1 Sept 02
I unfortunately got a little ambitious and decided to clean up the battery tray and the insulation in the engine compartment.
The pictures don't show that there is a small hole eaten through the sheet metal between where the battery is placed and the opening for the engine. That will be a job for the body shop.
The second picture shows the new engine compartment insulation. The original stuff was pretty torn up, but I don't recommend this shiny stuff unless you want it for the shiny. I'm going to look for some stock insulation.
8 Sept 02
It's running.I installed the engine and wiring and then remembered to connect the throttle. The throttle cable is best done as you are installing the engine because on mine it took about 45 minutes to thread it in. There are lots of little things to remember like adjusting the clutch, connecting up all the alternator wires, tightening the alternator hold down, filling the engine and transmission with oil...
I removed the sparkplugs, the fuel line and the ignition wire to the coil and ran the engine for 2 ½ minutes in 30 second bursts of the starter to cycle the oil in. After the first 20 seconds I heard the engine pick up some speed as all the parts became lubed. Then I re-connected the plugs and the fuel and ran the starter for another 30 seconds before finally connecting the positive ignition to the coil.
The engine fired up after a shot of starter fluid. The only problems I had were the sheet metal behind the crank pulley began to rub and I ran out of gear oil for the transmission. The shop sold me 2 quarts and the tranny takes 6 pints. I should have looked before I went.
The pully rubbing turned out to be because the studs for the oil pump were too long. I ground them down and that fixed the rubbing.
The engine began overheating, so I added the rear engine tin and changed the carberator jet. It is now at .135mm.
The latest is that the throttle cable broke (at the gas pedal). Time for a new one and maybe a new clutch cable while I'm at it.
The next puzzle to figure out might be why the engine spews a bunch of oil right after adding oil. I may need a new crank case breather.
Spring 03
Many minor things to tidy up.A new clutch cable went in with the new throttle cable. A VERY wise choice as the old cable only had two strands left.
All of the correct engine tin is now installed and I found out the fuel pump wasn't working - this causes overheating. On top of that the carburetor wasn't working correctly: new carburator which also requires a new intake manifold.
With the new fuel system the engine ran nicely but still spewed oil. This is because I cheaped out and didn't replace the pistons, rings, and cylinders. I'm getting blow-by. Fortunately these parts are cheap and I will replace them when the engine is pulled next.
I also found the alternator had more than 1/8th inch of play SIDEWAYS! New Alternator.
Fall 03
I have over 5000 trouble free miles on the car (other than losing oil and being messy and loud).For Thanksgiving I drove to San Diego and back with no problems.