Liam-B

Had more engine swaps than most now haha.

Is this one a keeper?!

Look at that lump. The essence of Detroit.

Engine finally out. I had to buy a new crane as the work one wasnt long enough to reach!

Im just going to throw gaskets at the old lump, check the bottom end and if all is well put it back into service. It seems to run fine, no knocks or smoke and the compressions were all good.

Anyway, can make a start on the floors now

discovered I need quite a bit of sheet metal for the floors... Might even need a whole LH floor pan, as its pretty much like corn flakes in the spots that aren't completely wasted!

Im up for the challenge though, its not too bad a job. 

Will pull the engine and trans out, then gut the interior after that.

Quick update. Haven't really done much to it yet except change the oil to make me feel better about starting it up from cold and move it around occasionally while i finished off some other projects.

First thing to do is pull the interior out of it, well whats left of it anyway. Then I will pull the engine & transmission out, send the rolling shell out to get the floors, trunk, engine bay and complete underside blasted and primed.

I will be interested to see how much of the floors survive after that, then i can order new sheet metal as needed.

Big Block in all its Glory. Dont think I've posted a picture of the old lump yet.

Which leads me to the next chapter.

Twin carbs are nice and everything but the lack of performance that I have been used to kind of always bugged me. I had pretty much everything to turbo it in the shed so...

Im still just mocking everything up, moving things about. I only need to fit the intercooler next and then I can start on all the pipework.

Still trying to work out what ECU to use. Ive got a microtech sitting in the shed setup for a FJ20 turbo that will get it running asap for no cost but im keen to get a new Link Monsoon ECU if funds allow

Fitted my Nissan S12 Turbo body kit that I had imported ages ago. Looks good having some 80's aero on there now.

Was good to take it to the Classic Japan car show here in Melbourne recently but it was running like crap that day especially. 

I've had a lot of trouble getting the carbs running right since the conversion, they were always running super rich after trying everything. I even took it to someone else who supposedly dyno tuned it but he just pissed me around and gave it back to me running exactly the same...

Bought some 15 inch SSR Longchamps for this about 4 months ago out of Japan.

Trailed them up, pretty good fitment

I then gave them to a wheel restoration place to polish up and restore as the anodized finish had gone a bit cloudy on them etc.

Long story short. I started getting pretty nervous when the wheel resto shop was not returning any of my phone calls to see how they were getting on. One day I went in to see what the fuck was happening. Apparently not much at all, which I found pretty annoying after having them for 6 weeks by this stage...

I have given them to someone else much more reputable now, should have them back in the next week or two.

Nice work mate! Was wondering how you were getting on with this old rig.

Hopefully on the road in time for summer!

Nice one! Much easier keeping the stock motor, got it on the road now! awesome!

Sweet deal. I have bit of a soft spot for these old crown utes.

From what I have read a lot of the good ones that were left in Aussie have gone to Japan in recent years? Seen quite a few in japanese car show pictures online.

Keen to see how you progress with the build, im digging the factory blue colour.

Now to find a donor parts sedan!

Yes! One of the best shapes the pillarless

It was a mission to find a 68 hardtop though, they are really hard to come by and we were looking for ages.

Feel free to discuss another old money pit in the fleet.

//oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/53694-bexs-68-impala-caprice-hardtop/

Oh and I bought some of these and fitted because money pit.

Its getting close. Should be on the road by time you come back down.

Well, it actually better be!

Sweet, getting through the list of things that need to be done pretty quick!

Still has all the dust from chopped in the engine bay!

The thing I liked about this truck is it doesn't have any emission controls like most american vehicles of this era.

Sweet deal, runs really nice that truck. Glad its gone to a good home!

Geez, might as well go turbo now you have a whole engine haha