403 is in and running!

[marcar1993]

So here is a pictorial incase anyone cares to see.
From the beginning of June on, I have been building the 403 little by little. Finally got it together late last week.

Friday I pulled the 307 and did a bunch of cleanup on the engine bay. Everything went pretty smooth though I broke my one ground strap (didn't see it) and the throttle cable (didn't see it caught).

Saturday I finished cleaning up and pulled the ecm/harness. Then I dropped in the 403. Took 2 hours finagling the motor in and then grinding a bit on the motor mounts. New direct replacement mounts, direct replacement my ass.

Sunday I went to the shore with the family.

Monday I got the headers in and the starter on. Little stuff here and there. Then it poured.

Tuesday and today (Wednesday) the accessories went on, the wiring went together. Spent 5 hours tracing the problem why the motor wouldn't fire. I found out I had no spark. Replaced EVERYTHING. TESTED EVERYTHING. I figured the cap wasn't getting power to the rotor. Well I checked and the button was touching the rotor contact. My dad couldn't figure it out, it should run. Called my uncle at the speed shop, couldn't figure it out, should run. Finally tested for power from the bat terminal to the button that touches the rotor. NOTHING! Replaced the button with the original 145k mile one from the 307 and wala, I got spark!
Threw some fuel down the throat of the carb and got it to fire. Ran well too.
403 with wide open headers
Not so much for the neighbors next door, but the neighbors down the street who remember my dad and his friends all commended me.


The 403 as it sat Friday morning.




Ready for paint.




Freshly painted.




Last pic of the 307 in the car. Then its pulled.






Look, a gaping hole with me in it cleaning gunk off the floors. I truly don't know how grease and grime got that far back.



Putting the trans on the backend of the motor. That'd be my friend Lucas. He's the one who just bought the 84 Camaro and was the single biggest help in this project.




Fresh dropped in 403.




Here it is now. In running form. Still needs work. Need to make an adapter for the throttle/kickdown cable bracket for one, along with many other things. A new dipstick tube being one, right on the top of the list.
It got late fast today, so tomorrow I get to see if the trans works... Crossing my fingers.




I promised a video, so here it is.
This was the first time it really ran. Previous to that I got ONE fire. Then we got the camera and got the first fire up. It stumbled and died right after. Fired it up again, stumbled, but the fuel bowl filled just in time and it ran on. Got it timed and ran it for a while to set everything. There is no real "break in" per-se as everything is used and has a wear pattern.


Btw, sorry for my obvious statement at the end. I had so many emotions going at once though, I was just kinda in this state of shock.

[Beeterolds]

kewl about freaking time man!

[FDWheelMan]

Sweet!

[one442]

Congrats, great news Martin enjoy it!

Cant wait to hear how she feels on the street etc....

[Burnhard]

Looks good, You will want to increase your air cleaner size, use the largest one that will fit.

[marcar1993]

Thanks guys. I am so happy. Maybe you guys know how I feel right about now, but my friends have yet to REALLY know what I feel like.

Burnhard, I plan to use a stock 307 one. I like the sleeper look. But first I need to strip/repaint it.

[Fear Reborn]

Good job man! I remember my first engine install. I was scared to start the damn thing lol.

[one442]

Originally Posted by marcar1993

Thanks guys. I am so happy. Maybe you guys know how I feel right about now, but my friends have yet to REALLY know what I feel like.

I think your walking on cloud nine and that's awesome.

Its quite cool to say you have a 403 under the hood. Now your G-Body got some balls!

[80Rocket]

Good for you kid! I'm really happy for ya. Now lets get the f'in thing in the 13s

[marcar1993]

Will try. But lets set some short term goals. REAL short term goals. Like lets see if the trans works! Hopefully it's not raining tomorrow and we'll know.
With the 2.14's I'd be happy with 15's. I want to drive it so bad, it's gonna be really hard going easy on it for a little while to make sure everything is working properly.

