Replacement build thread. 1999 firebird.

[zeeman]

I got a price for a gallon of paint today. $400.00. That's nuts.

[zeeman]

Fuel system is done. You have to wire in a new pigtail that comes with the sender. Good instructions make it easy. Installed a brass "T" just after the filter. Adapted the 3rd opening down to 5/16. Cut and flared the return line. Done. Soooo easy.

[1BADAIR]

image.jpgLike this?

[zeeman]

Zackly!

[zeeman]

I started building the engine yesterday. Things were going great, until I found one of the 4.8 pistons were cracked. So now I am stuck waiting for an ebay replacement. Cant for the life of me figure out how I missed this. Oh well clearances are all good . well get back on it soon.

[DynoDave]

Good thing you noticed!

[zeeman]

Yeah, That is the bright side. New piston should be here tomorrow. I need to get this engine together so I can get the bottom of the car done. I need to start scuffing it. Not looking forward to that.

[zeeman]

New piston is on the rod and installed. Rotates nice. Good clearances. Soon I will put more parts on.

[zeeman]

I am slowly building the motor. I keep running into snags. I need a piece of m16 all thread to pull the balancer on . That will Centerton front cover so I can bolt that on.
Still waiting for the rear oil galley plug.
Had issues with the rear main oil seal. Went in too easy. But I hear it's normal.
I need a push rod checker. And the list goes on.....

[zeeman]

My rear oil galley plug showed up Tuesday , and I promptly split the O ring installing it. So I had to drive over to Rinke to get the one they had in stock.
I also took delivery of my push rod lent checker thursday, but I ended up doing landscaping for the entire week. Maybe next week. ...

[zeeman]

Been a minute, but I had a chance to bolt the head on and check the push rod legnth last night. I used an adjustable length push rod. Came out standard 7.4 length will be perfect. So now I can finish assembling the engine.

[DynoDave]

[zeeman]

So...this happened today

20160625_201908.jpg

Sucks, you can't see the polished front cover...

[zeeman]

So a little problem arose today. The alternator relocation bracket used 2 threaded bosses on the water pump to hold a bracket. There are 2 spacers that stand the bracket off of the water pump location.
But, since I now have an ls1 water pump, that is spaced 3/4" out further than the truck water pump. I had to buy 2 shorter bolts, and make 2 spacers out of 3/8 water pipe.
Since it was off I took the opportunity to clock the back of the alternator to move the output bolt into the clear, and off of the oil fill tube.

Whole front accessory package is installed. Just need the urethane inserts for the motor mounts.
Progress.

[zeeman]

Motor mount inserts showed up today.

Heres the motor all done.

20160628_062021.jpg