I finally got my swap done. I put the 79 motor in my 80. I started on Saturday, pulled everything out including the engine in about 6 hours. It wasn't as hard as I think. The really only hard part was taking the shifter off, and the throttle cable. I hadn't drained the gear oil in the tranny, so when I pulled the engine out and tilted it, all of it went out onto the driveway, good thing I have 3 bags of oil dry. Then the next day I go get my other car. I get there, someone had stolen my keys, that were in the center console,(the car wasn't going anywhere anyways) I was pissed because I knew I couldn't get it home(locking steering wheel) So I call up the tow company to get a flat bed. About 11:00 they show up. I get in the car as he pulls it up so the wheel doesn't lock up on me. We get to my house I get in the car again to you know and what do you know, ot locked up on the way over here. So I am pissed, but I will worry about it later, I have the swap to focus on. So 10 minutes after he leaves, for some reason, I go to see if the 79 key unlocks it, well what do you know, it starts the damn car too! So I am $55 in the hole because I didn't check my other key. That is like a chance in a million. So I get to pulling this engine out and it only takes about 2 and a half hours, but three to pull it out, because of the rusty stock exhaust, shifter and the rain. I had then swapped the alternator, engine harness over onto the 79 and everything fit perfect. I had managed to get the engine in that evening, getting dark, mucho dangerous underneath the car. So the next day, I put the starter wire on and messed with the timing, the timing was rough, sputtering and popping. I figured that out in 5 minutes, no biggie. The engine was running fine and sounded even better through the 2 inch headers and the 2 and a half inch exhaust with two pre silencers. I had cut the exhaust right a t the axle because the two and a half inch went into the stock muffler on the 79. Well today I changed the oil, put in gear oil, put the driveshaft on, tightened everything, bleed the clutch, put the hood back on, the shifter and went for a ride, it runs good, temperature stays down and Idles great, but I think I might mess with the timing a little bit more. Boy this thing is loud, I can't wait to get the rear part of my exhaust on, I live a block away from the police station. All in all, it was easy, I did it all myself, it should've taken at the most two days for everything, but I also had to contend with work. I now know more about my car, and I feel confident and proud of my accomplishment and it was easy, no confusion whatsoever, no directions, just going at it with WD-40, some tools and a 12 pack of Corona is all you need.(I don't recomend the Corona on a hot day, ask me how I know). Does any body know if the 79 doors will fit on the 80? Thanks. Oh and I have a spare 80 motor with 90,000 on it, blown seals in the front, and a 79 parts car if any body needs something.

 

Congrats

Nice to hear people doing it themselves, and figurin' it out as it goes.

 

how much ya lookin for the motor? im lookin for sumthin to rebuild... PM me if your interested.

 

Good deal ,,,man

 

E X C E L L E N T !!!!!!!

 

Where can I obtain some of this "Oil Dry"?

 

AKA "kitty litter"

 

me and my dad are record setting in swapping motors. This the third motor we have swapped. And we started at 430pm and at 745pm i started the car and pulled it out of the shop. this should be the last time though. This is the first new motor we put in. The 80 and 79 doors do interchange. i will post some pics tommorrow of the install it looks nice.

dan

 

Thanks for the replies guys and thanks for the bit on the doors, looks like I will start prepping the door now. Tomorrow, I think I am going to buy a Walker Dynomax muffler and put it on, do you think that will make a difference? Should I go with a 2 inch, or a 2 and a half inch, the exhaust is 2 and a half inch.

 

i know nothing about mufflers. All i know is that mine is really loud. Right now i have a racing beat header. And that is damn loud and the exhaust is pretty much gonna be straight pipes god bless missouri and there lack of emission tests. any ideas on how loud 2 1/2 inch straight pipe is going to be.

dan

 

WILL DO MOTOR SWAP FOR $300

Did I say that LOL

 

I have 2 inch headers and a 2 and a half inch exhaust with 2 pre silencers and it is cut right at the rear axle, on the inside it is loud like maybe a bridgeport, but I ask other people in my neighborhood and they say its not too loud at all, when they are inside, they don't even hear it. So that is the best I can do for you.

 

thanks i willl know more after friday.

dan

 

2.5" straight pipe without muffler = permanent ear damage in ~10 mins of driving

2.5" straight pipe with only muffler = permanent ear damage in ~30 mins of driving

2.5" straight pipe with muffler and presilencer = no permanent ear damage, and no worries about getting fix-it-tickets for noise violations


Jeff

 

double post

 

My experiences with straight pipes:
With or without the muffler you will get no hearing damage if you just make sure the exit pipe clears the underbody of the car. If not, plan on at least a little temporary ringing with a muffler; without one, plan on undrivable without earplugs.