Butternut the Gumball Camaro

[AEGIS43]

I think that cluster shaft is a press in fit in the front. Somewhat common to develop a leak there. Hard to get fixed. And that gear runs on needle bearings that gets tricky to work with too. Best fix is that new Tremec.

I'm positive it's pressed in there. I can't imagine ever finding someone with the integrity and skill set to completely disassemble the trans, fix the leak (and anything else that needs replaced) for a price that would make me wish I hadn't spent the money for the TKX.

Maybe I could find someone on this site, but within 300 miles of me? I suppose weirder things have happened.

 

[AEGIS43]

Good news. Progress. The machinist/engine builder at Chuck's has basically completed the repair on the cylinder head bolt hole. All he has left to do on it is touch up the little bit of aluminum flash with a grinder.

ps - not my fingers

 

[2112]

ps - not my fingers

Whew!

 

[Da_Raabi]

Wow that is an impressive repair. That hogged out hole almost busted through into the combustion palace. That's wild they were able to repair it basically to new. I'm assuming they had to weld it up?

 

[AEGIS43]

Wow that is an impressive repair. That hogged out hole almost busted through into the combustion palace. That's wild they were able to repair it basically to new. I'm assuming they had to weld it up?

They pressed in a beveled insert, maybe another way to put it is a conical shaped plug, and then welded the adjoining surfaces. The guy said it was so tight when they pressed it in that he didn't think it really needed to be welded, but they have a guy that's great at welding aluminum and they just did it anyway. Then they redrilled the hole. It sure looks good in person.

Hopefully they get it all back together like yesterday. It feels like there's still a long way to go. The longer this takes, the longer it feels like it's going to take to actually be driving ... a car I've never driven but owned for 13 years.

 

[Da_Raabi]

I know the pain! It seems silly to own a car so long and yet never actually drive it. Keep your chin up though! You will get there! I thought about giving up before I got my LT1 put together, but I was able to drive the old girl to work today. You can get there!!!

 

[bones57]

[QUOTE="AEGIS43, post: 3934944, member: 27901

Hopefully they get it all back together like yesterday. It feels like there's still a long way to go. The longer this takes, the longer it feels like it's going to take to actually be driving ... a car I've never driven but owned for 13 years.
[/QUOTE]

Keep at it. I parked mine in the garage in 1987 and put back on the road this past spring. It will happen and well worth it.

 

[AEGIS43]

I know the pain! It seems silly to own a car so long and yet never actually drive it. Keep your chin up though! You will get there! I thought about giving up before I got my LT1 put together, but I was able to drive the old girl to work today. You can get there!!!

That's so Awesome! Good for you! What was the feeling like? Would you be willing to make a video of driving it?

 

[AEGIS43]

[QUOTE="AEGIS43, post: 3934944, member: 27901

Hopefully they get it all back together like yesterday. It feels like there's still a long way to go. The longer this takes, the longer it feels like it's going to take to actually be driving ... a car I've never driven but owned for 13 years.

Keep at it. I parked mine in the garage in 1987 and put back on the road this past spring. It will happen and well worth it.

Ahhh Man!! That is So Awesome!! That's great! I love hearing this.

 

[Da_Raabi]

That's so Awesome! Good for you! What was the feeling like? Would you be willing to make a video of driving it?

How to describe the feeling... Hmm. Well, amazing, yet TERRIFYING. Did I tighten all those bolts? Is the motor going to blow up? Did I put a lip seal in the transmission backwards? YIKES.

Would I have it any other way? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! I'll see if I can grab a video cruising. I think I have a fouled up plug or two so I need to tackle that before I drive it again. Hopefully I can take care of that this weekend.

Tinkering. Always tinkering!