After nights of fighting the dang 12 bolt, it's complete. I just need to slap a gasket in and close it up and that's done...:hurray::hurray::hurray:
I did alter Dave's driveshaft loop so my driveshaft quits banging on it. (Sorry Dave, I hated to cut such a pretty thing) I'll bring the heads home this weekend and get the top put back together with the RPM intake. Yes the RPM, not my Team G. After it's running for a while I'll try the steering box swap. 6 months is a long time not to be able to get out and chase down imports...:cool:

Frank, do you want me to bring the heads into Everett and meet on my lunch today so you can role on the engine?

Frank, do you want me to bring the heads into Everett and meet on my lunch today so you can role on the engine?

Darryl- I will be going through Snohomish tomorrow (Sat) morning and will have about a 30 minute window to stop by and pick them up if you're gonna be home. Do you have 3 or 4 extra lower head bolts? (about 2" or so)

Thanks again for your help...:beers:

Are they the same size as the SBC head bolts? If so I've got all of my take outs if you want any Frank. I went all ARP stuff.

Darryl- I will be going through Snohomish tomorrow (Sat) morning and will have about a 30 minute window to stop by and pick them up if you're gonna be home. Do you have 3 or 4 extra lower head bolts? (about 2" or so)

Thanks again for your help...:beers:


I may have a couple laying around. :D

Yes, I should be home. Give me a call to make sure I'm not out on a parts run. I intend on completing the 350 tomorrow and have it in the nova bu evening.

One bank of pistons in, heading back out to install the other side.

Got my heads back from "The Man" and they look great. Thanks againg Darryl.
I put a few coats of shiny black paint on then and they're ready to install.
I should get by car back on all 4 wheels for the first time in 6 months...:hurray::hurray::hurray:

I just Yanked the rear outta My car tonite. Gonna pop in the 3:31's, and weld up the housing, and check for straight.

Dave,
I haven't forgot you... I'm still trying to catch up with my buddy on that other unit.. I'll keep trying:(

Good luck Frank!!

Dave, quit playing with your rear end and get that car on the road:D

Ok, Frank,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,is it running yet?????????????????

Ok, Frank,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,is it running yet?????????????????

This week...

I did find something bad in the drivers side rear wheel well. It appears someone tried welding the part of the frame that curves and that the weld is failing. I will take some pictures tonight. I am not sure why there would be a repair needed there?

Head bolt problem solved and RPM intake bolted up. Rockers and misc tonight and hopefully I get it fired up. The only PITA I have to deal with is grinding down the last head bolt a little and or doing a little modification on the header where it's hitting that bolt.

Frank, how did you fix the head bolt problem? It is also not uncommon to have to grind the header flanges a little to clear head bolts. Good luck! :beers: :thumbsup:

Frank, how did you fix the head bolt problem? It is also not uncommon to have to grind the header flanges a little to clear head bolts. Good luck! :beers: :thumbsup:

I new bolt 1/2" longer and some thread lock. I got it up to 40-45lbs and called it good. I didn't want risking stripping it out completely.
I'm sure everything will work just fine. I can't wait to run it with the RPM and see if there is a noticable difference.

Frank, how did you fix the head bolt problem?

I was gonna ask the same question.

I was gonna ask the same question.

You think it should hold???

I know you arent asking me and I am by no means an expert, but here is my opinion.

Yes, I think it will "hold". I doubt it will come flying apart because 1 bolt isnt torqued as much as the others. However, chevy engineers designed these heads with the bolts in certain locations, to be torqued to certain amounts, and to be torqued at a specific order. I'm not sure if having 1 bolt "loose" is the best idea. Could this cause a head gasket leak? If it were my car I would just wait and do it properly, you could have been about done by now and then not have to worry about it ever again. I just hate driving around knowing in the back of my head that something isnt the way it should be. Except for wiring, I live with crappy wiring because I dont wanna bother with that. :D

I hear you loud and clear and I'm sure if I had more patience and time, I could have done it the other way. Thing is, I'll bet I've been running it like that for a year as it has probably been stripped since I got it.
Anyhow, let's get some sunny days and go chase imports...:D

Fair enough Frank, all those bolts are probably just overkill anyway. ;) Run the piss out of it and let us know how it does. :hurray:

Fair enough Frank, all those bolts are probably just overkill anyway. ;) Run the piss out of it and let us know how it does. :hurray:

Now you're catching on. I always runs the piss out of it. Hey, if it breaks, I have a reason to start my blower motor I've always wanted.

Rockers- Done
Distributer/ wires- Done
1/2 exhaust- Done
Need to do a little alteration to get the other header on then it's all cake.
It SHOULD be running this weekend...:yes: