'66 Malibu N/SA

Dave Muller · 03-05-2017, 07:17 PM

Before swapping engines again I decided I didn't want to keep pulling the radiator, which also would mean pulling the trans cooler lines. So I made up a piece of particle board to protect the radiator when I lift the engine out.

I used Dupli-Color for the engine which turned out a little redder than whatever was used on "Johnny Red". I think it looks a little better this way.

For all I know everyone but me already knew about this little trick, but just in case... A couple of years ago I bought new headers for my Camaro and found it was much harder to get at the spark plugs. The plug socket that came with my socket set seemed like the right concept but was too long, so I made my own. Worked great. But that's for a 5/8" hex, here I had the same problem but needed it in 13/16". So I pulled out a 1/2" drive short 13/16" socket and went at it with the grinder. The result allows me to easily use a 13/16" box end wrench on any plug.

And a little while later my son came over and we started up Johnny Black. Didn't start quite as easily as the other engine, but ran better, probably because I now have the good carburetor on it instead of the swap meet carb. That one I expect could be gotten into shape without too much trouble but I may not ever get around to it. There are a couple of minor (I think) glitches; I had a significant leak of ATF at one of the cooler line connections to the trans; that's about 98% fixed, but there's still a tiny drip. I mainly focused on one line, but this may be the other one now.

And there's a small oil leak, which seems to be from the plug on the block just above the oil filter. Hopefully that won't be too much trouble either.

Meanwhile the spare engine is now nestled under the workbench. It actually fits under there pretty well, even though it's a narrow space.

I have a video of the engine starting, I'm hoping I can figure out how to get that on here soon.

03-05-2017, 07:17 PM	#34
Dave Muller Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 497 Likes: 162 Liked 223 Times in 73 Posts	Re: '66 Malibu N/SA Before swapping engines again I decided I didn't want to keep pulling the radiator, which also would mean pulling the trans cooler lines. So I made up a piece of particle board to protect the radiator when I lift the engine out. I used Dupli-Color for the engine which turned out a little redder than whatever was used on "Johnny Red". I think it looks a little better this way. For all I know everyone but me already knew about this little trick, but just in case... A couple of years ago I bought new headers for my Camaro and found it was much harder to get at the spark plugs. The plug socket that came with my socket set seemed like the right concept but was too long, so I made my own. Worked great. But that's for a 5/8" hex, here I had the same problem but needed it in 13/16". So I pulled out a 1/2" drive short 13/16" socket and went at it with the grinder. The result allows me to easily use a 13/16" box end wrench on any plug. And a little while later my son came over and we started up Johnny Black. Didn't start quite as easily as the other engine, but ran better, probably because I now have the good carburetor on it instead of the swap meet carb. That one I expect could be gotten into shape without too much trouble but I may not ever get around to it. There are a couple of minor (I think) glitches; I had a significant leak of ATF at one of the cooler line connections to the trans; that's about 98% fixed, but there's still a tiny drip. I mainly focused on one line, but this may be the other one now. And there's a small oil leak, which seems to be from the plug on the block just above the oil filter. Hopefully that won't be too much trouble either. Meanwhile the spare engine is now nestled under the workbench. It actually fits under there pretty well, even though it's a narrow space. I have a video of the engine starting, I'm hoping I can figure out how to get that on here soon. Last edited by Dave Muller; 07-08-2017 at 03:51 PM. Reason: I hate typos.