Re: Monte Carlo -75

by Finn Monte Tue Oct 26, 2021 12:05 pm

I washed the car and pushed into the garage.

by Limey SE Tue Oct 26, 2021 12:59 pm

I really Like that Color

by Finn Monte Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:30 pm

Limey SE wrote:I really Like that Color

i like it too but the paint is in poor condition. the picture looks surprisingly good.

by zucchi Fri Oct 29, 2021 10:52 am

The paint looks to be in way better condition than mine…

Then again, she is my daily-driver (just rolled over 500,000 miles last week), it's been ~36 years since I last painted her and ~30 years ago, I rear-ended a car that was parked on the freeway, around 1:30 in the morning, with no lights on, which is why all the front-end sheet metal is different colors. Some of my friends call her the "FrankenCarlo". Because she's a California car, there's no rust and, despite the calico appearance, her body's straight. I have the rear bumper fillers and opera window trim for when I'm ready to refresh her body. What's keeping me from doing that is, with how frequently I get offers from random folks who want to buy her, once I make her look nice again, she'll end up looking for someone else, i.e., she'll get stolen. As it is, every once in a while, something will get stolen such as a center cap or, the last time, the rear license plate.
Speaking of offers, the most bold one I got was a guy walked up my driveway to my garage while I was changing the car's oil and interrupted me just to ask if I would sell her. After I said she's not for sale, he persisted, asking if I would consider selling it, what would I want. On the fourth time he persisted, I said, "Well, she's a '74, so how about $74,000?" He called me crazy to which I responded, "You come onto my property uninvited, asked me if I would sell my car and after I said 'no', you persisted, then when I finally give you a price, you have the nerve to call me 'crazy'?" Fortunately, I had a hefty ½" drive socket wrench in my hand while I went on, "I think it's best if you leave now."

by Finn Monte Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:14 pm

^good story. I have read about your car in another topic.

by Finn Monte Mon Nov 01, 2021 1:09 pm

today i bought a new windshield. the first pile of rubbish removed.
next disassemble the engine room, then take the engine and gearbox off.

by Finn Monte Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:52 pm

a few parts remove.
i have to make a new transmission crossmember when it comes to dual exhaust.
how much is the distance from center to center between the headers collector in a small block engine?

by zucchi Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:32 pm

Finn Monte wrote:i have to make a new transmission crossmember when it comes to dual exhaust.

That's odd. My '74 Monte Carlo came with a SBC and single exhaust and there were no modifications needed to have it fitted with dual exhaust. Could there be a difference due to the catalytic converter? scratch

by Finn Monte Wed Nov 03, 2021 10:14 am

zucchi wrote:
Finn Monte wrote:i have to make a new transmission crossmember when it comes to dual exhaust.
That's odd. My '74 Monte Carlo came with a SBC and single exhaust and there were no modifications needed to have it fitted with dual exhaust. Could there be a difference due to the catalytic converter?

could fit, but it’s ugly and not symmetrical.

by zucchi Wed Nov 03, 2021 10:24 am

"I see!" said the blind man.

The catalytic converter DOES mess thing up. I suppose you could modify the cross member or I would think a cross member from a 1974 or 1973 car would bolt right in. I could check my parts manuals to see what the part number would be and what other cars it was used in if you like.

by Finn Monte Wed Nov 03, 2021 11:39 am

zucchi wrote:"I see!" said the blind man.

The catalytic converter DOES mess thing up. I suppose you could modify the cross member or I would think a cross member from a 1974 or 1973 car would bolt right in. I could check my parts manuals to see what the part number would be and what other cars it was used in if you like.

if you have time to look. though, it’s hard to find parts for this generation of cars here.

by zucchi Wed Nov 03, 2021 12:29 pm

Finn Monte wrote:if you have time to look.

No problem. Cool

I'll look it up this evening after I get home from work.

Am I correct in assuming you're going to scrap all the emissions stuff and install headers? If so, may I recommend Headman 68290. They fit perfectly in my '74, even with bow-tie angle-plug heads (casting number 14011034) and the collector-exhaust connection is a gasket-less ball & socket joint. If you're going to run the stock air conditioning, I also recommend the bracket by Hooker #10925HKR. Lastly, I highly recommend the Proform self-locking wedge cam header bolts, #66753. I really hate having to constantly retighten header bolts and of all the ones I've used, these are the easiest and most elegant to use; no clips to lose, no special tools needed, no loctite needed. I wish I had these bolts 35 years ago.

by Finn Monte Wed Nov 03, 2021 1:06 pm

zucchi wrote:
Finn Monte wrote:if you have time to look.

No problem.
I'll look it up this evening after I get home from work.

Am I correct in assuming you're going to scrap all the emissions stuff and install headers? If so, may I recommend Headman 68290. They fit perfectly in my '74, even with bow-tie angle-plug heads (casting number 14011034) and the collector-exhaust connection is a gasket-less ball & socket joint. If you're going to run the stock air conditioning, I also recommend the bracket by Hooker #10925HKR. Lastly, I highly recommend the Proform self-locking wedge cam header bolts, #66753. I really hate having to constantly retighten header bolts and of all the ones I've used, these are the easiest and most elegant to use; no clips to lose, no special tools needed, no loctite needed. I wish I had these bolts 35 years ago.

thanks for the good tips. yes i remove all the emissions stuff and install headers.

by zucchi Wed Nov 03, 2021 6:01 pm

To support the superiority of the locking wedge washers used on the Proform header bolts, check out this video…

by zucchi Thu Nov 04, 2021 8:25 am

I looked it up in my parts book then did an online search for it. I found it on GM Parts Wiki (http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=86543)

The part number is 6273806 and is called SUPPORT ASSY., trans..

It wasn't listed in the Hollander parts interchange manual I have.

I suppose you could see about contacting Phil in Arizona to have him send you one or, if you're good at fabricating, you may have to do that.

Sorry I couldn't me more helpful. Crying or Very sad

by Finn Monte Thu Nov 04, 2021 10:32 am

zucchi wrote:I looked it up in my parts book then did an online search for it. I found it on GM Parts Wiki (http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=86543)

The part number is 6273806 and is called SUPPORT ASSY., trans..

It wasn't listed in the Hollander parts interchange manual I have.

I suppose you could see about contacting Phil in Arizona to have him send you one or, if you're good at fabricating, you may have to do that.

Sorry I couldn't me more helpful.

trying to do something like this,
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-770284/make/chevrolet/model/monte-carlo/year/1975

by zucchi Thu Nov 04, 2021 11:27 am

I wish I had the skills and equipment to make something like that.

by Finn Monte Mon Nov 08, 2021 7:23 am

now the parts have been dismantled enough to make that new transmission crossmember.
today i went to get steel for the job.

by ant7377 Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:37 pm

I've seen where a notch is cut in the stock crossmember then just reinforced on the top and boxed in around the cut. Maybe easier if you don't mind the look.

by fasrnur Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:26 pm

I'm a cheap s.o.b. I made my own out of my old crossmember. I went to the local scrap yard and picked up a piece of rect. tubing. Cut one side off and then cut my crossmember. Welded it back up and it's been in there for 6 years now. Cost me a total of $5.00.

by ant7377 Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:28 am

There ya go.

Exactly what I was thinking. Probably your pictures I remember .

by Finn Monte Sat Nov 20, 2021 10:47 am

i started making a transmission crossmember.
the transmission apparently changed sometimes, a company unknown to me.
Does anyone know that company?
even the flexplate looks fresh.