FYI I removed the spammer post and banned!

Christmas was kind.

Got a set of Accel plug wires (so I can learn how to make them in the Spring) and a pair of speakers to replace the no longer functioning ones (it has kick panel speakers that were cut into it 30 years ago- so I'm not hacking anything up!)

After New Year's, I'm going to have Pappaw call his friend so we can set a CONCRETE date for April or May.

For the last 4 years I've been saying "this spring" and it never happens. (2020 has been a mess from front to back not just due to COVID, but for other reasons)

So I'm not making any more promises, but I can say we're going to try to plan things better. I need to drive this car in 2021.


I actually came across the son of the guy who painted it for Pap, on Facebook. He installed the vinyl top himself (though it did originally come with one). Said it was the second top he ever did. And he must be a natural because it came out perfect and still looks good almost 20 years later.

Who says the youth don't do anything these days? Got a set of Accel plug wires for Christmas, so today my friend Darren and I put em together and put em on. Tomorrow I'm ordering valve covers for it (M/Ts, baby!) and I'll at least see if any valves are loose even though I'm not qualified to fix them.

Why am I doing all this if it just has to be disassembled again? Simple. Morale.

This is old, I know, but I finally did the valve covers. The heads are 291s.
The date code looks like 12-9. December of 1969 maybe? At least, I think that's the date code. Could be wrong. But they're definitely 291s.

Here it is buttoned up. Still got a couple minor things to do (mainly re-cleaning the plug wires on the driver's side from where I got oil on them and verifying the firing order again (diagrams confused me so dad will help me with it tomorrow) and then I'll fire it up again. There was one loose rocker arm and I'm hoping (but doubting) that was my valve train noise. If not, It's above my skillset- and budget.

But for now, enjoy the pretty!

Just a small update. I fired it for a minute. Sounds like it's got a header leak, but that loose rocker was indeed the issue for the knock. When it gets warmer, I'll change the oil. try to perfect the timing, and motorwise she's good.

Joe,

Michelin radials were around (aftermarket) back then so, “Day 2” acceptable in my opinion :biggthumpup:

That August day I bought my new 69 Chevelle, I drove away with a set of Michelin radials (just a couple of weeks old, off my 66 Chevelle) swapped by Bill Allen’s shop as part of the deal :)

Yeah, but to my eyes, nothing looks better than a fat pair of bias plies sticking out a touch past the rear quarters!

Annnnd my knock is back!

Using a stethoscope, it seems to be coming from near the timing cover.

And, it wouldn't be this car if something else didn't also go wrong- the fuel pump is leaking. Great.

That header leak sound, though? Gone. Was either from the wrong firing order, or, something cam related if that rocker arm nut came loose. I'll probably yank the cover again and double check.

EDIT: Cranking it by hand while watching the rotor proves the chain is trashed. I'll start there.

Noise in timing cover...
 

The factory nylon gear and crappy chain were an accident waiting to happen. If you can see the wear from watching the rotor, don't wait too long take care of it. Be sure you get a quality double roller steel chain and a new set of gears.

Other items to check are the valve train parts...the big block motors of that vintage were known for 'dropping valves'. The BB springs and hardware were part of the problem...you might want to look at changing out the top end pieces, if time and budget allow. I did it on our 70 TH400 car many years ago...the timing chain fell off into my hand when I took the cover off :tongue:

I changed all the valve springs, keepers, retainers...installed new valve seals. Reused pushrods and rocker arms, balls and nuts....they looked pretty good. Those 291 heads are the hi-perf units...big valves, rectangular ports...typically meant for high compression like 11 to 1.

Good luck with the car...

-wilma

Most, if not all of the valve train, is probably Comp Cams at this point. It had a 305H installed at some point in the 80s and I'd imagine the pushrods and springs were done too.

As for the chain, it's definitely getting done sooner rather than later.