I spent last winter working on my 89,000 mi. Malibu and doing some much need mechanical upgrades plus detailing the crap out of the engine bay so I don't through up when I open the hood.
So I accomplished what I set out to do with this car, and that is to once again prove you can not bring a very nice low buck car 100% up to speed and come out ahead $ wise, I might be a little upside down in her but what a great driver now, the Malibu is not going away anytime soon. I have only had the Camaro out once the year.
I added up receipts to date and I am north of 7000 bux, and that's just parts and no labor. And the 350 short block was donated by my son. Yet to come are headers and exhaust and I should be done.
Here is some of the major stuff.
AC....new condenser, dryer, expansion valve, 2 aluminum hard lines and both rubber line assemblies, and a rebuilt compressor. POA valve calibrated/tested. Yet to be serviced, with R12
Suspension....New Moog springs, all bushing front and rear, new lower ball joints, added rear sway bar and I boxed the rear control arms, added a GM 12 bolt with a GM 3.31 post and new Moser street axels, all new bearings and seals . The OE tie rod ends and upper ball joint were very serviceable. The 3.31 posi was a gift form a buddy, he was given this unit in 69 that a friend took off a new SS Chevelle that he raced.
Brakes....Added GM front disc brakes, rebuilt front and rear brake cylinders and front calipers, restored the GM brake booster and plated in cyanide cad, rebuilt the round hold off valve, added all new hard lines and rubber lines. Flushed and service with DOT 5.
Drive train/ engine bay...Removed the 307 and installed a fresh 9.5:1 cr 355 sbc with new Dart heads, a 650 Vac sec Holly, Crane hydraulic flat tappet cam, resealed the OE TH 350, and new U joints. Rebuilt the PS pump and PS gearbox, and replaced the 2 PS hose assemblies. Disassembled cleaned and repaired the steering column. It only needed a new ignition sector gear and a tension spring for the key warning buzzer contact. Rebuilt the wiper motor, replaced a damaged gear and installed a NOS terminal board that had a broken dropping resistor. Rebuilt the starter and the alternator.
Added the correct 350 engine stands with new motor mounts.
Some before pic's
Original 307 motor mounts, I think they were done.
A special thank you to Eric Jackson for the great job he did in providing me with allot of tech help and direction in choosing the heads, cam, rockers, pushrods and head bolts, etc.
And the great Holly 650 he put together for me at a very reasonable cost, it performs perfect.