Carburetor Rebuild
Since I'm on a budget, I decided to not really rebuild, but freshen up the 650 cfm Edelbrock that came on the car. I bought a kit with new gaskets, floats, etc.
I don't know much about carbs but, this Edlebrock seemed fairly simple. A mechanic son of mine told me that whatever I did, I should not take the rod assemblies on the sides apart because they're a nightmare to put back together. I had to take the little pump actuator off to get the top off and it took me a while to figure out how it went back on even with all the pictures I take.
With the body disassembled, I cleaned everything out really well with carb cleaner.
Then I replaced all of the old parts that had new pieces in the kit. After sitting behind a barn for the last 10 years, all the fuel had evaporated and it took a little work to get all the varnish out.
Steering Assembly
Steering seems to be something I'll want to do, so I started at the steering wheel and worked my way down. Back in January of 2014, there's a blog post of where I rebuilt the top end of the column. I had to. The little cog that the key turns to pull the starter relay had broken a tooth. While I was in there, I replaced the broken turn signal switch and installed a new transmission lever return spring that had broken.
The only real problem was the seal that keeps grease in the mid-joint of the column was leaking and worthless. When it comes apart, it's a pretty simple set up with two metal squares clipped onto a rod that goes through the center of the shaft.
The only two things that hold it together are the rubber seal and the pressure of being bolted in on both ends.
I cleaned it all up, put in a wad of new grease and installed a new seal.
After painting it, with a little help to guide it in place (ya my wife thinks she's a mechanic now) I bolted it all back together and moved to lower section.
With the motor installed and some weight on the car I was able to install the rest of the steering assembly. Everything's new from the connection between the steering column and new pump to the ends of the tie rods.
I mocked up the steering while the engine was out because it's easier with nothing in the bay, but I didn't tighten up anything until I had some weight from the motor. I didn't even try to hook up the sway bar prior to stabbing the engine, it won't even come close and would probably damage the connections if you did manage to hook it up. It's still a struggle getting it on without the weight of the body, bumper, radiator, etc. that's not going on for a while.
Lastly, a new steering pump. I have primed the system by spinning the pulley with a plastic rod, but I'm not putting a belt on it until the engine is running. One less fluid level and system leak to worry about when I'm trying to break in a cam.
Distributor and Spark Plug Wires
I went with a Summit Racing HEI distributor and MSD 8.5 wire with MSD HEI boots on both ends.
I ran the wires high and tight through the vertical loom that you see. I like the clean look and it should keep the wires clear of the exhaust manifold. Which on a Pontiac is down low anyway.
The only problem I ran into (as shown here) with a normal sized brake booster, there isn't enough room on these vertical looms to fit between the booster and the head. I ended up grinding about 1/2" off the loom and building an extension out of sheet metal to get the bracket back behind the booster. The booster covers it completely so visually it's not a big deal but, it was an unexpected nuisance.
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