[80Rocket]

Run it like you stole it. 2.14s........ugh! Fear not, though, you'll get there. I see some 3.42s in your future.

Where are the details of this motor?

[svnt442]

Just be aware that I dusted 3 2.28 rear ends with a 100% stock 1975 350 so don't expect too much from the 2.14.

[marcar1993]

Here you go:

Stock 403 bottom end. Pistons are ~ .025 in the hole.
Stock rebuilt small valve #5 heads with springs ect for an e-brock performer cam. ~64-66 cc combustion chambers.
Full sealed power gasket set, head gasket is .039 compressed.
9-9.1:1 compression.
Running a performer cam, intake and a e-brock 1406 600 cfm carb (temporary till I can afford to rebuild my non e-q-jet)
Gm HEI dist.
Running non-descript cheapy headers with 1 5/8 (?) primary tubes, 3" collectors. Will be putting on a 2 1/2" exhaust which consists of an h-pipe, 2 dynomax mufflers, and turndowns.

The trans is a 1973 th350 with unknown internals, unknown stall converter. Supposed running rebuilt trans. Fluid looked clean with normal clutch wear material in the pan. Fresh fluid and filter kit.

[marcar1993]

What were you doing to them? And what did you break?
I have 205's on the rear so I don't think I'll have the traction to break stuff.

[80Rocket]

Originally Posted by marcar1993

Here you go:

Stock 403 bottom end. Pistons are ~ .025 in the hole.
Stock rebuilt small valve #5 heads with springs ect for an e-brock performer cam. ~64-66 cc combustion chambers.
Full sealed power gasket set, head gasket is .039 compressed.
9-9.1:1 compression.
Running a performer cam, intake and a e-brock 1406 600 cfm carb (temporary till I can afford to rebuild my non e-q-jet)
Gm HEI dist.
Running non-descript cheapy headers with 1 5/8 (?) primary tubes, 3" collectors. Will be putting on a 2 1/2" exhaust which consists of an h-pipe, 2 dynomax mufflers, and turndowns.

The trans is a 1973 th350 with unknown internals, unknown stall converter. Supposed running rebuilt trans. Fluid looked clean with normal clutch wear material in the pan. Fresh fluid and filter kit.

with gears and tires you will break into the 13s, with a good carb (I prefer Holley DPs, but a good q-jet can do the same) you can achieve high 12s in some good air and a mediocre tune....................but it will take some time

[80Rocket]

ohhhh, almost forgot to mention, you need a good converter too......if you get serious about a converter, PM me and I will give you my trans guy phone number

[425 Racer]

Nice goin Martin!!

[83hurstguy]

nice job! looks great.

[84 H/O]

Good job Martin! It takes time to get it all together but it's worth it in the end. Hope your test drive goes well.

[87Salon]

Awesome! Good to hear most all went well

[marcar1993]

Gonna go out there and finish up in a little bit. 50%+ chance of rain all day though. Man am I happy to have gotten that hood back on.

80Rocket, I'll contact you about all the tuning and converter once I get a job. I really need one and well, everyone seems to be stringing me along.
12's would be nice, but I'm afraid to run the tires needed on a stock 7.5" rear. I hope I come across an 8.5 for the right $, but I wouldn't pass up a 7.5 with the right gears.
Also, if it doesn't rain, I plan to take it to the track on July 13 for their cruise night and 1 free pass. Can't wait.

[Eightupman]

Your welcome! VERY happy to know its in

John

[mike's88]

Good job youngblood If you really wanted the sleeper look, should have painted it corp. blue, but olds gold looks good too.

[svnt442]

Originally Posted by marcar1993

What were you doing to them? And what did you break?
I have 205's on the rear so I don't think I'll have the traction to break stuff.

It was on the street every time with radial T/As or some cheap off brand that I fell into.

Once I installed a 3.23 posi from a Camaro into my housing all of the problems went away.

I broke various things. Ring and pinions and the spider gears. I was "hard" on that car, but I had fun with it.

[RocketV8]

Good job!