROOOOOM. :shrug: . these are the things that keep us humble.

Tomorrow I want to add a couple braces to the top frame. I noticed when I drove it to be inspected the tarp top was flapping quite a bit, so some additional tubes are in order. then I need to attach the last couple pieces of interior 1/8" plywood and get that smoothed up in preparation for a trip to the uphoulstery shop. that will have to wait a couple weeks however, as Jennifer and I are heading to the N Oregon coast on Friday, and then South from there to San Diego via a leisurely trip down the coast. We both need to see some sunshine .

Cheers,
Russ

 

[Northstar T]

sheeze. I just watched the news. maybe we'll wait on that trip to "sunny" So Californica. it was actually pretty nice today right here at home

Russ

 

[one finger john]

sheeze. I just watched the news. maybe we'll wait on that trip to "sunny" So Californica. it was actually pretty nice today right here at home

Russ

Geez Russ, was gonna say check out Weather.Com . We have had record breaking weather down here and it hasn't been "lovely sunshine" type weather ! My nephew just moved back to L.A. from San Francisco because he couldn't handle the gloomy weather. He gets back here and he's all depressed and said "Why did I move ? It's just like San Francisco ! " But just you watch, come New Years day and the weather will be perfect and everybody will watch the Rose Parade and think " that's where I want to move, sunny California ! " Ho, Ho, Ho !

Any way, the T looks good, did you drive it at all ? Have a safe and wonderful Christmas and just laz around by the fire.

John

P.S. What's the wheelbase of the T ?

 

[deckofficer]

Russ,

I was going to mention our weather but John beat me to it.

Bob

 

[putz]

When I pulled the old motor out I had clamped off the fuel line back at the tank so it wouldn't siphon the fuel out on the shop floor. removed clamp and VARROOOOOM

It seems to happen more to Me every day I walk into a room and can't remember what I came in there for. Great looking Bucket.

 

[Gerry]

So I guess my little bitty hammer did nt help to fix it.

Happy Christmas to you and your family. New year new start. Bet the engine runs like a dream for you.

All my best
gerry

 

[Northstar T]

Geez Russ, was gonna say check out Weather.Com . We have had record breaking weather down here and it hasn't been "lovely sunshine" type weather ! My nephew just moved back to L.A. from San Francisco because he couldn't handle the gloomy weather. He gets back here and he's all depressed and said "Why did I move ? It's just like San Francisco ! " But just you watch, come New Years day and the weather will be perfect and everybody will watch the Rose Parade and think " that's where I want to move, sunny California ! " Ho, Ho, Ho !

Any way, the T looks good, did you drive it at all ? Have a safe and wonderful Christmas and just laz around by the fire.

John

P.S. What's the wheelbase of the T ?

Where do you live down there John? I just heard on the weather chanel that San Bernadino has had 26" of rain since Friday (5 days) !! Several of us use to go to So Cal from the day after Christmas to around New Years day to fly (hang gliders) and soak up some sun. We flew above Lake Elsinore as well as Marshal and Crestline, in the San Bernadino hills. it's been a couple years, but last time we were there in late December it was in the low 80s. Jennifer and I plan to hold off for another week and see if your prediction of a warm new years day holds up .

Wheel base of my T is +/- 99"

Gerry... your hammer was a big help. no really!.. :hoist: . The new motor sound REAL strong. it's actually a much better motor than the "mule" that was in it before anyway. looking forward to the weather drying out enought to go for a test drive!

Putz:............................................................................ what was the question again???.... GGGGG

Cheers,
Russ

 

[Northstar T]

We finally made it back home from 8 days traveling the Pacific coast, from about the Oregon/California border to San Diego. Frisco area was actually a couple degrees warmer than further south, averaging the low 60s. the pool at Hurst Castle was slightly inviting, but the castle tour guide seemed reluctant to allow it for some reason. :shrug2:

but that's not to say that San Diego was terrible. a few clouds, but as was the rest of the trip, it remained dry for our three days in the area, and we managed to still have a great time.

So for those (of us) freezing our tusheys off, rest assured that there is still sunshine in a small part of the world, and if all goes well we should all begin seeing it again soon.If it's any consolation, the traffic down there still SUCKS. ya'all would hate it. Russ

 

[deckofficer]

If it's any consolation, the traffic down there still SUCKS. ya'all would hate it. Russ

Russ,

I've warned everyone here, if you don't need to drive SoCal freeways during commute time, don't. Glad you and the wife had a good time, and this summer you can do the 101 Fun Run in the San Diego area.

Bob

 

[Northstar T]

Just checking in. Northstar T is at the upholstery shop for full interior, bed cover, and top job. I expect, if all goes well, for it to be finished late this coming week or first part of the next. in the meantime, I've been preparing a new home for my toys. I built the 4 car carport (30x16) several years ago, but decided now was a good time to close it in to keep more of the moisture out. (+ I'm not very good at waiting on other shops so I needed something to pass the time) I've actually been enjoying using a saw and nail gun instead of wrenchs and welders for a change. one more weekend and it should be fully closed in.

Russ

 

[Keeper]

Very nice. Would be great to have that much space!

 

[Ted Brown]

Extra space, I have used up all my so called extra space, I now believe I just have too much stuff, which I am now going to start calling it junk... If you don't use it for 3 years, you probably don't need it, well I have stuff that has been sitting way longer than that... IF and I say IF! I was to build a new car, than a lot of that STUFF would be used and/or then tossed to my neighbor, as He is always building something... Being much younger than myself, He is like I used to be... My garage is bigger than my house, but has less (free) room inside, so, I am starting a big house/garage cleaning job this Spring... I could not build anyway till I get some space, freed up...
Be nice to be able to burn here more, may be a fun way to heat things in the cool weather... Had a Friend in Minnesota that used his Barn all year round to work on cars/body and paint... In the cold of Winter He was able to work in a Tee shirt out there, all because he has a great wood heater, tow 55 gal drums, one just over the other with the ends cut out and a fan blowing air through the top barrel, what a great job of heating the whole place that did...